CMN (Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie) — CMN Yachts

English

Company History

Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie (CMN), widely known in the yachting world as CMN Yachts, is a historic French shipbuilder founded in the immediate aftermath of World War II by the aviation industrialist Félix Amiot in 1945 in Cherbourg, Normandy. Amiot transferred his deep expertise in lightweight, high‑precision structures from aircraft to shipbuilding, launching a yard that quickly became synonymous with advanced naval engineering and exacting craftsmanship.

In its early decades CMN focused on naval and paramilitary vessels, moving from timber to aluminum and steel as the yard developed notable series such as the Combattante fast attack craft, which were exported widely and helped establish CMN as a world reference for high‑performance patrol and missile boats. This strong defense and governmental portfolio provided the foundation of engineering discipline that later benefitted the yacht division.

From the late 20th century onward, CMN diversified into custom and semi‑custom luxury motor yachts, formalizing a dedicated CMN Yachts division in the early 2000s. The yard’s approach combined defense‑grade engineering with refined bespoke finishing, collaborating with top designers and stylists. Among its best‑known launches are the 60‑meter sisters Slipstream (2009) and Cloud 9 (2009, later renamed Ice Angel), created in collaboration with Andrew Winch for exterior and interior design, and the approximately 60‑meter Netanya 8 (launched in 2007). These projects showcased CMN’s ability to deliver Northern European build quality, quiet engineering, and carefully balanced displacement platforms with generous volume, long‑range capability, and five‑star hotel‑level outfitting.

Through the 2010s CMN continued to reinforce its naval programs while maintaining yacht new‑build capacity and refit/aftersales services in Cherbourg. The yacht division’s back catalog remains sought after on the brokerage and charter markets, with the 60‑meter series in particular recognized for their timeless proportions, robust seakeeping, and well‑resolved onboard layouts.

Country of Origin

France. CMN was founded and has always been based in Cherbourg, in the Normandy region on France’s north‑western coast.

Manufacturing Locations

CMN’s principal and historic shipyard is located in Cherbourg, Normandy, France, within the city’s major port and industrial waterfront. The facility includes large covered construction halls suitable for steel and aluminum hull and superstructure assembly, outfitting bays, workshops for joinery, metalwork, pipefitting, and systems integration, as well as outfitting quays with direct deep‑water access for trials and delivery. The Cherbourg site also incorporates engineering offices, design coordination spaces, project management suites, and quality‑control laboratories. This concentration of disciplines on a single secured waterfront campus enables CMN to execute complex naval and superyacht programs end‑to‑end with strict process control.

Ownership and Management

CMN has been part of the Privinvest group, an international shipbuilding holding founded by Iskandar and Akram Safa, which invested in the modernization of CMN’s facilities and supported both naval and yacht programs in Cherbourg. The CMN brand, yard, and yacht division are recognized as French entities rooted in Normandy, operating under French and international classification and compliance regimes. Publicly available information identifies CMN’s governance as professionalized and project‑driven, with program directors, naval architects, and production managers coordinating under a group framework. Specific current executive names and positions are subject to periodic change and are not listed here in the absence of authoritative, up‑to‑date disclosure.

Reputation and Quality

CMN enjoys a dual reputation: on one hand as a builder of sophisticated patrol craft and fast attack vessels for governmental clients worldwide, and on the other as a boutique Northern European luxury yacht yard known for exacting metalwork and quiet, reliable engineering. The yacht division’s hallmark is the transfer of defense‑sector rigor into the superyacht context: redundant systems, meticulous weight management, efficient hull forms, and robust acoustic and vibration isolation.

The 60‑meter CMN yachts—Slipstream and Cloud 9 (Ice Angel)—were widely covered by the international yachting press and have been finalists and recipients of major industry awards, including recognition at the World Superyacht Awards and the ShowBoats Design Awards around 2010. These vessels are frequently cited for their balanced exterior lines, elegant interior detailing, and well‑proven seagoing behavior. CMN yachts are typically classed by leading societies and built to meet or exceed applicable large‑yacht commercial codes, which has contributed to their enduring popularity in high‑end charter.

Across both naval and yachting portfolios, CMN’s quality ethos emphasizes:

• In‑house engineering and strong program management.
• High standards in aluminum and steel fabrication.
• Integrated systems engineering derived from governmental specifications.
• Refined joinery and interior finishing executed to luxury standards.
• Thorough sea trials in the English Channel for real‑world validation.

CMN’s brand is associated with reliability, understated elegance, and technical seriousness—characteristics that have positioned its yachts as enduring, investment‑grade vessels with strong resale appeal.

