on 15 Sep 2021
The show had 141 world premieres and attracted as many people as in 2019
The recently concluded 2021 Cannes Yachting Festival, the first boat show in Europe to reopen after over a year of lockdowns, announced that that show attendance was 54,000, about the same as attendance numbers in 2019, which was a record year. Show organisers said that 50% of visitors had come from outside France. The show hosted 575 exhibitors and 620 yachts, of which 141 were listed as world premieres.
Exhibitors reported excellent responses to the show. Beneteau General Manager Yann Masselot said on day four of the show that Beneteau was selling at least one of its new Grand Trawler 62s each day of the show. Line ups could be seen outside the Sanlorenzo, Azimut-Benetti and Ferretti Group stands. US boating giant Brunswick reported that Sea Ray sale revenue at the 2021 show was up 65% on the 2019 show.
The mood was jubilant as the yacht market is enjoying a serious boom that some industry insiders are comparing to the years leading up to 2008. “Never have I seen anything like this,” said Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi during his company’s presentation to the media.
The biggest challenge that yacht builders seem to be facing now is supply chain issues and fulfilling order books that are at record levels. Azimut-Benetti reported that its orderbook was now over €1.2 billion.
Among the amazing new yachts on display were the space-aged looking Wally, Why200, along with an array of new yachts from Sanlorenzo, Ferretti, Pershing, Riva, Benetti, Azimut, Princess and many more.
Engine makers took the occasion of the show to announce new steps in hybrid engines – engines which can switch between diesel power and battery power, using diesel power to help charge battery banks.
All-electric yachts were given a section on the docks for the first time, with a dozen exhibitors showcasing yachts at the show. That was in addition to exhibitors such as Silent Yachts, which was supposed to have a Silent 60 with kite sail on display at the show.
The 2021 Cannes show confirmed that the yacht industry is enjoying one of its biggest boom times in over a decade.
