Show: Cannes Yachting Festival

All the autumn shows, including La Rochelle, Southampton, Genoa, Cannes, Monaco and Fort Lauderdale, have finally returned with restrictive sanitary rules, but the main thing is to have been able to return to almost normal activity. The figures revealed during the multitude of conferences we were able to attend and the numerous exchanges with the professionals of the sector show that the industry has resisted rather well to the pandemic with substantial order books. The only difficulty is that some components that are essential for the operation of engines are still difficult to obtain.

Text : Franck Van Espen Photos : D.R.

After a one-year break, the Cannes Yachting Festival is back in force to the delight of professionals and yachtsmen. Sylvie Ernoult presents her show with passion and sincerity.

We have had to face many changes with new reservation systems, volume and queue management but we have tried to make it as simple and easy as possible. Apparently the result has not been too painful for our visitors. We have created an area reserved for small electric boats with about ten boats on display. The offer is starting to become interesting. For hydrogen we have the Hynova, the Energy Observer having unfortunately preferred to be at the GP Sail in Saint Tropez. There is also a space reserved for innovation in Port Canto, which is represented by start-ups oriented towards sailing. These nuggets financed by “Mer Angels” deserve to have visibility. Innovation at the moment often leads to ecology, so we made a “green route”, a sort of green line that leads to eco-friendly products, but we came up against the fire brigade’s safety regulations. So we had to revise our idea, but all products that use green energy or are built with ecological materials or that combine the two, are stamped green.

The industry is doing very well and as a result, the show in general is doing quite well. Our sales team is doing an excellent job and there is a real desire to exhibit at Cannes. We can consider ourselves quite lucky, because in other sectors the situation is more difficult with drops of up to 40%. The professionals are selling. Of course there are stock problems, the consequences of production stoppages and a crucial lack of personnel, but we all have the same problems of recovery. On the other hand, after two years of downtime, people are much more motivated than before. With almost 600 exhibitors, we are reaching the same goal as in 2019.

Port Canto is proving to be a very suitable place for sailing and catamarans. From the first day of the show, I knew it was the right thing to do. And on the second day when I saw the queue to get in, I thought it was a sure thing. There was just a little reluctance on the part of the shipyards, which have a foot in both worlds, sailing and motor, but this quickly faded when they saw the greater attendance. Two places means two teams, but this is already the case at the Paris Boat Show or in Düsseldorf. The visitor who comes must have the choice with at least 80% of the brands that must be exhibited.

Not really. The boats used to be too tightly packed and we had to save space. When we opened on the other side, I was finally able to air out the different spaces. Everyone is 95% happy with this separation. The final objective is that the end visitor can find his way around. When you have a big show, you have to guide the visitor. All the big yachts are now placed on the extension. When we expanded the engine area, we developed the areas for small, medium and large yachts. After that came a new segment with motor catamarans, which are huge beasts to place.

Technically, the manufacturers can sell boats virtually, but that is not enough. I’m not too afraid of the virtual, each shipyard has to sell its dream in a virtual way but afterwards the builders find themselves in competition, especially in Cannes on the water. I don’t yet know the strategies of my group tomorrow, but for my part I don’t want to go virtual.

I think that at a certain point we will have limits. The development in numbers will be quite difficult because mechanically I don’t see how to do it. The evolution will surely be done with the products, bringing out niches such as the all-electric. We have to follow the market and depending on the products, we will be able to find other areas of interest but we will never be able to have more than 800 boats unless we install a pontoon offshore. There are also a lot of security problems. I will find other solutions but I don’t want to become more restrictive with the profession. Give me some time.

After the release of its 52, the French builder is expanding its range by launching a 42-footer built on the same principle. Its naval architecture is realized by the Vaton cabinet but with an exterior and interior design imagined by Enrico Gobbi, well known in the superyacht world. With this new collaboration, the 42 gains in aesthetics, luxury and modernity. Her perfectly protected deck plan allows you to move around in complete safety to reach the foredeck, which is equipped with a magnificent solarium and a bench seat. The functionality of the Med 42 is also one of its many strengths. In addition to the ingenious modularity of the dining area, there are two large lockers in the bow and on one of the sides to hide accessories such as life support. There is also a garage in the transom to carry a 2 metre dinghy, diving gear and possibly a Seabob. A very large hydraulic submerged bathing platform completes this wonderful place to relax. The Med 42 is not only a day boat with a living area of 1.95 m headroom capable of accommodating 4 people. The standard version of the Med 42 is already very pleasant, but the designer has also created a slightly more luxurious version with premium materials. Priced at just under 680,000 euros with this equipment and an IPS propulsion system, the Med 42 is certainly one of the most competitive walkaround day boats in its category.

