Nine New Innovation Awards at Miami Boat Show

by www.ibinews.com/Sail-World on 15 Feb 2008 A liferaft suitable for inland waters, AirBattens – those pump-up battens that can make life easy on a boat, a new comprehensive navigation system, even a LED cleat light for your jetty: these are just some of the products that have just won innovation awards at the Miami International Boat Show.

The NMMA presented nine Innovation Awards at its annual state-of-the-industry media breakfast at the show this morning. The awards are organised by NMMA and judged by Boating Writers International. Fifty products were entered in nine categories.

In the Consumer Electronics & Software category, NavNET 3D by Furuno USA Inc won the award. A statement noted that the navigation suite was available in both stand alone and black box units. 'The deeper you look, the more you will find with this remarkable and comprehensive, onboard navigation system,' John Wooldridge, a judge on the panel, in the statement. 'This is a truly game-changing product that sets the standard for the industry.'

Two Honourable Mentions were to the HX850S floating handheld GPS-enabled VHF from Standard Horizon, and the Satellite Personal Messenger Device.

AirBattens from UK-Halsey Miami won the Consumer Installed Non-Electronic Hardware category. AirBattens increase in-mast furling mainsail performance by 15 per cent by significantly improving sail shape. Battens are inflated or deflated by a 12V powered control panel or manual pump.

An Honourable Mention in this category was given to the design of the Adaptive Seating & Steering System by Shake-A-Leg Miami.

In the Consumer Personal Gear category, Coastal Compact Life Raft from Revere Survival Products won the award. Roughly the size of a laptop case, judges said the product opens up a whole new level of safety for near-shore boating. 'At just under $1,000, no boat on inland waters can afford to be without one,' said Jan Mundy, another BWI judge, in the statement.

The H2 LED Dock, Marina and Pier Lights by TouchStone Accent Lighting won the Consumer Installed Docking & Fendering Equipment category. The H2 LED cleat light is a simple, well-engineered and sleek light available in 12V or solar versions that mount under a standard 10-in cleat.

The True North 34 from Pearson Yachts/True North Yachts won the Inboard & Outboard Cruisers category. 'This is a versatile cockpit that offers great livability and fishability,' said Lenny Rudow.

Walker Bay Boats' Airis High-Pressure Inflatable Kayak won the Inflatables, Small Boats Up to 15' and Tenders category. An Honourable Mention was also given to the Hobie Mirage il2S Inflatable Pedal-Powered Kayak.

Yamaha Motor Corp won the Innovation Award in the PWC, Jet Boats & Pontoon Boats category for its Wave Runner SHO. Yamaha's SHO features several PWC-industry 'firsts', including: A Nano-engineered hull that decreases the craft's weight by 25 per cent; 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 Honourable Mention from the judges in this category.

In the Runabouts & Fishing Craft category, the Innovation Award went to Boston Whaler for its 230 Dauntless.

The Environmental Award went to the Eco-Star 200 electric boat by Starcraft Marine. The Eco-Star 200 combines excellent access to electrical motors with exceptional manoeuvrability of twin propellers, all on the popular deck boat platform. The judges considered this design to be a positive step for both the boating industry and use of alternative energy propulsion systems.