CL Yachts CLB65 (2023-)

Brief Summary

CL Yachts' “B” series is defined as a more traditional-looking yacht. These yachts won’t have the plumb bow or forward-raked windshields of an expedition yacht. Instead, they have the more classic and traditional lines that will never become out of date.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	64’ 6” 19.70 m
Beam	19’ 10” 6.05 m
Dry Weight	83,200 lb 37,700 kg
Tested Weight	86,782 lb 39,364 kg
Draft	4’ 9” 1.50 m
Fuel Capacity	850 gal 3,200 L
Water Capacity	250 gal 950 L
Total Weight	86,782 lb 39,364 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	11.5 seconds
0 to 30	24.3 seconds
Load	4 persons; 382.5 gal. fuel; 50 lb gear
Climate	75 deg., 82 humid; wind: 10-12 mph, seas:1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 800-hp Volvo Penta D13
Std. Power	2 x 800-hp Volvo Penta D13

Captain's Report

CL Yachts CLB65: Tailor Made for the Owner/Operator

Coming in at 64’6” (19.7 m), the CLB65 is in the owner/operator’s sweet spot for a manageable yacht.  She’s not designed as a first boat but one that a more experienced boat handler would be gravitating to as it’s now time to head out beyond the local horizon. 

She has generous spaces, both inside and out and can sleep 6 in three ensuite staterooms, plus another in the crew cabin.  The master is located amidships, the VIP is forward and the twin guest stateroom is to port.  Standard power is a pair of 800-hp Volvo Penta IPS1050 D13s. 

Mission

The CL Yachts CLB65 was designed to give the owner/operator exactly what he/she is looking for… a trouble-free yacht that can explore coastal waters with family and friends. Safety and security come in a close second to luxury and entertaining. 

Major Features

• Three ensuite staterooms
• Full beam master
• IPS pod drive propulsion
• Galley located aft on main deck
• Dual social areas on flybridge deck
• Aft crew cabin

Boat Inspection

Aft Deck/Swim Platform

The aft deck has teak decking and a bench seat located aft and behind a gloss-finished pedestal table.  The addition of deck chairs will make this the preferred dining area for a full allowance of the yacht’s guests. 

It’s protected from above by the extended flying bridge deck.  High rails are to the sides to add to the safety factor.  There are also gates to both sides.  A joystick control station is hidden behind a small hatch to the side of the stairs to the flybridge to starboard.  To port is a storage cabinet with counter space that blends into the galley just ahead. 

Stairs to the starboard side lead to the swim platform and warping winches are alongside at the top.  The platform is hydraulicly actuated, so it presents multiple uses, launching a PWC and creating a private beach among them. 

Bow

The bow is accessed from side decks to port and starboard, thanks to the symmetrical layout.  The social area here consists of a C-shaped, forward-facing settee with dual sunpads just ahead.  There are plenty of beverage holders and the area can be protected under a pop-up Mediterranean sunshade supported by carbon fiber stanchions. 

Flying Bridge

The flying bridge is huge and has multiple social zones.  First, and fully forward, is a massive U-shaped sofa wrapping around a pair of gloss-finished pedestal tables with integrated beverage holders.  This forward position allows the occupants to share the same vantage point as the operator, who is located to starboard. 

Just behind is a grilling station with an electric grill, counter space, sink and refrigeration.  This is also the area that comes out from under the protection of the hardtop.  Further aft is an L-shaped settee wrapping around a gloss table on dual hi-lo pedestals.  Beverage holders are to both ends and high rails surround the deck. 

Helm

The helm is located to starboard and it’s a typical weather-resistant fiberglass console.  There are two MFD (Multi-Function Display) screens and a vertically mounted stainless-steel wheel.  The engine and pod controls are to the right.   The helm seat is a double-wide Stidd seat with the operator to the left of the seat and the observer to the right.  Remote controls for the displays are to the left armrest. 

Galley

As we move inside through a stainless-steel framed glass door the galley is just to the port side.  There’s a glass bulkhead separating it from the aft deck, and it can be opened up and outwards to blend the two areas together.  The galley includes a full-sized refrigerator/freezer, an induction cooktop, a convection microwave, and the staple of any good yacht… the wine cooler. 

The entire interior is well-lit with large windows.  Decking is hardwood.  Air-conditioning vents are up high to cool the room more evenly.  Across to starboard, there’s a settee behind a pedestal table, and this represents the only interior dining area. 

Salon

The salon is ahead and up a single step and it’s surrounded by glass.  A U-shaped seating area is to port and there’s a wetbar to the starboard side, behind the helm.  Between the wetbar and the helm is a watertight door to the starboard sidedeck.

Helm

The helm is starboard mounted and consists of a raised panel housing two MFD (Multi-Function Display) screens.  The side window next to the operator is massive, the windshield is two-piece. 

As with the flying bridge helm, the operator sits to the left of a double-wide seat which means anyone joining in on the ride must have the operator step out to allow access to the right side of the seat.  The autopilot and VHF are to the starboard side of the digital engine controls and the IPS joystick and the thruster control are to the left of the console.  We’re happy to see a remote for the forward displays mounted to the armrest of the helm seat. 

Stairs to the companionway leading below decks are beautifully crafted from hardwood and the risers are recessed somewhat allowing for the installation of courtesy lights.  This also gives the illusion of hidden risers.  Rather than installing the thick treads up against the side bulkheads, the bulkheads are instead cut around the treads. 

Master Stateroom

The master is located aft and it’s full beam.  Hullside windows are to port and starboard, and both have integrated portlights.  The berth is slightly offset to starboard to allow more space for dual hanging lockers to the portside of the berth.  To both sides, there are chests of drawers with a raised counter on stainless pedestals just above.  A TV is mounted to the forward bulkhead.  Natural wood tones and artful lines can be seen throughout. 

The master head is forward and to starboard.  It includes his and her sinks, a glass-enclosed shower, solid surface counters and an electric flush toilet. 

Guest Stateroom

As we continue forward, there’s a laundry behind bi-fold doors to the starboard bulkhead.  Just ahead of that is a pull-out pantry, convenient for storing products. 

The guest stateroom is to port and features two single berths.  A hanging locker is just ahead of the entry door.  There’s a narrow hullside window up high and it includes an integrated opening port.  The head is forward. 

VIP

The VIP stateroom is in the bow and it’s in the usual fashion of an island berth accessed from the foot of the berth.  Storage compartments are to both sides and well above are small hull side windows and opening ports.  An overhead hatch completes the natural light entrances.  To port, there’s an entrance to the ensuite and it’s this head that also has a second entrance allowing it to serve as a day head. 

Engine Room

The engine room is accessed from a watertight door at the transom and then by passing through the crew space to another watertight door.   

As expected, the room is gleaming white.  Rails surround the twin IPS 1050 pod drive engines making transitions and checks while underway a safe endeavor.  To the port side, the Onan 29kW generator is on an elevated platform.  To starboard, there’s a fixed firefighting system on another platform.  Otherwise, there’s not much space to access the outboard sides of the engines but all daily checks are performed from the center walkway.  The forward bulkhead has all the main electrical components, and the compartment is ventilated with a Delta-T system that also eliminated moisture. 

As an interesting note, there’s another watertight door to the forward bulkhead that serves as an emergency escape from the back side of one of the two hanging lockers in the master stateroom. 

Observations

The CLB65 certainly envisions the classic yachting style.  But CL Yachts doesn’t just “do” anything.   In addition to her appealing characteristics, there’s a strength of build that comes from a company that started making ocean-going work vessels.  Those are good lessons to learn when transitioning to the private sector and it gives a lot of peace of mind.