| By Muriel Barberi
Cannes is not only famous for its Film Festival but the town is also known for its yacht show.
After last year’s cancellation due to the Covid Pandemic, It was one of the most awaited events of the yachting world in Europe. The Cannes Yachting Festival is the place for shipyards to present their new models so the aficionados can order their favorite pleasure craft for it to be delivered just in time for the following Mediterranean season.
Divided into Cannes’ both marinas, the Old Port, and the Port Canto, the event presents in the first one a great collection of motorboats from 10 to 40 meters mostly in water, in the Palais des Festivals it’s the luxury gallery that does its own show. In the second port, the sailing yachts share the space with the brokerage yachts and the toys.
According to the exhibitors we spoke to, this year, the show was a bit smaller, there were fewer people visiting (probably due to the mandatory sanitary pass) but they were all very satisfied with the quality of the visitors. The luxury yachting world is in full growth and the short selection hereafter will show that the targeted audience is very wide.
The Yachts
Yacht Expertise present K 584
Designed and build by Yacht Expertise, this surprising 36 meters isn’t the kind of superyacht one would expect, she doesn’t boast the flashy or unnecessary options as a pool or a Jacuzzi. The owner wanted an explorer yacht that could take him anywhere with comfort and simplicity. Conceived to cruise to some of the most remote destinations of the world, the vessel was customized to answer his desires, including an exceptional diving room and his own cabin near the yacht’s helm as he navigates her regularly. K 584 is the first of a new range of K Yachts, she’s one of a kind but opens the yacht building to new horizons.
Fabiani Yachts
What if you could cruise without making any noise nor consuming any fuel? That’s what Fabiani Yachts are about They build traditional vessels but offer to their clients the possibility to have an entire line done as hybrid yachts, so one can navigate for hours on renewable energy. Ideal to not disturb nor pollute the sea life and enjoy the calmness and beauty of the ocean.
Passionate about Yacht design, Fabiani Yachts bring innovation to a new level as they aim to respect the environment and save energy. They are entirely accessible by wheelchairs, which is not detail when one knows how some parts of some yachts are hard to access.
Build with the hybrid and solar panels options, choose between the 70-77′ or the 100′-101 models, and get your custom-made environmentally friendly yacht in about 2 years. We should start seeing some of them on the ocean soon as they got a lot of interest at the show.
The Toys
The Hydrofoiler 1
Water bikes aren’t new on the market, but when one is equipped with foils, it draws attention.
The Hydrofoiler by Manta 5 is conceived to take you to new frontiers. Instead of a very noisy and polluting jet ski, why not exploring the caves and shore with this sensational bike. Conceived with the same technology as America’s Cup sailboats, it proposes a new form of fitness. Born in New Zealand, the made out of carbon fiber water bike is just making itself available to the rest of the world. For about 8 000$ the price of a Segway when it came out, one can explore the oceans shores at about 10 mph for about 4 hours of ride, with a fully charged battery which takes 4 hours to recharge.
The Jetskid
Infinite Water Toys presented the Ceclo Jetskid, a “jetski” for children, it is conceived by the French builder Ceclo with the majority of the parts and components made in France, besides the Yamaha engine which comes from the US. Yes, adults can now enjoy taking out the jet ski, along with the kids.
Built to support a weight up to 32kg maximum (children from 2.5 years to 7 years depending on the age), it is very stable by its design and is reliable. It brings all the safety standards for children and can reach a maximum speed of 6km/h.
It’s rechargeable and the removable electric battery provides hours of fun for the children thanks to its autonomy going up to 1h30. The Jetskid weighs only 18kg, so is easily transportable and its stabilization buoy is inflatable. The price starts at 2 100€.(about 2 300$).In the end, a new toy to do just “like Daddy”.
Lift 3
The eFoil by Lift uses an advanced lithium-ion battery to power a silent electric motor that’s mounted on an all-carbon-fiber hydrofoil. Discover the feeling of flying above the water! Available for tryouts at the Cannes Yachting Festival, the Lift 3 had a lot of success.
Managed with a wireless Bluetooth hand controller, the rider can enjoy up to two hours on a two-hour charge. Anyone who ever surfs, skate, or snowboards will have no problem handling the flying water toy, for the others, the builder recommends taking it slowly, just like any beginner would, when learning one of the above sport. Prices start from 12 000$ (before tax and shipping).
The Luxury Gallery
Many of the exhibitors in the luxury gallery are at the show to extend their clientele They are already established in the luxury sector and are presenting their products to the yachting industry. Of course, one doesn’t realize, but many of them have been used on yachts for a long time: beddings and toiletry items, HiFi, or massage equipment, to name just a few.
Roche Bobois
Is one of the most luxurious furniture company in France. This year, not only did they have a stand in the luxury gallery, but more importantly they furnished the entire VIP area. Located on the first floor of the Palais des Festivals, the outdoor lounge offered a stunning view over the Cannes boat show. Reserved to VIP Pass holders, those who wanted to do business in a relaxing area while drinking Champagne could discover the comfortable and colorful Roche Bobois‘ Mah Jong collection.
Something to experience at least once.
Hector Saxe Paris
This is not the type of exhibitor you’d think of when exploring a yacht show. However, as we know the most luxurious items are sought out by yacht owners and custom-made backgammon games are no exception.
Hector Saxe does not only create games, they design unique customizable boards and pieces with noble material such as buffalo or alligator leather for the exteriors and pearl for the checkers making them real pieces of art. Box sets, tables, can make your chess, backgammon, or poker games unique to fit your yacht interior decoration.
If you missed this year, don’t miss next year, the Cannes Yachting Festival will take place from September 6th to the 11th, 2022.