STYLE AND SUBSTANCE AT SEA
Officially unveiled at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the sleek 28.7-foot motor yacht blends cutting-edge technology and efficiency with elegance and personalisation.
Tasked with crafting the CLB80, award-winning designer Jozeph Forakis embarked on a mission to preserve CLYachts’ distinctive design DNA and innovative ethos while infusing an updated aesthetic. An extensive creative process resulted in a concept that hints at the brand’s design antecedents while instilling a touch of modernity and sportiness.
FUNCTIONAL STYLE
Forakis’ expertise is evident in the CLB80’s captivating blend of contemporary style and functionality, beginning with the yacht’s exterior silhouette and permeating its interior spaces.
“Boomerang” fashion plates are a CL hallmark. So, naturally, they line the vessel’s sides to create a sporty, aerodynamic appearance enhanced by the avant-garde parallelogram-shaped stepped side windows that increase visibility and bathe living spaces in natural light.
Inside, Forakis’ meticulous attention to detail shapes a minimalist aesthetic centred around premium materials and finishes, a design concept that reflects the yacht’s contemporary exterior. The innovative use of modular FRP ‘pods’ to define living zones elevates the vessel’s modern feel by framing windows and beds or integrating desks and sofas to create a cohesive environment. Fluted oak panels, marble, abundant natural light, and soft earth tones enhance the modern look while adding warmth, texture, and a sense of opulence.
Every care has been taken to maximise the CLB80’s potential to envelop passengers in comfort and practicality while fully immersing them in the surrounding locations. In the expansive main salon and the foredeck’s cocktail lounge, electronically operated windows promote ventilation and create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection by bringing glimpses of nature into the serene onboard environment. Further emphasising the yacht’s effortless blending of design and practicality, the dedicated dining area boasts a versatile dining table that slides into the adjacent galley counter to create more space and a high bar that’s ideal for entertaining.
Forakis also dreamed up the CLB80’s innovative Beach Club, giving guests another option for enjoying the indoors and outdoors simultaneously. Inside, the cleverly appointed space features a galley for light refreshments, a concealed TV, and an adjustable table that does double duty as a dining space and day bed for lounging. A transom door fitted with vertical windows separates the indoor space from the spacious swimming platform. When open, it enables guests to enjoy ocean views and the refreshing sea breeze and access the utility wall that serves as a storage area for water toys.
PEAK PERSONALISATION
One of the defining features of the CLB80 is its many options for personalisation. With so many possibilities, owners have the opportunity to put their stamp on the yacht by building a configuration that suits their needs exactly. The convertible furniture in the salon and formal dining area? That’s just the start.
On the main deck, the yacht can be fitted with a forward or aft galley to suit different requirements. While the former tends more towards functionality, the latter creates a seamless entertaining experience and convivial atmosphere with open access to the indoor dining area and the outdoor cockpit lounge through an electronically operated aft window.
The standard layout of the CLB80 includes a single helm on the flybridge, but even here, owners can customise the space. The flybridge can remain open for those wishing to maximise their time in the sun and fresh air, though a double helm can be fitted without compromising the space around the barbecue and outdoor bar. Those looking for privacy from prying eyes and shelter from the elements can opt for an enclosed flybridge with a single or double helm.
PERFORMANCE PROWESS
Beneath its sleek exterior, the CLB80 is a feat of modern engineering. Every detail in its structure and features has been carefully chosen to optimise efficiency without compromising performance. The vessel’s foam-cored monocoque structure and resin-infused composite hull, coupled with the strategic use of carbon fibre, offer enhanced strength and handling while ensuring weight reduction. Onboard, the vessel’s weight is further limited with thinned stonework and furniture crafted from feather-light Tricel honeycomb.
However, weight optimisation is just one piece of the yacht’s efficiency puzzle. The CLB80 is powered by twin Caterpillar C32 1600 bhp engines that deliver impressive power and maneuverability while optimising fuel consumption and meeting
US EPA Tier 3 Recreational and China Stage II standards for emissions. These powerful engines are paired with electric fin stabilisers that guarantee smooth sailing in the choppiest seas, a CZONE monitoring system that offers information on tankage, boat functions, and navigation electronics at one glance.
Together, the lightweight construction, efficient engines, and impressive technology translate to exceptional performance at sea, giving the CLB80 a projected top speed of more than 24 knots (at half-load) while allowing for longer cruising ranges, reduced environmental impact, and a sense of control.
With endless possibilities and sumptuous details, CLYachts’ CLB80 has delivered an exciting new addition to its B-Series range, and undoubtedly, it’s what discerning yacht owners will be looking into when production begins this year.