Français

Company History

Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie (CMN), connu dans le yachting sous l’appellation CMN Yachts, est un chantier naval français historique fondé à Cherbourg (Normandie) en 1945 par l’industriel de l’aéronautique Félix Amiot. Héritée de l’aéronautique, l’exigence structurelle d’Amiot a façonné un chantier reconnu pour son ingénierie avancée et sa qualité d’exécution.

Dans ses premières décennies, CMN s’est imposé dans le domaine militaire et parapublique, passant du bois à l’aluminium puis à l’acier, et développant notamment la célèbre série des vedettes rapides Combattante, exportée dans de nombreux pays. Cette base d’expertise a servi de tremplin à l’entrée réussie de CMN sur le marché des superyachts.

À partir de la fin du XXe siècle, CMN a diversifié son activité vers les yachts de luxe sur mesure et semi‑custom, structurant au début des années 2000 une division dédiée, CMN Yachts. Parmi ses réalisations phares figurent les deux sœurs de 60 mètres Slipstream (2009) et Cloud 9 (2009, rebaptisée Ice Angel), conçues avec Andrew Winch, ainsi que Netanya 8 (environ 60 m, 2007). Ces projets ont démontré la capacité de CMN à conjuguer la rigueur « nord‑européenne » avec un design intemporel, un confort acoustique remarquable et une autonomie transocéanique.

Country of Origin

France (Cherbourg, Normandie).

Manufacturing Locations

Le site principal se situe à Cherbourg, sur le front de mer industriel du port, avec de vastes halls couverts pour la construction acier/aluminium, des ateliers intégrés (tuyauterie, chaudronnerie, menuiserie, électricité), des zones d’aménagement, des quais d’armement en eaux profondes et des bureaux d’ingénierie et de gestion de projet. Cette implantation compacte et sécurisée permet de réaliser des programmes complexes de bout en bout sous contrôle qualité strict.

Ownership and Management

CMN fait partie de l’écosystème du groupe Privinvest, qui a soutenu la modernisation des installations de Cherbourg et l’équilibre entre programmes navals et yachts. La gouvernance est organisée par programmes, avec des directions technique, production et qualité. Les noms précis des dirigeants évoluant dans le temps, seules des informations générales et vérifiables sont présentées ici.

Reputation and Quality

CMN jouit d’une double réputation: constructeur de navires gouvernementaux de haute technologie et chantier de yachts de luxe alliant sérieux technique et finitions soignées. Les 60 m de CMN ont été distingués et finalistes lors de prix internationaux (World Superyacht Awards, ShowBoats Design Awards vers 2010). Les qualités le plus souvent citées sont:

• Ingénierie interne robuste, issue des standards militaires.
• Excellente fabrication acier/aluminium et maîtrise des bruits/vibrations.
• Intérieurs élégants, très appréciés en charter.
• Conformité aux principales sociétés de classification et codes grands yachts.

Русский

Company History

Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie (CMN), известная в мире суперъяхт как CMN Yachts, была основана в 1945 году в Шербуре (Нормандия, Франция) авиапромышленником Феликсом Амио. Используя аэрокосмическую культуру точности и лёгких конструкций, верфь быстро стала эталоном передовой морской инженерии.

Первые десятилетия CMN специализировалась на военных и патрульных судах, став одним из родоначальников класса быстрых ударных катеров Combattante, поставлявшихся многим флотам. На этой технологической базе во второй половине 1990‑х — начале 2000‑х была развёрнута яхтенная дивизия CMN Yachts.

Среди знаковых проектов: 60‑метровые систершипы Slipstream (2009) и Cloud 9 (2009; позже Ice Angel), выполненные совместно со студией Andrew Winch, а также около 60‑метровая Netanya 8 (2007). Эти суда демонстрируют «североевропейское» качество постройки, низкий уровень шума и вибраций, дальность и комфортабельные планировки, ценимые на рынке чартеров.

Country of Origin

Франция (Шербур, Нормандия).

Manufacturing Locations

Главная производственная площадка CMN расположена в Шербуре и включает крытые эллинги для постройки корпусов из стали и алюминия, цеха насыщения, столярные и трубопроводные мастерские, а также достроечные причалы с прямым выходом в глубоководную акваторию. На территории также находятся инженерные и конструкторские подразделения, отделы контроля качества и управления проектами.

Ownership and Management

CMN длительное время относится к группе Privinvest, инвестировавшей в модернизацию верфи и поддержку как военно‑морских, так и яхтенных программ. Управление строится вокруг проектных офисов и производственных дирекций. Актуальные персональные назначения подвержены изменениям, поэтому здесь приводится только подтверждаемая общая информация.

