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.
