Striking a balance between luxury and performance is a critical aspect of superyacht building, and drawing on its military heritage and passion for modern design, CMN Shipyard seems to have found an equation that works. Two very different yachts in its Line 60 range demonstrate the apparent effortlessness with which the company creates innovative vessels along individual lines.

The company launched two 60m yachts from its Cherbourg yard in 2009, collaborating with the world-renowned Andrew Winch Designs. Now, a third is on the way. Under the working title Project 803, the company's next superyacht awaits an owner to personalise everything from the name to the last detail of the interior design.

The Slipstream and Cloud 9
The comparison between the two existing yachts is striking. Finished in a brooding yet elegant black hull and silver superstructure, Slipstream was the first into the water and Cloud 9 followed a few months later.

Inside, however, the contrast is dramatic. Guests stepping on board Slipstream are greeted by the fearsome sight of three Canadian tribal totem poles. The Native American theme continues into the main dining room, blending in with geometric neo-Art Deco influences. This is repeated across the rest of the yacht's living spaces, with masculine reds on the main deck giving way to cooler pale tones in the spaces above.

Cloud 9 is the more traditional of the two superyachts, sporting a classic navy and white exterior.

The owners of Cloud 9 took a very different approach, choosing to emphasise classic fixtures and materials. The central staircase that gives the illusion of water flowing through the interior, and the main saloon, dining room and master suite are tied together with rich wood panelling and crisp lines, accompanied by luxurious leather furniture.

It is a tribute to the creativity and flexibility of CMN and Andrew Winch Designs that they have created two such difference vessels from a single starting point. With both companies striving to outdo their previous efforts, there is great potential for Project 803.

Power teamed with beauty
Despite the differences, all three vessels share the same impressive set of underlying hardware. Powered by two Caterpillar 3516 engines delivering a cruising speed of 15 knots, the yachts have a range of 5,000 nautical miles, giving them transoceanic reach.

Across five decks there are quarters for up to 14 guests and a full complement of crew. The full-beam owner's cabin is split across two levels, with a study, twin bathrooms and a private deck. A VIP room provides similarly spacious accommodation for a second couple, as well as a private balcony.

Slipstream, winner of the International Superyacht Society award for best yacht and best interior.

The 500m² interior and 200m² deck provide ample space for dining and relaxing. The layout emphasises panoramic views from all levels, with full length windows in all the main rooms. At the aft, the interiors give way to sheltered outer spaces, while the foredeck incorporates an open air hot tub.

The smaller of the three superyachts, the Netanya 8 was the first yacht from the Line 60 range.

The designs have already made an impact on the industry, with Slipstream winning the Prix du Design at last year's Monaco Yacht Show and taking the International Superyacht Society awards for best yacht and best interior.

Cyril Le Sourd, product manager at CMN, is proud of what his company has created and is looking forward to the challenge of seeing the next vessel through to completion. "It is key for us that everything we produce is bespoke, combining our spirit and French flair with world-class designers to produce something truly outstanding," he says. "Project 803 is a fresh palette on which to create a dream yacht."

Winch will return to execute the design on the new vessel. Le Sourd is excited to renew the partnership because he believes the two share a common passion for the sea and a desire to attain the highest standards in boat building.

While Project 803 will retain the same essential features of Slipstream and Cloud 9, the company is taking the opportunity to evolve the design. "It will benefit from the experience of all the CMN yachts launched to date," Le Sourd says. "A lot of effort and research has been dedicated to developing a more efficient and environmentally friendly vessel."

In retrospect
The latest addition to the line will trace its heritage back to the 1960s, when CMN first began building yachts. In the 1990s, the company began offering larger vessels including those topping 40m. The DNA for Line 60 emerged in the early years of the last decade when an existing client proposed the development of a 58m yacht.
The result was the Netanya 8, which bares a striking resemblance to its slightly larger cousins and was the yard's second collaboration with Andrew Winch Designs. With the addition of two extra metres of garage space, the Line 60 hull was born.

Onwards and upwards
Now part of Abu Dhabi MAR along with ADM Shipyards and Nobiskrug, CMN is set to enjoy a period of sustained growth and creativity. The group's companies have collectively launched over 1,600 vessels and have150 years' experience. In total, the company is currently working on ten yachts with a combined build length of over 800m.

Nobiskrug has facilities to accommodate mega-yachts of up to 200m, positioning it to build or refit the largest vessels in existence today. At ADM Shipyards in Abu Dhabi itself, 135m and 141m Swift class yachts are in the pipeline. Based on a Dutch frigate hull and styled by Paris-based Pierrejean Design Studio, Swift 141 has a sleek enclosed foredeck that opens out into elongated tiers at the aft.

Global appeal
Le Sourd sees the company's global reach as a great strength. "We offer a broad variety of sites to build or refit vessels," he says. "Certainly in regions such as the Gulf and some Asian countries, we have a great advantage over Eurocentric operations."

The boom in yacht building in the Gulf is highlighted by ADM's 200,000m² yard in Port Zayed, opposite the future location of the Louvre and Guggenheim museums.

Project 803 is well on the way towards delivering another contemporary superyacht at the top of its class. Having seemingly found the Holy Grail, CMN is set to continue striving to develop vessels that combine quality design, effortless beauty and high performance well into the decade.

Further information
CMN Yachts
Website: www.cmnline60.com | www.abudhabimar.com

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