Yachting news, Wednesday, 28 October 2026

New chief executive at Camper & Nicholsons

Benjamin Bensahel has been named CEO of Camper & Nicholsons, taking over from Paolo Casani, who steps down after almost ten years in charge. Bensahel was previously the firm's chief commercial officer and head of sales, having joined its Monaco brokerage team in 2020. The change follows the sale of the company earlier this year.

Americans now buy around 40% of the world's yachts

Industry executives told CNBC that buyers from the United States now account for roughly four in every ten yacht sales worldwide, as rising wealth keeps demand strong going into the US show season.

Malibu Boats brings seven brands to Fort Lauderdale

Malibu Boats, the Nasdaq-listed group, is showing the latest models from seven of its brands at this week's show.

Django 7x wins the Rolex Middle Sea Race

Giovanni Lombardi Stronati's Wallyrocket Django 7x has won the 47th Rolex Middle Sea Race overall. After a close duel with defending champion Balthasar, the Italian boat finished about an hour and twenty minutes ahead on IRC corrected time.

Remon Vos's Black Jack 100, skippered by Tristan Le Brun, took monohull line honours. It finished in Malta in 2 days, 3 hours and 51 minutes for the 606-mile lap of Sicily. The race started from Valletta's Grand Harbour on 17 October with 107 yachts and 945 sailors from 55 countries.

A sixth straight world title for Pauline Courtois

France's Pauline Courtois and her Match in Pink crew have won the Women's Match Racing World Championship for the sixth year running. This year it was sailed in matched J/22s at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco.

Perfect 13–0 at the US Match Racing Championship

William Stratton, Matei Meglic and Sidney Gathrid won the US Match Racing Championship on San Diego Bay without losing a single match.

Comanche heads for Hobart as Tribeca Loyal

The 100 ft supermaxi Comanche is back in Australian waters under new owner Anthony Bell and now races as Tribeca Loyal. Bell, who won line honours in 2011 and 2016, is aiming for a third win in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, which starts on Boxing Day. Olympic and America's Cup champion Tom Slingsby rejoins him as sailing master.

Also on the water

Forty-six teams are at Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans for the J/22 World Championship. Scott Harris of Coronado Yacht Club won the Don Trask International Masters Regatta. Offshore Racing Congress delegates meet in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria from 31 October to 4 November for their annual general meeting.

Youth Sailing World Championships return to Vilamoura

Vilamoura will host the Youth Sailing World Championships from 11 to 19 December. Nearly 450 sailors and 150 coaches from 64 countries are expected, racing 29er, ILCA 6, Nacra 15, 420, iQFOiL and Formula Kite. It's the first venue ever to host two editions in a row.

World Sailing and Vilamoura Sailing are organising the event with the Portuguese Sailing Federation and Marina de Vilamoura. They estimate it could be worth up to €3.5 million to the region. For sailors in Portimão it's a short hop along the coast and a chance to watch some likely Brisbane 2032 Olympians.

Vilamoura named Superyacht Marina of the Year

Marina de Vilamoura has been reported as Superyacht Marina of the Year at The Yacht Harbour Association's 2026 Marina Awards, presented at the Southampton International Boat Show. Yalikavak Marina in Türkiye came second and Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi third. It is a second consecutive win for the Algarve marina.

More berths on the way along the coast

Work on the Lagos Marina expansion continues. The €12.5 million project adds 102 berths for boats up to 30 m. Further east, Faro is preparing to take over its Commercial Quay with a view to a recreational marina of around 500 berths.

Saudi Arabia sets rules for small charter boats in the Red Sea

The Saudi Red Sea Authority has published a licensing framework for recreational charter boats up to 11 m and 10 tonnes. Operators will need a Marine Activities Operator Licence, and each boat needs a Tourism Charter Licence after an on-site inspection. Both last 12 months and must be backed by insurance.

Skippers must brief passengers before every trip and keep a written emergency plan in Arabic and English. Prices and cancellation terms must be shown before booking, and boats must keep to approved areas to protect the reefs. The rules appeared in the official gazette on 16 October and take effect 180 days later, around mid-April 2027. The existing large-yacht regulations stay as they are.

Annapolis sailboat debuts

The Annapolis Sailboat Show (15–18 October) was the autumn's big launch pad for cruising sailors. The Balance 502, Vaan R4 and Knysna 550 drew the most attention.