Thirteen years after the AIR 77 attracted attention at its world premiere, this unusual power catamaran is returning to the place where its story practically began.
Breathe Me is coming to the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 – the first extensively rebuilt example of the AIR 77, featuring widened hulls, new engines, a completely redesigned interior and an astonishing 430 square meters of leather.
SARFNAV has confirmed that Breathe Me will be presented from September 8 to 13 at the Cannes Yachting Festival, where visitors will be able to see it in Vieux Port, at the Pantiero location.
The 72.5-foot, or approximately 22.1-meter, power catamaran is based on the AIR 77, a model that is certainly no stranger to the Cannes audience. It made its world debut here back in 2013, but the example now arriving on the French Riviera effectively represents an entirely new chapter in its story.
Almost 85% of the Yacht Has Been Rebuilt
Calling what happened to Breathe Me an ordinary refit would be something of an understatement.
Since 2014, the catamaran has undergone a comprehensive reconstruction carried out in collaboration with the French shipyard Couach in Gujan-Mestras, covering almost 85% of the vessel.
Both hulls were widened by 60 centimeters, while the propulsion system was completely renewed. Breathe Me is now powered by 435 hp Volvo engines connected to a new Ultrajet waterjet propulsion system.
One particularly interesting figure is its draft of just 0.95 meters. For a catamaran of this size, that means considerably greater freedom when entering shallow waters and approaching locations that often remain inaccessible to larger yachts.
A Yacht That Is Not Built From a Mold
The AIR 77 differs from many contemporary yachts in the way it is constructed.
The catamaran is built from wood and epoxy resin, without the use of a conventional production mold. Each example is created individually, distancing the entire concept from mass production and bringing it closer to the world of bespoke objects.
In the case of Breathe Me, that philosophy represents an important part of the yacht’s identity – the goal was not simply to restore an existing catamaran to its original condition, but to rebuild it as a unique vessel capable of continuing its life for many years to come.
430 Square Meters of Leather and a Full Year Spent on Plexiglass Alone
The most dramatic changes, however, may be hidden inside.
The cabins have been completely redesigned and now combine exotic woods, full-grain leather and thermoformed Plexiglass.
The Plexiglass surfaces alone cover an impressive 65 square meters, and producing them required no less than 12 months. Every individual element was shaped and adapted specifically to its location.
Even more striking is the amount of leather involved.
An extraordinary 430 square meters of 3.4-millimeter-thick full-grain leather was used to finish the roof and cabins. That quantity alone reveals just how far the reconstruction went beyond a simple cosmetic refresh of the interior.
Open Space as the Ultimate Luxury
Yet the identity of the AIR 77 is not based solely on expensive materials.
One of its defining characteristics is the way its spaces are interconnected. Open volumes, fluid movement throughout the yacht and visual continuity between interior and exterior areas create the impression of significantly more space.
From the roof, it is possible to take in almost the entire yacht, while the cockpit, living areas and foredeck communicate with one another without the sense of rigid boundaries.
This layout was not conceived purely for aesthetic reasons. The idea is to encourage social interaction, allow effortless movement and preserve a direct connection with the sea – something that naturally becomes one of the greatest advantages of a catamaran.
The Surgeon Who Drew a Yacht
Behind the original AIR 77 concept is Frédéric Sarfati, an aesthetic surgeon with a great passion for artistic drawing.
That unusual professional background actually explains much of the philosophy behind this catamaran. The AIR 77 was born from an obsession with precision – line, proportion, volume, movement through space and the way an owner or guest actually uses a yacht.
Here, a line is therefore not simply something that defines the exterior silhouette. It also determines the way of life on board.
At a time when many new yachts attempt to attract attention through ever-increasing dimensions and increasingly extravagant amenities, Breathe Me takes a somewhat different approach. Its luxury lies in space, materials, individual craftsmanship and the fact that an existing yacht has been given practically an entirely new life instead of simply being replaced by a new vessel.
A Second Life for the AIR 77
Its return to Cannes therefore carries particular significance. The model that captured the attention of the international yachting world here in 2013 is coming back more than a decade later in an almost completely new form.
With 85% of the vessel rebuilt, new Volvo engines, Ultrajet propulsion, widened hulls and an interior crafted almost like a bespoke luxury residence, Breathe Me is no longer simply a restored AIR 77.
It is a demonstration of just how far a serious reconstruction can go – and an intriguing alternative to today’s culture of constantly producing new superyachts.
Breathe Me will be presented at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 8 to 13, 2026, at Vieux Port – Pantiero, where visitors will be able to see whether a design from 2013 can look just as relevant thirteen years later.
Judging by 430 square meters of leather, a full year spent shaping Plexiglass and the fact that almost the entire yacht has been rebuilt, SARFNAV clearly had no intention of allowing its return to go unnoticed.
