JFA Yachts is delighted to announce the delivery of CANOA, a 50-metre Explorer motor yacht developed in partnership with Humphreys Yacht Design. Created to combine exceptional onboard comfort with advanced energy efficiency, CANOA sets a new benchmark for long-range cruising and ocean exploration.

As the largest yacht ever built by the French shipyard, CANOA represents the result of several years of development, engineering and research focused on a clear ambition: to create a genuine exploration yacht capable of crossing oceans and operating for extended periods in remote environments while reducing her environmental impact through innovative technologies and engineering solutions.

Designed by Humphreys Yacht Design which was responsible for both the naval architecture and exterior styling, CANOA presents a distinctive, powerful and contemporary profile that reflects her capabilities. Beneath her elegant exterior lies a highly engineered platform with every aspect of the design carefully considered to optimise performance, efficiency, reliability and comfort on demanding long-distance voyages.

Innovative construction engineered for performanceamong CANOA’s most notable technical features is her hybrid aluminium and composite construction, an innovative solution for an Explorer yacht of this scale.

Drawing on JFA Yachts’ extensive experience in aluminium yacht construction, CANOA combines an aluminium hull with lightweight composite superstructures. This configuration reduces weight above the waterline while lowering the yacht’s centre of gravity.

The resulting advantages include improved stability, lower fuel consumption, enhanced overall performance and increased comfort for guests both underway and at anchor.

CANOA’s hull incorporates a Fast Displacement design developed by Humphreys Yacht Design. Refined through comprehensive hydrodynamic studies, the hull form has been optimised to deliver high efficiency across a broad range of speeds. This enables economical cruising during long ocean passages while retaining the ability to achieve higher speeds when required.

For additional comfort at sea and while stationary, CANOA is fitted with fin stabilisers combined with a gyroscopic stabilisation system. Together, these systems significantly minimise vessel movement and enhance the onboard experience in a variety of conditions.

Hybrid propulsion for efficient ocean passagesenergy efficiency was a fundamental consideration in the development of CANOA’s propulsion system.

The yacht is equipped with a parallel hybrid propulsion system combining two MTU diesel engines with electric motors. This arrangement gives the crew the flexibility to select the most appropriate propulsion mode depending on the yacht’s operating conditions and cruising requirements.

For harbour manoeuvring, low-speed operation and periods at anchor, the electric motors enable exceptionally quiet and vibration-free operation while helping to reduce local emissions. During extended ocean passages, the diesel engines provide the power and efficiency required for long-distance cruising.

CANOA also benefits from a substantial battery bank and integrated solar panels which contribute to the yacht’s onboard energy requirements and help reduce overall consumption.

A further environmental and operational advantage is provided by the yacht’s Dynamic Positioning System (DPS). Where conditions permit, the system allows CANOA to hold her position automatically without the need to deploy an anchor, helping to minimise the impact on sensitive seabeds and marine ecosystems.

Combined, these technologies offer a more responsible approach to long-range yachting while maintaining the autonomy, capability, and performance expected of a true Explorer yacht.

A true explorer designed for adventure CANOA’s capabilities extend well beyond her advanced propulsion and construction technologies. She has been conceived from the outset as a genuine exploration platform, designed to operate far beyond traditional cruising grounds.

With a range of more than 5,000 nautical miles at 12 knots, CANOA is equipped for transoceanic voyages and prolonged stays in remote destinations far from conventional infrastructure.

Her generous aft deck provides space for two substantial tenders, offering considerable flexibility for logistics, watersports, coastal exploration, and access to remote locations.

The yacht’s interior spans four decks and reflects the same emphasis on quality, functionality and comfort found throughout her engineering. Generous living areas, fluid circulation and carefully considered detailing create an environment designed for extended stays onboard. Extensive glazing further strengthens the connection with the surrounding landscape, bringing abundant natural light into the interior.

The interior design was created by m2atelier, based in Milan. Every aspect of CANOA’s operational capability has been carefully considered. Technical areas, storage facilities and onboard equipment have been engineered to maximise autonomy and support extended cruising in remote environments.

During sea trials, CANOA demonstrated excellent seakeeping characteristics while the successful integration of her complex onboard systems confirmed the effectiveness of the engineering solutions developed throughout the project.

A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE FOR JFA YACHTS the delivery of CANOA represents an important milestone in the evolution of JFA Yachts.

The project brought together the shipyard’s extensive expertise in custom yacht construction and further strengthens its position among the select European shipyards capable of delivering large, fully customised Explorer yachts.

CANOA demonstrates JFA Yachts’ ability to develop vessels for owners seeking exceptional autonomy, robustness, reliability and build quality while maintaining the high level of bespoke craftsmanship for which the shipyard is known.

Frédéric Jaouen, President of JFA Yachts “The delivery of CANOA marks the completion of several years of development and an exceptionally ambitious project. From the beginning, our goal was to create a true Explorer yacht capable of travelling great distances, remaining at sea for extended periods and providing exceptional levels of comfort while integrating innovative technologies to improve energy efficiency.

At 50 metres, CANOA is the largest yacht ever built by JFA Yachts. The combination of an aluminium hull and composite superstructures represents a first for a yacht of this size and highlights the expertise we have developed through our Long Island catamarans, as well as our continued commitment to innovation. At the same time the yacht remains firmly rooted in the values that have always defined our shipyard: build quality, reliability and bespoke craftsmanship.

This project is a strong example of what can be achieved when a visionary owner, experienced designers and a dedicated shipyard team share the same ambition. We are immensely proud of the result and delighted to see CANOA now begin her journey at sea.”

Tom Humphreys, Managing Director, Humphreys Yacht Design “From the very beginning, our objective was to create an Explorer yacht that would combine true long-range capability with exceptional efficiency, refined seakeeping performance and a distinctive exterior design that communicates her purpose.

By developing the naval architecture and exterior design as an integrated process from the outset, we were able to optimise the yacht as a complete platform rather than approaching each discipline independently. The results achieved during the sea trials which closely reflected our original design predictions, have been particularly rewarding and demonstrate the value of the highly collaborative approach adopted by everyone involved in the project.”