Yachting World — February 2018

Despite a noticeable amount of drag off
the leeward blade, the direct grip they
provide make easy work for the autopilot.
We hoisted a bright pink asymmetric
sail for the return leg into the bay. This
felt wonderful for the short spell when
I could heat her up a little, making up
to 10.5 knots. But depth restrictions
soon forced us to bear away to a more
sedate angle, heel and speed. If we tried
to sail much lower than 120° apparent,
the asymmetric would lose too much
apparent wind and start to flog.
As we slid past the old harbour at
Saint-Tropez under port gybe, I couldn’t
help thinking how at home the CNB
looked. This is one chic and stylish mini
superyacht that will stand out for the
right reasons wherever she sails.

Modern deck design
The twin helm stations are well designed.
The outboard helm seats enable you
to sit out in comfort, both to windward
and leeward, with full vision along the
side decks. Foot chocks will help when
standing at the helm, and these are
installed at handover stage according to
each owner’s specification.
Directly in front of the helmsman’s
seats are consoles for plotters,
instruments, engine throttles and
thruster controls. However, I found
the motorboat-style joystick thruster
controls were positioned too close to
the wheel and could easily get knocked.
Bow and stern thrusters help alleviate
concerns about handling a yacht of this
size with twin rudders in port – but I’d ask
for conventional switches.
To get to the winches the helmsman
has to walk outboard around the
large consoles or inboard around the
pedestals. It is then possible to keep
a hand on the wheel and let off a lazy

sheet. In reality, however, either one

crewmember (or the autopilot) would

helm while one or two others trim main

and foresails.

The benefit of keeping the sailing

systems aft is that, like most big yachts

today, it leaves the main cockpit free of

sailing systems. The seating area is larger

to port and the companionway is offset a

little. This slightly unsymmetrical design

continues below through to the forward

accommodation to provide privacy to the

offset berth in the owner’s cabin.

The cockpit coamings are low,

maintaining the sleek aesthetics of the

superstructure, but offer little comfort

or protection. This makes the optional

padded backrest cushions a wise choice.

Playtime at anchor and a smart

means of getting ashore are important

considerations for a yacht of this type.

A large, hydraulic-powered bathing

platform lowers to reveal a tender garage

roomy enough to house a 3.25m Williams

jet RIB. Runner boards can mount onto

the platform to help deploy the dinghy

and an electric belt winch aids retrieval.

The forepeak sail locker is large

enough to be used as an optional crew

cabin, it has 7ft headroom, a proper fixed

ladder and a useful watertight door into

the interior. I liked the workbench with

sockets for charging power tools and the

tower of bosun’s boxes for spare parts.

Deck saloon appeal

Jean-Marc Piaton has designed another

elegant, modern and light interior, which,

as with the CNB 76, produces an air

of quality and distinction throughout.

The beamy deck saloon, with its ample

natural light and views, creates a superb

first impression.

Feedback from owners about its

previous models led CNB to maximise

interior space in the saloon and adjoining

Leisure time at

anchor is well

considered. The

bathing platform is

large and the RIB

can be launched

within a minute

ON TEST : CNB 66

78 February 2018