News: New Sub 30-Meter Models Debuting at Cannes & MYS

Sub 30-Meter Models Debuting At Cannes & MYS
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With the staging of major upcoming boat shows, there's always debuts of new models. There are usually one of two tactics that yards use to attract interest, either unveil the design at the show or they preview/unveil it a few days before a major show. Cannes Yachting Festival and the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) are coming up this month and there are a few models that have come to light. Interestingly, the current crop are all under the 100-foot mark; a segment that is more attainable to entry-level customers.

The first is the new Azimut FLY 70. This 21-meter yacht is set to make its debut at the 2026 edition of the Cannes Yachting Festival. Alberto Mancini has been responsible for the exterior design. The interior is the work of a designer called Fabio Fantolino while the Naval Architecture is P.L. Ausonio. Construction is made in GRP and carbon fiber.

The Azimut FLY 70 will offer two aft cockpit versions solidifying where Azimut thinks the emphasis is with sea-side living. The two aft cockpit versions is the Beach Cockpit or the Terrace Cockpit. The Beach Cockpit utilizes a philosophy that follows on an idea that was seen on the smaller Fly 62, a synchronized mechanism opens a portion of the transom while lowering the aft seating. This makes the area move from the regular bench into a large sunpad located near to water level.

The Terrace Cockpit essentially removes this movable bench and layout pad mechanism replacing it with a see-through glass railing that gives the impression of being on a balcony. A dining table could be placed on the aft cockpit area allowing for a more open-feeling al-fresco dining session on the aft of the yacht. The version that will be at the Cannes Yachting Festival is the Terrace Cockpit variant.

Another new entrant announced is the Outer Reef 540 Adventure Sport with Quad outboard power. While not a boat that is expected to be physically at the Cannes Yachting Festival, the unveiling of the design has been timed with this year's show about to start from the 8th to the 13th of September. The 540 Adventure Sport is not to be confused with the 540 Adventure. The 540 Adventure Sport has aluminum construction, quad Mercury outboards and a different philosophy.

The two craft have the same dimensions as it relates to length, beam and draft and even have similar 3 cabin layouts internally. However, construction materials differ as well as the superstructure design although one might suggest that the main saloon portion of the 540 Adventure was removed making a more sporty appearance. The standard 540 Adventure uses a resin-infused FRP hull and is powered by twin 600 horse power Volvo Penta D8 diesels. The 540 Adventure Sport instead has an aluminum hull and superstructure and is powered by four 500 horse power Mercury SeaPro V12 outboards.

An additional new design comes from Jeanneau who is launching the new EX motorboat range. The EX 34 Hard Top will be making its debut at the upcoming Cannes Yachting Festival. The company has made opened and closed versions (Hardtop and Cabin) making it more practical for owners who just want day boat or one that can overnight or be a weekender. The design is by Jeanneau Design and Centkowski & Denert Design. Performance should top-out at 40-knots with a pair of 350 horse power outboards on the back.

For Saxdor, another premiere at the upcoming Cannes Yachting Festival will be the Saxdor 460 GTS. The 14.4-meter vessel which is another one of these models that can be open with just a hardtop or have the cabin enclosed somewhat depending on how the customer configures it. Although the 460 GTS is the open compared to the 460 GTC (which is a full cabin version). Regardless, it should have a three cabin layout below and on the performance side be able to reach 55-knots on the top end. Without going fully enclosed like the 460 GTC, the 460 GTS is giving owner choices, allowing the area to be opened when needed or closed more based on the circumstances. The Saxdor is allowing owners the option to specify four sliding glass doors, an aft enclosure and a retractable roof.

Something new from Forte Yachts is going to be making its official segment debut to the world at the upcoming Cannes Yachting Festival. The Forte 47 Gran Turismo is a 14.3-meter vessel that is a blur between day boating and longer coastal cruising. In fact, it has been designed to span the gap between a day boat and compact cruisers. 47 really is its name as sea trials has confirmed a top speed of 47-knots.

