Nine products honored for innovation
MIAMI – The National Marine Manufacturers Association and Boating Writers International honored nine marine manufacturers for innovative achievement at the Miami International Boat Show, the two said in a statement yesterday. Winning companies received their 2008 Miami Innovation Awards during the Miami Media Breakfast yesterday morning.
The Innovation Awards, which NMMA organizes and BWI judges, recognize products that best meet the following criteria: 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.
“This year, a total of 50 products were entered in eight different categories,” says Zuzana Prochazka, Miami Innovation Awards chair and BWI board of directors member. “There were some exceptional entries this year, and it made the judging process a challenge. We not only had winners in every category for which we received entries, but determined several additional products worth ‘Honorable Mentions.’ We also gave out an Environmental Award.”
In addition to Prochazka, BWI members rounding out the judging panel include: Jim Barron, technical editor and writer, Trailer Boats magazine; Ben Ellison, electronics editor of Power & Motoryacht and SAIL magazines and author of the electronics blog Panbo.com; Jan Mundy, co-founder and editor of DIY Boat Owner magazine; Lenny Rudow, freelance writer, author and boating editor of Texas Fish & Game magazine; Matt Trulio, editor-at-large of Powerboat magazine and powerboat editor for boats.com; and John Wooldridge, executive editor of PassageMaker magazine.
In the Consumer Electronics & Software category, the judges selected Furuno USA Inc.’s NavNET 3D. NavNET is a multifunction navigation suite available in stand-alone and black box units. Two Honorable Mentions were also awarded in this category. The first went to the HX850S floating handheld, GPS enabled VHF from Standard Horizon, and the second was presented to the Satellite Personal Messenger Device, also known as SPOT.
The AirBattens from UK-Halsey Miami was the winner in the Consumer Installed Non-Electronic Hardware category. AirBattens increase in-mast furling mainsail performance 15 percent by significantly improving sail shape. Battens are inflated or deflated by a 12-volt powered control panel or manual pump. An Honorable Mention in this category was given to the design of the Adaptive Seating & Steering System developed by Shake-A-Leg Miami.
In the Consumer Personal Gear category, the Innovation Award was presented to the Coastal Compact Life Raft from Revere Survival Products. Roughly the size of a laptop case, this product opens up a whole new level of safety for near-shore boating.
The H2 LED Dock, Marina and Pier Lights by TouchStone Accent Lighting took home the Innovation Award in the Consumer Installed Docking & Fendering Equipment category. The H2 LED cleat light is available in 12-volt or solar versions that mount under a standard 10-inch cleat.
The True North 34 from Pearson Yachts/True North Yachts was the winner in the Inboard & Outboard Cruisers category. The 34-foot True North combines a hideaway tailgate/transom and moveable cockpit seating for a unique design.
Walker Bay Boats’ Airis High-Pressure Inflatable Kayak was deemed the winner in the Inflatables, Small Boats Up to 15’ and Tenders category. Constructed using patent-pending AirWeb technology, the hull design can be inflated to more than six psi, resulting in a rigid and stable platform that is lightweight and compact enough to be carried as a backpack. An Honorable Mention was also presented in this category to the Hobie Mirage il2S Inflatable Pedal-Powered Kayak.
Yamaha Motor Corp. took home the Innovation Award in the PWC, Jet Boats & Pontoon Boats category for its Wave Runner SHO. Yamaha’s SHO includes several PWC-industry ‘firsts,’ including: A nano-engineered hull that decreases the craft’s weight 25 percent; a No-Wake mode that automatically sets engine RPM at optimal no-wake speed; and cruise control. The RPT (Revolutionary Planning Technology) pontoon tube design by Sylvan Marine received an Honorable Mention from the judges in this category.
In the Runabouts & Fishing Craft category, judges presented the Innovation Award to Boston Whaler for its 230 Dauntless. The approach to seating in the Dauntless 230 sets it apart in its class.
This year’s Environmental Award went to the Eco-Star 200 electric boat by Starcraft Marine. The Eco-Star 200 combines access to electrical motors with the maneuverability of twin propellers, all on the popular deck boat platform.
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