Around 39,200 water sports enthusiasts over a period of four days – slight increase in visitors – exhibitors very satisfied with sales – significant increase in large premium motor yachts.
From 26 to 29 November the eyes of the water sports industry were on BOAT & FUN BERLIN. Over 700 exhibitors provided a comprehensive display on the subject of water sports and water tourism. Reactions were positive and sales were good to very good.
Norman Bauer, managing director of the Boat Lounge, was extremely satisfied with the increase in visitors: “BOAT & FUN BERLIN 2015 fulfilled our expectations. There were lots of visitors in the Boat Lounge. We market the legendary Riva marque as well as models by Frauscher and noticed considerably more interest in upmarket boats as well as in purchasing them.“
Over a period of four days a total of 39,200 visitors (as per 29 November, 4 p.m.) came to see the successful GALA Night of the Boats on the eve of the fair and the Berlin boating exhibition. According to figures obtained by the magazine BOOTE, 512 boats, including 407 motorboats and 105 sailing boats, were exhibited at this year’s BOAT & FUN BERLIN.
Autotage Berlin and Whisky and Spirits, two new sections at the fair, proved a success and were well received. The exhibitors on these displays were satisfied too.
Winners announced of the Best of Boats Awards 2015
On 26 November a ceremony honouring the winners of the Best of Boats Awards 2015 took place at BOAT & FUN BERLIN. Among the guests from all over Europe were representatives of international boat builders and boat designers as well as importers and distributors of the winning boats. The Best of Boats Awards 2015 were presented in four categories, with an independent jury of 15 international boat magazine journalists in attendance. Previously, the members of the Best of Boats jury had tested 260 of the latest boats from 19 countries. The winner of the Best for Beginners category was the Parker 630 Sport.
The Best for Family category was won by the Jeanneau Leader 36 and The Best for Fun class was won by the Axopar 28. In the Best for Fishing category the jury chose the Boston Whaler 270 Dauntless. The Volvo Penta Forward Drive received the Special Award for its innovative boat engine technology.
Spectacular season finale of the Wake Masters Championships 2015 at BOAT & FUN BERLIN
The fifth and last round of Germany’s only wakeboarding tournament, the Wake Masters Championships, once again provided the spectators with a first-class contest, demonstrations of difficult tricks and breathtaking action, performed by Germany’s wakeboarding elite. Both the local favourites, Janick Otto (WSC Caput Berlin) in the Open Men category, and Marie Grüneberg (Berlin/Zossen) in the Open Ladies, succeeded in coming only second. Ariano Blanik (Open Men) and Joelina Gerards (Open Ladies) were able to secure overall victory in the series.
More and more associations and clubs at BOAT & FUN BERLIN
With 14 clubs in attendance, more than in any other year, visitors keen on joining a sailing club were spoilt for choice. Among those represented were the Deutscher Segler-Verband e.V. (DSV), which numbers more than 180,000 members, the Deutscher Hochseesportverband HANSA, the Berliner Segler-Verband, and Deutscher Motoryachtverband e.V. (DMYV), which has around 110,000 members.
The large membership of these associations underlines the growing importance of BOAT & FUN BERLIN as well as of Europe’s largest region of lakes and inland waterways. Daniel Barkowski, the project manager of BOAT & FUN BERLIN: ”We are grateful to the clubs and associations for their support, and in particular to those members who provided voluntary help.“
Comments from exhibitors on Boat & Fun Berlin 2015
Yacht Technik GmbH, Andreas Marz, managing director: ”We are very satisfied with the way the fair went. We have been coming here since 2003. BOAT & FUN BERLIN has continued to develop throughout. Our expectations were fulfilled.“
Torqeedo, Klaus Peter Werner, marketing manager: ”We like the concept of the GALA Night of the Boats. That is the way forward. Other trade fairs would do well to follow this example. The four days that followed were a success.“
Yachtcharter De Drait, Ali Bloemhof, managing director: ”The GALA Night of the Boats was fantastic. We will definitely be back next year.”
A.W. Niemeyer, Jörg Schramme, manager, Berlin branch : ”Developments at BOAT & FUN BERLIN over the past few years have been positive. It is a meeting place for all water sports enthusiasts.“
Sunbeam Yachts, Björn Eismann, managing director in Berlin: ”For us, the highlight was the GALA Night of the Boats.“
Boarnstream International Motoryachts, Maria Ruge, dealership in Potsdam: ”Among those attending there were many trade visitors who were genuinely interested in our boats, which we found very positive.“
Boat Solutions, Dominik Entzminger, managing director: ”As dealers, we receive a real boost from BOAT & FUN BERLIN. The fact that the fair runs for only four days and the high level of attendance on the weekend are what set the Berlin boating exhibition apart.“
Bootscenter an der B1, Frank Schaper, managing director: ”BOAT & FUN BERLIN is a home fixture for us. With so many rivers, lakes and waterways surrounding Berlin, the fair’s geographical location is strategically perfect.”
Thilo Trefz, organiser of Wake Masters and managing director of Brand Guides: “This was the fourth time in a row that BOAT & FUN Berlin provided the backdrop for the Wake Masters final. With so much outstanding sports this last weekend and athletes and visitors in such close proximity to each other, Wake Masters and wakeboarding in general received a great boost.“
Linssen Yachts, Ed Houben, sales manager: ”We are satisfied with the way the fair went. It has been a long time since we were here, but the way BOAT & FUN Berlin has developed is very positive.”
Manufactum, Rolf Peine, managing director of Aero Vaerft: ”Not only did Manufactum, the BOAT & FUN BERLIN display featuring a range of skills, occupy a larger area this year, it also had much more to show to visitors. The dealers exhibiting at Manufactum all had a broad smile and are very satisfied.“
aquamarin (Jeanneau , Prestige), Sylvia Arndt, management:
“We are very satisfied. Sales were good.“
de Boarnstream, Yachthafen Potsdam, Leendert Meschendorp, sales representative:
”Attendance was high at the GALA Night of the Boats. The quality of visitors was excellent throughout. We had lots of visitors expressing keen interest, including for upmarket boats.”
Boote-Magazin, Christian Tiedt, editor:
”Developments at BOAT & FUN BERLIN have been very positive and the fair displays a very wide range of boats. There was a clear increase in the number of large, higher-priced luxury motor yachts.“
Kajakprofi, Patrick Dittmer, managing director:
”BOAT & FUN features a lot of activities for visitors. We sold a lot of our products at BOAT & FUN and were also able to interest people in our shop.”
Westin, Dietmar Isaiasch, director of Marketing and Sales: ”Visitors to BOAT & FUN are extremely keen to find out more. We succeeded in securing Germany’s most interesting speakers for the Angler Forum. We are delighted that they were so well received.“
Segler-Zeitung, Herrmann Hell, publisher and chief editor:
“This was the best GALA Night of the Boats since the fair was first launched. It is the perfect way to kick off the Berlin boating exhibition, which is a fair that is expanding.”
