Organizers of the Cannes Yachting Festival, scheduled for Sept. 12-17 on the French Riviera, fully expect the event to remain Europe’s biggest boat show yet again this year. They’re planning for about 600 exhibitors, at least 650 boats and close to 55,000 attendees.
Those numbers are better than what the show saw prior to the pandemic in 2019 and are similar to what the show experienced in 2022 — with one important and welcome distinction heading into this autumn’s event. “Last year, we had some delays because of spare parts and materials that shipyards could not get on time,” show manager Sylvie Ernoult says of lingering supply-chain problems from the pandemic. “This year, none of my exhibitors are telling me they are having problems.”
New this year will be a Small Boat Area for boats 8 to 11 meters (26 to 36 feet). Previously, because of a lack of in-water space, all boats smaller than 10 meters (33 feet) had to be displayed on the hard. This year, the city gave show organizers additional in-water space, allowing more of those boats to be displayed afloat.
Ernoult says it was a conscious choice to use the space for boats in the smaller size range, highlighting the difference between the Cannes event and others, such as the superyacht-focused Monaco Yacht Show that will be held Sept. 27-30. “It shows that we remain focused on smaller boats,” she says. “That is the DNA of Cannes, to have the smaller boats.”
Also new this year will be the option for attendees to purchase a two-day ticket, in addition to the traditional one-day ticket. Industry professionals can purchase a four-day ticket. And attendees will be able to enter the show for free before 11 a.m. or after 4 p.m. at the Port Canto venue, which showcases sailboats, brokerage yachts and toys. That idea came from exhibitors who told Ernoult they were seeing slower foot traffic during the early and later hours at the secondary site. “We are a big show, but we’re not so big that we cannot listen to our clients and make changes,” she says. “This is to push people to that side. It works very well.”
The concept of free entry may seem counterintuitive, she adds, but the mindset of getting a deal appeals to just about everyone. “As crazy as it is to have a 500,000-euro boat, that people want a non-expensive ticket, it’s true,” she says.
The Cannes show has long been known for model debuts, and this year will be no different. Last year saw 135 world debuts; this year, Ernoult says she expects at least 190 models being called debuts — some world premieres, some European debuts and others first-time showings in France. “This is a very important increase from last year,” she says, noting the health of the boatbuilding industry overall. “Changing a boat model, it’s a year of study, at least. Changing a mold is at least another year. It’s huge work. These guys have been doing the research and development to arrive with new models.”
Some of the more prominent Cannes Yachting Festival debuts that builders have announced include the Arcadia A96, Grand Soleil 65 and 72, Sirena 48, Evo R+, Princess Y80 and Silent Yachts 62. The Ferretti Group will have three debuts at Cannes: the Pershing GTX116, Riva 82 Diva and wallywhy150. Groupe Beneteau has announced premieres of the Oceanis 37.1 and Antares 12.
Ernoult says it’s always a challenge for show organizers to strike the right balance between giving the biggest brands more space while saving room for new and smaller brands. Over the years, she has worked with the largest builders to make clear that having all kinds of boats present is better for overall industry health. “The way we handle the waiting list is that we don’t always give more to the big guys. We control their expansion,” she says. “They’re here with their brands, but we also open the door to the smaller, new businesses. Innovation is a big thing in this industry. You have to welcome new boats, companies with only one boat or one product. We create space for those guys.”
Attendees also want to see multiple brands, she adds. Making room for the smaller builders is a strategy she sees as key to attracting more foot traffic on the docks. “I love Beneteau and Ferretti, but our show is not a Beneteau show or a Ferretti show,” she says. “Customers want to make their choices. Part of running a show is telling the big guys, ‘No, there is no more space for you.’ We take care of them, but we also have to handle the expansion.”
The biggest trend she’s seeing in new models is environmentally conscious power and propulsion systems. In Europe, she says, superyachts are being lumped into the public consciousness alongside cruise ships and supply vessels as targets for emissions regulation and reduction. Smaller powerboats in Europe aren’t yet seeing the same kind of targeting, but boatbuilders are being proactive.
“They are really, really working on improving things like reducing speedboat consumption of fuel,” she says. “They are switching to electric engines. If you want to drive fast, you still need to be on gasoline, but you can have part of your consumption in electricity.”
This article was originally published in the September 2023 issue.
