Dear readers,

It could be nice all round. The days are getting noticeably longer again. When the sun manages to break through the thick cloud cover, it is almost warming at times. Boat owners are focussing on the remaining winter storage work and are already thinking about the approaching winter storage. Charterers are planning their trips. And as if all this wasn't enough, boot Düsseldorf once again has the potential to be another highlight, the kick-off to the coming sailing season.

In fact, what better way to celebrate the end of the dark season than in the last week of January? We don't need the longest bar in the world or a jester's cap: the world's largest (dry) water sports fair on the Rhine provides us with equipment and accessories - you always need something anyway or find things that sailors didn't realise they needed until now. We look for the latest equipment, find out about new sails, buy fresh halyards and sheets, update nautical charts, plotters, electronics, compare, look, get smart.

If the desire for a sun-safe spot is on your mind, head for the charter hall. Diving, fishing, canoeing? Interesting side activities that can diversify and enrich life on a boat.

And, yes, then of course there are the boats. The eponymous main theme of the event, the focus of sailing interest. Cruising yachts, performance cruisers, explorers, blue water boats, multihulls, dinghies, small cruisers. Regardless of whether you are actually interested in buying: first have a look, get informed, have a say, meet your dealer or boatyard representative.

But what's going on in Halls 15 and 16, the nucleus of international boatbuilding? Nasty gaps between the stands, empty spaces at the ends of the halls, Bavaria and Hanse are not at the start. What? The two largest German shipyards, two of the world's top five players, are not at the world's largest trade fair, which takes place in their home country? Nope! RM Yachts, Garcia, Elan? Not a chance! Sirius, Nordship, Faurby? No show. Benches instead of cruisers, plastic palms instead of GRP boats, bare concrete instead of aluminium or plywood boats on a clean carpet. Scandalous, disappointing, sobering!

Hanse and Bavaria say that the presentation is too expensive, that they first have to earn their money and that the alternative small solution with just a few boats is not a good sign either. In-house exhibitions, showrooms and direct invitations are intended to retain old customers and attract new ones.

Dark clouds over boot Düsseldorf?

No, or at least not really. We discover new manufacturers such as Pure Yachts from Kiel, surprisingly exhibited premieres such as the Maxus 31, classic small keelboats from the Loire, for example. In the absence of the popular major brands, potential customers take a look at exhibits from other manufacturers that are less familiar to them and practise their infidelity at the trade fair.

Defiance almost spreads: Without them then: "I've paid the entrance fee and won't let it spoil my enjoyment of the trade fair". Visitors can get their fill of exciting boats, time to look at a Swan, Solaris or Saffier, Contest, Amel or Dragonfly, the new XR 41, Eagle, Black Pepper. Sure, it's a shame that some shipyards and their new products are missing, but I won't let that spoil the show for me. And the equipment hall has lost none of its variety, innovative strength and brand diversity anyway, on the contrary.

But next year will be exciting - will more exhibitors stay away from the trade fair? But this year: off to Düsseldorf, it's worth it.

The only annoying thing is that the curry sausage now costs seven euros, about the same as a metre of Dyneema halyard.

Everything else is fine and worth a visit. As always.

Fridtjof Gunkel

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of YACHT

Click on it to see through:

The week in pictures

Recommended reading from the editorial team

Vendée Globe

The race in the live tracker

The live tracker of the Vendée Globe 2024/25: This tracking shows the race of the tenth edition of the round-the-world regatta - with Boris Herrmann!

• Click here for all previous "YACHT Week" columns