C$12.50 US$10.99 A$10.95 NZ$16.00 Holland €8.50 Spain €7.50

FEBRUARY 2014 £4.60

yach

ting

wo

rld.co

mM

OR

E B

OA

T F

OR

YO

UR

MO

NE

Y

PLUS

FE

BR

UA

RY

20

14

FEBRUARY 2014

Should the Col Regs be changed? • Calibrating instruments • Eight entries for Volvo? Collision in the Atlantic • Local Boats – Gareloch One Design • Doyle’s supercruiser

GET YACHTING WORLDON YOUR IPAD

yachting world.com/digital

MORE BOAT FOR YOUR MONEY

JUST THE TWO OF US

CNB 76 that costs less than a 60-footer

Rise and rise of short handed-sailing

RACING TO THETOP OF BEN NEVISEnduring challenge of the Three Peaks Race

RECORDBREAKING ARC268 yachts, 1400 crew, course record 10d 21h

SAFETY AFLOAT Emergency steering, fl ood

plans and fi re prevention

REEFING INHEAVY WEATHERSkip Novak’s top tips

FEB COVER FINAL.indd 1 13/12/2013 13:46

71

MediterraneanSea ISLA DE

CABRERA

Bahia dePalma

Cabrera Passage

M A L L O R C APalma

PuertoEl Arenal

PuertoPortals

Punta de lasSalinas

test facts

YACHTING WORLD FEBRUARY 2014

Test Editor: Toby HodgesWhere we tested: from Palma,

Majorca, to the islet of Cabrera,

30nm to the SW, where we

anchored for the night, returning

to Palma the following day

Wind: Day one: Force 4-5

southerly. Day two Force 1-2

Model: No.1 build with most

optional extras except lifting keel

ON TEST cNb 76

YACHTING WORLD FEBRUARY 201470

his may sound daunting, but it seems 60ft is no longer a big boat. That was the clear message from the Cannes Boat

Show in September. This new CNB 76 was the standout launch at Cannes. In typical Philippe Briand fashion she oozes style and elegance – a powerful hull combined with a modern sleek coachroof that camouflages a deck saloon. But surely it’s not just her looks that warrant trialing such a large boat here?

The real eye-opener is that this is a production boat from leaders in that field Groupe Bénéteau. She sits in the same price sector as premium 60-65ft yachts. In fact for the price of the CNB 76, you’d get €500,000 change from a Swan 60!

Five years ago builders CNB brought out the Bordeaux 60, 40 of which have since launched. It flaunted style and size for a comparatively low (under €1 million) asking price. But how have they managed to build a 76ft boat that starts at

€2 million (a similar size custom boat would cost at least double)? With the Benétéau group’s investment, CNB devised an innovative new modular build scheme that has allowed them to construct the entire interior of the 76 outside of the hull. The four modules are built to an exact tolerance, so slot into place within millimetres of their 3D design. The benefit is simultaneous construction of hull and interior which brings the build time down to five or six months, and in turn reduces cost.

The key objectives of the finished product were style, performance, a decksaloon, plus a proper crew area and tender garage. After splashing the first 76 in August, CNB commendably took Leo on a six-month seatrial from Bordeaux to Turkey. Her builders and engineers joined for various legs for valuable sea-time experience.

t

More for your moneyThe CNB 76 offers elegance, style and size for a very competitive price. Toby Hodges tests this new flagship from Groupe Bénéteau –a boat made possible by her innovative build method

5Above: the hull

chine of the 76

benefits her in

three main ways

according to Nicolas

Garnier who works

for designer

Philippe Briand.

It increases

accommodation

volume slightly,

visually serves to

reduce the high

freeboard (needed

to incorporate the

deck saloon), and

adds stability

Anchor mode: the 76 is a plush floating

platform with plenty of lounging space,

plus a large garage for the toys

YACHTING WORLD FEBRUARY 201473 YACHTING WORLD FEBRUARY 2014 74

option, which increases sail area by 6–7%. Even if in-mast furling is chosen, this carbon mast still apparently ends up lighter than an alloy one.

Once nestled in the invitingly protected north-facing anchorage of Cabrera, we had a good opportunity to explore the boat. There is a real superyacht feel to her deck and a clever floating theme to the styling. The jet tender was launched fuss-free in moments from the garage, paddling boards were inflated via a high-speed pump, and fins and snorkels brought out to make the most of the fading light. I like the way stowage has been well designed to accommodate these accessories and make them easily accessible. On deck stowage in general is very generous, if you include the large sail locker forward.

to compact pods by the wheels. When standing at these aft helms, however, I did feel a little exposed, especially in a swell, with only thigh-level guardrails behind. Apparently the central pushpit support will be raised.

With the asymmetric set, reaching speeds hit more than 11 knots, but the swell made the motion quite uncomfortable. The sail and rig pulsated between waves as they hit us on the forward quarter. Skipper Marc Renwick explained how they normally use the A5 as a versatile, easy to use furling sail for cruising and charters. A faster mast-base halyard winch would be beneficial however, particularly when hoisting this sail.