Reputation and Quality

Репутация CMN — сочетание оборонной инженерии и безупречной отделки суперъяхт. Проекты 60 м неоднократно отмечались и выводились в финал престижных отраслевых премий (World Superyacht Awards и ShowBoats Design Awards около 2010 года). Ключевые сильные стороны:

• Системный подход к проектированию, резервирование и отказоустойчивость.
• Качественная сварка и сборка металлокорпусов, акустическая изоляция.
• Классификация ведущими обществами и соответствие коммерческим кодексам для чартерной эксплуатации.
• Надёжность и ликвидность на вторичном рынке.

Español

Company History

Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie (CMN), conocida comercialmente como CMN Yachts en el segmento de lujo, fue fundada en 1945 por Félix Amiot en Cherburgo, Normandía (Francia). Con un bagaje de ingeniería aeronáutica, el astillero se enfocó primero en embarcaciones militares y de patrulla de altas prestaciones, como la familia Combattante, que le otorgó prestigio internacional.

A finales del siglo XX y principios de los 2000, CMN amplió su actividad al mercado de los superyates, creando una división específica. Entre sus entregas emblemáticas destacan Slipstream (60 m, 2009) y Cloud 9 (60 m, 2009; posteriormente Ice Angel), diseñadas con Andrew Winch, y Netanya 8 (aprox. 60 m, 2007). Estas construcciones evidencian la capacidad de CMN para unir ingeniería de grado naval militar con acabados de alta costura y navegaciones confortables en largas distancias.

Country of Origin

Francia (Cherburgo, Normandía).

Manufacturing Locations

La base industrial de CMN se encuentra en Cherburgo, con grandes naves cubiertas para construcción en acero y aluminio, talleres integrados, muelles de armamento con acceso directo a mar abierto y oficinas técnicas y de gestión de proyectos. Esta configuración permite controlar internamente todas las fases, desde la ingeniería hasta las pruebas de mar.

Ownership and Management

CMN forma parte del ecosistema de Privinvest, grupo que ha respaldado la modernización de las instalaciones y la coexistencia de programas navales y de yates. La información pública disponible sitúa la dirección bajo un modelo profesionalizado y orientado a proyectos; no se incluyen nombres concretos de directivos por estar sujetos a cambios y a divulgación oficial.

Reputation and Quality

El prestigio de CMN se apoya en:

• Ingeniería rigurosa, con prácticas heredadas del sector defensa.
• Excelente trabajo en metal, control de vibraciones y silencio a bordo.
• Cumplimiento con sociedades de clasificación y códigos comerciales para grandes yates.
• Reconocimientos en la prensa y en premios internacionales; las unidades de 60 m han sido finalistas y premiadas en certámenes como los World Superyacht Awards y ShowBoats Design Awards en torno a 2010.

Las entregas de CMN se valoran por su fiabilidad, elegancia discreta y alta demanda en charter, cualidades que refuerzan la reputación del astillero en el segmento de superyates de calidad «nórdica» fabricados en Francia.

Main Competitors

Because CMN (Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie) spans two adjacent but distinct markets—governmental/naval fast craft and luxury superyacht new builds—its competitive landscape is best understood by segment.

• Naval, patrol, and fast-attack craft competitors:

  • Damen (Netherlands): A global reference for standardized and semi-custom patrol boats, fast interceptors, and OPVs, with extensive export experience and modular build strategies.
  • Austal (Australia): Strong in aluminum high-speed craft and patrol boats, including coastal defense/interdiction platforms for multiple navies.
  • Lürssen Defence (Germany): High-end patrol craft, corvettes, and specialized naval platforms with a strong export track record.
  • Fincantieri (Italy) and Vard (Norway/Italy): Broad naval portfolios including patrol vessels and corvettes, plus international JV activity.
  • Naval Group (France): Large-scale naval programs; though focused on high-end combatants, it influences the patrol segment through industrial consortia and technology trickle-down.
  • Piriou (France) and Kership (France, Piriou + Naval Group JV): OPVs and patrol vessels with robust French and export references.
  • OCEA (France): Aluminum patrol craft and OPVs, often compared directly to CMN for coastal security projects.
  • Socarenam (France): Patrol and fisheries protection vessels for French governmental agencies and export clients.
  • Fassmer (Germany): Patrol craft and special-purpose vessels with modular outfitting options.
  • BAE Systems Maritime (UK) for certain patrol vessels, and Swiftships (USA) for fast patrol and coastal defense craft.
  • Abeking & Rasmussen Defence (Germany): Specialized patrol and SWATH vessels.
  • Smaller regional builders in the Gulf, North Africa, and Southeast Asia that license-build or co-produce patrol/interceptor types also compete on specific tenders.

