The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference got underway yesterday with an update by National Marine Manufacturers Association president and CEO Frank Hugelmeyer before an Industry Breakfast audience of 900.

“I don’t think I need to tell anyone here that the industry is battling some headwinds,” Hugelmeyer said. “Interest rates are easing but are still high. Powerboat sales are down about 12%. While consumers are feeling slightly more optimistic, consumer sentiment is still shaky.”

Other caution areas Hugelmeyer highlighted include new-housing starts, fuel prices, wholesale and retail credit availability, and elevated dealer inventories. Consumer net worth/debt was mentioned as a trouble area to watch.

Hugelmeyer spoke about NMMA’s advocacy efforts next: “NOAA’s restrictive whale speed rule is stalled for White House executive review, but we expect a revised rule shortly after the election,” he said. “Additionally, we’ve been working with states regarding wakesurfing and wakeboat restrictions, and we’re working with legislators regarding aluminum dumping and tariffs. We’re also continuing to work on infrastructure initiatives to ensure Americans have access to the water.”

Charlie Cook of the Cook Political Report delivered the Industry Breakfast Keynote and discussed the upcoming presidential election. “It’s going to be a close race, not only for the presidential ticket, but also for who will control the House and Senate,” he said. “It could go either way, but seven key states will determine who wins.”

Next, the NMMA Hall of Fame Award was presented to Mark Schwabero, former Mercury Marine president and Brunswick Corp. president and CEO, Steve Potts, CEO of Scout Boats. Former NMMA president Thom Dammrich presented the award to Schwabero, and Scout president David Wallace honored Potts.

“It’s such an honor to receive this in front of all of you,” Schwabero said, “especially among so many talented colleagues.”

“I started building boats just before my 15th birthday,” Potts said. “I am so honored to be here so many years later in front of all of you, who I consider friends. I’ve always loved the work NMMA does for our industry.”

Finally, the Mel Barr award was presented to Jim Buoy/Cal-June president Jim Dehoney and his wife, Melanie, by National Marine Representatives Association president Mark Goodman.

Lastly, the NMMA presented the IBEX Innovation Awards to 13 winners and highlighted five honorable mentions. The program this year received 80 entries and was judged by members of Boating Writers International.

“Congratulations to all entrants of the 2024 Innovation Awards and thank you to our judges for their diligent work in deciding the winners,” said show director Mary Velline. “We had such an impressive array of new products this year, so our winners should be especially proud of their accomplishments. Thank you to everyone for participating in this year’s awards.”

The 2024 IBEX Innovation Award winners are:

Boat Care and Maintenance (dual winners): CMP Group, SMartyr SCP anode
Judge Tim Murphy: “Nearly every boat needs to be protected from galvanic corrosion, but our typical metal sacrificial anodes add toxic metals to the water we boat in. The CMP SMartyr impressed-current cathodic protection solves this problem and satisfies the ABYC E-2 power requirement with a self-contained lithium battery charged by solar cells.”

Arthur Edison, CLiX fuel spill preventer
Judge Pim Van Hemmen: “It’s always fun to see someone cook up a really clever, simple, inexpensive solution to a problem that has vexed boaters ever since the on-board fuel tank was invented.”

Boatbuilding Methods and Materials: Supersede, Supersede plywood alternative
Judge Charles Doane: “This inventive product, designed to replace marine plywood in boatbuilding and other applications, hits a lot of buttons. Fabricated from recycled plastic, it is itself recyclable.”

Honorable Mention: Chomarat North America, G-FLOW 980L structural glass flow media

Deck Equipment and Hardware: Commercial Sewing, Outer Armor Self-Boot Power Bimini
Judge Brady Kay: “The Self-Boot Bimini is the next evolution in power tops, with a truly innovative design where the canvas top retracts automatically into an integrated boot box with the simple push of a button.”

Honorable Mention: Gemlux, paddle latch

Electrical Systems: Egis Mobile Electric, XD Series Flex N2K remote high-amp relay
Judge Tim Murphy: “From simple center consoles to complex cruising yachts, the Egis XD Series remote relay offers an elegant, priceworthy solution to delivering power throughout the boat.”

Furnishings and Interior Parts: Quality Mark, XPower seat
Judge Brady Kay: “As boats continue to trend toward automotive-like comfort, the XPower seat with memory settings and four inches of movement in all directions takes marine seating to new heights.”

Honorable Mention: SeaDek, magnetic SeaDek

Mechanical Systems: (dual winners): PHIBER Systems, PHIBER Systems
Judge Theresa Nicholson: “After four years of development, PHIBER’s pressurized, hydro injection for brine evacuation and remediation is the first product to streamline the flushing process and to have universal application.”

WIF-Pro, WIF-Shield by OhNoH20
Judge Charles Doane: “This clever but simple product takes a critical and ubiquitous bit of kit, the Racor fuel filter, and helps it work even better. The easily removed heat shield bowl enhances key features — the ability to detect water in fuel and easily drain off contaminants — and improves functionality.

OEM Electronics: Tocaro Blue, Proteus hub
Judge Theresa Nicholson: “Tocaro Blue Proteus distills radar information to bring an easy awareness of waters around the boat. Proteus helps the user digest and understand information from their boat’s radar, sonar and AIS systems.”

Honorable Mention: Syntec Industries, Gussi Italia PowerHub 2.0

Outboard Engines: Honda Marine, BF350 V-8
Judge Brady Kay: “With Honda’s first production V-8 engine, their high-power outboard integrates innovative highlights including a fully balanced, 60-degree offset crankshaft that eliminates the need for a harmonic balancer, along with key exclusive features found in Honda’s DNA.”

Propulsion Parts, Propellers: Navico Group, Lenco Pro Control
Judge Richard Armstrong: “The Lenco Pro Control auto-leveling system leverages existing plane mounting points to and counteracts dynamic running conditions to improve stability, and reduce pitch and re-entry impact. This cost-effective system is a snap to install and configure.”

Honorable Mention: Mercury Marine, Precision Joystick

Safety Equipment: Banshee Marine Audio, Banshee VA1
Judge Richard Armstrong: “The Banshee VA1 isn’t the first VHF radio extension speaker, but it’s the clearest and loudest, with a 10-watt integrated amplifier and DSP to filter out background noise and emphasize the human voice. The versatile mounting options make it easy to fit on any boat.”

Trailers, Parts and Trailer Accessories: Quality Mark, Bow Step G2
Judge Pim Van Hemmen: “As someone who’s spent the past decade clambering onto his trailered boat by using the trailer head and the spare tire to get over the bow cleat without hurting himself, the G2 bow step is a welcome innovation. It’s a smart, well-engineered product that makes getting into a trailered boat so much easier.”

IBEX continues today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.