An aluminium mast comes as standard but a Hall Spars carbon alternative is offered. We had the 3m taller performance

She’ll match single figure windspeeds up to nine knots. And with winds in the teens, she’ll sit at double figures speeds all day. Although there was only 4–6 knots of true wind for our return trip to Palma, we still managed 0.5–1 knot more than the wind speed with sheets slightly cracked.

Heading into a short swell close-hauled she felt stable and powerful. When heeled onto a chine, she hits a comfortably stable mode resisting any urge to head into the wind. The dual rudders felt typically light, so helmsmen used to a single rudder may miss the associated feedback. But the upshot to the almost neutral feel of the 76 is nicely balanced sailing that’s easy on an autopilot. The outboard helm seats are an ideal place to steer from in comfort and full visibility. Navigation information is all to hand thanks

Length = long legsWhen we tested the Bordeaux 60 five years ago it was on a delivery from Barcelona to Cannes, a three-day sail to really get under her skin. To their credit, CNB were keen we replicate that by giving us a lengthy spell aboard the multifaceted 76.

This is a big yacht, so it was quite daunting to be asked to pilot her off her central Palma dock within minutes of boarding. But bow and stern thrusters counteract the deficiencies of manoeuvring under power with dual rudders – and her joystick steering made life simple.

Our course from Palma Bay predominantly involved a close reach, where she maintained a consistent 10.5–11 knots in a force four to five. In fact consistency is a real asset of the 76’s sailing credentials.

ON TEST:cNb 76

1 3

1

24

2

5

6

7

3

45

The dinghy garage for a ‘proper’ tender is a

principal feature. A 3.85m Williams jet rib

can be winched in or out in one minute

thanks to the platform partially

submerging aft

The 76 has a practical, single point

mainsheet lead to a central winch. The

forestays, vang, outhaul and backstay

are tensioned hydraulically using a

manual pump

7

6

The sheet leads are particularly neat. They

run along a coaming ramp aft before being

hidden in a well alongside the coachroof

An asymmetric cockpit keeps the

companionway clear. Eight can sit

around the table, which lowers to form

a large sunbed

An anchor arm rotates out of the anchor

locker automatically. This helps keep the

large foredeck entirely flush

The sail locker is large enough to

accommodate two crew temporarily. It

has 7ft headroom, and can include two

bunks, a toilet, shower and aircon

The 76 has very high freeboard. So

a means of safely boarding from side-on,

be it a ladder or a fender-step, is required

5Above: the coachroof is a stylish and clever design. Low enough to

maintain end-to-end visibility, it still provides five star views from

inside the raised saloon

5Above: the secret weapon? The winglets on the keel are apparently

designed to cut the vortex (like on the wing of a plane) and reduce

drag, according to the Briand design office

YACHTING WORLD FEBRUARY 201475 YACHTING WORLD FEBRUARY 2014 76

Functional French elegance“It’s only when you go inside you notice the decksaloon and the reason for the coachroof,” said designer Nicholas Garnier. I agree, the exterior design is sleek enough to forget the purpose within, so the decksaloon comes as something of a surprise.

CNB took the bold move of commissioning interior designer Jean-Marc Piaton. The result is refreshing. The volume he had to work with may be slightly restricted by the tender garage aft, but the innovative layout and styling still work. The stunningly light deck saloon and original master cabin forward have plenty of wow-factor and there’s a harmonious feel to the design throughout the boat.

The trim of the test boat was in light oak, which is tinted before being satin varnished, so has a novel green/brown finish. Two other finish colours have been devised as standard options, but there is only one layout. Garnier argues that this

saves owners money that they can spend on keel and rig choices. A keel trunk is designed in to the structure to give the option of different draught keels or a lifting version to vary draught from 3.90m to 2.10m. Another key philosophy of the boat is to look after her crew in terms of accommodation. Hence a couple can live aft in comfort with instant access to the galley.

We spent a very pleasant evening onboard, dining under the stars in the cockpit. But in addition to noises I found around the boat when sailing, there were enough creaks to disturb sleep in the forward twin cabin. CNB insist this has nothing to do with the modular build, as their method of bonding furniture to the hull remains exactly the same. They were aware of the noises, which they say come from the deck and hull linings where wooden spacers are used. With their reputation for noise insulation, and by committing to such a thorough sea-trial, I’m sure any such imperfections will be resolved.

ON TEST:cNb 76

The challenge for the Briand

designers was to make a true deck

saloon under 80ft. The subtle,

curved coachroof creates a

formidable saloon

Galley: the galley is airy

and spacious, yet

completely enclosed for

safe working at sea. The

dividing sink and

worksurface also create a

bar area next to the galley

for guests or crew (with

wine fridge/bar to hand).

The galley has plenty of

fiddled corian worksurface,

racks for cookbooks, and a

full suite of Miele

appliances.

Butterfly doors can

close off the galley and

crew area from the saloon

and an escape hatch

provides separate access to

the cockpit. Keeping crew

happy is a prime objective.

Siting this galley next to a

very comfortable double

with ensuite should achieve

that nicely

Saloon The spacious decksaloon is

superb. It’s stylish and comfortable with

excellent views whether one is standing or

sitting, clever indirect lighting and soft

colours. It feels luxurious yet welcoming.

