2017 IBEX Innovation Award Winners

The 2017 International Boatbuilders, Exhibition and Conference — better known as IBEX — has revealed the winners of its annual Innovation Awards that honour achievement in product development in 10 areas of the marine industry.

IBEX is a trade-only show, promoted as "the largest technical marine event in the world," and owned and run by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).

The winners were selected by a panel of judges from Boating Writers International (BWI), a professional organisation consisting of writers, editors, publishers, photographers, broadcasters, and communications professionals associated with the boating industry.

Anne Dunbar, IBEX show director, said with more than 95 product entries, competition was tight and the winners chosen from the top-tier panel of BWI judges represent the best the industry has to offer.

"This year the entries reflected many of the changing consumer trends and expectations of today’s boating lifestyle."

Alan Wendt, Chair of the Innovation Awards and Past President of Boating Writers International, said: "Competition reached new levels, and many product innovations were designed for easier user interface."

Some of the products are peculiar to the North American boating market, but there are a few new gems in this lot that will be coming to market or are available Down Under now. And, predictably, outboard engines featured strongly.

IBEX INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS
The 2017 IBEX Innovation Award winners are:
>> Boatbuilding Methods & Materials: CEproof Group, ICOMIA Technical File Generator ?
>> Deck Equipment & Hardware: Aluna Systems, Light Pole; ?Honorable Mention: SUREFAS B.V., CAF-COMPO screw-stud ?
>> Mechanical Systems: Seakeeper, Seakeeper 3 ?
>> Electrical Systems: JL Marine Systems, Power-Pole CHARGE ?
>> Outboard Engines: Dual Winners: Suzuki Motor of America Inc., DF350A; Yamaha Motor ?Corporation, F25C ?
>> Boatyard and Dealer Hardware and Software: Gemeco Marine Accessories, TDT1000 ?Transducer Diagnostic Tester ?
>> Propulsion Parts, Propellers: BRP US Inc., Evinrude iDock; ?Honorable Mention: PowerTech! Propellers, CushionLok2 ?
>> OEM Electronics: Dual Winners: JL Marine Systems, Power-Pole VISION; Lumitec, Power Line ?Instruction Technology ?
>> Trailers, Parts and Trailer Accessories: Gatorbak LLC, Premium Clear Bunk Covers ?
>> Safety Equipment: Vesper Marine, deckWatch App ?

FIRST TIME BOATBUYERS: DISCUSSION
IBEX is a long-serving event
in the global marine industry calendar and this year's discussions
among the big boatbuilders centred on fostering business and boat sales
with first-time boatbuyers.

Steve Heese, President and CEO of Chris-Craft, made the point ahead of the show that first time boatbuyer numbers are retracting.

"In
2000, first-time boat buyers represented 42 per cent of all boat
buyers. In 2015, they represented just 33 per cent of all boat buyers.
Overall, sales to first-time boat buyers fell 37 per cent during that
time period — a scary drop from 633,000 to 397,000 [in the U.S.].

"Today,
our industry's primary driver of new boat sales is people who are in
the market to purchase their second, third, or even their fourth boat.
These are people who are highly passionate and committed to
boating — people who will keep coming back.

"But repeat buyers were
once first-time boat buyers. And the disturbing trend of fewer and
fewer of them is something we can't ignore. First-time boat buyers are
the lifeblood of our industry," Heese said.

Thomas J. Dammrich, President of the NMMA, painted an otherwise rosy picture for growth in the U.S. boatbuilding industry for the next few years and through to 2019 at least.

According to a recent study by the NMMA, 142 million Americans went boating in 2016.

More at IBEX.