Innovative products, companies honored at Miami International Boat Show
Seventeen companies and products were honored with Innovation Awards at the start of the Miami International Boat Show last week.
The awards recognize innovative new consumer marine products and technological advancement. This year’s contest featured a record number of entries with 97 products, about two-thirds more than last year.
The winners are:
- For alternate drive technology: Volvo Penta for its forward drive propulsion system, which features forward-facing dual counter-rotating props with an adjustable-trim drive that pulls a boat through the water rather than pushing it.
- For deck equipment and hardware: Taco Metals for its rub rail-mounted LED light.
- For docking and fendering equipment: StormFender for its fender of the same name.
- For mechanical and electrical systems: Yamaha Watercraft for its Connext helm control system.
- For inboard engines: Indmar Products for its Roush-charged Raptor.
- For outboard engines: BRP U.S. for its Evinrude E-TEC G2.
- For consumer safety equipment: Simrad-Navico for its forward scan technology.
- For watersport equipment: LilliPad Diving Boards for its new diving board.
- For consumer electronics, apps and software: Navionics for its SonarCharts and SonarCharts Live.
- For center console and walkaround fishing boats: Hydra-Sport for its 53-foot Suenos model.
- For cuddy cabin and bowrider boats: Rec Boat Holdings/Four Winns for its Horizon 440 Bow Cruiser model.
- For deck boats: Boston Whaler for its 320 Vantage.
- For jet boats: Chaparral Boats for its aerial surf platform.
- For personal watercrafts: Yamaha Watercraft for its Ride system.
- For pontoon boats: Apex Marine, for its Angler Quest.
- For tow boats: MasterCraft Boat Company for its X23 model.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) also honor a company with an environmental award. This year, the winner is Wake Worx for its Mussel Mast’r aquatic invasive species filter system.
The winners were selected by an independent panel of boating journalists, all members of BWI.