Groupe Beneteau is presenting 24 new models for the 2026–2027 season at the Cannes Yachting Festival, as part of a programme of 66 model launches planned between 2025 and 2027.
During a press conference held this morning (8 September), on the opening day of the festival, the group said the programme focuses on reducing the environmental impact of boating, improving accessibility and developing its higher-end offering.
“In an uncertain market, we are not choosing to wait. We continue to invest, accelerate and act on the levers we control. Our strategy is clear: to offer the right products and the right services, from accessible boating to premium,” says Bruno Thivoyon, chief executive and chairman of the board of Groupe Beneteau.
Speaking to the media about current market conditions on the opening day of Cannes, Thivoyon says: “The market is okay. Willingness to go boating is still there, but the number of new boats is less than last year.”
The group says the current market is characterised by uncertainty and longer purchase decision cycles. It has increased the pace of range renewal by 50 per cent compared with the previous three years, with 23 models launched in 2025 and a further 24 being introduced for the 2026–2027 season.
Models launched in 2025 accounted for nearly 30 per cent of first-half 2026 sales. Over the same period, retail sales increased by 14 per cent compared with the first half of 2025.
To support the increased number of launches, Groupe Beneteau has changed its product organisation, establishing a cross-functional Design Centre that brings together product, naval architecture and design expertise. The group says the structure now allows multiple developments to be managed at the same time.
New models across the portfolio
The 24 new models cover sailing, multihulls, dayboating and motor yachting. In monohull sailing, Beneteau and Jeanneau are introducing the First 36 Spirit, Oceanis 42, Sun Odyssey 385 and First 60.
The multihull line-up includes the Lagoon 47, which renews the brand’s core range, the Excess 16, which becomes the brand’s new flagship, and the Lagoon Eighty3, which expands its powercatamaran range. Jeanneau is also moving the Sea Loft 480 from concept to production, with the model targeting charter, tourism and hotel-sector applications.
Thivoyon says the continued development of catamarans reflects changing expectations among buyers. “There is a tendency in mid-sized yachts to ask for space and stability.” He adds: “Stability and space is a trend. We have to address it.”
In dayboating, the new models include the Jeanneau Cap Camarat 6.0 CC, Beneteau Flyer 30, Jeanneau EX 34, and Wellcraft 33 T-Top and 33 Explorer. The EX 34 is available in Hardtop and Cabin versions. The Flyer 30 supports Beneteau’s development in new segments, including North America.
Beneteau is also renewing its motor yacht ranges with the Gran Turismo 40 Open, Gran Turismo 45 Open, Gran Turismo 45, Swift Trawler 43 and Swift Trawler 49. The Gran Turismo 50, presented at Cannes, is being developed in partnership with Alpine.
Prestige is presenting five new models, including the C43 and F6.7, along with developments of the M6 and M8 multihulls.
Refit programme Neo expands to eight models
Groupe Beneteau is also expanding its boating services. Wiziboat provides subscription-based boating from 34 bases, while dedicated solutions are available for owners using, personalising and managing their boats. Seanapps now connects more than 15,000 boats for usage monitoring, maintenance support and owner services.
The group is extending this service offering to the pre-owned market through Neo, its boat refit programme. Initially covering two Lagoon models, Neo is being expanded to eight models across Lagoon, Beneteau and Jeanneau.
The Neo programme is currently focused on boats in the 40–50ft range. Thivoyon says the refit work is intended to adapt existing boats rather than return them to the shipyard where they were originally built. “We know how to transform a cat from four to three cabins without impacting the structure of the boat.”
Neo forms part of Groupe Beneteau’s environmental strategy, which covers naval architecture, energy management, materials and extending boat life through refit. The group has a target of reducing Scope 3 CO2 emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 compared with 2022.
The programme involves reconditioning and modernising pre-owned boats. Groupe Beneteau says three to five pre-owned boats change hands for every new boat sold. Thivoyon says this difference in transaction volume creates scope for the manufacturer to become more involved in the pre-owned market, telling media at Cannes: “My ambition in ten years is to sell as many refit boats as new boats.”
The firm is using its knowledge of the boats it has designed and built, original technical data, three specialised Mediterranean sites with direct sea access and its industrial capabilities for the Neo programme.
“With Neo, we are acting both to extend the life of our boats and to make them more accessible. The pre-owned market is an important part of the customer journey, and we have many strengths that enable us to bring greater value to it,” says Thivoyon.
At the Cannes Yachting Festival, Groupe Beneteau is presenting 56 models, including 18 new models for the 2026–2027 season and 11 world premieres. The group is also scheduled to meet the press on 10 September for an update on E-Lektra Marine, an electrification project for sailing boats developed with Fountaine Pajot.
Groupe Beneteau was founded in Vendée, France, 140 years ago by Benjamin Bénéteau. The group has 16 production sites and a worldwide sales network. It generated nearly €850m in revenue in 2025 and employs more than 6,200 people, mainly in France, the United States, Poland, Italy, Portugal and Tunisia.
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