Cannes Yachting Festival 2025: Debuts To Watch
Some of the top yacht debuts to watch in Cannes this September 9–14.
August 30, 2025
The Cannes Yachting Festival returns to the French Riviera from September 9–14, 2025, spanning both Vieux Port (motor yachts) and Port Canto (sailing and brokerage). Organizers expect roughly 700 boats on display and strong international attendance, continuing a decades-long run as Europe’s largest in-water boat show. Each year, Cannes sets the tone for the global yacht industry, unveiling new models that highlight innovation, craftsmanship, and lifestyle trends in both sail and power segments.
Six Sailboat Premieres
Dufour 54
Above: A 2026 Dufour 54 sailboat. Photo by Dufour.
Dufour’s new flagship introduces a fresh standard in mid-sized cruising yachts. At 55 feet long with a generous beam, the yacht carries a powerful triple-spreader rig that maximizes sail area and performance. Owners can select between standard and shoal draft keels, while flexible interior layouts offer between three and five cabins. Above deck, the Dufour 54 emphasizes comfort and outdoor living with sunpads, an integrated transom galley, and a well-proportioned cockpit. Below deck, the yacht balances practicality with luxury, making it suitable for extended cruising or charter programs.
Fountaine Pajot 41 & 44
Above: A 2026 Fountaine Pajot 44 catamaran. Photo by Fountaine Pajot.
Replacing two of the builder’s most popular catamarans, the new 41- and 44-foot models carry the DNA of Fountaine Pajot’s larger cruising cats but with contemporary updates. Both models adopt deeper fixed keels for improved windward ability and offer owners the option of either diesel or electric propulsion. Walkable solar panels can be integrated into the forward deck, showcasing the builder’s push toward renewable energy and sustainability. Inside, buyers can choose between the Maestro layout with an owner’s suite or the Quatuor arrangement for maximum cabin space. These cats emphasize versatility, balancing family cruising with bluewater passages.
Beneteau Oceanis 47 & 52
Above: A 2026 Beneteau Oceanis 52. Photo by Beneteau.
The eighth generation of Beneteau’s Oceanis line arrives with two new entries: the Oceanis 47 and Oceanis 52. Both models focus on making cruising more comfortable and accessible, with improved cockpit ergonomics, optional mainsheet arches, and expansive swim platforms. The Oceanis 52 boasts a cockpit reported to be 30% larger than its predecessor, while the Oceanis 47 reintroduces a full nav desk below. With their modern hull shapes and twin rudder systems, these yachts provide both easy handling for shorthanded crews and generous interior volume for families or guests.
Excess 13
Above: A 2026 Excess 13 Sailing Catamaran. Photo by Excess.
The Excess 13 continues the builder’s mission of delivering sailing catamarans that feel sporty and responsive. At around 43 feet, this new design offers low-slung, outboard helm stations that put the skipper close to the water, creating an open-air experience that appeals to performance-minded sailors. The Excess 13 can be ordered in the standard rig or the taller Pulse Line version, which delivers more sail area and a boost in speed. Interiors remain light and simple, reinforcing the brand’s emphasis on sailing enjoyment over pure luxury trappings.
Six New Powerboat Debuts
Aquila 46 Yacht Power Catamaran
Above: A 2026 46 Yacht Power Catamaran. Photo by Aquila.
Aquila’s new 46-foot power catamaran is designed to deliver the living space of a much larger yacht in a package optimized for cruising families and adventurers. It features a spacious flybridge, a forward-access bow lounge via a central stairway, and accommodations for up to 10 guests. Twin Volvo Penta diesels provide reliable performance, and an optional hydrofoil system improves efficiency and ride comfort. The Aquila 46 underscores the rising popularity of power cats as versatile platforms for both leisure and extended voyaging.
Wellcraft 28
The new Wellcraft 28 enters as the smallest sibling in the brand’s European-influenced lineup, but it promises plenty of punch. With its twin-stepped hull and assertive styling, this model is tailored for buyers who want speed, agility, and the ability to pivot between fishing, watersports, and day cruising. Despite its size, the Wellcraft 28 makes no compromises in performance, ensuring the adventurous spirit of the brand carries through to this compact new platform.
Catana SEATY
Catana Group introduces SEATY, a concept that blurs the line between yacht and floating villa. This modular catamaran platform is conceived as a living or working space on the water, complete with adaptable decks and minimal propulsion. The design reflects the growing interest in flexible on-water real estate, offering buyers the possibility to use their yacht as a home office, leisure platform, or hospitality venue. Cannes will mark its international showcase as Catana tests new ideas about how boats can fit into modern lifestyles.