The opposing sofas to starboard are

locked in place by electro magnets, so can

swivel to form one big sofa when in port.

The portside tables can seat eight, but

can also lower when in relaxation mode.

Storage for champagne and wine beneath

the sofas is a nice touch and owners

receive a case of 36 Bordeaux wines, all

from vineyards close to the yard.

The navstation is rather compact with

no shelf space for the likes of pilot books.

But its aft-facing format is practical. It is

within line of sight of the cockpit and is

situated beside the companionway.

5Forward cabin: with her superb layout, this

is a cabin worthy of a superyacht. Even when

standing in the entrance the berth remains

hidden by a half bulkhead. Owners can

therefore relax on the berth in privacy

without feeling the need to close the door.

The bookshelf across the forward bulkhead

is a pleasant touch, and with the carpets,

leather detailing and velour hull lining,

there’s a consistent feel of elegance. There

is also good surrounding stowage, with a

wardrobe area aft. And the adjoining heads

and shower are invitingly large (all heads

have heated towel rails)

5Guest cabins: the asymmetric format of the cockpit and companionway creates a walkway to starboard of the keel

box. This layout naturally favours a smaller Pullman cabin to starboard, and double or twin cabin to port, both with

ensuite access. These have reasonable stowage and a contemporary hotel feel to them

sPecIfIcatIONs

ConclusionWith this new 76 and a Jeanneau 64 in the pipeline, Groupe Bénéteau continue to do what they do best and stay ahead of the curve. Money is a rather crucial factor here. Once you get to seven figures sums can be difficult to relate to. But the likes of a Hallberg Rassy 64, X-65, Oyster 625, and Amel 64 all carry a very approximately similar starting guide price to the CNB of €2 million. Amel and Rassy may argue their 64s can be sailed by a couple, but the general rule of thumb is that 60ft+ yachts require a crew to run them. So for those that prefer and can afford to sail with a crew, this 76 is offering at least another 10-15ft of boat for the price.

“The fact that we can propose a 76ft boat for €2.5 million attracts a lot of newcomers to the market,” says Gailly. “If this was a custom boat we would charge €5 million.” Two of the first five owners are first time buyers.

The 76 does not simply represent lots of boat for the money. She is a very impressive yacht through and through, from design to performance at sea. Having built 55 big custom yachts, CNB approached the project with superyacht mentality. The win-win result is superyacht styling and engineering for that serial production price.

Devil in the detailThe engine room is one of the modules built separately. The benefits are clear, particularly the space surrounding the machinery for servicing purposes. A decksaloon format creates volume below the sole, in which CNB have centered the majority of the weight and machinery to keep stability low. CNB excel in insulation and it was difficult to hear if and when the genset was running.

“For 25 years noise has been in the head of every engineer in the design office,” said Thomas Gailly. When they built the 100ft Chrisco in 2009, penalties were set for going over the decibel limits.

Leo has 7,000kW of inverters running 900ah of service batteries – so the generator only need be started for the watermaker or air conditioning. Elsewhere I appreciated the remote fire extinguishers and how engine vents close automatically – both designed to limit fire damage. Skipper Marc Renwick calculates the 180hp Volvo provides a motoring range of around 1800nm at 8 knots delivery speed, thanks to fuel tanks with 2,500lt capacity.

5Above: CNB say the 76 is the largest yacht to be resin-infused in

one hit. The picture shows the meticulous vacuum bag preparation

LWL 21.98m 72ft 1in

Beam (Max) 6.10m 20ft 0in

Draught 3.00m 9ft 10in

Disp (lightship) 45,000kg 99,207lb

Ballast 15,000kg 33,069lb

Sail Area (100% foretriangle) 311.0m2 3,348ft2

Berths 8

Engine 180hp Volvo Penta shaft-drive

Water 1,500l 330gal

Fuel 2,500l 550gal

Sail Area: Disp 25.0

Disp: LWL 118

Price (ex VAT) €2,070,000

Design: Philippe Briand

High speed secret buildCNB are rightly guarded about their groundbreaking new modular build process. From what we were able to glean, the hull is built in infusion with a PVC foam core, reinforced with carbon. It is then placed into a metal cradle to keep it rigid, preventing it from moving a millimetre. The interior is assembled in four modules, including the engine room, to be lowered into the hull. There is less than 10mm tolerance between the modules and the hull.

“You normally build a boat from the front aft, so you can only do one section at a time,” Gailly explained. “This is all built at the same time in plenty of space.” The hull was apparently still empty just one and a half months before launch. “This is the reason why we can build a 76ft yacht in six months – it would normally take a year.”

Briand’s Nicholas Garnier

shows Toby Hodges the

machinery space

Groupe Bénéteau CNB 76Polar Curve

Bo

at s

pee

d (

kno

ts)

20° 40°32° 60°

Truewind

angle

80°

100°

120°

140°160°

As suppliedby designer

1 3 5 7 9 11

10 knots

6 knots

6 knots

20 knots

10 knots

20 knots

8

6

4

2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Data cNB 76

YACHTING WORLD FEBRUARY 201477

ON TEST:cNb 76