Boot Dusseldorf, the big indoor boat show 2025

[henryf]

Arrived safely in Dusseldorf after what was a surprisingly painless journey. Home to LHR was 10 minutes, security was easy enough other than the fact that the nails used to make my Loake boots played hell with the equipment. The Club Aspire lounge was heaving but needs must when you’re flying economy.

The BA flight took off and landed a little early and we got a demonstration of the auto land set up thanks to freezing fog. Very clever kit.

Looking forward to the show tomorrow. Princess have a brand new model, the F58 which will be interesting to compare to our current F55. I also enjoy seeing what the non UK builders have to show. We’ve set aside couple of days given the size. I’ll keep you all posted on our findings…..

 

[47GC]

Good luck at the show. Looking forward to hearing your opinion on the F58 vs F55. The pictures of the F58 saloon with the low level coffee table look stunning. Be interested to see what you think.
G

 

[rafiki_]

Arrived safely in Dusseldorf after what was a surprisingly painless journey. Home to LHR was 10 minutes, security was easy enough other than the fact that the nails used to make my Loake boots played hell with the equipment. The Club Aspire lounge was heaving but needs must when you’re flying economy.

The BA flight took off and landed a little early and we got a demonstration of the auto land set up thanks to freezing fog. Very clever kit.

Looking forward to the show tomorrow. Princess have a brand new model, the F58 which will be interesting to compare to our current F55. I also enjoy seeing what the non UK builders have to show. We’ve set aside couple of days given the size. I’ll keep you all posted on our findings…..

Enjoy the show, both of you. I’m missing it this year, but there is a bunch of folk you will recognise if your paths cross. Hope to catch up soon.

 

[ari]

You might have posted about this elsewhere, in which case I've missed it, but I'm wondering how you are finding the galley aft layout Henry? I remember you regarding this as quite a downside compared to your previous boat with the galley 'downstairs' when you owned the Princess 50, and I am curious to know whether you still feel the same way now you have had a chance to use it?

 

[petem]

Due to Fairline's absence, you'll all have to get free booze from another stand (and I won't be there)!

 

[ari]

Due to Fairline's absence, you'll all have to get free booze from another stand (and I won't be there)!

But will you be in Mallorca at the Fairline Winter Showcase they're putting on at the same time instead..?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Due to Fairline's absence, you'll all have to get free booze from another stand (and I won't be there)!

Pete, I think you should have a stand at Duss next year. Then we can tap you up for tickets

 

[henryf]

You might have posted about this elsewhere, in which case I've missed it, but I'm wondering how you are finding the galley aft layout Henry? I remember you regarding this as quite a downside compared to your previous boat with the galley 'downstairs' when you owned the Princess 50, and I am curious to know whether you still feel the same way now you have had a chance to use it?

The short answer is we really like it. Much of my hesitancy had been because of the limited storage and under counter refrigeration often found with galley up designs.

We have a full height fridge freezer and there are also eye level storage units on the F55. We also haven’t wasted galley real estate on a dish washer. Having the opening window onto the cockpit allows you to service both inside and outside spaces on the boat. Sharon is able to keep and eye on charter guests from her control centre, with galley down they were out of sight when she was in the kitchen.

Little things like having the sink in close proximity to drinks chillers and ice maker are very handy. I’m a convert.

 

[EricJ]

Interested to hear what you think of the F58 as a F55 owner. I hope to see the F58 later this week. The heads behind the bed in the owners cabin is a nice feature but I wonder how it compares to the F55 in terms of size. I think they did it well on the F65 but that one has entrance to wardrobe and heads both on the port side.
The price appears to be a bit of a mystery. On the YachtBuyer website they quoted 3.7 million USD ex VAT while I saw on a German TV/Youtube channel reporting on the show, a price of around “2 million”. 3.7 million is outright ridiculous.

 

[henryf]

Spent the day in the big boys hall today. Straight down to business on the Princess stand and on to the F58. As an F55 owner I’m very familiar with this space and was interested to see what “improvements” Princess had made.

From the back of the boat I could see that entrance to the crew cabin has been moved to the transom. Well I say the transom, Princess have actually set it back (or rather forwards) so you can still open it with a tender on the bathing platform. A nice touch. Entrance into the crew cabin is still a little tight but better than the F55. There are 2 bunks and a separate toilet and shower. This space could also be used as a day toilet for swimmers using the bathing platform.

There’s now a dining table opposite the galley. Combined with the cockpit table and seating you’ve now got lots of options for snacks and drinks served by the galley.

In the saloon you lose the sofa on the starboard side which works really well on the F55. On the F58 the saloon only has to do the job of socialising, you don’t need it for dining. The show F58 did have an optional single seat to starboard. Ultimately the F55 is a more coordinated galley space with drinks fridge and ice maker to hand. With the F58 it’s a bit more spread out into the saloon but you do get the separate dining area.

