Mercury Marine set a new outboard engine share record at the 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival, according to parent company Brunswick Corporation, which also used the show to launch the new Navan C38 and announce a technology partnership for Navico Group.
Mercury Sets a New Share Record
Mercury achieved 67 per cent overall outboard engine share at Cannes this year, up on the previous few years, according to Brunswick. At the Vieux Port location, where many of the show’s largest and most premium vessels were displayed, Mercury accounted for 82 per cent of all outboards on show. Brunswick reported a similar pattern at the 2024 festival, when Mercury took around 60 per cent share on boats up to 12 metres and nearly 90 per cent at Vieux Port, so this year’s figures continue a run of strong showings at the event rather than marking a one-off result.
Mercury Racing’s 1100 Competition QC4v remains the sole homologated engine for UIM Class 1 offshore racing, so gains in Mercury’s leisure market share sit alongside the brand’s established position at the top level of the sport.
Navan C38 Launch
Brunswick’s exploration boat brand Navan used Cannes for the world premiere of the C38, the largest model in the Navan range. The company said dealer confidence in the new boat helped push Navan wholesale orders significantly above the prior year, contributing to stronger overall wholesale sales at the show than in 2025.
Navico Group and Elettromedia Partnership
Navico Group announced a strategic partnership with Elettromedia, the company behind the Audison and Hertz audio brands, aimed at more integrated onboard audio and electronics. Under the agreement, Audison and Hertz become Navico Group’s preferred audio brands, while Navico Group’s own product range becomes Elettromedia’s preferred multifunction display platform for marine applications.
David Foulkes, Chief Executive Officer of Brunswick Corporation, said:
The momentum we experienced at Cannes reflects the strength of Brunswick’s portfolio and the confidence dealers, customers and partners have in our brands. From the successful launch of the exciting Navan C38 model and the strong dealer demand it generated for all Navan models, to Mercury’s continued outboard engine leadership, and Navico Group’s latest technology partnership, Cannes showcased the power of our brands and partnerships, as well as our ability to deliver innovation across the marine ecosystem.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
