Although power superyachts far outnumber sailing superyachts, harnessing the wind is still a priority for cruising enthusiasts. At next month’s Monaco Yacht Show, many new motoryachts will dominate the docks. Those of you who prefer schooners, sloops, and the like can book visits aboard a small but notable assortment of new builds. Here’s why you’ll want to see each.
Grand Soleil 80 Plus
Grand Soleil Yachts is a sailing-yacht brand of Cantiere del Pardo, which has 50 years of yacht-building experience. Grand Soleil Plus the name for its range of yachts exceeding 60 feet (18.3 meters). The first Grand Soleil 80 Plus just launched this spring, with a sleek profile and contemporary interior from Nauta Design. Target buyers for the series are sailing enthusiasts who enjoy spending long days and weeks living onboard, heading toward far horizons. Design highlights include a central guest cockpit with lots of seating, a raised saloon, and four staterooms. Series options include a telescopic keel.
Magic, by Vitters Shipyard
A 145-foot (44-meter) fast cruising sloop, the yacht Magic looks sporty in profile. Among her most striking features is the glass-wrapped superstructure. It additionally includes big skylights. That brings plenty of light into the warm, modern saloon and dining area. Overall, she has a welcoming family feel, especially due to bunk beds in one of the four guest staterooms. Although Magic saw delivery last year, this is her yacht-show premiere.
Raijin, by Nautor Swan
It won’t be too difficult to find this sailing superyacht at the 2026 Monaco Yacht Show. Just look for the Japanese characters 雷神 on her transom. Raijin is the god of lightning, thunder, and storms. The yacht Raijin, meanwhile, is the second Nautor Swan 128. Her owner planned her for both racing and cruising, plus relying as little as possible on a diesel genset. When sailing, the yacht Raijin can generate electricity, which stores in a battery bank. When the captain needs to reposition her, that electricity can feed an electric motor. Furthermore, at anchor, the battery bank can power air conditioning, lighting, and all other hotel loads for up to eight hours.
Simena, by Ares Yachts
Sailing aficionados will recognize clipper influences in her profile, especially in her wood trailboards. Yet, this 202-footer (62-meter)—the largest sailing superyacht at the 2026 Monaco Yacht Show—is engineered as a ketch. She reached an impressive 16 knots in 20 knots of wind at a 100-degree wind angle during sea trials. For efficiency in departing marinas or repositioning, she has a hybrid system that allows for hydrogeneration. In this mode, her propeller generates electricity once she reaches 7 knots. That electricity goes directly to powering air conditioning, lighting, and other hotel loads—not to a battery bank that in turn powers them. This therefore is atypical for not just other hybrid sailing yachts, but also hybrid motoryachts.
Monaco Yacht Show monacoyachtshow.com
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