The autumn boat show season represents one of the most concentrated opportunities in the yachting calendar to view multiple superyachts, meet industry specialists and make informed decisions about buying, selling or chartering. Yet with hundreds of yachts on display and countless brokers vying for attention, the experience can quickly become overwhelming without the right guidance.
The key to navigating this high-stakes environment lies in working strategically with an experienced broker who can curate your experience based on your specific needs. Leading superyacht brokerage Burgess exemplifies this approach, bringing decades of market knowledge and a comprehensive service model to both the 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival and Monaco Yacht Show this September.
A common misconception is that a broker's primary function at boat shows is simply to unlock yacht doors and arrange viewings. In reality, the most valuable brokers act as strategic advisors, filtering the market to identify opportunities that align with a client's lifestyle, budget and long-term objectives.
“For Burgess, 360-degree service means being able to support a client at every stage of their yachting journey, and a boat show is a perfect opportunity to bring that expertise together,” explains Ben Harwood, senior partner - sales and charter director at Burgess. "When a client visits us at Cannes or Monaco, the experience begins with understanding what they are looking for. Whether they are considering buying or selling a yacht, exploring charter or thinking about a new-build project, our brokers take the time to understand their priorities and then curate their experience around them."
This approach becomes particularly valuable when considering the breadth of options available. At the Cannes Yachting Festival, which focuses on yachts under 50 metres, Burgess will showcase vessels ranging from the 46.4-metre classic Feadship Constance to the recently delivered 33-metre Gulf Craft Big M, a popular Majesty 100 that was refitted this year and boasts low engine hours.
The Monaco Yacht Show elevates the autumn season to its peak, attracting the industry's most significant players and showcasing yachts that represent the pinnacle of design and engineering. Burgess’ Monaco lineup spans from sailing yachts like the 44.3-metre Vitters Magic, a regatta-ready fast cruising sloop, to substantial motor yachts such as the 74-metre Amels Synthesis with its full owner's deck, private foredeck jacuzzi and lower deck spa and wellness area.
Between these extremes sit vessels that illustrate different value propositions. The 71.5-metre Feadship Vanish and the 58.2-metre Trinity Carpe Diem both provide exceptional volumes for their lengths. Meanwhile, the 43-metre Codecasa Gioia, delivered in 2024, presents an opportunity to acquire a nearly new yacht with minimal owner use.
For sailing enthusiasts, the 32.6-metre Vitters Anomaly showcases Malcolm McKeon's recognisable design aesthetic paired with a beautiful Rémi Tessier interior and a proven regatta track record. The 61.5-metre Sanlorenzo Lemon Tree emphasises outdoor living, with a beach club that opens on three sides, infinity pools and two custom-designed tenders.
"The first piece of advice would be not to try to see everything," Harwood counsels. "At Cannes and Monaco, there is an enormous amount to take in. The best way to make the most of the experience is to speak to a Burgess broker before you arrive and explain what you are hoping to achieve. You do not need to know exactly which yacht you want; that is what the broker is there to help with."
Rather than arriving with a list of specific yachts to view, Harwood suggests focusing on broader parameters: how you intend to use the yacht, who will be traveling aboard, preferred cruising destinations and priorities regarding design, space, performance and lifestyle. These details allow a broker to create a focused itinerary that maximises the value of limited time.
An advantage that distinguishes certain brokerages is their employment model. While many firms operate with independent agents who maintain their own client lists and yacht portfolios, Burgess employs all its brokers directly, creating what Harwood describes as "a very strong collaborative culture”.
"Because our brokers are employed by Burgess, they are part of one global team," he notes. "They are able to share knowledge, relationships and market intelligence with colleagues around the world, rather than operating as independent agents. For a client, that means they have access to the collective strength of Burgess. If a particular opportunity, relationship or area of expertise sits with another broker or another part of the business, we can bring that into the conversation."
This structure becomes particularly relevant at boat shows, where clients benefit from access to any yacht in the show rather than being limited to a single broker's listings.
Burgess brings selected staff from its 19 offices to represent diverse geographic markets, ensuring that clients interested in Mediterranean cruising can speak with specialists who know those waters, while those considering Caribbean winters or Pacific exploration can access brokers with relevant regional expertise.
Another dimension of working with an established broker at boat shows is access to complementary services that extend beyond the purchase transaction. Burgess' presence includes specialists in technical yacht management, charter brokerage and management, crew recruitment and new-build consulting. This allows prospective buyers to understand not just the acquisition cost but the full ownership experience. For those not yet ready to purchase, charter specialists can arrange experiences aboard similar vessels to help refine preferences before committing to ownership.
For clients considering commissioning a new yacht rather than purchasing an existing vessel, boat shows provide an opportunity to discuss which shipyards and designers might best suit a particular project.
Finally, the practical aspects of boat show attendance should not be underestimated. Both Cannes and Monaco present logistical challenges, and with yachts moored across multiple locations, Burgess addresses this through chauffeur transfers and private tenders.
Visit Burgess at the Cannes Yachting Festival or the Monaco Yacht Show, or contact the team in advance to arrange a personalised show experience, including yacht viewings, chauffeur transfers and access to its full team of specialists.
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