From our archives: 5 photos of the 1996 Monaco Yacht Show

As the Monaco Yacht Show approaches its 26th edition, we look back at photos from 20 years ago and see just how different the 1996 show was.

The first thing you’ll notice is the size – Port Hercules has luxury yachts moored up along her Western side at the 1996 Monaco Yacht Show, but the floating pontoons of recent years are visibly absent.

In this photo we can see the yellow funnel of 66 metre superyacht Rosenkavalier (now Dona Amelia). Her protruding bow suggests she’s one of the largest yachts to be displayed that year, but she would be dwarfed by the biggest superyacht at Monaco Yacht Show last year – the 85.1 metre Solandge.

The latest 110-tonne Jongert 26T to be launched in 1996 was displayed at the Monaco Yacht Show. Named Anna Christina II, she has changed names in the last two decades and is now called Solaia. She measures 30 metres and was designed in house by Jongert, with interior design by Peter Sijm.

At last year’s Monaco Yacht Show there were 17 sailing superyachts presented, with an average length of 39 metres. The biggest new sailing yacht of 2015 was Sea Eagle, a 43.31 metre Royal Huisman yacht.

Another big difference to the show back in 1996 was the dominance of yachts for sale. 20 years ago, Lady Christine (now Life Saga) was the only yacht on display at the show that wasn’t for sale. Last year over 20 new yachts were presented that weren’t listed for sale.

Cammenga superyacht Midnight Saga was presented at the 1996 Monaco Yacht Show. Highlighting how much can change in 20 years, she’s been through four name changes and is now called Meserret II.

It’s not just the size of the Monaco Yacht Show or the yachts that has changed significantly in 20 years, it’s also the exterior design. As the photo above shows, these older superyachts offer much less space to lounge on deck and the windows would be considered very small by today’s standards. The hull shapes are also different, as naval architecture has evolved over the decades, and there isn’t a single coloured hull in sight.