The boat (and outboard engine) reveals of Boot Dusseldorf 2024

Yamaha last week teased it was poised to launch a new engine for its line-up, with the one image released hinting that it will be a new member of its V8 line-up, and likely an all-new BF350 that, quite significantly, has been missing from its line-up for the last few years (Edit: We were wrong, it's a new V6).

But there are likely to be other stars that will shine bright at this year’s premier European boating showcase.

Swedish boatmaker Nimbus has plenty planned for the event with the media schedule for the event showing it will have the launch of its new Nimbus 250HT and Nimbus 300HT models. 

But we will also gain a first-hand look at the new Nimbus W11, a new, sleek outboard engine-powered weekend cruiser that takes the best of a motor yacht and crunches it into a much smaller package.

Appearing alongside it is the box-fresh Nimbus 465 Coupe, a compact explorer-style open flybridge motor yacht featuring a plumb bow, big hull windows and plenty of onboard comforts. 

Nimbus has designed this boat to be “an island of its own”, effectively a long-range short-handed cruiser, so it will be exciting to see how it has been configured.

Meanwhile, fellow Nordic boat builder Axopar plans to use the show as a launchpad for quite a few new models, including the Axopar 29, a new-generation walkaround cabin model that appears to be a distinctly different design ethos for the group. We’ve only seen teasers so far, with the full reveal topped for the show.

But we’re also likely to see the global reveal of two new Axopar models, the Brabus Shadow 1000 and the Brabus Shadow 1200. The current luxury day boat range caps out at the 900, so these new models should slot in at the top end with more waterline and glitzier comforts.

A new brand called W-Yachts will make a splash at Boot Dusseldorf with its first model, the W-Yachts W43. We know next to nothing about this model other than W-Yachts is a new motorboat brand and we’re seeing the first of many new designs from the group.

Remember that tie-in between luxury performance car brand Porsche and dayboat specialist Frauscher? At Boot Dusseldorf, we’ll see the offspring of this curious relationship in the form of the battery-powered Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air.

So far we’ve seen the Fantom Air in renders, but this is the first time we will see it in the light of day.

Mercury has a media conference scheduled for Boot Dusseldorf that it says will reveal the next step in the brand’s electric journey. We’ve already seen the launch of the Avator 75e and Avator 110e low-power electric outboard motors, but something we were expecting to see and have not yet is the first of Mercury’s high-power electric motors.

Mercury has hinted there is a physical cap on the size of the batteries it can use to power its new generation of electric outboard engines, so in all likelihood we’re not going to see anything launched above about 60hp. Stay tuned.

De Antonio Yachts is busy with its task of supplying electric chase boats for the high-speed Sail GP competition and is set to launch something called the De Antonio D37 Limited Edition.

De Antionio's new E23 electric boat will miss Boot Dusseldorf, instead being scheduled for a launch in April.

Greek sail and powerboat maker Omikron Yachts will have the reveal of the new Omikron OT-60. It’s a different one, looking more like a dismasted skiff with a raised pilothouse – it even still has the bowsprit. 

What about sailboats? Europe is big on its sailing, so Boot Dusseldorf is an important place for anything bright, shiny and new.

Hanse Yachts plans to have the first of the Moody Decksaloon 48 high-performance monohulls on show.

The DS 48, as it is more easily known, features a single-level walkthrough from the cockpit through to the galley and saloon, making it something of a rate thing in sailing circles where saloons and galleys are below decks.

More like a motor sailer than a motor yacht, it also features a second helm station inside the saloon as well as two external helms, two big staterooms below, each with its own ensuite, and a rig tuned for speed and responsiveness.

Windelo Catamaran, a bluewater sailing cat specialist, will host the launch of its new Windelo 54 Adventure, a new eco-cruiser with lots of solar panels, batteries and hydro generators.

The Adventure version of this luxury cruiser will feature the choice of lifting centreboards for shallow draft capability or high-performance fixed fin keels.

Meanwhile, Jeanneau will host the reveal of the all-new Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350, a new generation of its safe, easy-handling compact cruiser last encapsulated in the 349 that it replaces.

It’s a keel-up redesign featuring a reversed bow, a comfortable cockpit with walk-around side decks, and lots of living space below.

Other brands booking media conferences but holding the cards close to their chest include Feretti, Nautors Swan, Fjord, Sacs Technorib, Beneteau, San Lorenzo, Cantiere del Pardo, Fairline, Rand, X-Yachts and more.

The week-long Boot Dusseldorf 2024 runs from January 20 to 28.