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The world’s largest indoor boat show, Boot Düsseldorf, is being held January 17 – 25 in the city’s gigantic convention centre, covering sixteen halls and hosting over 200,000 visitors from 120 countries and 1,500 exhibitors from 67 nations. This year there will be almost 100 electric boat exhibitors, including boats, motors, batteries, accessories, PWCs, e-boards and water toys.

Some exhibits and exhibitors are highlighted in this annual Plugboats Guide, with information about new and noteworthy products. There is also an expandable directory of ALL electric boating exhibitors that has links to their websites and contact information.

Anglers, sailors and small boat owners now have another silent, clean propulsion option with the launch of the lightweight Spirit 2 electric outboard featuring the largest integrated battery of any e-outboard in the under 5kW class.

ePropulsion’s original Spirit 1 debuted at the Metstrade industry show in 2015 as the first brushless, direct-drive electric outboard motor on the market. One decade later the company chose the same exhibition to launch the Spirit 2 as the fourth generation of their extensive lineup.

Aquila, a world leader in power catamarans with more than 1,000 boats now on the water, has announced the launch of their first sailing model, the Aquila 50. The new cat has a total upwind sail area of 156 m2 (≈1,700 sq ft) and a hybrid propulsion system with twin Torqeedo Deep Blue 50i electric motors, an 80kWh battery and auxiliary diesel generator.

Spanish solar electric boat manufacturer Lasai, who had the autonomous range of their 22GL model certified by Bureau Veritas this year, will be debuting their fourth model – the Lasai 32KS – at the Dusseldorf Boat Show (‘Boot’) January 17 – 25.

The Vancouver Boat Show on the West Coast of Canada is hosting a number of presentations at this year’s event, including a Round Table and Q&A Series hosted by Bruno Hoffman of the online video channel The Green Boater TV. This article provides an overview of the subjects and presenters as well as a Directory of electric exhibitors at the Vancouver Show.

VETUS, one of the first companies to offer an electric inboard motor for leisure boats, has unveiled the new E-LINE 22 kW as the highest powered motor in an extended electric propulsion model range. That E-LINE range now includes a total of seven motors. Three air-cooled models and four liquid cooled models. They also offer an electric pod propulsion system and a variety of bow thrusters including two rimdrive models.

As always, if you have any suggestions about what you would like to see covered in Plugboats, or have a lead on an interesting story, drop me a line! (hit 'Reply' or click on the email icon below.)