CNB 66 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

CNB built the 66 as a semi-custom series, meaning each hull was finished to an owner's specification, and the layouts circulating on the used market reflect that flexibility. Charter four-cabin configurations are the more commonly encountered arrangement, spreading the accommodation across a full-beam owner's suite forward, two guest cabins amidships, and a crew or fourth guest cabin aft with its own access to the galley. Three-cabin versions tailored for owner-focused family use are also available, and these typically trade the fourth cabin for a more generous owner's dressing area or a dedicated aft crew arrangement with improved privacy separation. The raised deck saloon — with its panoramic coachroof windows — and the aft tender garage are constants across every layout, and both are central to how this boat lives aboard.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

CNB sold the 66 in a heavily optioned culture: few hulls left Bordeaux sparely equipped, and that culture is visible across the used fleet. A furling mainsail — either the standard aluminium version or the carbon in-boom hydraulic system developed with Hall Spars — is commonly fitted, as are electric winches, bow and stern thrusters, a chartplotter, autopilot, AIS, and radar. Watermakers, inverters, washing machines, and freezers are standard expectations at this level and are widely found. Teak decks, a bimini, cockpit shower, and a hydraulic bathing platform with tender garage are near-universal on used examples.

Air conditioning appears frequently — unsurprising given that many of these yachts were delivered to Mediterranean and Caribbean markets and used on extended summer programmes. A staysail is commonly fitted alongside the furling genoa; the twin-headsail option was taken by the overwhelming majority of new owners and it shows up reliably on the used market. A gennaker or asymmetric spinnaker is often carried as well, frequently on the carbon bowsprit option. Dodgers are often seen, a pragmatic addition owners make once they begin living aboard in changeable conditions. Dinghy davits and life rafts appear on some examples, particularly those that have been set up for bluewater cruising or charter work, and should be treated as owner upgrades rather than standard equipment.

What to Inspect

The CNB 66's modular build system — where the interior is assembled as finished modules and lowered into the hull — produces consistent build quality, but there are areas that deserve careful attention when surveying a used example.

The engine room sits beneath the saloon sole and is accessed by lifting the soleboards, which requires moving carpets and furniture. While access to the machinery space is then excellent, the practicality of routine maintenance inspections depends on how conscientious each owner has been. Confirm that the service history is well documented, because engines and gensets in this space have not always been serviced with the frequency their workload demands, especially on charter boats.

The hot water tank location was revised on later production hulls — it was moved aft to free up room around the genset. On earlier examples, that space can be crowded and worth inspecting carefully for signs of heat-related wear or maintenance that was deferred due to access difficulty.

The in-boom hydraulic furling system is a seriously expensive option and requires careful inspection. The Hall Spars carbon vee boom and hydraulic mandrel are highly capable but are not inexpensive to repair or replace. Verify that the hydraulic system is fully functional, that the emergency manual override works, and that the carbon boom shows no signs of delamination or structural fatigue. On boats that have been sailed hard or left in charter programmes, the boom and its associated electronics deserve particular scrutiny.

The cockpit coamings are low by design, a deliberate stylistic choice that maintains the yacht's sleek profile but provides limited sea protection. Check the condition of optional padded backrests and any dodger or spray hood installations for UV degradation and structural integrity.

Handrails on the deckhead in the saloon were notably absent on the test boat — confirm whether later production hulls addressed this or whether an aftermarket installation has been made, as it has meaningful safety implications offshore.

The aft crew cabin shares a compact ensuite; larger-framed crew members would struggle with the doorway, and inspection of that heads fitting and plumbing is worthwhile on any example that has seen heavy use.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

Used CNB 66s circulate most actively across the Western Mediterranean, with France, Spain, and Italy representing the deepest pools of inventory. North American buyers will find examples available in the United States, and occasional boats surface from Mexico, reflecting the early international order book that included owners from Australia and the Americas. This is not a high-volume fleet by any measure — CNB was building at semi-custom pace — so patience is a realistic part of the search.

The CNB 66 is a coherent choice for an experienced couple or family intent on blue-water cruising with occasional regatta participation and genuine comfort. The semi-custom ethos means you are unlikely to find two identical boats, which makes a thorough pre-purchase survey non-negotiable.

Buyer's checklist:

• Commission a full structural and mechanical survey from a surveyor experienced with large semi-custom sailing yachts
• Verify the in-boom hydraulic furling system and Hall Spars carbon boom — functionality, hydraulics, and structural condition
• Inspect the engine room thoroughly; confirm genset and hot water tank condition, particularly on earlier hulls
• Review full service history for engine, genset, watermaker, and all hydraulic systems
• Confirm layout type (four-cabin charter vs. three-cabin owner configuration) and ensure it suits your intended use
• Check saloon handrail provision and companionway step condition for offshore safety compliance
• Inspect teak decks for delamination, particularly around hull fittings and the bathing platform
• Evaluate air conditioning system condition if Mediterranean or tropical cruising is planned
• Assess the tender garage mechanism and bathing platform hydraulics for proper function
• Budget for a qualified standing crew or a strong network of competent sailing friends