Kicking off the yacht show season and attracting over 50,000 visitors each year, the Cannes Yachting Festival is one of the most prestigious annual yachting events globally. Set to take place on 10-15 September 2024, it is the place for anyone looking to buy or sell a yacht, particularly in the sub-500GT market.
This year, the 47th edition, promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a new marina and nearly 700 boats on display. The festival will host 600 exhibitors from around the globe, presenting an impressive array of monohulls, multihulls, rigid and semi-rigid hulls, new and pre-owned sailing and motor boats ranging from 5 to 50 metres in length. Alongside this, there will be hundreds of brands showcasing the very latest in boat equipment, services and innovation.
The show updates
This year Cannes is switching things up. "2024 represents a year of adaptation and new opportunities for the Cannes Yachting Festival,” explains Sylvie Ernoult, director of the Cannes Yachting Festival. “We have redesigned the organisation of certain areas to replace them with other different and innovative spaces, such as the creation of a new large marina in Port Canto. The exhibition teams have risen to the challenge, and I am very enthusiastic and proud of the next edition we will be offering our exhibitors and visitors.“
While Vieux Port will continue to exhibit over 350 new boats ranging from 10 to 50 metres by some of the biggest names in yachting, and larger in-water yachts will be moored in their usual locations at the Jetée and the Super Yachts Extension, there will be a few changes to help improve the visitor experience. The main entrance, for example, will be moved next to the famous steps that film stars walk up during the Cannes Film Festival near the Croisette. The engine manufacturers that equip the mega yachts will also be moved along the beach opposite the Palais and a new entrance will be opened on the main Pantiero promenade (replacing the one at Quai Max Laubeuf).
The new marina
Without doubt one of the highlights this year will be a new Power Boat Marina, dedicated to motor boats up to 12-13 metres, located in neighbouring Port Canto.
The marina will exhibit 170 motor boats (140 in-water and thirty ashore), alongside a selection of outboard engines, and brands will include everyone from Axopar to Candela and Sealine.
Alongside the power boats, Port Canto will also be exhibiting 120 new sailboats over 10 metres long and around 50 previously-owned large yachts from 24 metres long. Several traversantes (pontoons with a motorised central part) will enable visitors to go from one quay to the other and allow small motor boats to conduct sea trials.
The 2000 square-metre area of Porto Canto will exhibit almost 350 boats. When combined with the Vieux Port, there will be 700 boats on display at the show. Visitors will be able to walk along the 2.5-kilometre-long loop and there will be free sea shuttles for visitors, providing easy transportation between the Vieux Port and Port Canto.
Port Canto will also be a great place to meet and hold business meetings, thanks to a new restaurant with almost 130 tables and a new VIP Club, located on the roof of the Harbour Master's Office. Furnished by Roche Bobois, a French manufacturer of high-end furniture and loyal partner of the exhibition, it will feature a picturesque 180-degree view over the port.
The lineup of yachts
Italian shipyard Wider Yachts has confirmed that its first 28-metre multihull, Acali, will make her international debut at this year's festival, while Princess Yachts will showcase two world premieres as part of its eight-yacht lineup: the new 25-metre S80 and 21-metre S65 sports yachts.
Sunreef will debut its new 60 Sunreef Power catamaran, while Sanlorenzo is planning to unveil two new models at the show: the 27-metre flybridge SL86A and the 28-metre SP92. When it comes to sailing yachts, Nautor Swan will be unveiling its 28-metre hybrid electric cruiser-racer, Swan 88.
Ferretti Yachts will be premiering its new 24-metre Infynito 80 while other Ferretti Group brands will be showcasing the Custom Line Navetta 38, Pershing GTX80, Ferretti Yachts 670, Riva El-Iseo, wallywhy100 and wallypower50.
The innovation
In 2024, the Cannes Yachting Festival will have a strong eco-innovation theme, aimed at promoting sustainable solutions in all areas, from engines and propulsion to waste management, materials and services. This year, all these projects and initiatives will be highlighted with special signage.
Ernoult concludes: "Like all the others, the marine industry cannot avoid environmental challenges, and has understood that it has to evolve to meet the sector’s decarbonisation needs and the new requirements of boaters. It seemed vital to us to make our contribution to the effort by recognising the efforts our exhibitors are making and the energy they are putting into building the future of the nautical sector. Work on composites, recyclable resins, more respectful engines, but also design for aerodynamics or connectivity for better efficiency… there are certainly lots of initiatives! We are happy to showcase them, as our goal for all is to preserve our seas and oceans, especially for future generations."
Visit the official website to learn more about the Cannes Yachting Festival or buy a ticket.
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