François-Xavier Ricardou

The SKAW [A] was supposed to be one of the highlights of the 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival. The shipyard?s schedule had other plans. The 11.95-meter scow did not make it to the French Riviera, but it is now afloat in Lorient. Its first voyages mark the beginning of a far more revealing phase: putting the design to the test at sea.

A new brand of aluminum fishing boats is entering the French market. X-Liner offers a lineup ranging from 4.60 m to 6.45 m, designed for fishing in both inland waters and coastal areas. Villeneuve Marine will now handle distribution in France.

Ducati is moving from two wheels to three?outboard motors. The Pirelli 44 Ducati Edition, announced in Cannes, is expected to deliver 1,500 ch and feature a range of specialized amenities. Despite its references to motorcycle racing, its marine platform remains that of the new Pirelli 44 and its Mannerfelt double-step hull.

Garcia Yachts is developing a family of aluminum expedition catamarans ranging from 62 to 82 feet. The first design unveiled measures 22.90 meters. Beyond its dimensions, it is the layout on board that really sets it apart. The vessel is designed to support activities conducted far from infrastructure.

In *Un défi de fou*, Jean d'Arthuys recounts his round-the-world voyage aboard *Triana* during the 2023?2024 Ocean Globe Race. But behind the race narrative lies, above all, a deeply personal, intimate, and at times grueling human adventure. A sailor?s book that, at times, reminded me of Bernard Moitessier.

The Capoforte SX200 has reached the milestone of 100 units produced. To mark the occasion, the Italian shipyard is offering a special version called the San Marco. The deck plan and main specifications remain those of the SX200. The changes are primarily in the colors and materials.

With FUSION, Sinot isn?t simply adding two floats to a 118-meter superyacht. The design studio has conceived three hulls, each nearly as long as the others, with a total beam of 30 meters. This design creates a considerable amount of space. But beyond the 3,340 m² of outdoor deck space, it is above all the design?s three nearly full-length hulls that deserve attention.

What happens to a life jacket when it can no longer be used? In La Rochelle, the Écho-Mer nonprofit now collects some of these items. The foam from these life jackets is used to make a line of nautical accessories crafted from reused materials.

Icom is expanding its line of fixed VHF radios with the IC-M430E, a compact model equipped with Class D DSC and a GPS receiver. Its NMEA 2000 interface makes it easy to integrate into the boat?s electronic systems. A remote control unit also allows for operation from the cockpit. This is sure to appeal to boaters looking to upgrade their radio system.

In *A jamais les premières*, Alexia Barrier recounts the round-the-world voyage undertaken by eight women aboard an Ultim. The book captivates readers with its graphic design and its narrative structured in three parts. But behind this collective adventure, the sailor?s personality remains fairly low-key.