boot Düsseldorf 2016: trend towards sailing

More than 340 exhibitors with sailing boats in Düsseldorf

Recreational sailing options presented in Halls 14 to 17

Market leaders on boardAnyone can go sailing at the boot sailing school

With more than 340 manufacturers of sailing boats and yachts, multihull boats, cats and dinghies, boot is the most important international forum for the presentation of all the different kinds and classes of sailing. As a result, Halls 14 to 17 are being transformed into a huge sailing centre that leaves nothing to be desired from 23. to 31. January 2016.

Goetz-Ulf Jungmichel, Director of boot Düsseldorf and a keen sailor himself: “All passionate sailors will be captivated by a tour of the sailing halls. Everyone who is anyone in the sailing community is exhibiting here and sailing enthusiasts would love to have the opportunity to sail as close to the wind as possible on one of these wonderful yachts or streamlined catamarans.”

Market leaders on board
The leading companies in the international sailing industry – Jeanneau (Hall 16/B02), Bénéteau (16/B 42), Bavaria (17/A 41/C 80) and Hanse (16/B 38) – are presenting their latest models or additions to their existing ranges. As far as boats up to ten metres long are concerned, Jeanneau is – for example – exhibiting the Sun Odyssey 349, the outstanding features of which are its clear lines, its roomy interior and its inviting cockpit. It combines performance with safety at sea and family-friendly comfort. The 44 DS and the Sun Fast 3600 are coming to Düsseldorf as further representatives of the Odyssey line. Bénéteau is presenting its popular Océanis series (35, 38, 45, 48 and 60 models). The intermediate size 41.1, which is one of the best in its class and has an unusually large cockpit with two helms, is a completely new addition that will be on show too. Bavaria from Giebelstadt in Germany is bringing the 41S for ambitious competitive regatta sailors and the family-friendly sailing #yacht Cruiser 33 to Düsseldorf. For a #yacht that is only ten metres long, the latter has a surprising amount of space in it – both in the cockpit and below deck. The Hanse shipyard from Greifswald in Germany once again has a very eye-catching model on show at boot Düsseldorf: the Hanse 575 was designed by the well-known #yacht designer Judel/Vrolijk from Bremerhaven, stands for modern #yacht design with maximum functionality and is equipped with the Hanse Easy Sailing concept, which enables the #yacht to be sailed smoothly from the wheel. Hanse has a total of six boats on show in Düsseldorf, ranging from the 315 to the 345, 415, 455, 505 and 575.

Classic sailing yachts are much loved and highly appreciated by avid sailors: one example is the Swedish company Hallberg Rassy (16/B 41), which is exhibiting a wide range with the models 310, 342, 40 Mk II, 412, 43 Mark III and 55. Dufour (16/B 37) from La Rochelle in France is bringing a total of seven models to boot Düsseldorf, including the newly designed 405, which has the same finesse and style as its big brothers. Najad (16/B 54), the shipyard from Western Sweden, supplies sailing yachts that are distinguished by their modern design and high efficiency. The models 355, 440 AC and 505 will be the examples demonstrating this in Düsseldorf. Classic Scandinavian designs are the trademark of X Yachts (16/C 22) from Denmark too. With the XC 50 in “next-generation style”, it is presenting a sophisticated blue water #yacht, while the Danish company will also be showcasing the XP 55 – its 16.70 m-long flagship – in Düsseldorf. The Italian boatbuilder SE.RI.GI (16/D 37/D 41) from Aquileia makes sound, fast cruisers/racers that have an impressive look thanks to their combination of modern, timeless design and traditional boat craftsmanship in their fitting and structure. The company will be exhibiting the Solaris One series from 37 to 60 foot at boot Düsseldorf. Cantiere Del Pardo (16/A 18) from Forli is one of the biggest Italian shipyards, that has been operating very successfully in the competitive racing field for many years now with its Grand Soleil boats, which it will be presenting at boot Düsseldorf.

Those who like their boats bigger and more exclusive will find what they are looking for on such stands as Oyster (16/C 58). The English boat manufacturer, which has been based in Southampton for 42 years, sends its sailing yachts to Düsseldorf by sea every year. Their distinctive features are elegant design, comfort, quality and performance. In 2016, the 575 is coming to boot; in spite of its size, it can also be sailed by a two-man crew and is eminently suitable for blue water trips. Amel (16/B 58) from Périgny near La Rochelle operates at the same level. The French shipyard is presenting its newly designed, dynamic 55 #yacht in a hard-top and open-top version in Düsseldorf. The Nautor’s Swan (16/A 58) yachts from Jakobstad in Finland have been very popular with sailors for almost half a century now. At the trade fair, the Swan 60S, which is almost 18.9 metres long, will be providing an insight into state-of-the-art Scandinavian yachtbuilding with its clear lines and a light, timeless interior.

Celebrities at the Sailing Center and Multihull Forum
Sailing enthusiasts will be finding out how these streamlined sailing yachts are sailed in practice on the stage of the Sailing Center in Hall 15 during boot Düsseldorf. This is where internationally successful competitive sailors will be reporting about the most adventurous regattas, such as the round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race, the single-handed Vendée Globe Race or the traditional America’s Cup contest. Apart from the impressive experiences of participants in these races, the focus will, however, also be on valuable tips from expert skippers about blue water sailing, navigation on smaller boats and the right sailing trim on dinghies and yachts as well as the presentation of all classes of boats and regattas. Amusing stories, for example about “one-dog sailing” with Polly or the musical round-the-world sailing trip made by the Sailing Conductors, who as sailors with a musical mission sang songs by the German group “Sportfreunde Stiller” with aborigine children in the Australian outback, played with Sufi musicians in India or danced the Samba in Brazil, will be rounding off the varied and entertaining programme on the stage.

The Multihull Forum in Hall 15 is exactly the right place for everyone who loves particularly sporty challenges. The multihull boats on show conjure up distant regions, the sun, beaches and the sea and provide a unique insight into the fascination of catamaran sailing. Visitors can make an exciting trip on the Forum stage with the help of the “cat simulator”. Thrilling tales, breathtaking pictures and true stories whet the appetite for twin-hull adventures of one’s own.

Detailed information about the stage programmes and the well-known competitive sailors and explorers at the Sailing Center and the Multihull Forum can be found at www.boot.de in the “Sailing” section.

Anyone can go sailing
The sailing halls at boot Düsseldorf are the right place for sailing newcomers or families with children too, however. In Hall 14, beginners can practice tacking and jibing for the first time on Optimists and dinghies in the big water tank and with wind of the right strength produced by wind machines. Expert sailing instructors will be providing helpful practical advice in this context. “Experience what sailing feels like” is a concept that has been very popular with both children and adults for many years now, so that what will in total be the 4,000th beginner will be getting into a sailing boat in 2016. Whoever then decides to sail regularly afterwards can buy the necessary equipment – from lifejackets to small boats – directly at boot Düsseldorf.

While people are out sailing, visitors accompanying them who are left behind on land are invited to take pictures of everyone’s initial attempts to sail and post them on the boot Düsseldorf Facebook page “Sailing” (https://www.facebook.com/boot.duesseldorf.segeln). A great prize will be presented for the best sailing photo from Hall 14 every day and the overall winner will be chosen from all the posts by a jury of experts on the last day of the trade fair.