First crane operation with the ship crane 'Big Willi' on 16 December

Big Willi in action © Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann

The ship crane, affectionately known as 'Big Willi' for 45 years (after the former North Rhine-Westphalian Minister of the Interior and President of the German Sports Federation, Willi Weyer), stands on the riverbank at kilometer 748.2 of the Rhine, as it does every December.

The powerful machine - 12.7 meters tall, 11.4 meters wide and weighing 84 tons - is now ready to lift the first yachts for boot 2026 out of the waters of the Rhine. After warming up and weight training over the past few days, the strongest employee at the trade fair is going to to crane four yachts out of the Rhine. This time, in order, they are a Princess V50 (at 8:30 a.m.), the Neptune Marine/Elling E4 (10:00 a.m.), a Princess F65 (12:00 p.m.) and the Pearl P 63 (2:00 p.m.).

'Big Willi' will start at 8:30 a.m. with the Princess V50. It measures 16 meters and has sleeping accommodation for four passengers. Its hallmarks are state-of-the-art technology, excellent handling and high seaworthiness, even on longer voyages. In addition, Volvo Penta's integrated docking assistance system ensures safe steering and docking even in strong winds, heavy currents and busy marinas. Princess Yachts Hall 6/B21

The Elling E4 will then be placed in Willi's strong arms at around 10:00 a.m. It is made of robust Kevlar and meets the demanding CE standard for category A (Ocean). Whether on the canal or crossing the Atlantic, the E4 is suitable for year-round operation. Exceptional technology and excellent insulation make this yacht one of the quietest in its class. At 18 knots, it is quieter in the deck saloon than in a luxury car at 100 km/h. Elling Hall 1/B18

Weighing 40 tons, the Princess F65 is the heaviest load that 'Big Willi' has to lift today - at 12:00 noon. With a length of 20.3 meters and space for eight people in four light-flooded cabins, the F65 is the ideal place for an exclusive family holiday. The spacious main deck is divided into an aft galley with dining area and a saloon with a large U-shaped sofa and an accompanying seat opposite the steering area. The large panoramic windows in the saloon and the wraparound front windows provide an unobstructed view from every seat. The modern F65 flybridge is ideal for outdoor entertainment. Princess Yachts Hall 6/B21

Finally, the Pearl 63 will be heading for 'Big Willi' at 2 p.m. today. It stands for compact luxury and great elegance at only 19 metres in length and even has an optional garage for tenders or jet toys. With its spacious outdoor areas, it is perfect for enjoying convivial moments and sporting activities at sea. It can be powered by hybrid or diesel engines on request and reaches a top speed of up to 24 knots. Pearl Hall 6/A22

The world's largest yacht and water sports fair

With more than 200,000 visitors from over 100 countries and 1,500 exhibitors on 220,000 square meters in Halls 1 to 17, boot Düsseldorf is the world's largest yacht and water sports fair. Both sailors and motor boaters will find a wide variety of boats, dinghies, superboats or luxury yachts. The popular water sports of diving, surfing, kite surfing, stand up paddling, skimboarding or canoeing are available at boot in all facets and with the appropriate equipment. Attractive stage programs with the stars of the scene, the latest trends and a high-caliber mix of workshops and hands-on activities, both for leisure sports enthusiasts and experts, make the fair unique worldwide. But marine conservation and innovative, sustainable technologies will also be in focus at boot 2026. In cooperation with the European Boating Industry (EBI), for example, the blue innovation dock offers a unique dialogue format with political, economic, technological and media expertise. The next edition of boot Düsseldorf will open its doors from 17 to 25 January 2026.

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