The NMMA yesterday announced its Innovation Award winners of during the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show.
Entries were considered by a panel of seven Boating Writers International judges based on practicality, cost-effectiveness, substantial adaptation or modification for the marine market, and innovation distinct from other products in the industry.
The judging committee comprised Ben Stein (chair), Zuzana Prochazka (co-chair), Alan Jones, Lenny Rudow, Gary Reich, Frank Lanier and Ryan Gullang.
The 2022 Innovation Award winners:
• Cabin Cruisers, Motor Yachts, Trawlers: Azimut Yachts, Grande Trideck “With the unique raised mezzanine deck, Azimut adds to and redefines outdoor living on a yacht,” said Prochazka.
• Center Console/Walkaround Fishing Boats: Pursuit Boats, S 428 Sport “Never before have I seen a fishing boat with such an incredible utilization of space that doesn’t sacrifice fishability,” said Rudow.
• Consumer Electronics, Mobile Applications and Software: Raymarine, Cyclone Solid-State Open Array Radar “Technology advancements make possible a streamlined, modern radar with full ARPA,” said Jones.
• Cuddy Cabin, Bowrider, Deckboats: Ingenity Electric, 23 Electric “Its skateboard platform could be the start of a new generation of electric boats,” said Jones.
Deck Equipment: Roswell Marine, Rise Telescoping Helm System “Just about everything on modern boats is adjustable except the helm. How is it that it took until now for someone to develop an infinitely adjustable helm,” said Rudow.
• Docking and Fendering Equipment: Orenco Composites, DuraLast Floating Dock “Born of necessity, a resin-infused, extremely durable, well-thought-out dock backed by a 25-year warranty. What’s not to like?” said Lanier.
Sunstream, SunLift SLX “If anyone has come back to their boat lift only to wait through three minutes of grinding gears and slipping galvanized wires, they will see the benefits of this quick, quiet and highly adaptable boat lift,” said Reich.
• Electric Motor/Battery Powered Propulsion/Hybrids: e-Motion, e-Motion Parallel and Serial Hybrid “While there have been serial and parallel hybrid systems in boats for years, I have not seen any manufacturer implement a large system with such graceful integration and ease-of-use for the end user,” said Reich.
• Furnishings and Interior Parts: Magma Products, Crossover Series “The modular Magma Crossover series grill changes the way you cook on board. From a pizza oven, to the grill, to the cooktop, to the griddle, you have no more excuses for bad cooking,” said Lanier.
• Inboard Engines: Ilmor, Supercharged 6.2L “Ilmor has done a remarkable job increasing horsepower while keeping a large engine with 630 hp inside a small footprint for watersports boats, thanks in large part to its innovative cooling system that prevents detuning at high temps,” said Reich.
• Mechanical and Electrical Systems: Advanced Systems Group, CZone Control X “It makes digital switching more flexible, allowing boatbuilders to build better boats,” said Gullang.
• Outboard Engines: Mercury Marine, 7.6-liter V-12 600hp Verado “It’s changed the way boatbuilders design their boats. It’s so full of innovation we can’t even list it all,” said Jones and Rudow.
• Personal Watercraft: BRP, Sea-Doo Fish Pro 170 “It advances the viability of pounding the open waters from personal watercraft,” said Gullang.
• Towboats: Heyday, H22 “The stern jump seats on the versatile and affordable Heyday H22 allow observers to get a ringside seat to view their friends’ in action,” said Jones.
• Trailers, Parts and Trailer Accessories: Malibu Boats, Boat Trailers “The Malibu Boat Trailer has many remarkable features including automatic water-level sensing, sealed metal frame, stowable chocks, steppable reinforced wheel fender platforms and remotely mounted out-of-the-water hydraulic tank,” said Reich.
