Boatee at boot Düsseldorf 2026: an electric outboard rethought from scratch
At boot Düsseldorf, a show traditionally dominated by major international manufacturers, there is also room for a young Italian company that has chosen a non-conventional approach to product development. This is Boatee, a startup that has decided to rethink the electric outboard motor starting from a completely clean-sheet design.
In Düsseldorf, the company unveils the Boatee Smart 1.3 as a world premiere, not merely as a new product launch, but as the concrete expression of a design philosophy focused on lightness, ease of use and intelligent integration of technology. After a trade-only preview at METSTRADE Amsterdam, the product is now introduced to the international public, marking a key step in the brand’s development path.
At the core of the project is a precise decision: avoiding the adaptation of existing solutions. Smart 1.3 is not derived from conventional platforms converted to electric propulsion, but was developed entirely from scratch, with the aim of eliminating any unnecessary element. The result is an electric outboard delivering 1,300 W of power with a weight of just 6 kg, designed to minimise overall dimensions and operational complexity, both during installation and in everyday use.
Simplification is the guiding principle and the true form of innovation. Reducing mass, delivering a silent and immediate user experience, and applying smart technology only where it provides tangible functional value. The design follows the same logic: essential, coherent with its marine application, and free from superfluous structures.
“We started with a very simple question: what should an outboard motor be today?” explains Cesare Malescia, founder and CTO of Boatee. “Instead of adding features, we decided to remove everything that was not necessary. We designed the motor we would have wanted to use ourselves: light, intuitive, sustainable and visually clean.”
In a sector historically dominated by large industrial players, Boatee demonstrates how design coherence, engineering intelligence and a clear vision can allow even a startup to build a credible and recognisable identity. The debut at boot Düsseldorf represents the moment when an idea meets the global market, engaging directly with professionals, media and industry stakeholders.
At the Boatee stand, visitors can see the Smart 1.3 up close and explore the technical aspects of the project. Media representatives and operators may also arrange demonstrations, filming sessions or interviews with the team, offering an opportunity to delve deeper into an approach that interprets electric propulsion not as a simple alternative, but as a complete rethinking of the lightweight outboard motor.
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