Design and Aesthetics
Briand's superyacht background is unmistakable in the 66's silhouette. The distinctive coachroof with its eyebrow-like overhang above vertical wraparound windows gives the yacht a purposeful, almost architectural character that stands apart from the low-slung curves common to production yachts of similar length. The vertical lines, hard aft chine and wide beam read as functional intent rather than stylistic compromise. Below, interior designer Jean-Marc Piaton and Rafael Bonet carried the same philosophy through the saloon, where light, contemporary furnishings and panoramic coachroof windows create a space that is simultaneously airy and sophisticated. Leather detailing on grab bars and indirect LED lighting reinforce the superyacht reference without tipping into excess.
Rig, Handling, and Sea Manners
CNB's headline claim — that the 66 is the largest sailboat a family can handle short-handed — rests heavily on the rig configuration. The carbon mast and hydraulic roller-furling carbon vee boom developed with Hall Spars is the centrepiece of that argument. Once the main is hoisted, a mandrel hydraulically engages; to reef, a remote switch powers the mandrel while the halyard is eased from the mast base winch, and an emergency manual override exists for redundancy. In practice, the main was sheeted out, a reef wound in, and the boat sailed on at the same speed with less heel — a point made emphatically during sea trials off Saint-Tropez.
Under sail the 66 rewards a powered-up approach. Beating upwind under full main and genoa, the yacht held 7.5 knots at 22 degrees to the apparent wind, rising to 8.5 knots as the breeze built. The genuine sweet spot arrived close reaching at 50 degrees apparent in fifteen knots of wind, logging a steady 10 knots boat speed — a pace that makes ocean passages feel effortless. Twin rudders are light and nicely balanced, and the autopilot handles the modest drag from the leeward blade without complaint. In lighter airs the helm can feel neutral and the boat prone to wandering, a characteristic to weigh against the rig's overall capability. Ninety per cent of CNB owners take the twin headsail staysail option, evidence that the sailing community has validated that configuration.
Back in harbour, bow and stern thrusters with joystick steering make manoeuvring a yacht of this displacement accessible to owners who do not maintain a full professional crew.
Deck Layout and Cockpit
The deck arrangement reflects a deliberate separation between sailing functions and leisure. All headsails are on furlers and the mainsail furls in-boom, keeping the foredeck clear; flush hatches and integrated tracks eliminate the hazards of a cluttered working deck. Grab rails are moulded into the coachroof rather than bolted on. The dual helm stations with carbon wheels sit outboard, providing excellent sightlines down the side decks, and Raymarine sail control pads are positioned close to each station. The main cockpit is completely free of sailing equipment, arranged for socialising with L-shaped seating and a table that adjusts in height to become a sunpad.
One ergonomic criticism worth noting: the joystick thruster controls were positioned too close to the wheel and could be knocked accidentally; many owners would prefer conventional switches. The cockpit coamings are also low — a deliberate aesthetic choice that preserves the sleek superstructure lines but reduces crew security underway, making optional padded backrest cushions a sensible addition. The large hydraulic bathing platform concealing a tender garage large enough for a 3.25-metre jet RIB is a standout feature at this length, and an electric belt winch assists retrieval.
Accommodations and Interior
The saloon is the boat's social heart. CNB used feedback from earlier models to maximise interior space by taking sofas right out to the hull sides, and the hull windows provide natural light at sea as well as at anchor. The raised saloon sole over the centrally located engine room creates headroom in the machinery space without compromising the interior volumes above.
The layout separates crew accommodation aft from the owner's zone forward, with the galley positioned between them and open to the saloon so the cook remains part of the conversation. The galley itself is a spacious U-shape with ample cold stowage, though specifying all available appliances — second fridge-freezer, washer-dryer, dishwasher, wine climatiser — noticeably reduces dry goods stowage. CNB specifies electric cooking appliances as standard to eliminate gas, with battery-and-inverter power for routine cooking and the genset for longer sessions.
The full-beam master cabin is forward with a large ensuite and a door through to the sail locker; the owner's cabin décor is calming and luxurious despite the area not being particularly large. The aft double cabin is genuinely versatile, suitable for guests or paid crew, though the ensuite is compact and the doorway tight for larger-framed crew. All cabins share lit and ventilated wardrobes, leecloths, fabric hull liners and full-length mirror doors for a unified finish throughout.
Known Handling and Construction Notes
Several practical observations emerged from the sea trial. The saloon badly needs a deckhead handrail — the distance between the table and the sofa is considerable on a heeled yacht, and the absence of overhead support is a genuine safety concern underway. The 90-degree companionway steps are angular for use at heel; curved sides would improve the ergonomics. The carpet in the saloon must be properly secured. These are refinements rather than structural issues, and later build examples benefited from incremental improvements — CNB moved the hot water tank aft on subsequent hulls to free space in the machinery compartment.
The modular build method — the interior is fully constructed before being lowered into receivers in the hull — ensures consistent tolerances and reduces build time. The engine room is a single metal module with two quick-access points in the saloon sole for routine checks; full access requires removing carpets and soleboards, but once open, the space and component layout are notably well organised. A 1,300-litre fuel capacity supports a motoring range of over 1,000 miles including regular genset use.
The Verdict
The CNB 66 is a serious blue-water cruiser for experienced sailors who want something genuinely close to superyacht standard without the running costs or management complexity of a fully crewed vessel. It is fast on a reach, composed at sea, and thoughtfully engineered throughout. It asks for competence in return — the hydraulic furling boom is impressive but still demands capable hands at the mast, and docking a yacht of this size still warrants some experience with the loads involved. For a couple prepared for that, or a family who can crew together, it delivers on its promise in full.
Pros
- Philippe Briand hull and rig deliver genuine passage-making pace, particularly on a reach
- Hydraulic in-boom furling and twin headsail arrangement enable real short-handed sailing
- Superyacht-level interior finish and deck design well ahead of production mainstream
- Tender garage and hydraulic bathing platform well integrated for a 20-metre yacht
- Modular build construction ensures consistent quality across the series
- Bow and stern thrusters make marina handling accessible
Cons
- Saloon lacks deckhead handrails — a safety issue underway when heeled
- Aft crew cabin and ensuite are tight; companionway steps are angular at heel
- Hydraulic in-boom furling is a costly option that still requires a crew member at the mast
- Thruster joystick placement uncomfortably close to the helm wheel
- Cabins are compact relative to the overall yacht length when the sail locker and tender garage are specified
- Specifying full domestic appliances noticeably reduces galley stowage
