Boating USA — January 2018

have more time to talk with you, answer

questions, give tours and conduct prod-

uct demos. And they’ll know you’re there

for the boats.

SCOPE OUT THE COMPETITION

T

he Düsseldorf show off ers a

remarkable opportunity to see

Europe’s top boatbuilders in one

single, immense venue. We appreciated a

closer look at Scandinavian builders like

Helsinki, Finland-based Axopar, which

designs its lightweight fi berglass hulls to

provide the stability, user-friendly han-

dling and fuel economy of a rigid-hull

infl atable. We also noted how impressive

weather protection on models like

Axopar’s enclosed 37 Sports Cabin —

which was making its world premiere —

certainly could extend the boating season

earlier into spring and later into fall. But

how does it compare to others similar to

it? Luckily, at such a large show, you’re

sure to fi nd a competitor’s boat within

easy walking distance. There are few

places outside a boat show where you

can walk through several boats and com-

parison shop. Scope out as many as you

can; the dream boat you had your heart

set on might not be the ideal fi t, but the

brand you’ve never considered or heard

of might fi t you like a glove.

GO TO THE (CUTTING) EDGE

I

t’s not all about the new boats. Many

electronics and propulsion compa-

nies wait until boat-show season

to introduce their latest technologies,

taking advantage of a willing and cap-

tive audience. The most signifi cant

buzz at last January’s Düsseldorf show

revolved around electric propulsion.

Electric power has tremendous ap-

peal in the European market, where

fuel is expensive (think $8 per gallon).

Companies have been working hard to

meet growing demand for propulsion

that is sensitive to the environment and

has a lower cost of operation. Swedish

boatbuilder Nimbus introduced the

305 Drophead with Torqeedo’s Deep

Blue 80i electrical drive and a new bat-

tery pack developed by Torqeedo with

BMW, bringing automotive tech to the

marine market.

There was also Giebelstadt, Germany-

based Bavaria Yachts, which is Europe’s

second-largest boatbuilder and the PHOTOS: RICHARD STEINBERGER

FIND YOUR FIT

Your dream boat may

turn out to be different

than you thought.

A HULL
NEW WORLD
Companies often
wait until the
major boat shows
to reveal their
latest and greatest.

66 | BOATINGMAG.COM | JANUARY 2018