IBEX announces winners of the 2026 Innovation Awards

IBEX announces winners of the 2026 Innovation Awards © IBEX

The International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), North America's leading trade event for the recreational marine industry, announced today the winners of the 2026 IBEX Innovation Awards Program.

The program is managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI). The judges selected 12 Innovation Award winners and three honorable mentions from 100 entries submitted by exhibiting marine industry companies. Awards were presented during the annual Industry Breakfast and Innovation Awards presentation, held Tuesday, October 6, 2026. All products submitted to the IBEX Innovation Awards are on display along Innovation Way, located on the on the second-floor rotunda throughout the days of the Show at the Tampa Convention Center, Oct. 6-8, 2026, and featured in the online showcase. Returning this year, IBEX will host an Innovation Meet & Greet along Innovation Way from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6. This can't-miss event will offer attendees the opportunity to connect with the innovators and breakthrough technologies shaping the future of boating.

The winners of the 2026 IBEX Innovation Awards are:

Boat Care and Maintenance - Dual Winners:

Propspeed, Foulfree Multi-Surface

Judge Tony Esposito: Propspeed builds on what they've done for protecting exposed metal underwater and delivers protection for 20 non-metal surfaces on underwater components like transducers, interceptors, and bow thrusters that can be fouled to failure by bio marine growth with its non-toxic, three-step process that provide dealers and boatyards with an additional value-added revenue stream.

Spectrum Color, Spectrum Color TouchPro

Judge Steve Davis: An ingenious way to repair scratches and finish defects on powder-coated metal surfaces, Spectrum Color TouchPro is an aerosol-based kit with the same protections from the marine environment that accurately matches OEM color palettes. No more spray guns, controlled environments, or full replacement required.

Boatbuilding Methods and Materials: Big Dog Adhesives, Reload Adhesives

Judge Pim Van Hemmen: Every year, millions of caulking canisters go to the landfill. Big Dog Adhesives addresses that with their reloadable caulking cartridges. As fresh aluminum foil cartridges are loaded into the reversible canisters, the used foil cartridges are discharged from the other end. The Big Dog system uses standard industry adhesives and accessories, lowers shipping and material costs, and takes a huge bite out of the waste stream. It's a win-win-win.

Deck Equipment and Hardware: Scanstrut, Scanstrut Wireless Powered All-Round White LED Navigation Pole Light

Judge Tim Murphy: From time immemorial we've seen the crusty green results of corroded metal-to-metal connections on pole-mounted navigation lights. Results that too often lead to lights that fail just when boaters need them most. Scanstrut solves this problem with wireless power delivery and a nifty water-resistant mount, delivering a 2 nautical-mile light that promises to keep working long after traditional models would have failed.

Honorable Mention: Gemlux, Deluxe Antenna Mount

Electrical Systems - Dual Winners:

ARCO, Zeus Omega Alternator Control System

Judge Steve Mitchell: The ARCO Zeus Omega splits the alternator regulator in two, with a potted drive module at the alternator and a control module near the batteries, connected by one cable instead of a large bundle of wiring. Pre-made connectors plug directly into ARCO alternators without cutting wires, and Hall effect sensing eliminates the shunt. One control module manages up to six alternators on 12 through 48V systems and integrates with Victron, NMEA 2000, CZone, and smart BMS batteries.

Egis Mobile Electric, Modular Power Distribution Module (PDM)

Judge Steve Mitchell: Small-boat DC systems have long been a patchwork of switches, fuse blocks, and bus bars. The Egis Modular PDM rolls all of it into one sealed, ignition-protected module with fuses, resettable circuit breakers, Deutsch connectors and NMEA 2000 control. Its stackable, busbar-linked design gives boatbuilders a single scalable platform and gives field technicians fewer pieces to troubleshoot down the road.

Honorable Mention: AquaAmp, Smart DT Connector

Furnishings and Interior Parts: Kenyon International Inc., Kenyon Signature® Induction Cooktop Series

Judge Tony Esposito: Kenyon's new matte black glass-ceramic cooktop eliminates reflective glare, fingerprints and visible dings from daily use; but as a cook, the real innovation is the 'bridge' feature that spans 2-burners and provides even heat across a flat-top griddle or oversized pasta pot, further blurring the line between cooking onboard and at your abode.

Mechanical Systems: Flow Marine Systems, FlowGuard Integrated Marine HVAC Condensate Protection

Judge Tim Murphy: The water that condenses out of HVAC systems is a fact of life on our boats, and one that can be costly when it leaks into expensive cabinetry or furnishings. Flowguard solves this problem with not just a drain-pan water sensor but also control-board logic that notifies the operator of a leak and stops air-conditioner operation till the leak is solved.

OEM Electronics: Garmin USA, Garmin Signal™ VHF 400

Judge Steve Mitchell: The Garmin Signal VHF 400 puts VHF, DSC, and a Class B SOTDMA AIS transponder on a color touchscreen in a unit small enough for almost any helm. It listens to three channels at once, replays the last three minutes of audio, and includes diagnostic screens that help troubleshoot antenna and cabling issues. NMEA 2000 integration, 12V and 24V support, and a separately powered fist mic with magnetic mounting round out a radio that is easy to install on a wide range of boats.

Honorable Mention: Nextfour / Q Experience, Q Float display

Propulsion Equipment and Parts: Glydus, Telescopic and Tilt Mechanism

Judge Tony Esposito: As a boater with short arms who has contorted against the bolster to reach the steering wheel many times, Glydus's 2-full-inches of telescopic movement across 34 positions and its full tilt capability deliver adjustability, comfort and safety never seen in the recreational marine industry before.

Safety Equipment: Canyon Runner, Canyon Runner Connected Vessel Intelligence

Judge Pim Van Hemmen: Canyon Runner's BRIZO Connected Vessel Intelligence Service combines live vessel data, predictive analysis, weather intelligence, navigation insight, and crowdsourced data to help recreational and professional captains make safer, more informed decisions. Boat owners don't have to replace existing marine electronics, and they can select only the services they need, whether they want to find fish or locate the exact position of an inlet by using the latest crowd sourced tracking to get home safely.

Trailers; Parts and Accessories: Launch & Retrieve Boat Latch, L&R Boat Latch

Judge Steve Davis: Straightforward and simple, the L&R Boat Latch makes launching and retrieving a trailerable boat safe and easy, perfect for the solo operator. Set the latch into launch or retrieve positions and the U-bolt style bow snare disengages or connects effortlessly without leaving the helm.

IBEX has long served as the central meeting place for the recreational marine industry, bringing together world-class technical education, product innovation and business development under one roof. Expanded networking, special events and professional communities reflect IBEX's continued investment in creating meaningful connections that strengthen businesses, careers and the future of recreational boating.

IBEX 2026 continues October 6-8 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. For additional information about IBEX, registration, education and special events, visit www.ibexshow.com.