CL Yachts CLB72 (2021-)

Brief Summary

CL Yachts is a division of the Cheoy Lee shipyards and focuses on yachts under 100’ (30.48 m). The yachts are further divided into two categories, A and B. The A-series is the more express series of yachts while the B class is the more traditional long-range cruising yachts. So, what we have here is the CL Yachts CLB72 – the 72’ (hull length) (21.95 m) version of the B series yacht.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	76' 11" 23.44 m
Beam	19' 10" 6.05 m
Dry Weight	105,000 lbs. 47,500 kg
Tested Weight	111,439 lbs. 50,547.88 kg
Draft	5'0" 1.5 m
Fuel Capacity	1,200 gallons 4,542.5 L
Water Capacity	250 gallons 946.35 L
Total Weight	111,439 lbs. 50,547.88 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Load	5 persons; 744 gal. fuel; 125 gal. water; 50 lbs. gear
Climate	89 deg.; 68 humid.; winds: 15-20; seas: 2-4

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 1,000-hp IPS 1350

Captain's Report

Captain’s Report by Capt. Steve

One of the most noteworthy aspects of the CL Yachts CLB72 has to be that it was constructed with a floating framework.  This isolates the hull with the support members to significantly reduce onboard vibration and its associated noise while still maintaining RINA-certified performance.  It also provides an added measure of safety by creating a de-facto double bottom.  Designed by Apollonio Naval Architecture, she features open-plan social zones and was designed for “a yachting family with a heart for adventure.”  

She has a fully resin-infused hull and a superstructure that saves weight while maintaining strength.  Her displacement is in the neighborhood of 105,000 lbs. (47,500 kg) and her strength is supplanted by a 1,200-gallon (4,540 L) integral fuel tank.  

Mission

The CLB72 is first and foremost a family yacht… an owner/operator’s yacht.  So while she’s not intended for chartering, she certainly could be.  She has accommodations for a crew of two but that’s not her primary goal.  Virtually every owner to date has been an owner/operator with the crew handling the lines and doing the maintenance.  She’s intended to take those families to far-reaching destinations and explore new areas. 

Major Features 

• CZone monitoring system.
• Resin-infused composites integrated with carbon fiber and fiberglass structures.
• Floating framework reduces noise and vibration throughout.
• Four cabins, plus crew cabin.
• Nearly 360-degrees of glass on main deck.
• Galley located on main deck.
• Flying bridge volume comparable to yachts in the 100’ (30.48 m) class.

Engines/Engine Room

The engine room is accessible from a watertight door in the transom, or from the crew quarters ahead of the engine room.  It’s an extremely well laid out space, with 5’11” (1.8 m) of overhead clearance and 42” (106.68 cm) between the two rails surrounding the engines. 

Over on the port side, there’s the compressor for the air horn, then the hot water tank and the fire suppression system.  There’s a series of Dometic air conditioning systems and they're all well labeled for the individual spaces that they service.   Of course, the center of the engine room houses the twin 1000-HP IPS 1350 engines. There are dual 24 kW generators with an auto-parallel system that automatically activates the second generator when the load increases.  The boat is pre-wired and pre-plumbed for a watermaker of choice. 

Boat Inspection

Salon

The interior consists of an open floor plan with no bulkheads to divide the open space that is enhanced by the 6’7” (2.01 m) overhead.  Even the deck is on a single level.  Huge windows are surrounding the entire deck and there is an option for having the windows be electrically actuated to open. 

Furniture is all freestanding and starts with an L-shaped sofa to the port hand side.  This wraps around a small coffee table and an area rug over the wide-planked engineered-wood decking.  A cabinet to starboard houses the entertainment center components, including a 60” (152.4 cm) TV on an electric lift. 

We’re seeing a lot of quality materials that are characteristic of the CL Yachts shipyard in this salon.  Countertops fabricated from natural stone, doors upholstered in leather, scalloped joinery to the entertainment center doors, walnut veneered bulkheads treated with natural oils and all outlets have USB charge ports integrated within.    

Galley

Forward of the salon, the galley is L-shaped.  All the counters are Fenix- NTM and are self-healing so scratches can be easily repaired.  Refrigeration is in the form of four drawers and can be any combination of refrigeration and freezer desired.  In the corner of the counter, there’s a section of shelving that lifts electrically and that makes good use of what would otherwise be dead space.  There’s a microwave above an induction cooktop.  There’s a single basin sink and storage is all around.  An island includes more open counter space over a dishwasher and plenty of storage.   

Ahead is a solid indicator of this being a family yacht.  An L-shaped dinette is on an elevated platform rather than a dedicated formal dining room.  Across to starboard is a day head, stemware storage and a wine chiller. 

Lower Helm

As we look at the lower helm, first we need to understand that this boat is powered by the Volvo Penta IPS 1350s, 1000-HP each, and Volvo Penta covers everything from top to bottom including the interceptor tabs.  That means they also interface with the large 17” (43.18 cm) Garmin displays here at the helm.  A compass is above the two displays and right in line with the wheel.  The lower panel houses the C-Zone display controlling all the vessel's switching and tank monitoring.  There’s an optional bow thruster and the debate rages on about whether a bow thruster is needed when we have an IPS joystick.  There are two VHF radios at the helm and two generator controls.  The wheel is mounted to a fixed base. 

