It might seem presumptuous for a shipyard to position itself alongside Hermés and Louis Vuitton as a French luxury brand, but there weren’t many raised eyebrows in evidence among the 400 people who boarded CMN’s Cloud 9 at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show.

Anointed one of the event’s ‘not to be missed’ boats, and maintaining the momentum generated last year when Cloud 9’s sister vessel Slipstream won the coveted Design Prize, this was a time for celebration.

And CMN celebrated in style, hosting two extravagant cocktail parties on consecutive nights. The first was held in collaboration with high-end partners including couture designers JIKI and watch manufacturers Ulysse Nardin. The second evening, focusing on ‘A Journey to Excellence in Design’, was co-hosted by Edmiston, BMW, Guido Maria Kretschmer, Andrew Winch and CMN.

Integration with the surrounding elements heavily influenced the Cloud 9 design concept. ©Guillaume Plisson

‘We must portray the high quality of design and manufacturing of our boats, but it is also important to do that within the context of our equivalents in very different fields,’ explains CMN’s Cyril Le Sourd.
‘We are talking about bespoke objects that are made to measure and we are certainly a member of a great lineage of French luxury brands.’

The people’s choice
While Cloud 9 and Slipstream may boast similar pulling power on paper – both are drawn from the shipyard’s Line 60 series, can sleep up to 14 guests and a full complement of crew, have a cruising speed of 15 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles – in the flesh the two super yachts are strikingly different.

The former boasts Native American interior aesthetics, and the latter focuses on crisp, classic, almost aquatic lines. This is because other than the technical and engineering specifications, everything else is left to the discretion of the owner.

‘Clients are increasingly moving away from buying into series boats that all look alike,’ Le Sourd believes. ‘They want something that is distinct. The key differentiator that we offer is complete flexibility.

	The design of the Cloud 9 vessel is a nod to classic French style. ©Guillaume Plisson

When you are talking about high-luxury, one cannot impose decisions. We can suggest ideas and it is a very collaborative process, but they have ultimate control on the super structure and interiors. Once that process is complete they have a yacht that is different to anything else on the sea.’

Designer liner
CMN’s collaborative approach means partnering with the right designers is essential. While clients are free to bring in whoever they see fit, Le Sourd and his team are zealous when it comes to getting the right design partners on board from the off.

On the Line 60 series, the shipyardworked in close conjunction with world-renowned studio Andrew Winch Designs.

It was an extremely successful arrangement for both parties – two award-winning boats so far and a third, Project 803, garnering serious interest on both sides of the Atlantic. But, in the quest to continue pushing things forward, Le Sourd is always on the lookout for emerging stars.

‘We want to bet on the success of relative newcomers on the scene,’ he explains, ‘seeking out the names of the future and turning our brand towards new talent in the yachting business.

These people aren’t novices, they’ve worked with some of the industry’s leading designers, but now they’re going out alone and have some very new, very ambitious ideas. We must find and nurture talent that can look into the future and ensure our designs stand the test of time.’

Two such collaborations are the 44m Scorpio, developed alongside Bannenberg and Rowell, and the 65m Panache, CMN’s collaborative project with Eidsgaard Design UK, and their largest yacht to date.

The 44m hull has already been completed, and she’s very avant garde in terms of design. The 44 to 50m range is an extremely competitive market, but most of the boats look quite similar.

We wanted to bring something completely new to the fore. It has sleek elegance and stylised lines, but access to the sea was a driving factor. You have full-height windows in the main saloon and master’s cabin and virtually full height in the sky lounge on the bridge deck. We very much believe that this is what the future of yachting looks like.’

The 65m motor yacht Panache also sees heavy emphasis on integration with the surrounding elements. The 3D model is already completed and construction can begin as soon as a customer has selected their dream vessel.

The stunning interior of the aptly named Cloud 9. ©Guillaume Plisson

‘We’ve tried to evoke the feel of classic French liners, but have brought that conservative dynamic into a very modern context,’ explains Le Sourd. ‘Working from these pre-engineered and pre-designed bases enables us to react very quickly to requests. If an owner likes the boat, we can tailor it to his or her specifications within a matter of months. Our clients want things quickly, but they also desire bespoke products of the utmost quality.’

And this commitment to quality goes well beyond the mere construction process. Le Sourd is insistent that all aspects of the brand match up to the standard of the finished product. From the company’s luxury offices in the centre of Paris to being the first manufacturer to shoot and display a yacht entirely in 3D, as evidenced in Monaco and at this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, every step of the process has to bear the highest mark of quality.

‘That is what it means to be a truly luxury brand,’ he explains. ‘You must invest maximum care and effort into all elements of your business.’
With the success this approach has enjoyed so far, CMN already sits comfortably alongside the established high-end elite.

Further information
CMN Yachts
Website: www.cmnyachts.com