Our favourite products seen at boot Dusseldorf

- January 28, 2020

(photo: Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann)

Seago eBikes (c) D. Blackwell

We've never seen so many innovative products at a boat show, or more accurately, a watersports show, as we did this year at boot Dusseldorf. Since so many watersports can work in concert, it makes sense to exhibit them in tandem. For example, we had dive tanks, snorkel gear, wet suits, a hookah, a dinghy, motors, paddles, fishing gear, and any number of other toys on board when we sailed to the Caribbean. We also had folding bicycles, rolling coolers, and various other paraphernalia. Friends had kayaks, others had SUPs. You would have found all of this and more at the show.

A few things really stood out. The number of foiling gizmos was impressive, as were all the electric motorized vehicles, including boats, paddleboards, canoes, kayaks and bikes. One of the products that caught our eyes immediately were the Seago folding electric bicycles. Reasonably lightweight, folding into a small package, yet with robust tires, they were the first good alternative to our tired Montagues. And at a price of about £1000 plus shipping from the UK, they are reaching affordability. May have to wait for Brexit pricing.

Inflatable gangway

Another interesting innovation was represented by all the inflatable gizmos, including surfboards and SUPs. But the one that intrigued us was a gangway. It was about 2.5 feet wide, very sturdy, with rope handhold and velcro attachments. When deflated, it folded into a small package about the size of an exercise mat. The price was far more reasonable than anything we've seen before, which is why Alex built ours himself. It was only €695 at the boat show price.

The third item that impressed us as something every sailor might want is a combination air compressor and hookah. You can use Eazy Dive as a hookah to clean or inspect underneath your boat or fill bottles for 30-minutes of diving on a single charge. Cool! It's very compact. Very interesting at €999 minus 20% boat show pricing.

The fourth item we might have to go for is the PELAGIC M-Pinnenpilot for the Monitor windvane self-steering system. It converts the Monitor into a low energy use autopilot. It is extremely effective in low wind situations and costs under $1000 USD.