We were humbled and thrilled to be invited to SAIL Amsterdam 2025 over the course of the last weekend, to celebrate Victron energy, as they celebrate their 50th anniversary.
SAIL Amsterdam is one of the world’s largest maritime festivals and is held every five years in the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands. The event consisted of stunning sail in parades from over 10,000 ships of various vessels from all over the world, in an effort to celebrate the country’s seafaring history, as well as future innovations. Whilst historic tall ships sidled up against ships of warfare and luxurious powerboats as they made their way down the IJ waterway, the waterfront was bustling with life as the streets filled with 2.5 million revelling visitors.
SAIL Amsterdam 2025 was particularly special as it marked the 50th Anniversary of the first SAIL Amsterdam event in 1975; a particularly fitting celebration to illuminate the legacy of Victron over the last five decades. Reinout Vader started from humble beginnings in 1975 as a small tech enterprise. Now, his single office has blossomed into an award-winning brand recognised around the world, with nearly 1,000 distinct products spanning the marine, automotive, off-grid, industrial and solar markets.
The weekend for us was full of surprises, with Victron keeping us on our toes about what delights they had in offer! As part of a group of 500 suppliers of Victron from around the world, we were treated to an unforgettable itinerary. The day began with a scenic boat trip up the IJ waterway, offering breathtaking views of the assortment of boats and ships from the best seat in the city. We slowed the pace in the afternoon, with a more intimate cruise down Amsterdam’s iconic canals via sloop boat, allowing us to take in the charms of the city. Just when we thought it could not get much better, we were whisked away by boat once more, to a surprise party ship for the evening’s entertainment. There, we were met with fantastic food, free-flowing drink and brilliant entertainment.
The trip also allowed us to learn about the journey that Reinout had been on including great successes and setbacks which he overcame. Our favourite anecdote was about his 1.1 million euro bluff, when East German railways needed inverters. Reinout smuggled out a protype across the border which they agreed to buy 400 units of, but only if they could visit Victron first. Knowing that his humble office would not impress, Reinout hired out the building next door, rented a yacht and borrowed a luxury Jaguar to help impress. It worked, and Victron got the 1.1 million euro order and a boost to their reputation!
A huge thank you to Victron Energy for not just inviting us to celebrate this amazing milestone, but for organising such a thoughtful and memorable experience from start to finish.
