From Formula 1 to Superyachts: The Technology Changing How Yachts Move

The latest example comes from CMC Marine, where technology inspired by high-performance racing is making its way from the track to the water. At the heart of it is a simple idea: why waste energy when you can recover it and use it again?

From the Racetrack to the Water

CMC Marine’s Energy Recovery System (ERS) takes inspiration from the Kinetic Energy Recovery System, or KERS, used in Formula 1. On a yacht, the technology works with fin stabilisers, capturing energy generated as the fins decelerate and storing it before feeding it back into the system when more power is needed.

Rather than demanding large bursts of energy from the generators, the system smooths those peaks, helping reduce energy consumption by up to 30 percent.

Less Energy, More Comfort

And that matters because today’s yachts are getting bigger, while the appetite for unnecessary noise, vibration and fuel consumption is heading firmly in the opposite direction.

The real benefit is what you don’t notice. ERS can reduce noise and vibration, while allowing the stabilisers to keep working effectively even when the yacht is stationary.

Technology that began life chasing tenths of a second around a racetrack is now helping create a quieter, smoother experience at anchor.

Smarter Ways to Move

But energy recovery is only part of the shift. Across marine engineering, smarter propulsion and increasingly sophisticated hydrodynamics are changing the relationship between power and performance.

At Cannes Yachting Festival 2026, CMC Marine will also introduce its new LA fins for the Stabilis Electra range. With a redesigned profile, the fins are designed to reduce turbulence and drag, improving hydrodynamic efficiency and helping the yacht move through the water more efficiently.

Instead of simply adding more power to move a larger yacht, the focus is increasingly on how intelligently that power can be generated, managed and used.

The Future of Performance

At Cannes, CMC Marine will showcase its latest developments, including a Waveless STAB 60 and a demonstration of its Energy Recovery System. Together, they offer a glimpse of where yacht technology is heading: more efficient systems, quieter operation and smarter ways of getting the most from every movement through the water.

This progress has also been recognised ahead of the Monaco Yacht Show, where CMC Marine’s Energy Recovery System has been shortlisted for the Blue Wake Award, highlighting its contribution to a more sustainable approach to yacht technology.