The helm seat is from Stidd and is fully adjustable for hi/lo, fore and aft and recline.  There are flip armrests and a flip footrest.  The IPS joystick is on the right armrest while the control for the forward displays is on the left.  Directly to starboard is a watertight door giving quick access to the side deck. 

Aft Deck

The entertainment aspects continue outside as we move through the rear double sliding glass doors.  They open to a width of 49” (124.46 cm) and close automatically unless something or someone interrupts the beam and causes them to open again. 

Ahead and to starboard, there’s a wet bar with a two-level stone counter.  A single basin stainless-steel sink is recessed into the lower counter and an ice maker is below.  Across to port, there’s another similar unit, this time with a refrigerator.  A 32” (81.28 cm) TV is above. 

In both quarters, there are heavy-duty rollers surrounded by stainless steel.  Huge cleats are just behind.  There are large deck drains, inward opening gates and joystick stations.  All this is repeated to the opposite side.

The swim platform comes out 9’5” (2.87 m), 6’ (1.83 m) of which is hydraulically actuated with a 1,500 lb. (680.39 kg) lift capacity. 

Side Decks

As we make our way forward, it’s worth noting that midship cleats are mounted to the center of the hawseholes, so lines can be secured from the dock.  There’s an entrance to the crew quarters to the port side deck and another just forward of the engine room.  These side decks are a full 24” (60.96 cm) wide.  Bulwarks come up 14” (35.56 cm) and rails top out at 39” (99.06 cm). 

Bow

At the bow, there’s a 69” (175.26 cm) wide sunpad with a Fusion stereo in the center of the headrest.  It can be shaded with a pop-up sunshade supported by carbon-fiber stanchions.  Stereo speakers and pop-up LED lights are surrounding the sunpad. 

Fully forward is the ground tackle.  It consists of a Maxwell windlass handling an all-chain rode.  Right alongside is a freshwater washdown.  The rode leads through a chain stopper, connects to a swivel and ultimately to a 50-kg claw anchor mounted to a through-the-stem anchor roller.  Just behind is a hatch used for storage. Under the storage is rode access.  To both sides are cleats mounted into the hawseholes.  Foot controls are to the starboard side. 

Flying Bridge

The flying bridge is accessed from stairs at the aft deck.  Gatherings start at the back with a wide-open deck. There's an electric grill to starboard with bench seating just ahead of that.  There's another pop-up sunshade supported by carbon fiber stanchions. 

Continuing forward, there's a hardtop 6’9” (2.06 m) off the deck and over another gathering area with L-seating.  The aft seat has a reversible seatback.  There are two teak tables with beveled edges and stainless-steel beverage holders.  Between the starboard bench seats is a table with a stone surface.  Across to port is a refreshment center with more stone counterwork, a stainless-steel sink and refrigerator.

Flying Bridge Helm

The flybridge helm is similarly laid out to the lower helm with twin 17” (43.18 cm) displays to either side of the compass that is flush-mounted into the dash.  There’s a Fusion stereo, windlass control alongside a spotlight control, the thruster and digital engine controls.   This time, the steering wheel is mounted to a tilt base.

The helm seat is another model from Stidd with the forward display controls to one armrest and the IPS joystick to the other.  And now we have an observer seat alongside, also from Stidd.  Both have flip footrests, flip armrests and are fully adjustable including recline.

Lower Deck

Master

The master stateroom is fully aft and full beam.  It has the berth off to the port side and the first reaction was surprised that it wasn’t mounted to the centerline to minimize movement while underway.  But then reality kicked in.  It’s an owner/operator’s yacht.  So, it’s not like we’ll be underway while the owner is sleeping.  Plus, this arrangement provides more room to move about.  So with that said, let’s look at the layout. 

There are hull side windows to both sides so the views are stunning.  To starboard, we usually see a settee under the hullside window, but here there is storage.  Good choice there.  It also accommodates a 55” (139.70 cm) TV on an electric lift.  It’s also a roomy stateroom with 6’7” (2.01 m) of overhead clearance.  The berth measures 76” x 67” (193.04 cm x 170.18 cm).  There’s storage under three sides of the berth.  And a cedar-lined walk-in closet is aft and to port. 

VIP

The VIP stateroom is fully forward, and it’s laid out in the typical fashion of an island berth with access to both sides.  There are two hull side windows, one to each side. A mirror is to the forward bulkhead.  The berth measures 81” x 60” (205.74 cm x 152.4 cm) and it includes storage underneath.  The overhead is 6’6” (1.98 m) off the deck.  The berth is at a comfortable height of 24” (60.96 cm). To the aft bulkhead is a 32” (81.28 cm) TV. 

The door to the head has a full-length mirror on the back.  This head includes a separate walk-in shower and the deck is one piece of stone tile.  It’s actually a 3 x 3-meter section that’s cut to shape.   

Price 

The base price of the CLB72 is $3.95 million, which in the scheme of things isn’t much.  CL Yachts believes that it’s better to be upfront with the client rather than price high and then bargain left and right to bring the price down to where it should have been in the first place. 

Observations

Overall, the CLB72 hits the buttons for volume and ease of use unlike other boats in class.  She’s remarkably comfortable to handle and seems to respond to inputs almost intuitively, especially at low speeds.  For an owner/operator, it’s an ideal combination.  For a family cruiser, it’s a dreamboat.