Stem 50: Italy’s blue-water yacht debuts at Cannes

Stem 50 is making its debut on the French international stage for the first time. At the Cannes Yachting Festival, scheduled for September 8 to 13, 2026, Stem Marine will showcase its 16-meter aluminum sailboat designed for long-distance sailing and developed around three fundamental concepts: safety, reliability, and customization. For the Italian shipyard, this represents its first participation in the French event and, consequently, a true debut for Stem 50 in the French market.

The boat will be exhibited at position Sail 050, while the shipyard will welcome visitors at its booth at Sail 202. This is a particularly significant placement for a project that, after its official debut at the Genoa International Boat Show in 2025, is now preparing to engage with one of the most international and expert audiences in recreational boating. In Genoa, Stem Marine officially entered the recreational sailing market; in Cannes, the goal is to consolidate this identity in a context that holds special value due to the boat’s design origins. In fact, Stem 50 was designed by French naval designer Nicolas Purnu, who trained at the firm of renowned designer Marc Lombard, with whom he still collaborates. Purnu oversaw the hull lines, appendages, safety systems, and the exterior and interior layout of the boat, working in close collaboration with Michele Corradi, managing director of Stem Marine and creator of the project. Crucial contributions were also made by Luca Sabiu, who, as Navigation Advisor, curated the sail trim, equipment optimization, and deck plan layout.

Stem 50: A Blue-Water Cruiser Built to Sail Far

Stem 50 is a modern blue-water cruiser designed to transition seamlessly from Mediterranean cruising to long ocean passages. Aluminum construction is one of the central pillars of the project: structural strength, rigidity, and resistance have been integrated into a concept that does not compromise on comfort, technology, and finish quality.

The overall length is 16.06 meters, with a hull length of 15 meters, a beam of 4.42 meters, and a draft of 2.40 meters. Auxiliary propulsion is provided by an 80-horsepower Yanmar engine.

The project was created to deliver a sense of safety that does not rely solely on dimensions or construction materials. Crash boxes are located at the bow and stern, while the keel and rudders are machined from a single block of aluminum using CNC milling. The same philosophy extends to the deck, featuring an integrated bulwark, handrails placed in strategic locations, a sturdy bowsprit, and a cockpit protected by a hardtop and panoramic windshield.

The Philosophy of Easy Sailing

Structural solidity is paired with precise research into ease of handling. Stem Marine developed Stem 50 according to the principles of easy sailing, aiming to make the boat manageable even with a reduced crew. Halyards and sheets are led back to the cockpit, primary winches are electric, and deck hardware has been organized to optimize loads. The sail plan is designed without running backstays and features a configuration intended for rapid sail reduction in increasing winds. Onboard electronics complete the setup with dedicated instruments for navigation, autopilot, and route planning. The goal of easy sailing, enabling easy and safe handling, was coordinated by Sabiu.

The sail plan includes a 67.60-square-meter full-batten mainsail, a 72.90 sq m genoa, and a 21.60 sq m self-tacking staysail. Configurations with an 85.80 sq m Code 0 and a 137 sq m gennaker are also offered. This configuration aligns with the boat’s intended purpose: Stem 50 was not built merely to be a large cruising sailboat, but to offer an experienced owner the ability to tackle demanding offshore passages while maintaining full control over short-handed boat management.

Comfort and Autonomy for Extended Stays Onboard

The technical character of Stem 50 does not translate into a spartan interior. On the contrary, the project pays meticulous attention to livability, offering bright interiors, generous volumes, and refined finishes. Minimum headroom below deck reaches a full two meters, while the dinette features an electrically adjustable table, and the bow cabin includes an electrically adjustable bed.

Outdoor living has also been engineered for long periods onboard. The structural hardtop protects the cockpit, while the panoramic plexiglass windshield features a motorized, fully retractable enclosure. A barbecue grill and sink are located at the stern, along with a power-assisted swim platform equipped with a double ladder and double shower.

Special attention has also been devoted to energy independence and resource management. The coachroof integrates 720 watts of solar panels, while the onboard system utilizes next-generation LiFePO4 batteries. Equipment also includes a 100-liter-per-hour watermaker, a three-zone climate control system, a Webasto diesel heater, and a retractable bow thruster. The result is a sailboat engineered to be enjoyed just as much during an ocean crossing as during an extended stay at anchor, maintaining a balance of autonomy, comfort, and functionality.

Stem 50 Is a Sailboat Built Around the Owner

One of the most distinctive features of Stem 50 is the ability to make substantial modifications to the project. The model is not offered as a rigidly standardized product, but rather as a platform upon which the owner can build their own custom configuration.

Interior layout, materials, finishes, deck hardware, sails, navigation instruments, safety equipment, and energy generation/management systems can all be defined together with the technical team at Stem Marine. Furthermore, the shipyard offers different interpretations of the design, identified as Cruising Standard, Holidays, and Explorer, confirming the desire to adapt the project to different sailing styles. This philosophy brings Stem 50 close to the world of custom yachts, while maintaining a defined design base. The owner can thus directly follow the various phases of construction and outfitting, participating in the definition of their own vessel.

From Commercial Workboats to Recreational Sailing

The history of the shipyard largely explains why the Stem 50 project placed safety and robustness at the core of its philosophy. Stem Marine is a division of Stem, a company founded by Ezio Menna in 1986 and based in Medesano, in the province of Parma. For nearly forty years, the group has operated in the design and production of rescue and firefighting equipment and devices, both on water and on land.

In the professional marine sector, Stem Marine specialized in the construction of rescue, firefighting, and offshore/coastal patrol boats. These hand-built craft are configurable according to clients’ operational requirements and are utilized by fire departments and maritime authorities internationally. The shipyard transferred this industrial heritage into the project of its first recreational sailboat: in 2024, Stem Marine opened a new division dedicated to sailing yachts, and Stem 50 is the first model to launch this new direction.

The transition from commercial vessels to cruising sailboats is therefore not merely a commercial diversification. Rather, Stem 50 stems from applying expertise developed in a sector where reliability, strength, and safety are not optional features, but essential requirements.

Sources and References

Stem 50 – FAQ