boot Düsseldorf 2026: "Big Willi" ensures superyacht spectacle on the Rhine

As every year, the "Big Willi" ship crane is ready on the banks of the Rhine to lift the first ships out of the water for the upcoming trade fair. The crane, which has been named after its godfather for 45 years, the former NRW Minister of the Interior and President of the German Sports Federation Willi Weyer, has already completed weight training and warm-up phases over the past few days. With its dimensions of 12.7 metres high and 11.4 metres wide, "Big Willi" is once again ready to lift the first pieces of jewellery from the waters of the Rhine for the world's largest water sports fair.

"Big Willi" proves his strength

At around 8.30 a.m., "Big Willi" took up his duties and craned the Princess V50. The 16 metre long yacht offers sleeping space for four passengers and should also promise high seaworthiness on further passages. The mooring assistance system from Volvo Penta was integrated, which enables safe steering and mooring even in strong winds, strong currents and in busy marinas.

This was followed at 10 a.m. by the Elling E4, which we have already reported on. Made of robust Kevlar, this yacht fulfils the demanding CE standard of category A (ocean) and is therefore suitable for both canal cruises and Atlantic crossings. The E4 is designed for year-round operation. Interested visitors can find the Elling from 17 January in Hall 1 at Stand B18.

Heavyweight and elegant finish

The biggest challenge for "Big Willi" was the Princess F65, whose turn it was at 12 noon. With a weight of 40 tonnes and a length of 20.3 metres, it was the heaviest load of the day. The F65 offers space for eight people in four cabins and is suitable for a family holiday. The spacious main deck has a seating area for dining and a saloon with a large U-shaped sofa. Large panoramic windows in the saloon and the wraparound windscreens bring plenty of light into the interior. The Flybridge F65 will be on display in Hall 6 at Stand B21.

Most recently, "Big Willi" craned the 19-metre Peal 63 at 2 pm. One feature of the motor yacht is the optional garage for tenders or jet toys. The Pearl 63's outdoor areas are designed to be ideal for socialising and sporting activities at sea. The Pearl 63 can be powered either by hybrid drive or diesel and is expected to reach a top speed of up to 24 knots. Interested visitors can find the Pearl during the trade fair in Hall 6 at Stand A22.

boot Düsseldorf 2026

boot Düsseldorf is considered the world's largest yacht and water sports trade fair and opens its doors from 17 to 25 January 2026. With over 200,000 visitors from more than 100 countries and 1,500 exhibitors on 220,000 square metres in Halls 1 to 17, it offers a comprehensive range for water sports enthusiasts. Both sailors and motor boaters will find a wide variety of boats here, from small dinghies to superyachts. Popular water sports such as diving, surfing, kitesurfing, stand-up paddling, skimboarding and canoeing are also represented with the appropriate equipment.

Video: "Big Willi" craned these four ships

Princess V50

• Length: 16 metres
• Weight: k. A.
• Capacity: Sleeping space for four passengers
• Special features: Integrated mooring assistance system from Volvo Penta
• Location at the trade fair: k. A.

Elling E4

• Length: 14.95 metres
• Weight: 19 tonnes
• Certification: CE standard category A (ocean)
• Special features: Excellent insulation, quieter at 18 knots than a luxury car at 100 km/h
• Location at the trade fair: Hall 1/B18

Princess F65

• Length: 20.3 metres
• Weight: 40 tonnes
• Capacity: Space for eight people in four cabins
• Equipment: Aft galley with dinette, saloon with U-shaped sofa, panoramic window
• Location at the trade fair: Hall 6/B21

Pearl 63

• Length: 19 metres
• Weight: k. A.
• Special features: Optional garage for tenders or jet toys, spacious outdoor areas
• Drive: Optionally hybrid or with diesel
• Location at the trade fair: Hall 6/A22

Questions and answers about the "Big Willi" ship crane

• Where can you find "Big Willi"? Seen from the water, it is located exactly at Rhine kilometre 748.2.
• How many tonnes can "Big Willi" manage? It can actually lift up to 100 tonnes.
• How heavy is "Big Willi" himself? It can even carry more than its own total weight, as "Big Willi" only weighs a slim 79 tonnes.
• How does "Big Willi" move? The crane runs on a total of eight wheels and has a gradeability of 5%. This enables it to drive effortlessly into the Rhine, lift the boat waiting there and drive up the ramp with its precious cargo to the low-loaders standing by the road.
• What does "Big Willi" do during floods? The current flood situation does not jeopardise a "Big Willi" deployment. It even makes his work a little easier, as he doesn't have to go as deep into the Rhine water.
• How long will "Big Willi" be in action for boot 2025? To bring the boats and yachts ashore, he is at work every day from 18 December to 9 January. He is on holiday until 26 January and from 27 January he has to gradually carry all the boats back down into the Rhine.
• Who drives "Big Willi"? The ship's crane has an experienced crane operator. Norbert Pilarski from the Schuhmann company has been craning the boats and yachts for boot Düsseldorf with "Big Willi" for over 30 years.
• Why is he called "Big Willi"? The crane has a prominent namesake. The former NRW Minister of the Interior and President of the German Sports Federation, Willi Weyer, was closely associated with boot Düsseldorf and in 1980 was the godfather of the ship's crane, which was named in honour of Weyer.