Cannes 2026: Boats Worth a Closer Look

With around 700 boats and 150 world premieres on the water, the 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival will cover a particularly wide spectrum of recreational boating. From a 38.8-metre performance superyacht and a long-range explorer to a compact electric sports boat, several of the vessels illustrate very different directions in current yacht design and technology.

ISA Yachts Viper 130

The ISA Viper 130 is one of the world premieres at Cannes. Designed by Fulvio De Simoni, the 38.8-metre yacht combines a carbon-composite hull with three MAN V12X-2200 engines and a stated top speed of 35 knots. Its three-zone cockpit and extendable side balconies create an extensive open area at the stern when at anchor.

Frauscher x Porsche 790 Spectre

The Frauscher x Porsche 790 Spectre brings a very different performance concept to Cannes. Developed around technology from the all-electric Porsche Macan Turbo, the boat uses a 100 kWh battery and 400 kW electric motor, with Frauscher developing a new lightweight hull for the electric drivetrain.

The 790 Spectre has also demonstrated its performance on the water. At the 2026 Monaco Energy Boat Challenge it reached 51.05 knots, exceeding the record achieved by the Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom in 2025.

Numarine 40MXP

At almost 40 metres, the Numarine 40MXP represents another direction. The Mediterranean Explorer version of Numarine’s XP range combines a steel hull with six cabins and a stated 6,000-nautical-mile range at eight knots.

Girbau G31

At 9.42 metres, the Spanish-built Girbau G31 shows some of the technology appearing at the smaller end of the market, including infused hull construction and an integrated smart automation system.