• Superyacht new-build and refit competitors (metal, 40–80 m range):

  • Northern Europe: Lürssen Yachts, Abeking & Rasmussen, Nobiskrug, Blohm+Voss (under the Lürssen umbrella for yachts), Oceanco, Heesen, Feadship (Royal Van Lent and De Vries), and Amels/Damen Yachting. These yards set benchmarks for systems integration and finishing in CMN’s target size/hull-class.
  • Italy: Benetti, CRN, Sanlorenzo (Superyacht Division), Rossinavi, Fincantieri Yachts, Baglietto, Codecasa, Tankoa—all active in steel/aluminum builds in the 50–80 m class, often competing on design choice and delivery slots.
  • Turkey: Turquoise Yachts, Bilgin, and others, increasingly competitive in value and delivery capability in the 50–75 m segment.
  • France: OCEA is relevant in aluminum expedition-style builds, and Couach at the fast-composite end; for larger steel/aluminum displacement yachts specifically, CMN’s closest “native” comparator is limited, which historically positioned CMN as France’s boutique Northern European–style option.
  • Refit competitors: MB92 (Barcelona/La Ciotat), Amico & Co. (Genoa), Palumbo, Monaco Marine, and the in-house refit divisions of the major Northern European builders.

In essence, for yachts CMN’s competitive set is the same “tier-one” European field known for metal displacement builds with high engineering content. For naval and governmental work, CMN competes with established European houses and a growing number of regional builders offering standardized patrol/interceptor platforms.

Current Production Status

• Naval and governmental programs: Ongoing. Publicly available information indicates CMN (often branded CMN Naval for its defense business) has remained active in design, build, and delivery of fast patrol craft, interceptors, and related platforms from its Cherbourg facilities. Product families such as the Combattante line (evolving through multiple generations) and the HSI-series fast interceptors continue to anchor the export offer, with deliveries documented into the early to mid-2020s for foreign clients. The Cherbourg yard remains configured for metal shipbuilding, systems integration, and outfitting, with deep-water access that supports sea trials in the English Channel.
• Superyacht new construction: No recent large superyacht launches have been publicly announced in recent years. CMN’s most visible burst of superyacht activity occurred in the 2000s, culminating in flagship 60-meter deliveries. Since then, the yard has focused primarily on naval programs. As is common with multi-sector shipyards, capacity to take on bespoke superyacht contracts exists in principle—demonstrated by past deliveries and the physical plant—but any current yacht new-build commitments have not been publicized in open sources.
• Refit, maintenance, and lifecycle support: The Cherbourg site’s infrastructure and CMN’s systems-engineering heritage support refit/maintenance work for both governmental craft and, when required, private yachts. The yard’s long-standing naval-client logistics and MRO culture are an asset for through-life support, though the mix between naval MRO and private refit varies according to contract cycles.

In short, naval production is the core ongoing activity; superyacht new-build activity has been quiet in public reporting, while refit and aftersales support continue according to program demand.

Production Volumes

• Naval and governmental output: Since its founding in 1945, CMN has delivered hundreds of vessels, spanning fast attack craft, patrol craft, and special-mission platforms for numerous export customers. Exact lifetime unit counts fluctuate depending on program classifications and mid-life conversions, and CMN’s figures are often aggregated at a group or program level rather than disclosed as continuous yard-by-yard totals. However, the scale is unambiguously significant in export terms: the Combattante family alone was produced across multiple variants for many navies, and more recent HSI-series deliveries have added appreciable volume in the interceptor category.
  • Combattante lineage: A cornerstone of CMN’s historical output, the Combattante series evolved from early FAC-M designs through more modern patrol/strike concepts, with widespread export success during the Cold War and post–Cold War eras. While some hulls were license-built or completed abroad, Cherbourg production and design authority remained central to the program’s reputation.
  • Interceptors and patrol craft: In the late 2010s and early 2020s, open-source imagery and trade reporting show consistent throughput in fast interceptors and patrol vessels for Middle Eastern and African clients, with batches delivered in series. These series lend themselves to higher unit counts compared to bespoke corvettes or one-off special-mission vessels.
• Superyacht output: CMN’s superyacht production has historically been boutique and low-volume by design, emphasizing custom or semi-custom steel/aluminum builds in the 40–60 m class. In the 2000s, CMN launched several high-profile yachts around 60 meters—widely covered examples include Slipstream (delivered in 2009) and Cloud 9 (delivered in 2009 and later renamed Ice Angel), in addition to Netanya 8 (c. 2007). Each of these projects involved high levels of engineering, acoustic optimization, and luxury outfitting typical of Northern European standards.
  • Because these were bespoke or semi-custom projects with long build cycles, annual yacht unit output was naturally low (often single digits per multi-year period). This low-volume, high-spec model is not unusual for European yards pursuing complex metal superyacht builds.
  • Since the 2010s, publicly known superyacht output from CMN has been limited, which aligns with CMN’s prioritization of naval work.

