Rio Yachts at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026: World Premiere for the Sport Coupé 50

From September 8 to 13, 2026, Rio Yachts will be among the stars of the Cannes Yachting Festival—Europe’s premier boating event—with a lineup that represents the evolution of its design philosophy in the luxury cruiser segment. The Lombardy-based shipyard will bring three models over 12 meters to the French Riviera: the new Sport Coupé 50, making its world premiere, the updated Paranà 40, and the refined Le Mans 50 Grand Style. Three vessels developed to satisfy different needs, from operational versatility to high levels of customization.

Sport Coupé 50: Rio Yachts’ New Four-Season Cruiser

The main highlight of the 2026 season is the Sport Coupé 50, a brand-new model derived from the evolution of the Le Mans 50 platform. The project starts with a redesigned and extended hull—a solution that allowed designers to create a significantly larger aft master cabin with headroom above the category average.

The goal was to build a true four-season cruiser usable year-round in any geographical area. The main salon can be fully enclosed via a sliding door, while the drop-down side windows draw inspiration from the automotive world. Additionally, the louvered hardtop allows control over ventilation and natural light, quickly converting the interior into an open space. Underway, the boat offers the comfort of a coupe, while on summer days it provides ventilation comparable to an open yacht. In colder months, the full enclosure makes the most of the air conditioning and heating systems. These features make the Sport Coupé Rio Yachts’ true “world boat” ready for any latitude.

The boat’s interior layout features three cabins and two bathrooms. The full-beam master cabin is located aft, offering maximum headroom of 1.95 meters and abundant storage space. The layout of the private en-suite bathroom is equally unique, with separate head and shower facilities—the latter situated beneath the companionway stairs leading below deck. Forward is the VIP cabin with its own dedicated bathroom (which doubles as a day head thanks to a separate shower stall), while the third cabin is designed to accommodate children in a bunk bed setup.

Among the most distinctive design elements is a dramatic spiral staircase connecting the main deck to the lower deck—a solution inspired by 1970s and 1980s yachts, reinterpreted with a contemporary flair. The layout also offers remarkable flexibility: the third cabin can be converted into a crew cabin with independent access from the deck, ensuring enhanced privacy for guests. Another unusual feature for a 50-footer is the tender garage, sized to accommodate a rigid-bottom tender.

Great attention was also devoted to onboard living. Beyond the main 80-liter refrigerator in the salon, a second refrigerator can be installed beneath the outdoor seating. Below deck, a storage column can be equipped with a full-height refrigerator or various appliance combinations, such as a washing machine or dishwasher. These amenities are typically reserved for larger yachts, helping make the new Sport Coupé 50 exceptionally well-suited for extended cruising.

Propulsion is exclusively shaft-drive inboard engines, with a standard setup featuring twin 600 hp Cummins engines, or an optional pair of 715 hp Cummins engines.

Le Mans 50 Grand Style: Elegance and Customization

Alongside the world debut of the new Sport Coupé 50, Rio Yachts will exhibit the Le Mans 50 in the exclusive Grand Style configuration, featuring a refined metallic paint job and a particularly rich trim package. The model represents one of the most elegant interpretations in the shipyard’s range, boasting meticulous finishes, premium materials, and a comprehensive package that enhances both indoor and outdoor spaces. The Cannes show will offer a unique opportunity to see this highly customized version up close, designed for clients seeking an elevated level of exclusivity.

From a technical perspective, the Le Mans 50 retains one of its key features: the option to choose between traditional shaft-drive propulsion or an outboard engine configuration—a solution that expands usability and allows owners to tailor the boat to their personal preferences.

Paranà 40: The Entry-Level Cruiser in the Rio Range

Completing the shipyard’s lineup is the Paranà 40, which serves as the entry point to the Rio Yachts cruiser family. An evolution of the previous Paranà 38, this new project introduces hull updates and a restyling of various aesthetic details, while retaining the core qualities that drove the original model’s success.

With a length of approximately 13.30 meters, the Paranà 40 is designed for family cruising and offers space normally reserved for higher-category vessels. The interior layout includes two cabins and two bathrooms—a configuration still rare in this size range. Equipment can be augmented with numerous options typical of larger yachts, including air conditioning, a generator, a retractable hydraulic gangway, a hardtop with an opening sunroof, and dedicated sunshade systems. This outfitting makes the Paranà 40 exceptionally versatile for both day trips and multi-day cruises.

One of its most compelling aspects is its eligibility for registration as a unregistered recreational craft (natante) in Italy thanks to its bow configuration—a distinct advantage for the Italian market. All of this comes with competitive positioning relative to many segment rivals, without sacrificing the signature features of Rio craftsmanship.

Conclusions

Rio Yachts’ participation in the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 confirms the shipyard’s strategy to strengthen its footprint in the premium cruiser segment through a well-structured, technologically advanced lineup. The world debut of the Sport Coupé 50 marks the highlight of the event, offering a project engineered for maximum year-round versatility. Alongside this milestone, the Le Mans 50 Grand Style and the refreshed Paranà 40 round out a range focused on comfort, build quality, and customization—delivering distinct solutions united by a shared, cruise-oriented design philosophy.

Rio Yachts at Cannes 2026 – FAQ