Cannes Yachting Festival: Sailing premieres

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Jeanneau Yachts 65

Port Canto’s Sailing Zone is playing host to the world premieres of new sailing flagships from Beneteau and Jeanneau at year’s Cannes Yachting Festival. The Jeanneau Yachts 65 (Review, Issue 66) is the brand’s new flagship, the model appearing a year after the 60 and ahead of the upcoming 55, all three designed by Philippe Briand and Winch Design. Like the 60, the 65 offers numerous semi-custom options including a hard top with sliding sunroof.

Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 60 & First 44

Beneteau’s Oceanis Yacht 60 is designed by Italians Roberto Biscontini and Lorenzo Argento – who also collaborated on the First Yacht 53 and Oceanis Yacht 54 – and the new flagship’s notable features include a master cabin in the bow with a forward-facing bed. The same design team are behind Beneteau’s other world premiere, the First 44, a cruiser-racer with the option of a performance version with a different mast and rig.

Beneteau First 36

The shipyard is also hosting the Cannes debut of the First 36, which debuted at this year’s Palma International Boat Show. The yacht has received rave reviews for its performance, the result of an international design team including Argento, naval architect Sam Manuard, Slovenia’s Gigodesign for the interior, and New Zealand’s Pure Design & Engineering.

Swan 55

Nautor’s Swan is debuting the Swan 55, which has over 50 years of evolution since the first model of that name was designed by Sparkman & Stephens and launched in 1970. Today, the new Swan 55 is by German Frers, who in over four decades of designing for the Finnish builder, also designed the model’s more recent predecessors, the Swan 56 and two Swan 53s.

Sunreef 80 Eco

Port Canto is also home to many of the key new catamarans released this year including Sunreef’s 80 Eco (Review, Issue 66), the first sailing model from its Eco series featuring an integrated solar panel ‘skin’ integrated into the hull sides, superstructure, hard top and even mast. Other green tech includes a hydrogeneration system, ultra-light lithium batteries and ultra-efficient air conditioning.

Lagoon 51

The Lagoon 51 (Review, Issue 67) is the newest model among in the brand’s strong display at Cannes, having debuted at this year’s International Multihull Show at La Grande Motte. New features include integrated solar panels in the coachroof and hard top, while the mast has been shifted forward to the front of the saloon, increasing the seating area inside.

Fountaine Pajot Aura 51

Fountaine Pajot is staging the world premiere its Aura 51 (Review, Issue 66), which also features integrated solar panels and is the first model released as part of the builder’s Odysséa 2024 strategic plan. The model on show at Cannes is the new Smart Electric version, while the impressive new design features include a much wider saloon opening that helps connect the interior and exterior.

Bali 4.4

Bali’s newest model is its 4.4 (Review, Issue 65), which is appearing at Cannes following its debut at La Grande Motte. The latest of five sailing models launched by the brand since 2020, the 4.4 features all the brand’s key features including the ‘Bali tilting door’, opening saloon windows, enormous fridge/freezer capacity, and a rigid foredeck with sunbathing areas and a sunken lounge.

Excess 14

Meanwhile, the global debut of the Excess 14 represents arguably the young brand’s most pioneering design yet. Like the 11, 12 and 15, the 14 has twin helm stations aft, while innovations include asymmetric hulls with redesigned windows. The model has an-almost 44ft waterline length, while her overall length can range between 46-52ft depending on the bowsprit and platform. A ‘skylounge’ option offers lounging space on the top for use while anchored or moored.