CLX99 Yacht Has More Room for More Guests, More Stowage, and More Everything

Sometimes a larger model is just that, larger, without compelling extra benefits. CL Yachts and designer Jozeph Forakis wanted to give long-range cruisers real rewards in creating the CLX99 yacht. At 100 feet (30.5 meters) LOA, she is more than just the big sister to an existing yacht. “More” is the operative word, in fact: more features, more stowage, more staterooms, and more choice.

The CLX99 yacht belongs to CL Yachts’ CLX series. The shipyard joined forces with Forakis a few years ago deliberately to rethink traditional long-range cruisers. With raked wheelhouse windows and more angular lines, the first model, the CLX96 yacht, shipped to the United States in 2022. Forakis refers to the styling as workboat-chic, blending the notions of taking on global waters with enjoying luxurious living at sea. The CLX99 yacht picks up the same concepts while adding in features and functions that should appeal not only to Americans, but also Europeans and Asians. Additionally, the new project can better serve charter needs.

For instance, whether for private cruises or charter, it’s more practical to situate the galley on the main deck. The CLX96 had an open-plan galley with a cozy observation/champagne lounge forward and the saloon aft. The CLX99 yacht creates a separate dining area fully forward and the galley between it and the saloon. The galley also becomes accessible to the crew on the port side. Six and a half feet (2 meters) of extra main-deck space allows these reconfigurations.

Extra space below deck allows further reconfigurations, too. In the standard layout, all five staterooms, including the full-beam master, are down below. Cabins for up to five crewmembers and the captain, meanwhile, buffer the master from the engine room. (On a related note, the higher crew head count is ideal for charter operations.) If owners prefer cruising with a crowd, though, they can have a main-deck master suite (below) instead of the formal dining area yet preserve five staterooms below decks for friends and family. Regardless of stateroom total, the windows are somewhat different than they were on the smaller yacht, for cleaner lines.

the optional CLX99 yacht master on the main deck

Upwards of 10 feet (3 meters) of additional space went toward the skylounge. The CLX99 yacht also provides privacy to guests and the captain alike by adding a wall between the lounge and the helm. But, it’s not a solid wall. “The skylounge forward bulkhead is essentially largely glass,” explains Forakis. Therefore, the captain still has views aft, and “guests can still observe the operation of the yacht.” Additionally, a sliding door yields access from one area to the other.

Finally, big changes have taken place outside. Besides giving buyers the option for a hot tub on the foredeck (top), this bigger megayacht has fold-down bulwarks at the transom. The sensation of space and of being one with the sea (bottom) won’t be lost on passengers.

Of course, the CLX99 yacht hasn’t thrown all previous ideas out the window. She preserves the “Terrazza Portoghese” that her smaller sister has—the sunning and seating area forward of the wheelhouse that owners and guests love. The skylounge also still has the lowering and raising windows of the CLX96, turning it into a more open-air room. She also uses the same hull design, which should permit top speeds around 24 knots. The host of improvements, however, should show customers that CL Yachts and Forakis still strive to do things differently.

CL Yachts clyachts.com

Jozeph Forakis Design forakis.com