Cannes Yachting Festival 2026: Most Anticipated Boats

Cannes Yachting Festival 2026: Most Anticipated Boats

2026-09-05

Cannes Yachting Festival 2026: The New Yacht Launches to Watch

From flagship motor yachts and luxury catamarans to high-performance sailing yachts, Cannes 2026 is set to introduce an impressive generation of new boats. Here are the launches buyers should have on their radar.

The Cannes Yachting Festival has long been one of the most important launch events in the European yachting calendar. For its 2026 edition, taking place from 8–13 September, the show brings together more than 700 boats across the Vieux Port and Port Canto — including a particularly strong collection of world premieres.

For yacht buyers, the attraction is straightforward: Cannes provides the opportunity to see some of the industry's newest models in the water, compare different approaches to yacht design and step aboard boats that have only just entered the market.

This year's launches cover almost every segment, from compact performance boats to 40-metre-plus motor yachts and large sailing catamarans. Here are some of the new yacht launches and world premieres generating the most interest at Cannes 2026.

1. Azimut Grande 44M. One of the biggest launches of Cannes 2026 is also one of the most significant for Azimut. At approximately 44 metres, the Azimut Grande 44M becomes the largest yacht ever built by the Italian shipyard. Its debut represents a major step for the Grande range, taking Azimut further into the large-yacht segment. The yacht combines the contemporary styling associated with Azimut with expansive outdoor areas and an interior designed around natural light and connection with the sea. Its size alone makes it one of the boats to watch at Cannes, but its importance goes beyond dimensions: the Grande 44M demonstrates how Azimut is continuing to move into increasingly sophisticated superyacht territory.

2. Sirena 118. Another major flagship debut comes from Turkish builder Sirena Yachts. The Sirena 118 is the shipyard's new flagship and measures approximately 36 metres. The yacht has been developed to bring the company's emphasis on long-range cruising and efficient hull design into a substantially larger platform. Exterior architecture comes from German Frers, while Cor D. Rover is responsible for the interiors. The three-deck yacht features a main-deck owner's suite and five guest cabins, while buyers can also specify an alternative two-deck configuration. Twin MAN V12 engines give the Sirena 118 a reported top speed of 21 knots, with a cruising speed of around 16 knots. For buyers looking for a yacht capable of combining serious cruising range with the volume of a superyacht, the 118 is one of the most interesting premieres in Cannes.

3. Sanlorenzo SHE. Sanlorenzo is introducing something rather different with SHE, the first model in its new Heritage range. At 25.5 metres, SHE takes inspiration from the classic Italian motor yachts of the 1960s while combining that aesthetic with modern construction and technology. The result is a yacht designed to look deliberately different from the increasingly angular profiles common across the contemporary market. Large areas of glazing bring light into the interior, while the overall design aims to create a more timeless connection between classic yacht styling and modern luxury. For buyers who prefer elegance over overt aggression, SHE could prove to be one of Cannes' most distinctive launches.

4. Pardo GT65. The Pardo GT65 marks an important expansion of Pardo Yachts' GT concept. Making its world premiere at Cannes, the 65-foot yacht combines the sporty character associated with Pardo with a more substantial cruising proposition. The design focuses heavily on the relationship between interior and exterior space, with an enclosed helm and expansive glass helping create a bright, open living environment. For owners who want the appearance and performance of a sports yacht but expect to spend longer periods aboard, the GT65 represents an increasingly popular middle ground.

5. Sunreef ULTIMA 88. Coming from Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE by sea, the Sunreef ULTIMA 88 brings a different interpretation of the luxury yacht to Cannes. This 88-foot power catamaran is the flagship of Sunreef's ULTIMA range, combining the large living spaces of a multihull with a sleeker, more performance-oriented profile. The ULTIMA concept is aimed at owners who want the volume and stability of a catamaran without necessarily accepting the more traditional appearance of a cruising multihull. Its Cannes debut is particularly significant as the model represents Sunreef's continued expansion of the ULTIMA family into larger yachts.

6. Finnmaster Boats. The Finnish builder will be debuting the Grandezza 34 Outboard and Finnmaster T9 T-top, both of which are powered by Mercury outboard engines as the shipyard continues its partnership with the engine supplier. The Grandezza 34 Outboard is one of Finnmaster's headline premieres at Cannes and makes its global public debut at the show. Powered by twin 300 hp Mercury V8 outboard engines, the new 34 joins Grandezza's growing outboard range, sitting alongside the Grandezza 30 Outboard and Grandezza 37 Outboard. The move to outboard propulsion is an important part of the model's appeal. Rather than positioning itself simply as a conventional sports cruiser, the Grandezza 34 Outboard combines the practical advantages and performance potential of modern outboards with Grandezza's established Scandinavian approach to styling and comfort. Its proportions also make it an interesting proposition for owners who want something substantial enough for extended day trips and coastal cruising without moving into the size and complexity of a larger yacht. For buyers looking for a contemporary European motorboat with a strong emphasis on usability, the Grandezza 34 Outboard is one of the more interesting new launches to see in Cannes. Alongside the Grandezza, Finnmaster is introducing the Finnmaster T9 T-top, another global premiere at the 2026 festival. The new T9 T-top expands Finnmaster's established T-series and is powered by twin 400 hp Mercury V10 engines. Where the Grandezza 34 leans towards premium cruising and Scandinavian elegance, the T9 T-top has a more practical and versatile character. The T-top configuration provides protection around the helm while retaining the open layout that makes this type of boat particularly appealing for active boating. The twin-engine installation also gives the T9 T-top a substantial performance package for its size. Finnmaster describes the new model as being developed for boaters who place a premium on quality, performance and practical functionality — a combination that should make it particularly interesting for owners who use their boats for a wide variety of activities rather than simply cruising from marina to marina.