Given the dual-focus nature of the business, headline “volumes” should be interpreted differently across segments: naval programs emphasize series runs and fleet capability, while the yacht program historically emphasized craft pedigree and engineering depth over unit count.

Latest News

• Continued naval deliveries and export focus: Into the early and mid‑2020s, CMN has remained visible in open-source reporting through ongoing deliveries of fast interceptors and patrol craft to international clients, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. The HSI-series fast interceptors, in particular, have appeared regularly in trade media and official client imagery over this period. These programs reinforce CMN’s identity as a turnkey designer-builder of coastal security craft with defense‑grade systems integration.
• CMN Naval brand emphasis: Public-facing materials and project references over the last several years have increasingly used the “CMN Naval” designation to underscore the company’s strategic emphasis on defense and governmental markets. This brand orientation helps clarify the yard’s current market priorities, even though the CMN Yachts heritage remains well recognized within the superyacht community.
• Facility and workforce alignment to naval programs: While detailed investment figures are not broadly disclosed, the pattern of public contracts, deliveries, and recruitment cycles indicates that the Cherbourg site and its workforce planning have been aligned primarily with naval series production and lifecycle support activities. This includes metal fabrication, outfitting, electronics/sensor integration, and acceptance trials for craft in the 30–70 m class range typical of patrol and interceptor categories.
• Superyacht market stance: There have been no widely reported new superyacht launches by CMN in recent years, nor high-profile keel-lays announced for large private yachts. Industry observers generally interpret this as a strategic focus on defense/export work, where demand has been robust. The installed capability to execute superyacht projects remains implicit in the facility’s track record, but the current pipeline appears oriented toward governmental clients.
• Program ecosystem and collaborations: Over decades, CMN’s designs have sometimes been produced in cooperation with foreign shipyards or completed under license in client countries, especially for larger series or where industrial localization is a policy requirement. In the 2020s, this practice remains common across the naval sector; it allows CMN to combine Cherbourg-based engineering authority with client-country build or final assembly when required by contract terms. Open sources continue to reflect this general model across multiple European builders, CMN included.
• Regulatory and export environment: The company operates in a sector where export controls, licensing, and end-user agreements shape project timelines and publicity. As a result, not all deliveries, milestones, or contract modifications are immediately visible in the public domain. The cadence of official photo releases, commissioning ceremonies, and sea trial footage remains the best open-source indicator of program health. Across 2020–2024, such indicators have suggested steady naval activity for CMN.
• Industry recognition and fleet in service: While the latest awards coverage has centered more on yacht builders with active launch calendars, CMN’s earlier superyacht projects continue to attract charter demand and brokerage interest, and the naval fleet designed by CMN remains active across several national services. The operational visibility of CMN-designed patrol and interceptor craft—routine in coastal security, interdiction, and EEZ patrol—demonstrates sustained end-user confidence and underpins follow-on orders or upgrades that appear periodically in sector reporting.

Overall, the most recent publicly observable trend lines point to CMN maintaining an active naval production posture from Cherbourg, with product emphasis on fast patrol and interceptor vessels and associated support. The superyacht side remains part of the company’s heritage and capability set but has not been the subject of recent high-profile new-build announcements. As is typical in the defense-adjacent shipbuilding domain, periodic contract news, delivery ceremonies, and sea trial reports continue to be the most reliable signals of program status and yard workload, and those signals have remained present for CMN through the early to mid‑2020s.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Who is CMN in the context of yacht building?
Answer: CMN (Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie) is a French shipbuilder based in Cherbourg with a long heritage in naval craft and custom luxury motor yachts. In the yacht world, CMN is known for Northern European–level steel/aluminum construction quality and for a handful of acclaimed 60-meter deliveries that combined defense-grade engineering with bespoke interiors.

Question: What size range of yachts is CMN best known for?
Answer: CMN’s most recognizable superyachts are in the approximately 50–60 meter range, particularly the 60-meter displacement platforms launched in the late 2000s. Earlier, the yard also delivered around-50-meter and early-40-meter steel/aluminum displacement yachts.

Question: Does CMN build in steel or aluminum?
Answer: CMN’s large motor yachts typically feature a steel hull for strength and comfort in a displacement regime, with an aluminum superstructure to optimize weight and stability. This steel/aluminum pairing is standard among high-end European builders for yachts in the 40–60 meter class.

