CNB 73Ref. VP263

The CNB Shipyard (Constructions Navales de Bordeaux) was born out of the collaboration between a Frenchman, Olivier Lafourcade and a German, Dieter Gust. Both had extensive experience in luxury charter and clear ideas about what a range of high quality, large boats should look like. The two founded the shipyard in a city, Bordeaux, with a great naval tradition and at that time in decline. The CNB 73 was one of their first models, presented in 1987, the same year the shipyard was founded. Philippe Briand's design had been conceived precisely for high-level charter. It was therefore very fast and easy to handle for a small crew, and the interior was very cosy and habitable. All of these characteristics also opened up the private market at a time of great economic prosperity. The very careful aluminium construction was logical at a time when fibreglass was not yet commonly used for such large ships. The result is a light, sturdy and very rigid structure. Another innovation was the raised and glazed deckhouse, which gave great light and visibility to the interior. The success was immediate and, although the two partners could not remain alone for long, mainly due to the crisis of the early 1990s, they maintained a high position of responsibility under the ownership of Bénéteau, to whom they sold CNB at the beginning of the decade. The hull of the CNB 73 is clearly inspired by the I.O.R. lines, with long forward and aft overhangs and a maximum beam that decreases rapidly towards the extremities. This greatly reduces the wetted surface area to facilitate sailing in light wind conditions. Where the design departs from the formula is in the retractable keel, very useful for the cruising programme of this model. On deck we also see a manoeuvring lay-out very characteristic of the period, with a winch almost per manoeuvre. The quality of the fittings is extraordinary and still up to the standards of the best. A furling foresail has recently been added, to ease the transition to hard winds with a reduced crew.