Winners: IBEX 2022 Innovation Awards

The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) announced the winners of the 2022 IBEX Innovation Awards Program during IBEX’s online presentation yesterday (20 October), following the show cancellation.

The judges selected ten Innovation Award winners and three honourable mentions from almost 70 entries submitted by exhibiting marine industry companies.

The winners of the 2022 IBEX Innovation Awards are:

Boat Care and Maintenance: ElectroSea, ElectroStrainer: “This clever combination of a salt chlorinator cell and seawater strainer reduces biofouling in raw water-cooled marine plumbing systems,” says judge Phil Gutowski.

Boatbuilding Methods and Materials: Massivit 3D, Massivit 10000 Additive Tooling System: Judge Julia Carleton says: “The Massivit 10000 dramatically simplifies and shortens the process for producing complex custom molds. By combining multiple cutting-edge technologies, they have created a tool that will significantly benefit any marine manufacturer working with composites.”

Boatyard and Marina Hardware and Software: Radian IoT, GPS Monitoring Solution and SaaS Platform: “Starting with a simple telematics device, Radian IoT is a broad information system that promises to revise the social contract among boatbuilders, dealers, trucking companies, banks, insurers, and boaters. From a single data platform, it provides boatbuilders with live inventory tracking, dealers with predictive sales analytics, and other stakeholders real-time assurance about the state of their present and future assets,” says judge Tim Murphy.

Deck Equipment and Hardware: Overboard Technologies, Overboard Pro Mounted Fish Dehooker: “Overboard’s mounted dehooker helps anglers get from one catch to the next more quickly while reducing the amount of handling caught fish face. Fewer skewered fingers and lower mortality rates—that’s a game changer regardless of which end of the fishing rod you’re on,” says judge Ryan Gullang.

Honourable Mention: Navico Group, PowerBase & Antenna

Electrical Systems: Egis Mobile Electric, XD Series Triple Flex Relay/ACR/LVD w/Knob: Judge Ben Stein says: “Egis’ XD Series Triple Flex Relay offers simple configuration and rich functionality. Its modular approach reduces components and complexity.”

Honourable Mention: Navico Group, ProMariner ProTournamentElite

Furnishings and Interior Parts: Kenyon International Inc., VDC Grill: Judge Ed Sherman says: “As an advocate for higher voltage DC systems on boats due to the enhanced efficiency these systems provide, I applaud Kenyon for introducing their 48-volt grill to the industry. Get the LP gas off the boat!”

Mechanical Systems: Seakeeper, Inc., Seakeeper Ride: Judge Steve Davis says: “The Seakeeper Ride is a vessel attitude control system that uses an innovative rotary blade system to control roll and pitch while underway through its proprietary inertial sensing hardware and software.”

Honourable Mention: Minn Kota/Humminbird/Cannon, MEGA Live Imaging TargetLock

OEM Electronics: Garmin USA, Garmin Surround View Camera System: Judge Ben Stein noted, “Garmin’s Surround View Camera System eases challenging docking and tight quarters handling with a birds’ eye view of the boat and its surroundings. Integrating up to six cameras, it gives the kind of visibility we all want when inches matter.”

Propulsion Parts, Propellers: QMI, AccuThrust: “The QMI Group’s AccuThrust pontoon thruster is an intuitive, flush-mounted, in-tube system that won’t restrict pontoons or tri-toons from getting into shallow depths. Even if weeds or debris get caught up, the reverse clean-out function quickly clears out the system. It’s fully waterproof and, for safety, only operates when the engines are on,” said Judge Steve Davis.

Safety Equipment: PYI Inc., Revolve: Judge Phil Gutowski said, “Deploy your boat hook like a lightsaber! This fun accessory was genuinely inspired by technology from the space industry.”

“This year we saw a great deal of design innovation from companies in every aspect of marine manufacturing,” said Zuzana Prochazka, Innovation Awards Chair. “We appreciate all who participated in the program and feel that the products selected represent the best of the industry this year. Congratulations to all the winners.”

“Congratulations to all the 2022 Innovation Award entrants, it is an impressive group of new products,” said Anne Dunbar, IBEX Show Director. “The judges were challenged with a last-minute pivot in format and successfully completed the judging and deliberation in this important industry program. The winners should feel a great sense of pride to receive such recognition. The Innovation Awards have long established a history of rewarding excellence and I thank the NMMA and BWI for their efforts this year at IBEX.”

The IBEX Innovation Awards Program is managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI).

All products submitted are being displayed as part of the IBEX Online Experience’s Innovation Way Showcase. The Show, owned and produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and RAI Amsterdam, is North America’s largest trade event for marine industry professionals.