Question: Are CMN yachts custom or semi-custom?
Answer: CMN has historically focused on custom and semi-custom projects. The 60-meter “sister” yachts were based on a proven displacement platform with significant scope for customization in layout, interior design, and technical specification.

Question: What design studios have collaborated with CMN?
Answer: Notably, the 60-meter CMN yachts featured exterior and interior work by Andrew Winch (Winch Design). Across earlier and subsequent projects, CMN has coordinated with well-known naval architects and interior studios depending on owner preference.

Question: What characterizes the engineering of CMN yachts?
Answer: CMN’s yacht engineering reflects practices from its naval programs: robust structural design, disciplined weight control, redundant systems, thorough acoustic and vibration isolation, and rigorous testing in challenging sea conditions. The result is quiet operation, solid seakeeping, and long-range capability.

Question: What are typical speed and range figures for CMN displacement yachts?
Answer: The 60-meter displacement yachts commonly cruise in the low-to-mid teens (around 12–14 knots), with maximum speeds near 15–16 knots depending on engine selection and loading. Ranges of 5,000 nautical miles or more at economical speeds are typical for transoceanic itineraries.

Question: Which engines are commonly used?
Answer: Twin Caterpillar medium-speed diesels have been a frequent choice in CMN’s 50–60 meter displacement class, paired with robust generator sets, modern shaft lines, and zero-speed stabilization. Specific models vary by yacht and year, but Caterpillar 3512-series main engines are representative of the class.

Question: What classification and codes do CMN yachts follow?
Answer: CMN builds to leading IACS classification society rules and the major commercial large-yacht codes. Yachts in this range are typically compliant with standards comparable to MCA LY2/LY3 or equivalent, depending on the owner’s operational profile.

Question: How many guests and crew do the 60-meter CMN yachts accommodate?
Answer: A conventional layout includes accommodations for up to 12 guests in six cabins (often an owner’s suite plus five guest suites), with crew complements generally in the low-to-mid teens to provide full hotel and technical service.

Question: Are CMN yachts considered quiet and low-vibration?
Answer: Yes. Noise and vibration control was a focal point in the 60-meter builds, using isolation mounts, careful machinery rafts, and acoustic treatments derived from CMN’s defense engineering culture. Owners and charterers often praise the quiet cabins and smooth running.

Question: What kind of stabilization is fitted?
Answer: Zero-speed fin stabilizers are the norm for comfort at anchor, supplemented by efficient displacement hull forms and a low center of gravity from steel construction. The exact stabilizer brand and sizing depend on the build.

Question: Do CMN yachts carry tenders and toys internally?
Answer: The 60-meter platform is known for side-loading tender garages and integrated launch/recovery systems, typically accommodating a primary guest tender, a crew/service tender, and a complement of personal watercraft, plus dedicated storage for beach gear and dive equipment.

Question: Are helipads common on CMN’s 60-meter projects?
Answer: A certified helideck is not a standard feature on the known 60-meter CMN series. However, touch-and-go capability and helicopter support can be engineered into larger or bespoke designs if requested.

Question: Does CMN have refit and lifecycle support capability?
Answer: The yard’s infrastructure and skill set support maintenance, refit, and lifecycle work for complex metal yachts. This capability is a natural extension of the yard’s naval MRO culture and helps sustain the fleet long-term.

Question: What is the delivery cadence for complex CMN builds?
Answer: As with comparable Northern European custom metal yachts, delivery timelines are measured in years rather than months, reflecting detailed engineering, metalwork, fairing/paint, systems integration, and high-spec interior outfitting. Exact timelines depend on scope and supply dynamics.

Question: Are CMN yachts suitable for global cruising?
Answer: Yes. Displacement steel hulls, ocean-ranging fuel capacity, redundant systems, and commercial-code compliance make the 50–60 meter CMN yachts well suited to transoceanic passages and seasonal migration between regions.

Question: What about environmental compliance?
Answer: Newer refits and updates commonly integrate Tier III–aligned emissions technology where feasible, including selective catalytic reduction (SCR) for NOx control, advanced fuel conditioning, and increasingly efficient hotel loads. Original builds meet the prevailing standards of their delivery era, with upgrade paths available.

Question: How are crew spaces and workflows addressed?
Answer: CMN yachts prioritize efficient crew circulation with back-of-house corridors, dedicated service stairs, properly sized laundry and provision stores, and well-planned technical spaces. These choices contribute to smooth guest service and ease of maintenance.

Question: How is quality monitored throughout the build?
Answer: Quality is underpinned by comprehensive drawings, weight reports, inspection points, class surveys, factory acceptance tests for machinery and electronics, and extensive dock and sea trials. Documentation packages deliver traceability through the life of the vessel.

