The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) announced the winners of the 2024 Minneapolis Innovation Awards, recognizing groundbreaking new consumer marine products, at the Discover Boating^® Minneapolis Boat Show held January 18-22.

The Minneapolis Innovation Awards honor manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products in the boating industry to market in five categories: aluminum and non-fiberglass fishing boats, fiberglass fishing boats, pontoon boats, and furnishings. This year’s program, which received the largest number of entries since its inception in 2018, honored five Innovation Award winners across three categories–one in the fiberglass fishing boat category, two in the pontoon category, and two in the furnishings category.

• In the fiberglass fishing boat category, Skeeter Boats received the Innovation Award for the WXR 2060F.
• In the pontoon boat category, dual winners Harris Boats was honored with the Innovation Award for the Harris Crowne 250, and Barletta Boats received the Innovation Award for the Barletta Lusso L25UCAT.
• In the furnishings category, dual winners Lillipad Marine received the Innovation Award for the Lillipad Marine Easy Step Ladder, and Premier Pontoons received the Innovation Award for the Premier Angler.

The sold-out Minneapolis Boat Show featured 700 new boats for attendees to see and shop–the largest collection of freshwater boats in the country. And for the first time, the boat show hosted a Coat Drive, sponsored by the Select Minneapolis GMC Dealers, where attendees could donate a new or gently used coat on opening day in exchange for free admission. Coats will be donated to local charity Joseph’s Coat Minnesota.