Sirena 60
Above: A 2026 Sirena 60 yacht. Photo by Sirena Yachts.
The Sirena 60 evolves from the well-loved 58-footer, offering more usable space and reworked social areas. A reimagined flybridge, larger aft deck, and improved interior layouts make this yacht a practical yet luxurious option for extended cruising. It retains Sirena’s hallmark versatility, capable of long-range displacement cruising or faster passages up to 25 knots. The three-cabin layout includes a full-beam master, emphasizing comfort for owners and guests alike.
Silent Yachts 80
Above: A 2026 Silent Yachts 80. Photo by Silent Yachts.
Silent Yachts brings its solar-electric flagship, the Silent 80, to Cannes with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. Designed as a long-range cruising catamaran, it integrates high-capacity batteries, solar arrays, and electric motors for near-silent operation. Capable of steady passage speeds with minimal environmental impact, the Silent 80 also provides luxury amenities including a flybridge hot tub, expansive lounging areas, and customizable interior layouts. It is one of the most ambitious electric yachts in its class.
Sunreef Ultima 55
Above: A 2026 Sunreef Ultima 55. Photo by Sunreef.
The Sunreef Ultima 55 debuts as a sleek, futuristic power catamaran aimed at owners who want both high performance and green credentials. Sporting a covered helm, fold-out bulwarks, and a beach-club style aft deck, the yacht combines lifestyle features with hybrid propulsion technology. Twin electric motors backed by generators allow the yacht to sprint up to 35 knots, while a sizable battery pack enables quieter, more sustainable operation at lower speeds. It positions Sunreef at the forefront of eco-luxury design.
Additional Highlights and World Premieres
Bluegame BGF45
Bluegame’s BGF45 is the first foiling yacht of its kind, developed in collaboration with America’s Cup design talent. By combining hydrofoil technology with modern styling, the BGF45 promises smooth, efficient performance at higher speeds with reduced energy consumption. It is one of the most innovative projects at Cannes, signaling the future of foil-assisted leisure yachts.
Sanlorenzo SL110A, SX120, and SD132
Sanlorenzo arrives in Cannes with three premieres across its core lines: the planing SL110A, the crossover SX120, and the semi-displacement SD132. Each model showcases the shipyard’s commitment to maximizing space, integrating indoor-outdoor living, and embracing hybrid-ready propulsion. The trio demonstrates the breadth of Sanlorenzo’s design language, from asymmetrical layouts to traditional long-range platforms.
Aiata Wayfinder 38
The Aiata Wayfinder 38, from a new Turkish brand, emphasizes modularity and choice. Offered in Cabin and Suntop variants, the 38-footer features a flared bow, generous deck areas, and powerful outboard propulsion options up to 850 horsepower. It’s a flexible dayboat that can be configured for coastal cruising, watersports, or entertaining, reflecting the growing demand for multipurpose designs.
Why These Debuts Matter
The yachts premiering at Cannes this year highlight several key trends shaping the industry. Sailboats are doubling down on liveability and efficiency, with larger cockpits, better keel configurations, and hybrid propulsion options. Powerboats span a spectrum from rugged explorers to futuristic electric and foiling concepts, underscoring a push toward sustainability and innovation. Across all categories, builders are responding to owners who want performance without sacrificing lifestyle, and luxury without ignoring environmental impact.
Festival Details
Dates: September 9–14, 2025
Venues: Vieux Port (motor yachts, luxury gallery) and Port Canto (sailing, brokerage, toys)
Scale: Approximately 700 yachts and 650 exhibitors, with more than 55,000 visitors expected
Atmosphere: Cannes offers not only cutting-edge yachts but also a backdrop of glamour, networking, and the quintessential Riviera lifestyle, making it the place where business, design, and luxury converge.
Editor’s Take
If last year hinted at it, 2025 makes it clear: Cannes is not just about luxury—it’s about innovation. From foiling yachts and solar-electric cats to modular platforms that challenge the very definition of a yacht, this year’s premieres reflect a market willing to experiment. Yet traditional sailboats like the Dufour 54 and Oceanis 52 remind us that proven design and comfort still anchor the industry. Whether you’re a prospective buyer, an industry insider, or simply a boating enthusiast, Cannes 2025 offers a snapshot of where the future of yachting is headed.
