The original article appears in Issue 73 (click to read)

Vieux Port in foreground and Port Canto at top

Cannes Yachting Festival organisers are expecting more than 650 boats ranging from 5m to 55m at this year’s edition from September 12-17. The six-day event again kicks off a European autumn boat show season that includes events in Southampton, La Rochelle, Genoa, Monaco, Barcelona and Lavrio in Greece.

A major new feature of this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival is the creation of an in-water zone in the main Vieux Port (‘Old Port’) exhibition area to accommodate smaller boats from 8-12m, in response to exhibitor demand.

Vieux Port

Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival, said: “Thanks to the renewed confidence of our exhibitors, this 2023 edition is looking very good, with similar forecasts to last year, which had about 600 exhibitors, more than 650 boats and 140 premieres.

“This edition will highlight small units with the creation of a new area, a marina in the heart of the Vieux Port. As the show’s DNA is to offer the most eclectic display possible, it seemed natural to us to move the smaller boats that have traditionally been displayed ashore on the Quai Max Laubeuf to a dedicated floating area.

“Once again this year, our visitors will enjoy discovering some real gems in-water and on land, boats of all sizes and types, equipped with traditional or carbon-free engines, with electric, hybrid or hydrogen power systems.”

Vieux Port

The show retains its format of showing close to 500 motor yachts in Vieux Port, while Port Canto hosts sailing monohulls and multihulls, brokerage superyachts (power and sail), and water toys.

Large yachts include the 55m Step One, a 2012 Amels 180 listed by Barnes Yachting. Isa Yachts, part of Italy’s Palumbo Superyachts group, will stage the world premiere of its Granturismo 45, UV II, before the yacht appears at the superyacht-focused Monaco Yacht Show from September 27-30.

Other large builds from Italy confirmed early included Benetti’s Oasis 40M, the 43.5m Oceanic 143 by Canados, a 42.6m Custom Line 140’ from Ferretti Group, and Baglietto’s 40.6m Dom 133.

Pershing GTX116

Italy’s Ferretti Group is again set to be one of the show’s biggest exhibitors and is hosting two of the event’s most exciting world premieres, Pershing’s GTX116 and Riva’ 82’ Diva, while Wally’s wallywhy150 will make its France debut following its global debut at this year’s Venice Boat Show.

Azimut, which traditionally exhibits beside Ferretti Group close to the main entrance of the Vieux Port, is hosting the world premiere of its Magellano 60 (see Review), the Verve 48 and the in-water premiere of the S7, which debuted indoors at Boot Dusseldorf in January.

Sister brand Benetti will show its Motopanfilo 37m and Oasis 34M along with the Oasis 40M in the Superyacht Extension (SYE). Cantiere delle Marche (CdM) will show the RJ 115 Stellamar, while Gulf Craft will host the Majesty 120 before it also appears at the Monaco Yacht Show with the new Majesty 111.

Azimut Magellano 60

Sanlorenzo is staging the world premiere of the SX100 in a 10-boat display that includes SX76 and SX88 crossover yachts, SL78, SL86, SL90A and SL106A planing yachts, SD90 and SD96 semi displacement models, as well as the SP110 smart performance coupe that debuted last year.

Sister brand Bluegame is hosting one of the show’s most exciting premieres, with the BGM75 representing the brand’s first multihull. The builder will also display a BG72, BGX63 (the former BGX60), BG54 and BG42, while its hydrogen-powered chase boat for next year’s America’s Cup is set to exhibit on land. Mangusta is showing a 104 Rev (32m) and a GranSport 33.

Absolute is staging the European debut of its new 52 Fly along with the 56 and 60 Fly models, five Navetta models – 48, 52, 58, 64 and 75 – as well as the 48 Coupe. Arcadia is unveiling its new A96 along with the A85, Sherpa 60 and Sherpa 80, Extra is showing its X99 Fast, Otam is showing hull three of its 70HT, while Wider could debut its Wilder 60.

CGI of Bluegame America’s Cup chase boat

Evo is unveiling the R+ (59ft) beside its R4 WA (43ft), Solaris Power’s display includes the world premiere of 52 Open, while Fiart lines up the Seawalker 35, 39 and 43 Panorama.

Invictus is showing the GT370, TT420 and flagship TT460, with sister brand Capoforte exhibiting the SX200, CX240, SQ240i and SX280i. The Cantiere del Pardo group, celebrating its 50^th anniversary, is displaying models from both its Pardo and VanDutch luxury day boat brands.

Among British builders, Sunseeker announced a nine-model line-up headed by a spectacular edition of the 100 Yacht in Midnight Grey and the new Superhawk 55 and 75 Sport Yacht, which both had their world premieres at Boot. The Poole shipyard’s other models comprise the Manhattan 55 and 68, Predator 65, 76 Yacht, 88 Yacht and 90 Ocean.

Sunseeker 100 Yacht in Midnight Grey

Princess is hosting the world premieres of the Y80 and Y95 alongside the new S72 that debuted at Boot, plus the X80, F65, F45, V55 and V40. Fairline will have five motor yachts on display, comprising its Phantom 65 sportbridge, Targa 45 GT, 45 Open and 50 Open cruiser models, plus the high-speed F//Line 33 day boat, while Pearl will show its 62, new 72 and flagship 95.

www.cannesyachtingfestival.com