Having visited BOOT Dusseldorf 2026 for CATRAN Naval Architects recently my main takeaways are:
- Increase in Chinese suppliers of boot parts and systems
- Finnish manufacturers represent a bigger part of the industry then I realized
- Sailing boats reduce in number but increase in size
Chinese manufacturers in BOOT Dusseldorf
Walking around on the 2026 version of Boot Dusseldorf it was apparent that the amount of Chinese manufacturers and brands of marine equipment such as Electric propulsion solutions, batteries, smaller tenders, inflatables, ropes, etc. has sharply increased compared to the last time I visited. Interesting was that some of the ones I spoke to had limited ability to communicate in English which was interesting for a company attending a European boat sho
Interesting boat designs from Finland
Another interesting discovery I made after visiting the stand of the Finnish boating industry. I visited this stand driven by my curiosity of the industry in Finland as I realized I know little about the Finnish boating industry and design concepts other than that they are good in ice class vessels. Especially the smaller vessels, sub 60ft, where well represented on BOOT Dusseldorf 2026 with brands such as AXOPAR, NAUTOR SWAN, ALUCAT, SAXDOR, TARGA, NAUTICAT, TERHI, YAMARIN, SARGO, etc. looking forward to get to know these brands and this country more in the future.
Turkish vessel caught our eye
I visited the new Turkisch built MERCAN PETRA SF39 which is an interesting design from Naval Architecture point of view. A mix of pleasure boat with fishing ability. It's outboard powered and has an interesting Interior Design.
New Hallberg Rassy on display
Hall 15 & 16 are the sailing halls on BOOT 2026. Hall 15 is more for the smaller day boats kind of vessels and hall 16 is where you find the larger vessels. It was evident that there where less manufacturers represented as there was a fair amount of empty space and even the odd power boat. Although the size of the vessels had increased again which is a trend in this part of the industry. It was good to see that Hallberg Rassy had their new 37ft boat on display, this vessel size is a sub-trend, similar to KMyachts collaboration with Gerard Dijkstra's Bestevear 37 and a lovely size for a capable cruising boat that doesn't break the bank.
Sailing boat equipment at BOOT 2026
During the BOOT Dusseldorf boat show I visited many equipment suppliers of sailing boat equipment, such as SELDEN and ELVSTROM looking for partners willing and able to equip the Tradesailers. Currently there is an interesting concept on our drawing boards which will be released in the course of February 2026.