The other big news on the F58 was a master cabin bathroom aft of the bed. Princess have traded off double sinks which would have been an unnecessary luxury for a walk in wardrobe to starboard behind the bed. These this were not so long ago the preserve of 70 plus footers.

The flybridge has seen a bit of work as well. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the BBQ unit being moved fully aft but it works. There’s still a lot of seating up there it means you can squeeze between the helm and navigators seats rather than the skipper having to get up. A small but useful feature.

In the engine room the generator and interestingly the gyro have been moved off centre to the port side set back under the cockpit floor. Common sense says that a gyro stabiliser should be fitted along the centreline but apparently science says otherwise.

A/C compressor location above the starboard engine is neat.

I’d need to spend time on the boat to pass full judgement but from first impressions this is going to be a great boat and very popular. The only caveat being the price. It’s a lot more money than we paid for our F55. Princess are going through a transition en route to becoming profitable. They build a good boat but need to turn a profit.

 

[henryf]

My one failing of today came at Sirena Yachts. I almost came close to buying one a few years ago and wanted to reacquaint myself. Having re-registered at the reception desk I was asked if I could come back another day. I’m not sure Sirena quite understand the concept of travelling overseas to visit Boot Düsseldorf, it’s not half an hour down the road from the Solent. Why bother paying all that money for a stand if you’re not going to let boat buyers on it?

By contrast the UK Sanlorenzo dealer kindly spent time showing me round the incredible SP92. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such a well executed design exercise. Would I want to crew it getting food from the galley? Probably not, but as a well heeled owner that’s not my problem. What wouldn’t be a problem is enjoying the amazing space. A group of us were introduced to Sanlorenzo at the show last year by JFM from this parish. I suspect we’ll be seeing a bit more of them in the spring in Swanwick.

I also had another look at the Bluegame range. Another interesting option for people looking for something a bit different.

 

[wonkywinch]

If you're looking for somewhere traditional to eat in town, I can highly recommend the Brauerei Schumacher.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Resta...macher-Dusseldorf_North_Rhine_Westphalia.html

 

[henryf]

Japanese food yesterday, a burger this evening

 

[rafiki_]

Japanese food yesterday, a burger this evening

You live well Henry

 

[henryf]

Only had a single slice of Sanlorenzo ham for lunch. Sharon had a bit of their cheese as well.

 

[Elessar]

My one failing of today came at Sirena Yachts. I almost came close to buying one a few years ago and wanted to reacquaint myself. Having re-registered at the reception desk I was asked if I could come back another day. I’m not sure Sirena quite understand the concept of travelling overseas to visit Boot Düsseldorf, it’s not half an hour down the road from the Solent. Why bother paying all that money for a stand if you’re not going to let boat buyers on it?

By contrast the UK Sanlorenzo dealer kindly spent time showing me round the incredible SP92. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such a well executed design exercise. Would I want to crew it getting food from the galley? Probably not, but as a well heeled owner that’s not my problem. What wouldn’t be a problem is enjoying the amazing space. A group of us were introduced to Sanlorenzo at the show last year by JFM from this parish. I suspect we’ll be seeing a bit more of them in the spring in Swanwick.

I also had another look at the Bluegame range. Another interesting option for people looking for something a bit different.

princess were refusing people today too.

Short sighted thinking.

 

[henryf]

princess were refusing people today too.

Short sighted thinking.

Obviously we had pre-arranged entry to the stand. Even then access to the F58 was busy / limited due to the sheer popularity. When we first arrived on the stand we were told there was a chance to see it, so we took it. The rest of the boats looked much easier to access.

I did see a queue for casual people without appointments but I imagine as that filled up they will have closed off access.

Argo yachting the UK dealers are trying to keep a member of staff on or around the reception area to pick up UK boat owners who may need access. If you contact me directly or Argo Yachting in the UK they will be able to arrange an appointment.

My gripe with Sirena was that I went at 12 noon with previous brand contact and was happy to come back if they were particularly busy (although we know the product well enough to show ourselves round) but not on another day. There were English speaking sales guys floating around the reception. I handed over a card and filled out all the required contact info

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Interesting to hear your experience with Sirena, I had the identical version of that last year! Maybe it’s a sales prevention exercise.

 

[henryf]

Interesting to hear your experience with Sirena, I had the identical version of that last year! Maybe it’s a sales prevention exercise.

The strange thing is I spent quite a bit of time with them over 2 years at Cannes and championed their boats at the time.

I spoke at length with one of their production team who was from the UK.

They were a definite contender when we bought the F55 but at the time of ordering I think it was all they could do to satisfy orders from their existing dealer network. They weren’t interested in getting a boat into the UK.

 

[petem]

But will you be in Mallorca at the Fairline Winter Showcase they're putting on at the same time instead..?

I did suggest it to some friends but sadly they're they weren't all as enthusiastic about the idea as I was!