The Cannes Yachting Festival, the first major international boat show in the season, opens its gates from 12 to 17 September.

During the event more than 700 boats of all sizes (from five to fifty metres) will be presented, including 130 previews. The latest edition of the largest in-water boat show in Europe will see a new area in the heart of the Vieux Port be inaugurated: a marina for more than 50 small 8- to 12-metre motorboats.

The market segment for 8- to 12-metre motorboats is experiencing high growth. In France 10,748 new registration applications were registered with the Ministry of the Sea in 2021–2022, representing 12% of the total number of applications (sources: Fédérations des Industries Nautiques). This type of boat, rigid or semi-rigid, is usually fitted with a cabin but does not have a real sleeping berth. These boats are highly versatile for day trips as well as short cruises along the coast. They have inboard or outboard engines, often chosen by the leisure boat owner.

«Since 2021, with a yachting industry that’s booming, leisure boat owners and new buyers have shown clear interest in this type of small motorboat usually known as a «dayboat», which, as its name suggests, makes it possible to spend the day at sea in the best conditions. This year we are pleased to provide this new marina for our exhibitors and visitors, which opens up the Festival’s in-water display to boats under 10 metres for the first time. It will accommodate around fifty small 8- to 12-metre boats in the heart of the Vieux Port, next to the area dedicated to inflatables. From the model exuding Scandinavian style to the dayboat that is ideal for diving via technology-packed gems, our visitors, professionals and the general public will enjoy finding in-water the best in terms of design, innovation and performance in this market segment,» explains Sylvie Ernoult, Director of the Cannes Yachting Festival.