Cannes Yachting Festival – New Waves of Inspiration With Elegance and Comfort

At the Cannes Yachting Festival, Berret Racoupeau's yacht design team will present their four most recent production designs: the Amel 50, the Wauquiez PS 42, the Saona and the Océanis 51, as well as other construction projects and one-off designs.

There are some bold changes in this year's new super-yachts. Olivier and Isabelle Racoupeau will also exhibit the design team's latest creations at the Monaco Yacht Show from September 27th to September 30th.

The Cannes Yachting Festival opens the autumn season of nautical shows. At this unmissable Mediterranean event, they unveil the latest innovations.


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Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design was once again entrusted with this year's new designs. It's a responsibility that Olivier Racoupeau's entire team has taken on with enormous pleasure, in order to respond in the best way possible to the specifications provided, working closely with the teams in the boatyards in an ongoing quest for excellence.

Amel 50: Change with Continuity

With its sloop rig- a first for the La Rochelle boatyard- the Amel 50 reflects the new spirit that Amel's leadership are looking for: a safe and easy sailing boat for a beautiful experience that is true to the fundamental principles of the brand: refinement and elegance. Change with continuity

Olivier Racoupeau: "The evolution of the on-board technical kit, such as motorized winches, makes maneuvering a 50- foot sloop far easier and means there does not have to be a ketch rig on a boat of this size. "

The hull is also innovative. Its straight and powerful bow guarantees performance whilst offering generous space at the front. The stern is wide and flat with a mid-ship beam that extends all the way to the rear to ensure stability. The twin rudder has been an outstanding innovation and allows a greater maneuverability.

Lastly, the inverted deck edge, which is extended out to the bow nose, gives the superstructure a refined profile.

The Amel 50's interior design is faithful to the design team's philosophy. "The interior is understated and opulent, the quality is immediately obvious, especially in the use of various different woods, including rosewood, for an extremely chic design. The detail work on the lighting is very successful, the finish on the upholstery and the cladding on the leather doors bring a beautiful high-end distinction. Attention has been given to on-board ease of movement and ergonomics, "explains Isabelle Racoupeau.

Saona 47: Streamlined comfort, with no concessions

The Saona 47 has everything we expect from a Fountaine Pajot: fast and elegant lines and on-board comfort; offering all the pleasure one has come to expect from a modern cruise catamaran. "The Saona is fast and well-balanced, like all Fountaine Pajot catamarans. It is pleasant to helm and performs well. One of its major assets is its spaciousness, both inside and out” commented Olivier Racoupeau.

The cockpit, which extends out to a rearplatform, gives a real feeling of relaxation and play ... it's an on-board beach! There is a large sunbathing area at the front, and the helm extends out to an exceptional 9m2 deck lounge.

The view inside the boat is uncluttered and clean. There is space and light everywhere, for a real easy living experience. The integrated ergonomic kitchen blends in with the welcoming harmony of the living area. The cabins are particularly carefully designed, to give them an unprecedented level of comfort.

Isabelle Racoupeau: "Every new boat we design for the Fountaine Pajot boatyard is an evolution. The Saona is full of character: powerful, racy, with clear attention to the art of living aboard, nothing is left to chance. It shows us a clear evolution for sailing and life aboard the Saona: it is as sporty as it is comfortable, and very pleasant to live on!

The Pilot Saloon 42: Luxury, and Smooth Sailing

The PS 42 is completely faithful to the DNA of the Wauquiez boatyard, whilst also sporting a new, bold style, which shows Wauquiez' openness to change. The design is even neater than before.

"The lines are more aerodynamic and sporty, to provide beautifully smooth sailing, while maintaining safety and ease of maneuvers," Olivier Racoupeau.

The interior design is contemporary chic, and even aims for more luxury, thanks to a combination of light and dark fine wood; combined with the warmth of leather, gloss lacquer and resins.

Airy and functional, the layout has been thoughtfully designed, right down to the smallest details. The linings of the interior trims in the cabins extend down to the floor. The wardrobes are suspended, as are the bedside tables and the fitted seating... The handrails are integrated into the backs of the benches and the ceilings, and there is fine leather workmanship in the wardrobes of the cabins.

The kitchen is particularly modern and refined, and very spacious. The resin worktop includes a hinged part that covers the gas-cooker when not in use, to create a beautifully clear work area.

The harmony of these details creates an even more refined atmosphere on an exclusive boat. The Pilot Saloon 42from the Wauquiez boatyard has evolved into a luxurious universe. The first units will be launched in early 2018.


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Océanis 51: Elegance, Space, Performance...

Elongated lines, clear decks, surfaces built for speed: the Océanis 51 is the first of the new generation of Océanis. Its tuliped hull gives it elegance and unparalleled inside space.

The Océanis 51 has been designed to offer the most innovative new design for cruising.

Everything has been designed to facilitate navigation and maneuvers (reefing mast, self- tacking jib, Dock & Go ...).

The uncluttered deck, the spacious cockpit, the relaxation areas and access to the aft bathing platform were all priorities for the architects.

The "first line" version with an elongated carbon (or aluminum) mast, with a one- third increase in sail area, a 2.80m keel sail and the corresponding equipment, will give an incredible sailing and gliding experience with a marked increase in performance.

The Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design team will be present at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 12th to 17th and at the Monaco Yacht Show, in the heart of the Designer Gallery, from September 27th to September 30th.

About Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design

The strength of this multidisciplinary team is its ability to conceive a project in its entirety, including: sailing architecture, and exterior and interior design. In each phase, the project takes shape with consideration of all the specifications and constraints: this approach optimizes each parameter and the whole ensemble has a fundamental coherence.

Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design is a team of 10 sailing architects, designers and engineers with complementary expertise. Over the past 25 years, large boatyards and boat-owners have entrusted them with the design of their large vessels.

On entering the offices of Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design, the harmony that reigns within the team is very striking. Also, the sparkles in their eyes when they speak of their work: "Each day is different, it never gets boring, and there is always a challenge; it is extremely rewarding work. "

Images credit: Amal 50, JS Evrard; Saona 47, Fountaine Pajot; Pilot Saloon 42, Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design; Oceanis 51, Bénéteau.

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