Design Philosophy and Construction
CNB describes the Bordeaux 60 as a boat that brings the pleasure of a superyacht to a serial build, and that ambition shapes every decision from the keel up. The hull is built using vacuum-infused GRP, a process that delivers consistent laminate quality and a favorable strength-to-weight ratio across a production run. Displacement comes in at just over 26 tonnes — moderate for a vessel of this length — and the combination of plumb stem, waterline beam, reduced wetted surface of appendages, and moderate displacement reflects Briand's preference for easily driven, seakeeping-focused forms rather than the beamy, form-stable shapes common in pure charter designs. The capsize ratio of 1.75 reflects a hull that prioritizes self-righting ability appropriate for offshore passages.
Rig, Sail Plan, and Handling
The Bordeaux 60 is described by CNB as carrying a high-ratio rig, a characteristically Briand choice that emphasizes upwind efficiency and light-air performance. The mainsail stretches to 95 square metres and is paired with a 108-percent furling genoa and a large asymmetric spinnaker of 256 square metres, giving the boat a comprehensive sail inventory capable of driving the hull in conditions from light coastal breezes to offshore trade winds. A staysail of 44 square metres rounds out the working canvas, providing a balanced mid-range option for boisterous reaching. The emphasis throughout is on a boat that reaches quickly beyond the horizon and brings pleasure when sailing — a design brief that informed the rig geometry, the sail areas, and the deck layout in equal measure.
Deck Layout and Cockpit
The aft cockpit is well protected and earns its keep as the nerve centre of any passage. Access to the sea is provided by an opening transom that doubles as a door to a tender garage, an arrangement that has become a hallmark of European performance cruisers in this size range and that keeps topsides clean and swim access genuinely convenient. The forward deck is flush — a choice that improves crew movement and gives the boat a visual elegance that distinguishes it from cruisers of equivalent volume but more utilitarian lineage. Standard draft is 2.95 metres with shoal draft and telescopic keel options available, accommodating owners who want to cruise shallower Mediterranean anchorages without sacrificing offshore stability.
Accommodations
Below decks, the Bordeaux 60 offers a central living area located at the maximum beam in order to reduce the effect of pitching, a thoughtful naval-architecture decision rather than merely a marketing claim. The salon is raised and abundantly lit through panoramic windows of the coachroof, and at close to five metres across it provides genuine living room proportions. CNB offers the boat in three, four, or five cabin versions, with layout choices that include a forward or aft owner's cabin, central or lateral bed, a skipper cabin, or a forward workshop — configurations that the yard develops in collaboration with each buyer. The spacious forepeak sail locker can be configured as a crew or children's cabin with separate head, a double berth, or a workshop, adding further flexibility. Fresh water capacity of 1,000 litres and fuel tankage of 930 litres support extended offshore passages without reprovisioning anxiety. The power plant is a 180-horsepower Volvo Penta D4, adequate for manoeuvring in harbour and for motoring through sustained calms.
Semi-Custom Character
What separates the Bordeaux 60 from standard production boats is the degree of personalisation available before a hull leaves the yard. CNB characterises each boat as the fruit of a personalised relationship between the owner and the shipyard, and the interior specification bears this out. Various layout configurations, several wood finishes, and a large choice of materials mean that two Bordeaux 60s can look and feel meaningfully different inside while sharing the same structural platform. This positions the boat not as a catalogue item delivered to a dealer lot, but as a semi-custom project with a defined delivery process and a production-yacht price floor.
The Verdict
The CNB Bordeaux 60 is the product of a serious yard, a proven naval architect, and a coherent design brief. It does not try to be all things to all buyers; it aims squarely at the owner who wants offshore capability, superyacht-adjacent fit and finish, and meaningful personalisation without commissioning a full custom build. The Briand hull form rewards skilled handling and rewards passages rather than day sails, and the large asymmetric inventory means the boat performs over a genuinely wide range of conditions. Buyers who can tolerate the semi-custom build process — which involves choosing between a large matrix of layout and finish options — will find the result among the most rewarding boats of its era at this length.
Pros
- Philippe Briand hull optimised for offshore performance with plumb stem, high-ratio rig, and reduced wetted surface
- Vacuum-infused GRP construction delivers consistent, lightweight laminates across the production run
- Panoramic coachroof windows and maximum-beam salon create exceptional light and volume below decks
- Three to five cabin configurations with forward or aft owner's suite options to suit different crew arrangements
- Opening transom tender garage keeps topsides uncluttered and sea access straightforward
- Shoal draft and telescopic keel options extend cruising range into shallower anchorages
Cons
- At 26 tonnes the boat demands attentive crew or capable systems for short-handed ocean work
- Standard 2.95-metre draft limits access to certain shallow-water cruising grounds without upgrading to the shoal option
- The semi-custom ordering process and personalisation matrix require time and decisiveness from the buyer before the build begins
- As the entry-level model in CNB's range, expectations calibrated against the yard's larger custom yachts may not fully translate to the production-line Bordeaux 60
