Cockwells will show a twin-cabin Duchy 35 in Hall 1 at boot Düsseldorf from 17 to 25 January, while its new Duchy 25 and Hardy 45 European are shortlisted for the 2026 Motor Boat Awards.
Two Cockwells boats are in the running for the 2026 Motor Boat Awards. The new Duchy 25 is on the shortlist in its class (Weekenders up to 40ft), while the Hardy 45 European is a nominee among the Passagemakers. Cockwells will take the plans and drawings for both to boot Düsseldorf, and park them next to the boat with the awards pedigree: a twin-cabin Duchy 35, in Hall 1, Stand A16, from 17 to 25 January.
Motor Boat & Yachting runs the awards, and the process is not a popularity contest. Every shortlisted boat is put through a sea trial by the magazine’s testers, who score design, how the boat performs and whether it represents value against its competitors. The Duchy 35 won its class, Wheelhouse and Cockpit Cruisers, in 2018, which is why a 35 is still the boat Cockwells chooses to put on its stand.
The Duchy 25: nominated before most people have seen one
The 25 is the newest Duchy launch, and its nomination comes in the Weekenders class. The hull is a little shorter and shallower than the other Duchy models, which keeps the weight down to 2.5 tonnes and makes it practical to tow on a road trailer. There is no inboard: a single outboard hangs off the transom, which leaves the open cockpit free for up to six people. Cockwells positions it as a boat for rivers, estuaries and coastal water.
The combination of trailer weight, outboard simplicity and Duchy finish is one I expect to field a lot of questions about here. The boat will be available to order through Davis Marine Brokerage for delivery to Sydney.
The Duchy 35 on Stand A16
The boat on the stand in Düsseldorf is a twin-cabin Duchy 35, an 11.5-metre launch built in the classic Duchy style. The cockpit is large, and the saloon is open and well lit, with generous seating, a drinks fridge and a sunroof. Cockwells rates it for up to ten guests on a day out, or as a weekend boat for two, and the single-cabin layout remains available for anyone who would rather have one bigger cabin than two.
By any measure boot is the biggest show of its kind in the world: sixteen halls, exhibitors numbering above 1,500 and drawn from 67 nations, and a gate of more than 200,000 people from 120 countries. Cockwells first exhibited there last year, and the decision to go back suggests the first visit paid its way. Appointments to view the 35, or to go through the drawings for the other two boats, can be made by emailing Cockwells’ sales team.
Hardy 45 European: the Passagemakers nominee
The Hardy 45 European sits on the Hardy 42 hull, which has a long record for seakeeping, and Cockwells quotes up to 28 knots offshore. It is set up to work on inland waterways as well, and the layout gives it an aft-deck helm, a saloon and galley, a full-beam owner’s stateroom aft and a double guest cabin forward. As the Hardy dealer for Australia and New Zealand we will have more to say about this boat once the awards are decided.
We are delighted to be returning to boot Düsseldorf following our debut last year to explore new markets and further extend our reach. It is also an honour to have achieved not one but two nominations for the 2026 Motor Boat Awards, and to be recognised by our industry peers.
Dave Cockwell, Founder and Sales & Technical Director, Cockwells
Whilst our HQ is located on the banks of an idyllic Cornish creek, we are global in our outlook and our multilingual after-sales experts and international partners ensure a lifetime of support for our British-built boats across the world.
Dave Cockwell, Founder and Sales & Technical Director, Cockwells
For buyers in Australia and New Zealand
Davis Marine Brokerage is the exclusive Australian and New Zealand dealer for Duchy Motor Launches, Hardy Motor Yachts and Cockwells SuperYacht Tenders, and the international partners Dave Cockwell refers to include us. We import each boat, handle delivery and commissioning in Sydney, and can arrange demonstrations on Sydney Harbour from Fergusons Marina at The Spit in Mosman.
The twin-cabin Duchy 35 going to Düsseldorf is the same model that arrived in Sydney in May 2023 after being sold in December 2022 as the first Duchy 35 for Australia, and there is a piece on this site about the Duchy 35 on Sydney Harbour. For anyone who wants a 35 sooner than a new build allows, we currently have a 2019 Duchy 35 for sale. The Duchy Motor Launches hub covers the full range from the 21 up, and the Duchy difference page explains the thinking behind the boats.
The Motor Boat Awards winners will be named on Tuesday 20 January, at a ceremony held at Düsseldorf’s Hotel Kö59, and we will be watching the Weekenders result with interest. To talk about any of the three boats, use our contact page or call Sam Davis on 0408 864 111. Cockwells’ own show preview is on the Cockwells website.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Duchy 35 on display at boot Düsseldorf 2026?
Cockwells is in Hall 1, Stand A16, at boot Düsseldorf, which runs from 17 to 25 January 2026. The boat on display is a twin-cabin Duchy 35. Appointments to view it, or to go through the drawings for the two nominated boats, can be made by emailing Cockwells’ sales team ahead of the show.
Which Cockwells boats are nominated for the 2026 Motor Boat Awards?
Two. The new Duchy 25 is shortlisted in the Weekenders class for boats up to 40ft, while the Hardy 45 European’s nomination is among the Passagemakers. Motor Boat & Yachting hosts the awards, and the winners will be revealed on Tuesday 20 January at a ceremony held at Düsseldorf’s Hotel Kö59.
How big is the Duchy 35 and how many people can it carry?
The Duchy 35 is an 11.5-metre motor launch. Cockwells rates it for up to ten guests for a day on the water, or as a weekend boat for two. It is offered with a twin-cabin layout, as shown at Düsseldorf, or a single-cabin layout, and it won the 2018 Motor Boat Awards’ Wheelhouse and Cockpit Cruisers class.
What is the Duchy 25?
The Duchy 25 is the newest model in Cockwells’ Duchy Motor Launches line-up. It has a shorter, shallower hull than the other Duchys, an open cockpit for up to six people, outboard power and a weight of 2.5 tonnes, so it can be towed on a road trailer. It has been shortlisted for a 2026 Motor Boat Award.
Can I see a Duchy 35 in Australia?
Yes. Davis Marine Brokerage, the exclusive Australian and New Zealand dealer, can arrange demonstrations on Sydney Harbour from Fergusons Marina at The Spit, Mosman. The first Duchy 35 for Australia arrived in Sydney in May 2023, and a pre-owned 2019 Duchy 35 is currently listed for sale through DMB.
Davis Marine Brokerage is the exclusive Australian and New Zealand dealer for Duchy Motor Launches, Hardy Motor Yachts and Cockwells SuperYacht Tenders. To talk about a new build, a demonstration on Sydney Harbour or a pre-owned Duchy, call Sam Davis on 0408 864 111 or send an enquiry.
About the author
Sam Davis is the Director and Lead Broker at Davis Marine Brokerage, Fergusons Marina, Mosman. Brokering on Sydney Harbour for over a decade, he is a NSW State Councillor of the Boating Industry Association and the Australian and New Zealand dealer for Duchy, Hardy and Cockwells SuperYacht Tenders.
MORE ARTICLES
