CNB 117 Buyer's Guide
A buyer considering a CNB 117 on the brokerage market is looking at a 117-foot Philippe Briand performance cruiser launched in 2005 as Hamilton II, built for Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan of France. She pairs a carbon hull and lifting keel with a light Andrew Winch interior, refitted toward charter by the current owner. These yachts represent a distinctive superyacht-scale opportunity where construction provenance and layout adaptability matter more than production familiarity.
Layouts on the Used Market
Charter four-cabin layouts are the more common on the used market, but ex-charter examples are common. The current owner modified the original aft master into two guest cabins for five cabins and 10 guests — the arrangement a shopper most often meets. A private aft-master example is the less common find, and a viewing should confirm which configuration a specific hull carries before any offer.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Recent work is the headline: new teak decking and exterior paint under current ownership. The lifting keel defines handling, and the 415-horsepower diesel with direct drive is principal propulsion. The Winch bamboo-leather-stainless-cotton interior is original décor, not an upgrade, so its condition tracks the owner's care rather than added value. A buyer should budget for systems survey on the keel hydraulics and the diesel independently of the cosmetic refresh.
What to Inspect
The lifting keel mechanism and trunk need close examination for wear or leakage where the trunk meets the carbon-balsa hull anchor. Check new teak decking bonding and core exposure at fasteners for hidden prior moisture. Confirm the aft cabin subdivision has structural backing and no new drainage or flooding path. Inspect exterior paint adhesion over carbon around keel and rudder.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Italy is the typical market. A buyer's short checklist:
- Inspect the lifting keel trunk for leakage at the hull joint.
- Verify the new teak decking has sound core beneath it.
- Confirm the aft cabin conversion retains proper structural backing.
- Check exterior paint adhesion over carbon around the keel.
- Review the 415-horsepower diesel service history under direct drive.
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.