The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference has announced 13 Innovation Award Winners and five honorable mentions in the 2024 IBEX Innovation Awards Program managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and judged by Boating Writers International.

In the category of Boat Care and Maintenance, there were two winners. First is CMP Group Ltd. for its SMartyr SCP Anode. Judge Tim Murphy stated in a press release: “Nearly every boat needs to be protected from galvanic corrosion, but our typical metal sacrificial anodes add toxic metals to the water we boat in. The CMP SMartyr impressed-current cathodic protection solves this problem and satisfies the ABYC E-2 power requirement with a self-contained lithium battery charged by solar cells. The unit senses hull potential, self regulates and indicates proper functioning with LED lights. It’s a clean solution at a similar price to of sacrificial anodes.

The second winner in the Boat Care and Maintenance category is Arthur Edison, LLC, for CLiX. According to judge Pim Van Hemmen: “It’s always fun to see someone cook up a really clever, simple, inexpensive solution to a problem that has vexed boaters ever since the onboard fuel tank was invented. The CLiX fuel spill prevention product is simply brilliant and revolutionary.”

In the category of Boatbuilding Methods and Materials, the winner was Supersede, for the Supersede Marine Board. According to judge Charles Doane: “This inventive product, designed to replace marine plywood in boatbuilding and other applications, hits a lot of buttons. Fabricated from recycled plastic, it is itself recyclable. It is rot-proof, price competitive, weighs the same, and is more versatile. An important step forward.”

An honorable mention in the category of Boatbuilding Methods and Materials went to Chomarat North America for the G-FLOW 980L Structural Glass Flow Media.

In the category of Deck Equipment and Hardware, the winner is Commercial Sewing for its Outer Armor Self-Booting Power Bimini. Judge Brady Kay said: “The Self-Booting Bimini is the next evolution in power tops with a truly innovative design where the canvas top retracts automatically into an integrated boot box with a simple push of a button. Say goodbye to zipper Bimini boot struggles.”

An honorable mention in the category of Deck Equipment and Hardware went to Gemlux for the Paddle Latch.

In the category of Electrical Systems, the winner is Egis Mobile Electric for the XD Series Flex N2K Remote High Amp Relay. Murphy said: “From simple center consoles to complex cruising yachts, the Egis XD Series remote relay offers an elegant priceworthy solution to delivering power throughout the boat. The relay’s modular design, together with NMEA 2000 monitoring and control, promises to significantly reduce long heavy wire runs, and does so with comforting analog redundancy.”

In the category of Furnishings, and Interior Parts, the winner is Quality Mark, Inc. for the XPower Seat. Kay said: “As boats continue to trend towards automotive-like comfort, the XPower Seat with memory settings and 4 inches of movement in all directions takes marine seating to new heights. The electric seat base is integrated to move on the post for a sleeker and more efficient solution to marine seating.”

An honorable mention in the category of Furnishings, and Interior Parts went to SeaDek for the Magnetic SeaDek.

In the category of Mechanical Systems, there are two winners: Phiber Systems and OhNoH20.

About Phiber Systems, judge Theresa Nicholson says: “After four years of development, Phiber’s pressurized, hydro injection for brine evacuation and remediation is the first product to streamline the flushing process and to have universal application. Phiber makes freshwater flushing maintenance an intrinsic function for any system that uses raw water for cooling, at the touch of a button.”

On the WIF-Pro WIF-Shield by OhNoH20, Doane says: “This clever but simple product takes a critical and ubiquitous bit of kit, the Racor fuel filter, and helps it work even better. The easily removed heat shield bowl enhances key features—the ability to detect water in fuel and easily drain off contaminants—and improves functionality.”

In the category of OEM Electronics, the winner is Tocaro Blue for its Proteus Hub. Nicholson says: “Tocaro Blue Proteus distills radar information to bring an easy awareness of waters around the boat. Proteus helps the user digest and understand information from their boat’s Radar, sonar, and AIS systems.”

An honorable mention in the category of OEM Electronics went to Syntec Industries for its Gussi Italia PowerHub 2.0.

In the category of Outboard Engines, the winner is Honda Marine for the Honda BF350 V-8. Kay says: “With Honda’s first production V-8 engine, their high-power outboard integrates innovative highlights including a fully balanced 60 degree offset crankshaft that eliminates the need for a harmonic balancer along with key exclusive features found in Honda’s DNA. The development of the BF350 enhances its existing lineup and takes Honda power to the next level.”

In the category of Propulsion Parts, Propellers, the winner is Navico Group for the Lenco Pro Control. Judge Richard Armstrong said: “The Lenco Pro Control auto-leveling system leverages existing plane mounting points … and counteracts dynamic running conditions to improve stability, reduce pitch and re-entry impact. This cost-effective system is a snap to install and configure.”

An honorable mention in the category of Propulsion Parts, Propellers went to Mercury Marine for the Mercury Precision Joystick

In the category of Safety Equipment, the winner is Banshee Marine Audio for the Banshee VA1. Armstrong noted: “The Banshee VA1 isn’t the first VHF radio extension speaker, but it’s the clearest and loudest with a 10-watt integrated amplifier and DSP to filter out background noise and emphasize the human voice. The versatile mounting options make it easy to fit on any boat.”

In the category of Trailers, Parts and Trailer Accessories, the winner is Quality Mark, Inc., for the Bow Step G2. “As someone who’s spent the past decade clambering onto his trailered boat by using the trailer head and the spare tire to get over the bow cleat without hurting himself, the G2 bow step is a welcome innovation,” Van Hemmen said. “It’s a smart, well-engineered product that makes getting into a trailered boat so much easier.

The post Winners Announced for IBEX Innovation Awards appeared first on Cruising World.