Question: What materials and finishes are typical inside?
Answer: Owners have specified diverse palettes—from contemporary lacquers and veneers to classic timbers and stone. Execution quality is characterized by tight tolerances, fair paintwork, resilient joinery, and durable marine-grade substrates suitable for commercial-code charter.

Question: Is beach-club space common on the 60-meter platform?
Answer: The earlier 60-meter series predates today’s expansive beach-club trend but still integrates water-level enjoyment through a broad swim platform and clever tender-garage arrangements. Later refits often add wellness features and convertible lounge areas near the transom.

Question: What makes CMN’s 60-meter yachts notable on the charter market?
Answer: Timeless exterior lines, calm acoustics, and practical six-cabin layouts are appealing for family and corporate use. Systems designed for reliable commercial operation help maintain high uptime and consistent guest experiences.

Question: Do CMN yachts integrate advanced security and navigation systems?
Answer: Yes. Their heritage in governmental craft supports robust navigation suites, reliable communications, and discreet security provisions, scaled appropriately for private use and compliant with applicable flag and class requirements.

Question: Are there expedition-style or ice-reinforced CMN yachts?
Answer: The yard’s engineering breadth allows for increased scantlings and specialized operational profiles in principle. Specific ice-classed or expedition yachts would be custom commissions; known 60-meter deliveries are classic displacement yachts optimized for comfort and range, not icebreaking.

Question: How adaptable are the underlying platforms for new commissions?
Answer: Historically, CMN’s approach allows re-using proven hull and machinery baselines while tailoring superstructure lines, deck plans, and interiors. This reduces technical risk while giving designers and owners freedom to personalize the yacht.

Question: What electrical and hotel systems philosophy is used?
Answer: Fail-safe power management with multiple generators, load sharing, and emergency redundancy is standard. HVAC, freshwater, and black/grey water systems are designed for quiet operation, reliability, and class-compliant environmental handling.

Question: How do CMN yachts perform in challenging seas?
Answer: The English Channel provides a rigorous proving ground. The 60-meter yachts are known for steady motion, predictable handling, and well-controlled roll with stabilizers, contributing to guest comfort on longer passages.

Question: What about resale and lifecycle value?
Answer: CMN’s technical pedigree and enduring styling have favored stable resale interest. Owners often cite robust engineering and timeless design as primary value anchors over multi-year ownership cycles.

Question: Can interior layouts be optimized for accessibility or family use?
Answer: Yes. Past projects show flexible main-deck owner suites, convertible guest cabins, and thoughtful circulation patterns that can be adapted for accessibility or family-friendly use cases, subject to class and stability requirements.

Question: How is paintwork quality achieved and preserved?
Answer: Surface preparation, fairing, controlled-environment spray halls, and premium marine coatings are the baseline. Post-delivery, diligent wash-down and periodic polish/varnish cycles preserve gloss and UV protection.

Question: Do CMN yachts typically include tender cranes or shell doors?
Answer: Yes. Side shell doors serve tender launch/retrieval and technical access, while overhead gantry or dedicated cranes provide safe handling within the garage. Equipment is sized for the intended tender length and displacement.

Question: What is the crew-to-guest ratio on the 60-meter platform?
Answer: A ratio near or above 1:1 is common in this class, with crew numbers around 14–16 supporting 10–12 guests, depending on mission profile and service standard.

Question: Are there hybrid or alternative-propulsion CMN yachts?
Answer: Known deliveries from the 2000s are conventional diesel-driven displacement yachts. Hybridization can be engineered for future builds or refits, integrating battery assistance for hotel loads and low-speed silent running where feasible and class-compliant.

Question: What makes CMN distinct among European metal-yacht builders?
Answer: A defense-rooted engineering culture, careful acoustic tuning, and understated exterior lines give CMN yachts a reputation for reliable global cruising and charter-ready functionality wrapped in refined, timeless aesthetics.

Available Models

Important note on availability: CMN’s superyacht activity has historically centered on custom and semi-custom projects rather than a fixed year-round “catalog.” The examples below represent well-documented reference platforms that illustrate CMN’s capabilities and the characteristics buyers typically associate with the brand.

