SAY Carbon Yachts is bringing the SAY 42 Sport to France for the first time at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026, extending the rollout of a model first unveiled at boot Düsseldorf earlier this year. The 12.96-metre carbon-fibre day cruiser combines a hardtop and more practical entertainment spaces with the lightweight performance platform developed from the original SAY 42.
The French debut places the new model directly in front of Mediterranean owners after its initial German presentation. SAY has retained the speed-focused character of the original 42 while adding features intended to make the Sport version easier to use for longer days aboard with family and guests.
Carbon construction keeps weight below five tonnes
The SAY 42 Sport has a published dry weight of 4.98 tonnes including its Seakeeper 2 gyro, unusually light for a 12.96-metre yacht with substantial deck equipment. The hull uses carbon-fibre construction and pairs a wave-cutting bow with the patented Petestep form to reduce drag and improve ride control at speed.
Beam is 4.17 metres and draft is 0.93 metres, while the yacht carries a Category B Offshore rating and a maximum capacity of 12 people. Those dimensions give the Sport version more usable deck width than the original SAY 42 without abandoning the low-profile proportions central to the brand's design language.
Up to 860 horsepower and 47 knots
The standard propulsion package uses two Volvo Penta V8-430 CE petrol engines with Aquamatic DuoProp drives, producing 860 horsepower in total. SAY publishes a maximum speed of 47 knots, maintaining the high-performance positioning that distinguishes the model from more conventional luxury day cruisers.
A twin Yanmar 8LV370 installation is also available, providing 740 horsepower combined. Fuel capacity is 800 litres and the builder quotes a range of 285 nautical miles, while the 170-litre fresh-water capacity supports the model's broader day-cruising and entertaining role.
A more practical deck for entertaining
The Sport version adds a hardtop and reorganises the principal guest spaces around a larger centre dining area. A bar incorporates two refrigerators, a cooktop and a wash basin, allowing food and drinks to be prepared without moving below deck and making the yacht better suited to hosting throughout the day.
Forward and aft sun lounges provide separate relaxation areas, while the swim platform keeps direct access to the water at the stern. At the helm, three shock-absorbing adjustable seats and a fully integrated digital cockpit preserve the performance-focused experience for the driver and accompanying guests.
Cannes brings the new Sport model to France
SAY introduced the 42 Sport internationally at boot Düsseldorf before bringing it south for its first French appearance at Cannes. The company's larger SAY 52 is also attending the festival, giving visitors the opportunity to compare the new Sport model with the 15.95-metre flagship in the same display.
The Cannes presentation shows how SAY is expanding its range without moving away from the lightweight carbon engineering at the centre of the brand. By combining 47-knot performance with more protection, a full galley and expanded social spaces, the SAY 42 Sport broadens the original concept into a more versatile Mediterranean day yacht.