Every September, Cannes becomes for a few days one of the world capitals of yachting. Owners, builders, designers, captains, and buyers from all over the world gather there to discover the new developments that will shape the market for years to come.
The Cannes Yachting Festival is not just any boat show. It is the first major event of the European season, the one where shipyards present some of their most important models ahead of Monaco and where many buyers begin seriously comparing the vessels likely to join their next cruising program.
Unlike large indoor boat shows, Cannes primarily allows you to discover boats directly afloat. You step on board, truly understand the volumes, observe the flow of movement, touch the materials, and compare a data sheet to what it produces in reality.
For this 49th edition, held from Tuesday, September 8 to Sunday, September 13, 2026, between the Vieux Port and Port Canto, several hundred boats will be on display, including numerous world premieres.
We have selected here a few new products that particularly deserve attention, not only for their own characteristics, but also because they illustrate several important trends in the current market: the rise of aluminum, the development of crossovers, and the growing demand for boats capable of covering multiple uses without losing their identity.
Pardo GT65 – The world premiere to follow closely
The Pardo GT65 is among the most anticipated new releases of this edition. This 65-foot crossover completes the GT range from Cantiere del Pardo with a particularly coherent proposition: offering the qualities of an enclosed cruiser without sacrificing the open, highly Mediterranean spirit that has made the brand so successful.
The question answered by the GT65 is ultimately quite simple. Why choose between an open dayboat, pleasant at anchor, and a yacht capable of naturally extending cruising over several days?
The GT65 seeks precisely to bring these two uses together.
Its generous cockpit echoes the spirit of the most iconic Pardo yachts, while the enclosed helm and wrap-around glazing provide extra protection when the weather changes or the journey is extended. The large glass surfaces, fold-down side terraces, and seamless indoor-outdoor continuity create a boat that maintains a strong connection with the sea despite its much larger volumes.
That is probably where the whole appeal of the model lies. The GT65 is not simply a larger Pardo. It reflects the evolution of the brand's clientele toward more ambitious cruising programs.
An owner might want to leave Cannes at the end of the day, sleep on board, host several guests the next day, extend the anchorage, and then resume comfortable cruising to Saint-Tropez, Monaco, or Corsica. The boat must then be capable of completely changing its role over the course of a single weekend.
The success of the Pardo 43, delivered in several hundred units worldwide, has already demonstrated the Italian shipyard's ability to build boats that appeal well beyond their design alone. The GT65 will have to confirm this reputation in a higher segment, with naturally higher expectations regarding comfort, range, and the quality of life on board.
Cannes will therefore be the best place to check if the transition to this new scale preserves what truly makes the Pardo identity.
Discover the Pardo Yachts range available at Clapi Boats
Forte 47 Gran Turismo – Aluminum meets fiber
The Forte 47 Gran Turismo is one of those boats that attract attention even before you look at their specifications.
The reason is as much about its design as its construction. While the vast majority of premium dayboats of this size still largely use fiberglass, Forte has chosen a construction made entirely of marine-grade aluminum.
This material is not used as a marketing argument. It deeply conditions the way the boat is designed.
Aluminum provides significant structural rigidity, high robustness and, above all, a particularly interesting architectural freedom. In particular, it makes it possible to create ambitious openings and hull transformations while maintaining an extremely solid structure.
That is precisely what makes the Forte 47 so spectacular at anchor.
When its side wings are closed, the boat retains a compact, sleek, and elegant profile. Once opened, they completely transform the cockpit and create nearly 40 m² of outdoor space. The boat literally changes its perceived width and becomes a true terrace on the sea.
Yet, this transformation is only part of what makes the project interesting.
Forte benefits from the experience of West Navaltech, an Italian player with a historic expertise in naval architecture and aluminum construction. The proximity of this expertise to major Italian shipyards allows the project to go far beyond a simple aesthetic proposal.
In navigation, aluminum also plays a central role. The Forte 47 offers a particularly pronounced sense of solidity and precision. The hull behaves differently from a traditional composite construction and conveys a very appreciable impression of robustness when the sea builds up.
Combined with the three 600-horsepower Mercury V12 engines, this architecture allows it to reach approximately 47 knots while maintaining very sound seakeeping behavior. The enjoyment therefore does not come solely from the acceleration. It also comes from the way the boat handles the sea, remains precise in its turns, and maintains a true sense of control.
On board, the Forte 47 also offers two full-headroom cabins and two bathrooms, making it capable of going well beyond a simple dayboat program. The result is a boat that is spectacular at anchor, high-performing under way, and genuinely usable for multi-day trips.
His presence in Cannes illustrates the international ambitions of a still very young project, but whose proposal is sufficiently different to be taken very seriously.
Discover the Forte Yachts range available at Clapi Boats
De Antonio Yachts – Understanding why the brand continues to grow
De Antonio Yachts will once again be present at the Vieux Port with several models from its range.
For visitors who only know the brand through photos, Cannes is probably one of the best places to understand what truly explains its success.
Outboard engines hidden beneath the aft sun pad have become the best-known signature of the Barcelona-based shipyard. But their appeal goes far beyond design. This layout completely frees up the rear of the boat, improves movement on board, and makes it possible to create much more generous outdoor spaces than on many competitors of comparable length.
The walkaround layout also plays an essential role. Movement between the different areas is simple, passengers do not constantly cross paths in narrow passageways, and life on board remains smooth even when the boat welcomes a large group.
It is precisely these qualities that are much better understood once on board than by consulting a brochure.
Over the past decade, the firm has also accumulated several international awards, confirming that its success is not solely based on its highly recognizable aesthetic.
