Sunseeker has announced that the first Manhattan 94 has launched to water ahead of its global debut at Cannes Yachting Festival 2026. The yacht is now going through testing before the show, where Sunseeker positions it as the centrepiece of its 8-13 September display.
This is more than a catalogue update. The first launch is the point where a rendering becomes a yacht that can be measured for weight, balance, noise, engine-room temperature and behaviour at sea. Buyers who previously saw the Manhattan 94 only as a future model now have a better reason to ask for trial data, not only deck plans.
A Second Hull Sold Changes The Timing Conversation
Sunseeker also says hull two has been sold. That signals interest before the public debut, but for a buyer it also adds timing pressure. The useful questions are which production slots remain available, how long personalisation will take and whether the Cannes demonstrator matches the way the owner actually plans to use the yacht.
The model data gives the basic frame: 28.60 metres overall, 6.56 metres of beam and 2.07 metres of draft. The accommodation plan includes a full-beam owner’s stateroom and four lower-deck guest cabins, with capacity for up to 10 guests and five crew. MTU power options are quoted with a maximum speed of up to 26 knots.
Cannes Should Start Due Diligence, Not End It
At the show, the beach club, Williams SportJet 395 tender garage and X-TEND stern sunbed will naturally draw attention. They matter for life on board, but on a first hull the technical questions are just as important: service access, ventilation, cabin noise, stabilisation, range at typical cruising speeds and the weight of owner-added options.
Sunseeker will bring a broad Cannes line-up, from the Superhawk 55 to the 100 Yacht, so brand-internal comparison should be easier than usual. The question is similar to the one raised by our Sunseeker Predator 55 concept note: when does a strong promise become proven use? The Manhattan 94 should be judged not simply as the largest Manhattan, but as a compromise between owner use, crewed operation and the running cost of a yacht just under 29 metres. An adviser from W Yachts should help separate debut excitement from the numbers that emerge after sea trials.