The yacht at this size is of aluminium construction making it lightweight and sturdy build. Customers at mid-way point of the sub 30-meter segment have changed in terms of their expectations and demands. The 40 to 50-foot market generally used to be centered around performance-related facets. However, the customer currently wants more from this segment. More in terms of comfort and options for customization. A boat that is more theirs than a small spec list from dictated by production.

The Forte 47 Gran Turismo like many other yachts in this segment has large fold-down wings/terraces that completely open up the cockpit space. In fact, when those wings are folded down, the cockpit area increases to approximately 40 square meters which is good real estate while at anchor. At anchor the cockpit becomes a bar, a loungy relaxing space and a beach all in one. The wings can have provision for swim ladder incorporation which allows entering and exiting the boat with safety and comfort away from the outboards.

The aft portion of the design extends the hull far enough that the outboards are totally hidden on profile view. Yes, the 47 Gran Turismo is powered by three Mercury Verado V12 each 600 horse power. This setup can push the 47 Gran Turismo up to 47-knots. Fuel tankage is 2,000 LT. The foredeck can also be enjoyed too with a large sunpad and integrated cup-holders. Exterior design is by Paolo Giordano Yacht Design while the Naval Architecture is by Umberto Tagliavini Marine Design. Overall length of the vessel is 14.35-meters with a beam of 4.50-meters and a draft of 0.85-meters.

Tykun Boats made a name for themselves at the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) when they had the Tykun X at the show as their debut model. This year for the upcoming show later this month, the yard has confirmed it will be in attendance again but with their flagship model, the Tykun XII. The Tykun XII is a 12.7-meter that blends the worlds of day boating, a superyacht chase boat and a weekender.

The Tykun XII also mixes its military engineering being built from aluminium with Italian design and on the lower deck hull you can see this styling shining through. The main deck may look chase boat friendly but the vessel has more potential beyond a utilitarian look and appeal. The design and layouts by superyacht designer Tommaso Spadolini.

This 12.7-meter vessel is performance oriented even though it carries twin outboards. The yard suggests that the twin outboards range from 400 to 600 horse power units. The yacht has the potential to easily run over 50-knots with the 600 horse power package. With two fuel tanks onboard that can be specified up to 600 LT each and the option for onboard fresh water storage of up to 300 LT this vessel can stay away from the mother ship for extended periods or spend the weekend as a retreat getaway.

The Tykun XII is expected to be presented to customers in two versions -Open and Closed-. On the Open variant there is a similar layout to the X model - that is with a central helm area and bar counter under the hardtop, and an adaptable seating-sunpad arrangement on the aft. With the Closed version this variant increases weather proofing. Additionally, there is more flexibility for weekending, shoulder season cruising or operations in hot or cold climates with the helm and bar area under the hardtop offering different layout options including a bench settee and dinette.

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Another new entrant that will be making its debut at the 2026 edition of the Cannes Yachting Festival is the Bluegame BG64 with SG40 gyro stabilizer -which is Smartgyro's latest generation of gyro stabilizer-. The installation marks the latest development in the relationship between Italian yacht builder Bluegame and marine stabilization specialist Smartgyro, as both companies continue to focus on onboard comfort, engineering efficiency and technology integration.

During commissioning and sea trials, the Smartgyro SG40 installed aboard the BG64 achieved up to 86 percent roll reduction, according to Smartgyro. Although, Smartgyro has worked with Bluegame before on other BG models like the BG54 and BGX63, as well as the BGM75 multihull project. Stabilization technology has become an increasingly important part of the specification process for modern motor yachts.

Owner expectations around comfort have risen alongside the development of larger exterior entertaining spaces, beach clubs and open-plan layouts. These areas can make motion more noticeable and increase the importance of managing roll while cruising and at anchor. If you are going to the 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival the Smartgyro will exhibit at PAN 302, while the Bluegame range will be displayed on the Jetée.