1. CMN 60m Displacement Platform (Winch-Design lineage)

• Length overall: approximately 60 meters
• Construction: steel hull, aluminum superstructure
• Naval architecture: CMN in collaboration with leading external design partners; exterior and interior styling on the sisterships by Andrew Winch (Winch Design)
• Layout and accommodations: typically 6 guest cabins for up to 12 guests, including a main-deck owner’s suite; crew accommodations generally for 14–16 depending on configuration
• Propulsion: twin Caterpillar medium-speed diesels driving conventional shafts; power ratings vary by hull but belong to the Caterpillar 3512-series family in representative examples
• Speed and range: economical cruise around 12–14 knots; maximum speed generally in the 15–16-knot bracket; transoceanic range of 5,000 nautical miles or more at economy speed, subject to load and sea state
• Stabilization: zero-speed fins for comfort at anchor, with active stabilization underway
• Notable features:
  • Quiet, low-vibration accommodation decks due to meticulous machinery isolation and structural detailing
  • Side-opening shell doors for tender garage access and efficient launch/recovery
  • A broad swim platform and well-resolved exterior circulation pathways for guest flow
  • Proven hull form with balanced displacement, delivering predictable handling in a wide range of conditions
• Representative delivered yachts: two well-known 60-meter “sisterships” launched in 2009, plus a closely related 60-meter delivered in 2007. These reference vessels established CMN’s reputation for Northern European–level finishing and robust engineering within a French yard context.

2. CMN circa-50m Steel/Aluminum Displacement Class (early 2000s reference builds)

• Length overall: approximately 49–50 meters (select deliveries just under 50 meters)
• Construction: steel hull with aluminum superstructure
• Layout and accommodations: typically 5–6 guest cabins for up to 10–12 guests; crew complements tailored to service standard and itinerary
• Propulsion: twin Caterpillar diesels on shafts, supported by multiple generator sets and commercial-grade auxiliaries
• Speed and range: cruising often around 12–13 knots; top speeds in the mid-teens; ranges suitable for Atlantic crossings at economical speeds
• Stabilization: fin stabilizers with at-anchor functionality on later refit packages
• Notable features:
  • Classic displacement comfort, with a focus on long-range passagemaking and quiet cabins
  • Practical tender storage, often with a side or aft garage configuration depending on hull
  • Interior fitouts ranging from classic to contemporary, reflecting the custom ethos of each commission
• Representative role: These early-2000s yachts demonstrate CMN’s skill in mid-50-meter and sub-50-meter displacement builds, setting the stage for the later, larger 60-meter platform.

3. CMN early-40m Displacement Motor Yacht (select reference builds)

• Length overall: roughly 42–44 meters for documented early-2000s examples
• Construction: steel/aluminum
• Layout and accommodations: approximately 5 guest cabins for up to 10–11 guests; crew numbers aligned to charter-level service
• Propulsion: twin diesels, conventional shaft lines; generator and hotel systems sized for extended independent cruising
• Speed and range: cruise around 12–13 knots; design emphasis on comfort, seakeeping, and efficient hotel loads
• Notable features:
  • Practical, family-friendly layouts with strong back-of-house logistics
  • Good tender stowage and straightforward service access for maintenance
  • Balanced proportions that have aged well aesthetically

Guidance for interpreting the “Available Models” above:

• Because CMN’s superyachts are primarily custom or semi-custom, the “models” are best understood as proven platforms and reference deliveries rather than fixed, unchanging series with published line sheets. Buyers historically selected a baseline hull and machinery package, then developed a unique design and interior around that technical core with the chosen design studio and engineering team.
• Performance figures vary with displacement, tankage, stabilizer size, propeller selection, and interior density. The ranges provided reflect typical outcomes for CMN’s displacement builds in these size brackets.
• Cabin counts are indicative of common luxury layouts in the 40–60 meter class; actual arrangements are customized to owner priorities such as a larger owner’s suite, VIP parity, wellness areas, or additional service volume.
• Engine families and stabilization systems are presented generically to reflect the most representative equipment choices without tying specifications to a particular single hull.

Why these platforms remain relevant:

• Proven hull geometry and engineering: The 60-meter Winch-designed lineage, in particular, has a well-regarded track record for motion comfort, noise control, and reliable systems integration.
• Long-range readiness: Endurance, redundancy, and serviceability characterize the class, making these yachts attractive for global cruising and for charter operations that require consistent performance and uptime.
• Timeless styling: Proportions and detailing from these builds tend to age gracefully, supporting long-term owner satisfaction and healthy resale prospects.
• Upgrade paths: Many systems in these yachts can be modernized—navigation, communications, audiovisual, HVAC, and emissions controls—helping the fleet remain current with evolving standards and guest expectations.

In summary, CMN’s “available models” are best viewed through the lens of historically validated, custom-capable platforms. The 60-meter displacement yachts stand as the signature reference point, combining defense-derived engineering discipline with sophisticated interiors and practical long-range cruising features. The roughly 50-meter and early-40-meter displacement classes provide additional evidence of CMN’s capability breadth in steel/aluminum yachts, each reflecting the yard’s emphasis on structural integrity, quiet luxury, and dependable global operation.