Affflfi-PfiThflftflTh Bfifl J/Aff 83The setting is also dramatic, along the shores of the mighty Garonne
River that flows into the tempestuous Bay of Biscay; one of the toughest
sea trial waterways in Europe. Of course the ex-factory pick-up also
allows an Owner to ballast the CNB 76’s deep bilge lockers with the
famous Bordeaux wine.Stepping Aboard
Getting on to the CNB 76 requires a set of steps, reflecting the tall
topsides of this voluminous yacht, literally a big step up from CNB’s
best-selling Bordeaux 60 (hull #46 is currently in build of this older
Briand design).
On deck, the 76’s layout is deliberately minimalist yet bristles with
Harken deck gear to control the powerful Hall Spars carbon mast, a
Euro 160,000 option that puts a big ‘P’ in the performance cruiser aspect
of this yacht. Rod rigging holds the spar aloft and it’s tensioned with
twin hydraulic backstays (manually pumped) while, in addition for
ocean and heavy weather work, there are running backstays as well.
Halyard work is done from a group of four mast base Harkens,
which is the kind of setup that foredeckies like – and will be tested
thoroughly by the Owner during the long 2,225nm Transpac from San
Francisco. The conventional Bermudan rig has a staysail and genoa
plus a top-down furling gennaker that’s hoisted when off the wind.
Alternatively, there’s also a track for a self-tacking jib in place as well,
for short-handed sailing.PHOTO: WWW.ANDREREISPHOTO.COM
PHOTO: CNB