A relative newcomer to the yachting world, CL Yachts draws on its parent company’s 150 years of heritage and diverse skill set, with a vision for the future that heralds boundless adventure for a new generation of yacht owners, reports Jeni Bone.

With small amount of industry pedigree, the leisure boat sector with both interesting and seaworthy designs. Indeed, the brand’s aim is to redefine yachting as a modern lifestyle experience, as the company’s Director Martin Lo explains.

CL Yachts was established in 2018 as a standalone brand under Cheoy Lee Shipyards, which has been
family-owned and operated since the 1870s, and operates two separate divisions – Cheoy Lee, focused on commercial vessels and custom superyacht projects, and CL Yachts, specialising in luxury recreational yachts ranging from 50 to 100 feet.

“With CL Yachts, we’re catering to a new generation of yachting enthusiasts who value free thinking, easy elegance, and the pursuit of discovery,” states Lo. “CL Yachts builds for the love of the voyage. Our slogan, Uncharted Luxury, reflects a deep commitment to creating yachts that go beyond surface appeal – I want an owner to be able to get on board, turn the key and go, knowing that all systems are dependable, robust and straightforward to maintain.
“All models in the CL Yachts fleet are designed with comfort and performance in mind,” he continues. “Every detail, both seen and unseen, is carefully evaluated and considered with a goal to elevate the yachting experience.
“The unmistakable confidence in our yachts is fuelled by a bloodline of shipbuilding excellence and pride in our commitment to both cutting-edge design and engineering in
our luxury yachts.”

Superlatives aside, the CL Yachts range lays claim to an impressive pedigree. Evolving from traditional teak boats to GRP vessels and from custom superyachts to production yachts, the Cheoy Lee shipyard is guided by a board composed of fourth- and fifth-generation family members actively involved
in its operations.

“Our family is involved in the whole boatbuilding process,” Lo claborates. “Because we build commercial craft, building to Class is second nature to us. Even for our motor yachts, CE hull construction is a minimum requirement. The shipyard is ISO certified and we have a mature quality assurance program.”
The eighth of eight brothers, Lo is fourth generation in the family business and oversees strategic planning, new product development, operational efficiency and quality control across both the commercial vessel and yacht divisions. To say he’s busy would be an understatement. “My current commercial division projects include a fleet of 40-metre full carbon composite passenger catamarans, two 40-metre hybrid passenger catamarans – one in carbon and one in aluminium – and a 16-metre hybrid sightseeing catamaran,” Lo shares, beaming with obvious passion and pride in the company. “In addition,” he continues, “I’m working on several innovative yacht models in the CL Yachts range, including the CLB65 SUV, CLB80 and CLX99, and managing the custom-built 127 Discovery.” Strategically located on the Pearl River in Zhuhai, China, close to its Hong Kong management and marketing headquarters, the production facility occupies 12 hectares (30 acres) and builds between 30 and 35 vessels a year. The facility boasts dedicated fabrication halls for steel, aluminium and fibreglass moulding, plus undercover sheds for trades involved in each phase of construction.
On-site accommodation for the company’s 800 workers includes recreational amenities for sports and relaxation, aimed at promoting employee wellbeing.

The commercial division builds a diverse range of vessels, including passenger ferries, tugboats, pilot boats and charter cruisers. The yacht division comprises two distinct brands – Cheoy Lee Yachts, specialising in custom superyachts up to 60 metres, and CL Yachts, a production brand with three distinct series (the timeless elegance of Series A and B, and the cutting-edge design of Series X).
“Innovation is embedded in our DNA,” Lo says, referring to the prowess and global
reputation of the shipyard. “With a vision for the future of shipbuilding, we’ve been dedicated to developing hybrid and eco-friendly vessels since 2022. In 2024, we successfully delivered two hybrid 40-metre, 450-passenger catamarans as part of the Hong Kong Government’s initiative to reduce
carbon emissions in the harbour. Plus, we delivered two dual-fuel tugs to the Hong Kong LNG Terminal. Our expertise and experience in constructing eco-friendly commercial vessels will now be applied to yacht building.”