Length: 12.90 m Width: 4.06 m Weight: 9 t Engine: 2 x Volvo Penta IPS 650 Power: 2 x 480 hp Top speed : 33 kts Cruising speed: 25 kts

BUILDER Med Yacht

(France)

Evo Marine, the Italian builder, never does things the same way as everyone else. After having been one of the first to experiment with cockpit extensions with folding bulwarks over the water, Evo Marine is launching a new concept that relies on certain configurations such as the two steering wheels found in the sailing world or the significantly rounded stern. The design, by Valerio Rivellini, is very pure and particularly successful, with totally new features such as the owner’s suite directly accessible from the cockpit. A very ingenious system has been developed to conceal the crane and tender in two bunkers located close to the water. A staircase integrated in the stern can be electrically extracted to facilitate swimming. The interior is equally original, with a fully glazed saloon that provides an almost 360 degree view. Opting for the more powerful Volvo Penta IPS engine, the V8 can glide along at up to 24 knots in top speed.

Length: 24 m Width: 7.17 m Weight: nc Engine: 2 x Volvo Penta IPS 1350 Power: 2 x 1 000 hp Top speed: 24 kts Cruising speed: 19 kts

BUILDER Evo Marine

(Italy)

With a unique design by BG Design Firm, specific engineering and a hull designed by Umberto Tagliavini Marine Design, the new OTAM 70 HT is the perfect embodiment of performance. The futuristic dashboard is inspired by the world of aeronautics. Fully customized, this new Otam features a new cockpit layout with an interior saloon that can be isolated from the outside thanks to an electric sliding window. Performance remains the brand’s goal, with a top speed of 50 knots achieved with Arneson surface drives combined with Rolla propellers and two MTU engines each developing 2,000 horsepower. Benefiting from an incredible quality of manufacture, this boat has a specific decoration based on the Star Wars film. We find a very spatial universe with black and grey tones and some elements made of the cult character of the series: Darth Vader. This is the name of the ship.

Length: 22.30 m Width: 5.40 m Weight: nc Engine: 2 x MTU Power : 2 x 2 000 hp Top speed : 50 kts Cruising speed: 40 kts

BUILDER Otam

(Italy)

Length: 15.05 m Width: 4.25 m Weight: 13,500 kg Engine: 2 x Volvo Penta DPI Power: 2 x 440 hp Top speed: 38 kts Cruising speed: 30 kts

BUILDER Canados

(Italy)

The new Gladiator 493 Grand is in a higher category, similar to the premium versions in the car industry. With three coats of Awlgrip lacquer, fine upholstery, high-tech materials and an outstanding overall finish, the 493 Gladiator offers high quality performance. Its walkaround configuration provides an ideal circulation plan to reach the bow in complete safety, especially if you are sailing with children. The Canados is also one of the first to offer a huge solarium with ergonomic seating for the comfort of its passengers. The central part of the boat, where the wheelhouse and dining area are located, is perfectly protected from UV rays thanks to a thick hard top incorporating several glass areas. To simplify the use of the boat, the cockpit is covered with a synthetic Plasdeck covering which imitates teak perfectly without having the disadvantages. The functional aspect of the boat has not been neglected either, with the presence of a large locker located under the aft solarium to store the fenders and Seabobs. Always at the forefront of innovation, Canados also offers a new immersible swim platform system that transforms into a comfortable swim ladder.

Length: 16.20 m Width: 4.94 m Weight: nc Engine: 2 x Volvo Penta D11 Power : 2 x 725 hp Top speed : 32 kts Cruising speed : 25 kts

BUILDER Astondoa

(Spain)

With a century of experience, the Spanish builder is launching the first 57-foot model in its new AS range. Its modern look is based on clarity with numerous glass surfaces designed to naturally illuminate the various living areas. As an option, the flybridge can be protected by a rigid hard top and an extendable bathing platform thanks to two side walls built into the hull. The spacious cockpit is fitted with a central table which benefits from a totally unobstructed view to the rear thanks to a transparent bulwark. A door in the transom gives access to the fourth cabin, which may be used to accommodate a captain. The decoration of the aft coachroof with its teak slats and LED lights is rather successful. With a very wide bench seat and a huge solarium, the foredeck is another space to live in at anchor or while sailing. The position of the galley at the entrance to the saloon will also be appreciated to stay close to the passengers both inside and outside. The AS5 is available in shaft line with 2 MAN DE 800 or as on this first unit with Volvo Penta IPS pods each developing 725 hp.