The Most Exciting Yacht Debuts at the 2024 Cannes Yachting Festival
By Dea Jusufi and Holly Margerrison
Running from 10 to 15 September, the Cannes Yachting Festival consistently delivers one of the finest displays of yachts in the world. The lineup also tends to include several world-class premieres from shipyards eager to present their latest designs across Port Vieux and Port Canto. BOAT takes a closer look at some of the hottest debuts of 2024...
Go
Builder: Tankoa Yachts
Length: 45m
The largest debut so far, Go is the first unit in Tankoa's T450 series and was handed over to her "young" North American owner in July 2024. Several customisations were requested for the model, including larger windows on the main deck and a longer upper deck saloon. These alterations increased the interior volume from 435GT to 450GT. Other highlights include a hydromassage tub on the sundeck, an upper deck gym and firepit and a sliding sunpad that closes the swimming pool during navigation. Exterior design is by Giorgio M. Cassetta.
Maverick
Builder: Cantiere delle Marche
Length: 44.3m
Sold to an experienced German owner, Maverick is the inaugural vessel among a trio of Flexplorer 146 yachts. She has been described as a "true explorer vessel", featuring a robust exterior by Hydro Tec, a custom-built A-frame crane and a 22-millimeter ice-belt above and below the waterline to ensure safe navigation at the highest latitudes. On the leisure side, a large infinity pool is included on the aft deck, which can be covered and used as storage for deck furniture when underway. Other features include a gym, a sauna and a diving centre.
Doge 400GT
Builder: Ocean King
Length: 40.4m
This unit has been pledged to an "esteemed" Italian owner and was last seen publicly ahead of her sea trials. Her rugged, explorer-style exterior is by Design ALot Studio, while naval architecture is owed to inNave. All social spaces are well connected, including a formal dining room on the upper deck which leads into the sun deck with its bar and swimming pool. Meanwhile, a large beach club with two fold-out balconies will allow guests easy access to the sea. Accommodation is for 10 guests, including a master cabin forward on the main deck arranged with an en suite bathroom and private study.
AB125
Builder: AB Yachts
Length: 39m
With a beam of 7.5 meters, the AB125's sporty profile belies an impressive internal volume which the Italians shipyard claims will be “even more generous” than its 220GT predecessor, the AB120. Key to this unit's design is convertible on board space. The sliding doors of the salon, once open, connect the interiors and exteriors and integrate the salon, aft cockpit and beach area into one 140-square-meter area. Like her predecessor, she will be able to reach an eye-watering top speed of 40 knots and navigate incredibly shallow ports and anchorages, as seen in the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
Telli
Builder: Custom Line
Length: 38.8m
Telli was launched in February 2024 as the first unit in the Navetta 38 series. The new model was created from a desire to temper the nautical tradition of the Navetta series with a young, sporty style, according to design studio Citterio Viel. There is also a focus on indoor-outdoor connection seen best in the 70-square-meter beach area and the glazing that circles the sundeck, which measures an impressive 15 meters long. Accommodation is split across five cabins, including a main deck owner's cabin of over 40 square meters.
Fox
Builder: Pendennis
Length: 34.9m
This highly-anticipated compact explorer yacht was delivered from Pendennis' yard in Falmouth this May. Her name, Fox, is owed to Falmouth's famous inventor Robert Were Fox the Younger, a 19th-century scientist who invented a special type of compass which ultimately allowed exploration (and the discovery of) the South Pole. The newly built explorer yacht's interior and exterior styling is by Q London, with highlights including a 103.5-square-meter open aft deck, as well as a DJ station, a glass-walled sky lounge and a dedicated wine fridge. Accommodation encompasses a full-beam main deck master cabin and a further four en suite cabins.
One
Builder: Van der Valk
Length: 34.1m
One was commissioned by experienced owners who have spent more than three decades on the water. Their brief was to "blend their own design with a proven hull form" and they initially wanted a larger yacht, but a compromise was reached to hit "Van der Valk’s sweet spot for a slightly smaller size". Her functional exterior is owed to Guido de Groot, while the interior is the work of Carla Guilhem. With its skylounge, main deck saloon and multifunctional beach club-cum-sports-garage, the configuration revolves around entertaining large groups of people. Accommodation is across five staterooms, including a full-beam master on the main deck.
AB110
Builder: AB Yachts
Length: 33.5m
Characterized by a sporty exterior and eye-watering maximum speed of 45 knots, this model is the first in a new range designed entirely by Archea Associati. According to the shipyard, the AB110 remains unchanged from previous models in terms of performances, noiselessness and the absence of any vibration while further increasing on board liveability and comfort. Imagery is undisclosed but her interiors have been described as loft-like, "charming" and defined by an "all-pervading brightness" as a result of generous glazing on the main deck.
Minella
Builder: Numarine
Length: 30.7m
The first hull in Turkish yard Numarine's 30XP series will make her world debut at Cannes. The first Numarine yacht to be fitted with hybrid propulsion, Minella has been designed inside and out by Can Yalman, although an alternative version of the interiors has been created in collaboration with Istanbul-based Ofist Design Studio. The design philosophy is "inspired by a sustainable, Scandinavian design aesthetic". Accommodation is for up to 10 guests across five en suite cabins, comprising four guest cabins on the lower deck and a master cabin on the main deck forward.
DreamCatcher
Builder: Nautor Swan
Length: 28.3m
First revealed in 2021 at a virtual press conference, DreamCatcher was delivered to her owner in July this year. She is the Finnish shipyard's first hybrid sailing yacht with "feminine exterior lines" penned by veteran Swan designer German Frers. Described as a "no-compromise cruiser with a racer soul", she has a draught of four meters, with options for a shallow-draught, telescopic and performance keel. Her warm, classic interiors are the work of Misa Poggi, with accommodation for 10 guests, comprising an owner’s cabin located forward and four guest en suite cabins.
Acali
Builder: Wider Yachts
Length: 28m
Italian shipyard Wider Yachts' first multihull offering, Acali, was designed in collaboration with Luca Dini and built to RINA class. Offering large interior volumes, highlights come in the form of a dedicated owner's deck, an expansive beach club and a hybrid propulsion system. The owner's suite has a private foredeck lounge, while the tender garage can transform into a spacious swim platform. The 67-square-meter beach club benefits from fold-down bulwarks, direct access to the VIP cabin and discreet water toy storage. Accommodation on the 28-meter composite catamaran is for eight guests across four cabins with further provision for a crew of four.
SP92
Builder: Sanlorenzo
Length: 27.9m
This sporty model is the second in the Italian shipyard’s new smart performance (SP) line, following in the footsteps of the 33-meter SP110 which BOAT International visited last year. Initial renderings reveal a split-level saloon, floor-to-ceiling glazing and a spacious owner's suite arranged with a separate lounge and glass wardrobe. Accommodation is for up to eight guests and four crew, while other key numbers include 7.1-meter beam, a draught of 1.2 meters and a maximum speed of 40 knots.
Sexy Me
Builder: Otam
Length: 27.8m
As the flagship of the yard’s Fast and Iconic series, Sexy Me is said to have a "big-boat mentality" in spite of its compact footprint and loadline measuring under 24 meters. In close collaboration with Otam, Giuseppe Bagnardi of BG Design Firm is responsible for exterior styling, resulting in custom details including a helm console inspired by the world of F1 racing cars. The Otam 90 GTS series is fully customisable at the engineering level and Sexy Me is the semi-open version, devised to accommodate a large number of guests on board with a full-beam master suite, VIP cabin and guest cabin.