Cannes Yachting Festival wrapped with the kind of scale and swagger Palmers appreciate: two ports, 700 boats in the water (from 5m dayboats to 45–50m superyachts), and a dedicated Super Yachts Extension for the 24m-plus crowd. If you needed a reminder that this is Europe’s biggest in-water show—and the world’s showcase for large sailing yachts—this year delivered.
The Head-turners
The undisputed star wasn’t technically berthed in the marina but rather commanding the entire bay: the 105-meter sailing yacht Black Pearl, the largest vessel to anchor here in over a decade. Her presence alone redefined the scale of ambition for 2025.
Among the official debuts, Tankoa’s T450 claimed bragging rights as the largest world premiere. At 45 meters, she offers serious volume and range without crossing into Monaco-scale territory—a sweet spot many owners covet.
Sunseeker unveiled their new flagship, the 134 Superyacht (40.45m), showcasing cleaner lines and expanded deck space designed for extended cruising. Expect considerable interest from owners ready to graduate from the 116/131 series.
Sanlorenzo commanded attention with three world premieres: the SD132 (their largest composite yacht), the crossover SX120 with its beach-club sensibilities and ingenious pop-up pool, and the refined SL110A. Ten Sanlorenzos graced the Vieux Port—a statement of intent from the Italian yard.
Azimut‘s quartet included three Grande premieres (30M, 36M, Trideck) plus the new Fly 82. The 30M’s walk-around Infinity Skydeck and Deck2Deck terrace bring superyacht-level indoor-outdoor living to a more accessible scale.
Where the Money’s Moving
The festival’s new Innovation Route Awards put a spotlight on what tech billionaire owners actually ask for: SEA.AI‘s machine-vision collision-avoidance, MODX 70’s fully electric wingsail propulsion, and Benetti’s B.Yond 37M, which earned a Special Jury Prize for its hybrid system delivering 24% CO₂ reduction and near-silent operation in marine protected areas. Translation: guilt-free anchoring and undisturbed evenings at sea.
The Smart Money
Cannes is where you secure 2026–27 deliveries in the coveted 30-45 meter range and preview concepts before Monaco. The mix this year skewed toward beach-club real estate, family-friendly volumes under 500 GT, hybrid-ready engineering, and terraces that actually get used. For those considering their next move: Sunseeker 134 for turn-key stepping-up; Sanlorenzo SD132 if you want long-range with Italian restraint; Azimut’s Grande 30M for glass-house living and that walk-around skydeck; and Tankoa’s T450 if you want “big-boat feel” at 45m.
Dates are already set for next year (8–13 Sept 2026). If you missed a slot—or want to compare notes with the 60m-plus set—see you at Monaco later this month!