As part of Cheoy Lee Shipyards, CL Yachts benefits from the shipyard’s cutting-edge infrastructure and highly skilled team of designers, trades and craftspeople. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including CNC water-jet cutters, CNC plasma cutters, advanced 3-axis CNC laser cutters,
and 3-axis, 1-axis and 5-axis CNC milling machines.
“We utilise Leica 3D scanners, 3D printers for rapid prototyping, CNC laser pipe cutters, and semi-automatic pipe welding machines, plus we’re exploring AI solutions like robotic welding,” Lo says. “These high-tech tools enable us to continuously enhance our manufacturing processes, ensuring the highest
levels of efficiency and precision.”

Over the decades, the shipyard has collaborated with several esteemed naval architects, structural engineers and reputable designers. CL Yachts, with its emphasis on contemporary styling, works with design luminaries and avant-garde young guns alike.
“One recent example is the multiple award-winning CLX96, a remarkable project developed in partnership with naval architect Earl Alfaro, structural engineer Al Horsmon, and designer Jozeph Forakis,” cites Lo. “We’ve also teamed up with talented interiors experts of the calibre of Super Tomato design agency, who are working on the interiors of the CLB65 SUV and CLB72.”

In terms of suppliers, they’re just as fastidious. “We source materials from global brands, like foam core from Diab, Divinycell, Corecell from Gurit and carbon fibre from Taiwan,” Lo says. “We’ve formed close relationships with all of them over decades.” Spurred on by the objective of raising its profile globally, CL. Yachts has prioritised expanding its global sales network. It currently has a sales office in Fort Lauderdale, headed up by Martin’s brother B.Y. Lo and local dealers across Australasia, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Turkey. Supported by those regional dealers, CL Yachts exhibits at international yacht shows including Miami, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Newport and Norwalk in the US, and the Hong Kong, Sanctuary Cove and Sydney international boat shows in the Asia-Pacific region. “In the next few years, we anticipate attending boat shows across Europe, Dubai and other parts of Asia with our latest models,” Lo adds.

It’s not just about design, however. Sustainability has become more than a buzzword for boat manufacturers over the past few years, and CL Yachts has embraced it with gusto in its ethos and systems.
“Sustainability lies at the core of our corporate strategy,” Lo confirms. “We’ve modernised our manufacturing systems to reduce energy usage and incorporate environmentally friendly materials into shipbuilding. We have developed lightweight, energy-efficient hybrid vessels, setting a benchmark for eco-conscious innovation. At our Hong Kong headquarters, solar panels generate renewable energy for daily operations, with surplus energy supplied back to the power grid?” In its seventh year of operation, the brand is making great strides into mature yachting markets with its existing range of seven models while working on several new models that only await a willing owner. “We’re working on several exciting new projects across the series,” Lo reveals. “In the B-Series, the CLB65 SUV is currently in production,
perfectly suited for the Australian market and due for release at the end of 2025. The CLB80 is also part of our production plan, and the groundbreaking CLX99 is fully designed and ready to be built as soon as an order is placed.”

On the eve of attending the 2025 Singapore Yachting Festival, Lo was extremely positive about the future of yachting in the region, particularly in his hometown, Hong Kong. In early March, he was involved in a think tank of business leaders to discuss the potential of pleasure boating to drive tourism and the hiccups the boating industry has faced over several administrations. Lo says the commitment from the new, seemingly more progressive Provincial Government was heartening. “Things are changing, rapidly and for the better,” he affirms. “Hong Kongers are very active when it comes to yachting and water sports, and the growing middle class is open to fun and leisure pastimes. With increased travel and education, people are exploring more. Sanya, often referred to as the Hawaii of China, boasts a stunning coastline, picturesque harbour and magnificent islands – why let such potential go to waste? Hong Kong could be the yachting hub for China.

“The Central Government is keen to explore the opportunities,” he continues. “There’s a willingness to invest in infrastructure and two large marinas are planned for Hong Kong – one near the old airport and the other near downtown Hong Kong. “It’s a very exciting time,” he concludes.
“We pour our heart and soul into every boat we create. With all the elements perfectly aligned, CL Yachts is poised to seize the opportunities of this exciting new era.”