CL Yachts’ brand new CLX96, is a Hummer for the sea. Elliott Maurice jumped on board during her global debut at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show.

Claimed to be the world’s first SAV, short for Sea Activity Vessel, this rugged 96-footer is described by its builder, Hong Kong-based CL Yachts, as “not just another pretty boat”.

This Rambo-esque CLX96 is the new flagship of Cheoy Lee-owned CL, and comes from the drawing board of Milan-based industrial designer Jozeph Forakis, who did both the exterior and interior.

Love it, or hate it, it certainly has presence. With that polarizing plumb bow, reverse-angle deckhouse and matching pilothouse-cum-skylounge perched on top, it earns CL’s description of the yacht being “workboat chic”.

And it comes with no shortage of cool, innovative thinking with Forakis placing a huge focus on creating expansive entertaining and tanning zones.

Up on the foredeck there’s a vast, full-beam circular space with big, curvy sofas flanked by sizable sunpads. In front of that funky pilothouse, he’s put a new spin on the traditional Portuguese bridge with a huge space for loungers.

CLX96 Specifications

LOA: 96ft 9ins (29.50m)
Beam: 24ft (7.32m)
Engines: 2 x Caterpillar C32
Top speed: 25 knots
Starting price: $9.5m

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