Products honored for innovation at 2009 IBEX
Nine products were honored for innovative achievement by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) at the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) in Miami Beach.
The Innovation Awards, organized by NMMA and judged by BWI, recognize products that best meet criteria based on innovative distinction from other products currently being manufactured; benefit to the marine industry and/or consumer; practicality; cost-effectiveness; and availability to the consumer within 60 days of award receipt. A total of 43 new products were entered in this year’s awards program.
“Given the state of the marine economy, it is remarkable that we have more than 40 quality entrants in the Innovation Awards this year,” says Roger Marshall, IBEX Innovation Awards chair and past president of BWI. “I think that when the market comes back there will be some truly innovative boats out on the water using many of these products.”
Additional BWI members serving on the IBEX Innovation Awards judging panel this year include: Jim Barron, senior technical editor, Trailer Boats; Glen Justice, editor, Mad Mariner; Frank Kehr, port technical services, technical writer, Soundings; Marilyn Mower, editor, Southern Boating and Marine Business Journal; Bill Pike, senior editor, Power & Motoryacht; and, Alan Wendt, editor, Marine CEO.
BOATBUILDING METHODS & MATERIALS
Winner: Structural Composites/Compsys Inc.
Prisma “TA” System
Prisma “TA” are structural building blocks for boat repair, restoration and new construction with a wide footprint for easy installation, hull stress reduction, and fiberglass cap for easy infusion.
Honorable Mention: Maretron, LLP N2K Builder™
With the combination of graphical editing, integrated management of NMEA2000® workflow artifacts, and extensive design rule checking, Maretron’s N2KBuilder™ software toolset is ahead of its time.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Winner: Mastervolt, Inc.
Lithium Ion Battery
The Mastervolt Lithium Ion battery is the first high-capacity battery designed for marine applications with three times the lifespan of a conventional battery.
Honorable Mention: Blue Sea Systems Safety Hub250
The innovative SafetyHub250 increases the safety and reliability of the boat’s electrical system while saving money and reducing needed space.
HARDWARE FITTINGS
Winner: Taco Metals
The Intelli-Hinge
Intelli-Hinge offers manufacturers unprecedented design flexibility with an integrated ball-and-socket pivot point permitting pivoting on concave, convex and multiple plane surfaces, allowing it to hinge from any two sides.
Honorable Mention: Armstrong Nautical Products RIB Ladder
The RIB Ladder maintains an outward angle when loaded to ensure no falling backward, mounting “rigidly” to a RIB tube and is easily removable for stowage.
INBOARD ENGINES
Winner: Volvo Penta
OceanX
OceanX is a sterndrive with a revolutionary titanium-ceramic coating that improves corrosion resistance and sensor technology, never before incorporated on a sterndrive package.
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
Winner: Groco (Gross Mechanical Labs Inc.)
SSA Series Raw Water Systems Monitor
Groco “SSA” provides visual and audible alarms within seven seconds of a dangerous raw water flow reduction to as many as seven engines, generators, air conditioners or pumps (before damage occurs) faster than gauges and traditional sensors.
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
Winner: Morbern Inc.
Boreal
Boreal is free of heavy metals and utilizes Repreve recycled polyester yarn, agri-based plasticizers, and a unique water based topcoat system for a proven vinyl performance for marine environments, while reducing our environmental impact.