The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) have announced the winners of the 2023 IBEX Innovation Awards Program. The program is managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI). The judges selected 13 Innovation Award winners and four honorable mentions from nearly 100 entries submitted by exhibiting marine industry companies. Awards were presented during the annual Industry Breakfast, Innovation Awards Presentation, and Keynote held Tuesday, October 3, 2023, from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. 

Products can also be viewed on the online showcase. The winners of the 2023 IBEX Innovation Awards are:

BOAT CARE AND MAINTENANCE

PowerTech! Propellers, Seascour by PowerTech!/Hendry

Judge Julia Carleton said, “Seascour combats scale and barnacles at the chemical level by breaking down the calcium bonds using an organic, non-corrosive solution. From flushing heat exchangers to cleaning hulls, the environmental benefits are far-reaching.”

Honorable Mention: SeaWide Distribution, Hempel Silic One

BOATBUILDING METHODS AND MATERIALS (dual winners)

beSpline, Shaped Foam Kit

Judge Tim Murphy said, “One of the longstanding problems in composite boat building is how to turn flat foam panels into the complex curves of a boat hull or deck. beSpline’s new North American facility uses heat to ‘thermoform’ flat panels into complex curves, omitting kerfs, that are delivered to boatbuilders in kit form. The result is lighter, stronger, higher-quality boat structures.”

Infinity Luxury Woven Vinyl, Infinity Grip: Judge Andy Adams said, “Infinity Luxury woven flooring with self-adhesive backing delivers significant labor and cost savings. Installation is simple and best of all requires no mess.”

BOATYARD AND MARINA HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

VoltSafe, VoltSafe Marine

Judge Ed Sherman noted, “Voltsafe is the future of dockside shorepower systems for marinas and boats. It revolutionizes shore power connectivity by addressing critical drawbacks of traditional methods.”

Honorable Mention: Sunstream Boat Lifts, Sunstream Power System (SPS) 

DECK EQUIPMENT AND HARDWARE

Lippert, Lewmar® Venta Pontoon Winch

Judge Steve Davis observed, “The underdeck pontoon winch is completely waterproof and stays clear of passengers on deck. The unit slides into a mount so the winch is easily installed and removed as seasons change, and the spring-loaded roller keeps the anchor under the deck until deployed or retrieved.”

ELECTRIC MOTOR/BATTERY POWERED PROPULSION/HYBRIDS

TEMO, TEMO 450

Judge Steve Davis noted, “The simple, lightweight design of the Temo 450 electric motor is an innovative way to power small boats and dinghies. The tubular design with built-in motor and battery is waterproof, simple, efficient, and easy to mount and operate.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

ARCO Marine, Zeus High Energy Alternator Regulator

Judge Ben Stein stated, “Arco’s Zeus answers the call for advanced alternator regulation aboard today’s boats and their increasingly complex DC power systems. With connectivity capabilities not previously seen in an alternator regulator, Zeus delivers the configuration, insight, and diagnostics needed for advanced, high-output 12-, 24-, and 48-volt systems.”

Honorable Mention: Navico Group, Mastervolt Mac Plus 48V

ENTERTAINMENT

Hertz Marine, HTX 8H S-FL-G

Judge Ryan Gullang observed, “Thanks to Hertz’s novel approach to horn design, the HTX 8H S-FL-G tower speakers delivers crystal-clear audio well outside the wake.”

FURNISHINGS AND INTERIOR PARTS

Roswell Marine, Auto-Rolling Fabric System

Judge Tim Murphy said, “Roswell Marine uses the magic of slap bracelets to solve a longstanding problem in marine canvas – how to roll sections of biminis or dodgers when they’re opened up. With Roswell’s Auto Rolling Fabric System, boaters simply unzip sections of the canvas, and it automatically rolls out of the way – no snaps, no Velcro.”

MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

Scanstrut, ATMOS 12V Integrated Airstation

Judge Ryan Gullang noted, “Scanstrut’s ATMOS 12-volt Integrated Airstation is an elegant and effective solution to the relative drudgery of inflating water toys.”

OEM ELECTRONICS

Garmin USA, GPSMAP® 9227 with Garmin BlueNet

Judge Ben Stein said: “The GPSMap 9227 is a quantum leap forward for marine navigation electronics. 4K resolution on its large display means more information at the operators’ fingertips. Plus, dramatically faster processors and gigabit Ethernet ensure nearly instant response.”

Honorable Mention: Syntec Industries, Murano Multifunction Display 

PROPULSION PARTS, PROPELLERS

Volvo Penta, Joystick Driving

Judge Steve Davis noted, “Joystick control has been around, but primarily used for docking, and Volvo Penta has taken to new heights with the innovative ability to drive the boat without touching the steering wheel. The system integrates shifting, steering, and throttle and easily installs into the driver’s armrest for ergonomic driving and comfort.”

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

WIF-Pro, WIF-Pro

Judge Ed Sherman said, “The float/sensor technology of the WIF-Pro offers outboard boat owners a safety feature when out at sea through a fuel filter system with an externally mounted sensor ring that detects and alarms the captain when five ounces of water gets in the fuel system. Once the filter bowl is drained, the system clears and you’re back underway.”

“The participating exhibitors in this year’s Innovation Awards program have successfully showcased how incredibly forward-thinking the marine industry is,” said Anne Dunbar, IBEX Show Director. “The products entered include a remarkable level of ingenuity and innovation in product design and development. We’d like to thank the judges for their time and hard work in deciding which products would be selected in each category. Congratulations to all our winning exhibitors and a big thank you to everyone who participated.”
IBEX is scheduled to return to the Tampa Convention Center, with IBEX 2024 Show dates set for October 1 – 3, 2024. For more information, visit www.ibexshow.com.

The post Winners of the IBEX 2023 Innovation Awards Announced appeared first on Cruising World.