Home And Away

Shipyards in Asia are expanding their range of yachts at both ends of the size scale, diversifying into power and sailing catamarans, and including this region among their target markets.

- Nick Hung

CL Yachts’ display at this year’s Palm Beach International Boat Show includes the new CLB88 (also pictured on the opening spread in Hong Kong) is scheduled to show its flagship CLB88 and hull six of its popular CLB72 at this year’s Palm Beach International Boat Show in Florida from March CLYachts 25-28 as the brand from the historic Cheoy Lee yard headquartered in Hong Kong continues its remarkable journey.

However, CL Yachts is also using the year’s first major international boat show to reveal more details of its upcoming CLB65, which will be its new entry-level yacht and is being produced in the shipyard’s main production facility west of Zhuhai.

Set to debut in the fourth quarter of 2021, the CLB65 features a RINA-certified resin-infused composite hull designed by Howard Apollonio of Apollonio Naval Architecture in collaboration with structural engineer Gurit, the two design offices who both worked together successfully on the CLB72.

The yacht, which can be CE certified upon request, features strategic use of carbon-fibre, while the first unit will be configured with twin Volvo IPS1050 pods and feature an at-rest electric fin stabiliser.

CL Yachts has designed the exterior and layout in-house, with an aft galley among notable differences to other models in the CL Yachts range, while the “light and airy interior design scheme” is by Interiors by Carmen, which also worked on the CLB72. Notable features include opening saloon windows, while the lower deck features three staterooms and a convertible crew cabin.

As well as developing its smallest model, the builder has been constructing building its biggest model, with the much-anticipated CLX96 on schedule to launch this summer before it travels to the US for its world premiere at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show from October 27-31.