Models such as the D32, D36, D42, or D60 cater to different programs, yet all retain the same DNA: concealed engines, generous outdoor spaces, minimalist design, and particularly intuitive operation.
It is this consistency that explains today the growing presence of De Antonio yachts in the premium ports of the Mediterranean, from Cannes to Ibiza via Porto Cervo.
Discover the De Antonio Yachts range available at Clapi Boats
What the 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival says about the market
A boat show is not just for discovering new boats.
It also helps to understand what manufacturers think owners will want to buy in the coming years.
This edition reveals several particularly interesting trends.
Aluminum is gradually making its way into the premium yachting sector
For a long time, aluminum was primarily associated with exploration yachts, professional vessels, or very large custom-built yachts.
This image is changing.
Some of the premium customer base is now looking for greater durability, customization, and longevity. In this context, aluminum offers particularly interesting possibilities.
In particular, it makes it easier to modify certain structures, achieve high rigidity, and design boats that are less dependent on industrial constraints associated with traditional production molds.
Forte perfectly illustrates this evolution in the dayboat segment, but the trend goes far beyond a single manufacturer.
It would probably be premature to announce the end of fiberglass, which remains extremely relevant for many programs. On the other hand, aluminum could occupy a much more important place in semi-custom premium yachts in the coming years.
Crossovers cater to a new way of using a yacht
Traditional categories are becoming less and less watertight.
An owner no longer necessarily wants to choose between a fast, open dayboat and a more protective cruiser designed for multiple nights on board.
He often wants both.
The day can begin with sporty sailing, continue with several hours at anchor, and then extend into a dinner and a night on board before heading back out to sea the next day.
This trend explains the rise of crossovers like the Pardo GT65.
They seek to retain the great qualities of outdoor navigation while adding the protection, volumes, and equipment necessary for a much more versatile program.
It is not just an aesthetic evolution.
This is a direct response to how owners are now using their boats.
The 50 to 70-foot segment concentrates a large part of the innovations
Between 50 and 70 feet, manufacturers currently have a particularly interesting playground.
These yachts already offer significant volumes, several cabins, genuine reception areas and a range suited to Mediterranean cruises.
Yet they remain easier to operate than much larger units.
Crew requirements often remain limited, port constraints stay more reasonable, and operating costs do not yet tip over into those of a true superyacht.
This is also the category that many owners naturally move toward after spending several seasons on a 35- to 45-foot boat.
They are no longer just looking for more length. They are looking for more range, comfort, and versatility without losing the ability to use their boat regularly.
How to make the most of the Cannes Yachting Festival?
The Cannes Yachting Festival is vast enough that an impromptu visit can quickly become frustrating.
If you come with a genuine purchase plan, it is best to prepare a short list of models to visit in advance.
Weekday mornings generally remain the most pleasant times. The pontoons are less crowded, visits flow more smoothly, and the shipyard teams have more time to present the boats in detail.
To compare several models, also try to visit them on the same day. Impressions remain fresher and it becomes much easier to truly compare volumes, finishes, traffic flow, and technical solutions.
Finally, do not just look at the dimensions or the decoration. Sit in the different areas of the boat, move around between the zones, test the visibility from the helm station, and imagine your actual routine.
A yacht can look spectacular at a boat show and be much less practical once confronted with the way you sail.
At Clapi Boats at the festival
As every year, we will be present for the entire duration of the Cannes Yachting Festival to discover new models, discuss with the various shipyards, and follow major market trends.
This will also be an opportunity for us to tour the new models, compare the manufacturers' announcements with the reality of the boats, and share our first impressions after visiting on board.
If you would like to meet us on-site, view a model under good conditions, or simply discuss a purchase or rental project, contact us before the exhibition to schedule an appointment.
We can also help you identify the boats that are truly relevant to your program in order to avoid unnecessary visits.
A living room that anticipates the following seasons
More than just a commercial event, the Cannes Yachting Festival remains an excellent indicator of market trends every year.
The models shown in September often show which ideas will become mainstream in subsequent seasons: new materials, transformations of outdoor spaces, developments in powertrains, the growth of crossovers, or new expectations regarding life on board.
Some new features will quickly disappear. Others will become benchmarks and influence a whole generation of yachts.
That is precisely what makes the show so interesting.
Whether you are considering a short-term purchase or simply want to understand the direction the market is taking, this 2026 edition is definitely worth a visit.
Are you planning to come to the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026?
Let's meet on-site to discuss the models you are interested in and your sailing project.
FAQ – Cannes Yachting Festival 2026
When is the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 held?
The Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 will take place from Tuesday, September 8 to Sunday, September 13, 2026, in Cannes, between the Old Port and Port Canto.
The Cannes Yachting Festival takes place in Cannes, France. Specifically, it's held in the two major ports of Cannes: Port Pierre Canto and Vieux Port.
The boat show is divided between the Old Port of Cannes and Port Canto. The different areas host motor yachts, sailing boats, brokerage vessels, and the leading players in the nautical industry.
What boats to see at the 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival?
Among the models that particularly catch our attention is the Pardo GT65, the Forte 47 Gran Turismo as well as several new models from the De Antonio Yachts range.
Is the Cannes Yachting Festival interesting for a purchase project?
Yes. The boat show allows visitors to compare several models directly afloat, discuss with the shipyards, and measure technical specifications against the reality of the volumes, finishes, and layout on board.
What is the best time to visit the exhibition?
Weekday mornings are generally the most pleasant times to visit the boats. The pontoons are less crowded and the teams have more time to answer questions.
Can we meet Clapi Boats during the Cannes Yachting Festival?
Yes. Our team will be present during the trade show. You can contact us in advance to arrange a meeting on-site and discuss the models you are interested in or a purchase, sale, or rental project.
