THE 2016 CANNES YACHTING FESTIVAL Sept 6-11 in France welcomed 630 boats from 2.1m to 52m, a record number for Europe’s largest in-water show. Boasting 191 new models and 107 world premieres, the event cemented its position as the leader in innovation and product launches. This year also marked the 10th anniversary of the Brokerage & Charter Area on the Port Pierre Canto dock at the other end of the famous Croisette.
THE 2016 CANNES YACHTING FESTIVAL Sept 6-11 in France welcomed 630 boats from 2.1m to 52m, a record number for Europe’s largest in-water show. Boasting 191 new models and 107 world premieres, the event cemented its position as the leader in innovation and product launches. This year also marked the 10th anniversary of the Brokerage & Charter Area on the Port Pierre Canto dock at the other end of the famous Croisette.
The exhibitors at this year’s festival have reported a high number of international visitors, among them new consumers. The show culminated with over 50% of sales taking place at the final weekend. Over 51,000 visitors filled the two ports at each end of the Croisette due to the range of products and services offered, its quality and the volume of business generated.
Of the 530 exhibitors involved in the Festival, 60% came from 40 different countries from around the world which, combined with 50% international visitors, makes the Cannes Yachting Festival the major event of the season for the global nautical industry.
Chinese shipyard HH Catamaran made the official debut of R-SIX, which completed her first regatta – the Multihull Cup Sept 16-18 in Mallorca, Spain.
Over 60 yachts represented by Simpson Marine and about 30 yachts by Lee Marine were showcased at the prestigious event. Making her world premiere, the Sanlorenzo SL78 won Best Exterior Award at the World Yachts Trophies annual award ceremony held on the beach of the Carlton Hotel, while the MCY80 won the Best Layout Award in the 80ft to 120ft yacht category.
Italian shipyard Benetti presented four yachts in the show – Benetti 132 MY Emuna, Benetti 125 MY Constance Joy, Benetti 108 MY Varvara and Benetti 93 MY Mister Z, as well as announced the new sale of the third Class-D range 29m Delfino 95, which will be delivered in 2018. Azimut Yachts also shined with 17 yachts including the 66 Fly. Blue Martin previewed its Sea Top 13.90 during the show. Another Italian shipyard Canados released four models – Gladiator 428, Gladiator 822, Canados 969 Coliseum and Oceanic Yachts 95 GT.
Ferretti Group brought its 22-yacht fleet from eight to 37m to the French port, including six world premieres – Ferretti Yachts 450 and 850, Pershing 5X, Rivamare, 76 Bahamas and Navetta 37 from Custom Line. United Arabs Emirates-based shipyard Gulf Craft debuted its flagship superyacht Majesty 155 along with tri-deck Majesty 110.
Luxury motor yacht builder Riviera Australia announced three European premieres, including 5400 Sport Yacht, 52 Enclosed Flybridge and 45 Open Flybridge. McConaghy showcased its 50 Pilot Cutter, McConaghy Classic 57, McConaghy Classic 67 and so on through its dealer McConaghy Multihull EU. Turkish shipbuilder Numarine had its world debut of 78HT Evolution and European debut of 60 Flybrige.
Dutch shipyard Moonen introduced its first motoryacht in the new Caribbean series 30m Matica Bijoux, while Contest Yachts made the premiere of 19m Contest 67CS. Another Dutch shipyard Van Der Valk showcased its new members of the fleet – Continental Two Grey Falcon and Continental Three Jangada. German shipyard Bavaria Yachts premiered its displacement yacht E40 Fly and planing hull R40 Fly, as well as presented catamaran Nautitech 46 Open. It also unveiled the drawings of the new C57.
Finnish shipbuilder Nautor’s Swan also joined the luxury showcase and displayed its Germán Frers-designed Swan 54. Spanish boatbuilder Evo Yachts, showing Evo 63 in France, announced at the show its partnership with Florida-based G Marine. Princess Yachts showed up with a strong nine-yacht fleet, including Princess 49, Princess 30M and Princess 75 Motor Yacht. Another British shipyard Sunseeker International also made the world premiere of its 116 Yacht at the French shores.
Swedish company Volvo Penta’s eight-litre diesel engine and the new Inboard Performance System (IPS) drive were present at the show. Volvo Penta Boating Challenge Co-Host and Marine Product Expert Hanna Ljungqvist presented the benefits of the company’s latest products such as Joystick for inboard shaft, Battery Management System, e-Key Remote, and the updated Glass Cockpit System at the stand.
www.cannesyachtingfestival.com
