Design Brief & Intent
The CNB 87 was designed for experienced owners seeking a true go-anywhere vessel capable of global circumnavigation. During its era, the model stood apart from contemporary production cruisers by offering an exceptionally robust marine-grade aluminum hull and deck structure. This approach directly countered the fiberglass trends of the time, placing the CNB 87 in direct competition with elite Northern European custom builders like Jongert and Royal Huisman.
Inside, the yacht was designed around a semi-raised deck saloon configuration, a design choice that maximizes natural light through expansive wrap-around windows while preserving a low, elegant profile on deck. The interior joinery is dominated by rich, hand-finished teak, utilizing traditional cabinet-making techniques to create a warm, seaworthy, yet highly sophisticated ambiance. Accommodations are carefully split to maintain a clear division of privacy between the owner’s party and the professional crew. Guest quarters are typically positioned forward and amidships, while the galley, navigation station, and crew cabins are situated aft, allowing the crew to operate the vessel efficiently without disrupting those on board.
Variations & Configurations
While several iterations and sister designs emerged under the 85-to-88-foot CNB umbrella over the decades—including later sloop designs by Philippe Briand—the classic German Frers-designed CNB 87 is most famous in its ketch-rigged configuration. The ketch rig distributes the total sail area across two masts (main and mizzen), allowing for more manageable sail handling and highly versatile sail plan combinations when sailing shorthanded in heavy weather.
Under water, the vessel features a deep, fixed ballast keel drawing approximately 10.2 feet (3.10 meters), ensuring exceptional righting moment and tracking ability. The standard interior arrangement accommodates six guests across three en-suite staterooms, including a grand full-beam master suite and two twin-berth guest cabins. The dedicated crew quarters at the stern feature two twin cabins with shared facilities, designed to comfortably house a professional crew of up to four.
Sailing Performance & Handling
With a displacement of approximately 85 tons (187,000 lbs), the CNB 87 is a heavy displacement voyager. On the water, this significant mass translates into an exceptionally comfortable, predictable ride in a seaway. The hull’s moderate beam and fine entry allow it to slice through head seas rather than slamming over them, maintaining excellent momentum and minimizing crew fatigue on long passages.
The ketch rig, delivering roughly 3,928 square feet (365 square meters) of working sail area, gives the skipper precise control over the yacht's balance. In heavy air, the boat can be easily sailed under "jib and jigger" (headsail and mizzen), keeping the center of effort low and centered, which significantly reduces heel and helm pressure. Under power, the yacht relies on a heavy-duty diesel engine, typically a Mercedes or Cummins unit producing around 278 to 280 horsepower, driving a large folding or feathering propeller. This drivetrain easily drives the displacement hull at a smooth 10-knot cruise, with ample torque to punch through steep headwinds and currents.
Known Issues & Triage
Operating a vintage aluminum superyacht requires a sophisticated understanding of metallurgy and electrical systems. The primary concern for any aluminum vessel of this vintage is galvanic corrosion, which occurs when dissimilar metals come into contact in the presence of saltwater, or when stray electrical currents leak into the hull.
- Stray Current and Galvanic Isolation: Prospective buyers must commission a comprehensive "megger test" to verify the insulation of the 24V and 220V electrical systems from the aluminum hull. Ensuring the integrity of the isolation transformers and maintaining a strict sacrificial anode schedule are non-negotiable triage items to prevent localized hull pitting.
- Teak Deck over Aluminum: Traditional teak decks laid over aluminum sub-decks are a known vulnerability. If moisture penetrates beneath the teak, it can trap salt water directly against the aluminum plates. If steel fasteners were incorrectly used during past refits, rapid galvanic cell action will occur. Any soft spots in the teak or bubbling in the adjacent paintwork demand immediate investigation and metal ultrasound testing.
- Bilge and Plumbing Integrity: Aluminum is highly sensitive to acidic waste, copper plumbing components, and stagnant water. Standing bilge water must be kept strictly dry, and old copper-alloy plumbing lines should be completely replaced with modern composite or plastic piping to prevent copper-ion corrosion of the hull plates.
Modernization & Upgrades
Veteran owners of the CNB 87 have undertaken systematic refits to align these classic hulls with modern superyacht standards.
- Electrical and Power Generation: Replacing noisy, inefficient legacy generators with smaller, sound-shielded modern units is a common upgrade. Many owners also convert the house battery banks to modern lithium-ion (LiFePO4) systems, dramatically increasing usable capacity, reducing weight, and minimizing generator run-times.
- Rigging and Sail Handling: Converting older manual or high-pressure hydraulic furling systems to modern, low-maintenance electric or upgraded hydraulic units (such as Lewmar or Reckmann systems) greatly simplifies short-handed handling. Rigging refits typically include replacing the original solid rod standing rigging and upgrading to modern, low-stretch Dyneema running rigging.
- Electronics and Climate Control: Complete navigation overhauls featuring integrated glass-bridge suites from B&G or Raymarine are standard in recent refits, alongside replacing aged, power-hungry air conditioning chillers with modern, variable-frequency inverter-driven climate control systems.
Market Snapshot & Economics
On the brokerage market, the CNB 87 occupies a highly respected niche. Because of their custom pedigree, aluminum construction, and association with prestigious designers like German Frers, these vessels command a strong premium compared to mass-produced fiberglass yachts of a similar age. They are scarce, with only a handful of hulls built, and they rarely change hands.
For the right buyer, a vintage CNB 87 represents extraordinary value. It provides the structural safety, ocean-going comfort, and visual prestige of a true custom superyacht at a fraction of the cost of a new build. However, the economics of owning such a vessel require a realistic budget for ongoing professional maintenance, crew, and periodic yard periods, as refitting aluminum hulls and servicing heavy-duty commercial-grade systems require specialized shipyard expertise.
The Verdict
The CNB 87 is an uncompromising blue-water explorer built for those who value structural safety, classic yacht aesthetics, and the proven ocean pedigree of German Frers and Construction Navale Bordeaux.
Pros:
- Masterfully constructed aluminum hull and deck built to Bureau Veritas standards.
- Exceptional heavy-weather sea-keeping and passenger comfort.
- Highly versatile ketch rig layout for easy sail-plan management.
- Intelligent interior layout providing excellent separation between guest areas and crew quarters.
- Timeless, light-filled deck saloon design with high-quality teak joinery.
Cons:
- Demands rigorous, ongoing monitoring to prevent galvanic corrosion and stray current damage.
- Deep 10.2-foot draft limits access to shallow coastal cruising grounds and marinas.
- High operating costs associated with maintaining custom superyacht systems and professional crew.
- Teak-over-aluminum decks require careful, expensive maintenance to prevent moisture entrapment.