7. YYachts Y7. The new YYachts Y7 is another significant sailing premiere. Redesigned by judel/vrolijk & co., the 21.99-metre yacht continues YYachts' emphasis on performance, simplicity and understated luxury. Among the changes is a redesigned cockpit arrangement, including a new asymmetrical entrance and a more protected seating area. The result is intended to make the yacht easier and more comfortable to use without compromising its sailing character.

8. Lagoon 47. The Lagoon 47 is one of the major multihull premieres at Cannes. At 14.95 metres, the new catamaran focuses heavily on flexibility and the use of living space. A direct connection between the forward cockpit and saloon effectively turns the forward section into another social area, while the flybridge provides additional outdoor living space. Its modular cabin arrangements and customisable interior configurations also make the yacht adaptable to different ownership requirements. For families and owners who prioritise space and outdoor living, the Lagoon 47 is likely to attract considerable attention.

9. Leopard 43. The Leopard 43 takes the catamaran concept in a more performance-oriented direction. The 12.97-metre yacht combines reverse-bow hulls and an optimised sail plan with the spacious interior and outdoor areas expected from a modern cruising catamaran. Large windows provide panoramic visibility and bring additional natural light into the interior, while the cockpit, saloon and upper relaxation areas are designed to encourage movement between different social spaces. It is an interesting proposition for buyers who want a relatively manageable multihull without giving up performance.

10. Windelo 55. Sport The Windelo 55 Sport completes the official festival's highlighted group of ten sailing world premieres. At 16.24 metres, the catamaran is designed around offshore performance, with a generous sail plan and extended carbon daggerboards. The objective is to deliver a more dynamic sailing experience while retaining the stability and usability that make multihulls attractive for cruising. For adventurous owners, it is one of the more performance-focused launches to watch at Port Canto.

11. Numarine 27XP. Numarine is also bringing a new addition to its popular XP explorer range. The 27XP evolves the existing 26XP platform, increasing interior volume and exterior living space while maintaining the long-range philosophy that defines the series. The model is particularly interesting for owners who view their yacht as a genuine cruising platform rather than simply a floating luxury residence. Its Cannes world premiere puts another explorer yacht firmly in the spotlight.

12. Axopar 38 Cross Top. At the smaller end of the market, Axopar's new 38 Cross Top demonstrates that Cannes premieres aren't limited to superyachts. The new model is designed around Axopar's characteristic combination of performance, practicality and adventure-oriented boating. The launch gives buyers looking below the traditional yacht market another new model to consider.

13. Technohull Alpha 45. Performance-boat enthusiasts have their own major premiere to look forward to with the Technohull Alpha 45. The new 45-foot model is reported to exceed 85 knots, putting outright performance at the centre of its proposition. It illustrates the breadth of Cannes 2026: the show isn't simply about large cruising yachts. High-performance boats remain an important part of the market, particularly for owners who prioritise speed and day boating.

14. Pioneer PY60. Perhaps one of the more unusual launches is the Pioneer PY60, a solar-electric catamaran from German builder Pioneer Yachts. The 60-foot concept represents a different approach to yacht propulsion, using solar-electric technology as a central part of its design. Its presence at Cannes is significant because alternative propulsion is increasingly moving from experimental projects into real-world yacht design.

What makes the 2026 Cannes line-up particularly interesting is its diversity. The Azimut Grande 44M and Sirena 118 push their respective builders further into the superyacht segment. Sanlorenzo SHE takes a more distinctive, heritage-inspired approach. Sunreef ULTIMA 88 demonstrates the continued evolution of luxury power catamarans, while the Grand Soleil Plus 80, Finnmaster Boats, YYachts Y7, Lagoon 47, Leopard 43 and Windelo 55 Sport show just how much variety exists within modern sailing. And then there are the performance-focused launches such as the Technohull Alpha 45 and Axopar 38 Cross Top, proving that innovation at Cannes isn't measured simply by yacht length. For prospective owners, these premieres offer a valuable snapshot of where yacht design is heading: more usable space, stronger indoor-outdoor connections, greater cruising capability, increasingly sophisticated propulsion and a wider choice of yacht formats. Cannes 2026 isn't simply showcasing the yachts of today. It is introducing many of the boats that will shape the new-yacht market for years to come.

Meet the YachtFinds.com team at Vieux Port and Port Canto throughout the 6 days of the show. Contact us to know more.