Marine innovations in 2010 Oz Design Awards

Among the 177 products shortlisted in the 2010 Australian International Design Awards are at least three that will be of interest to most boaters.

While not many boaties will have need for a sheep drencher, flame retardant underwear, playground swing equipment or high tech skates, marine products have not been overlooked by the judging panel for the coveted awards.

Heading the list is the ICON A5 amphibious sports plane, a compact two-seater that has folding wings to enable it to be towed behind a 4X4 or hoisted aboard a large gin palace.

Mustang Marine's already highly awarded 430 Sports Coupe -- a boat that can suit the purposes of a host of boaters -- and Sea Pen's innovative water-level, dry-docking system are also among those products on the shortlist.

The ICON A5, powered by a four-stroke 100hp engine mounted in front of a pusher propellor, is sure to become one of the "must have" nautical toys of the coming decade. It can land on water or land with its hydroplane hull and retractable wheels and is light enough to be towed away on holiday, with its wings folded, behind the family 4X4.

Costing just $US140,000, the compact aircraft has a maximum speed of 105 knots and a range of 300 nautical miles. And while most of the sales are expected to be to Americans who want to explore the wild lakes and rivers of the United States, ICON A5s should also become a common sight in the Med, the Whitsundays and the Caribbean. The airframe of the A5 is made from carbon fibre for strength and durability and to eliminate the problems aluminium aircraft can experience with salt water.

The aircraft can land and take off in just 230 metres and one person can fold or unfold the wings in just five minutes.

The Mustang 430 Sports Coupe, which won the 2009 Boat of the Year award, is the only boat listed among the finalists on the shortlist. A one-level luxury craft that offers great accommodation and entertaining space, the Mustang 430 comes equipped with all the extras even the most demanding buyer could want.

Sliding glass doors open up the saloon to the cockpit and a sliding sun roof lets in the sun and light to the helmsman and his guests. The galley features a dual electric cook top, a drawer dishwasher and a 135 litre fridge/freezer. A 9kW genset provides all the power needed to run the entertainment centre, the galley and the air conditioning.

The 430 has a huge owner's cabin in the bow with a queen-sized bed, complete with inner spring mattress. The standard layout features a guest cabin to starboard but a three cabin version is available for those with a large family.

Power is provided by twin Volvo 435hp engines that give effortless performance.  Those boaters who like to overnight away from home aren't forgotten. The 430 is equipped with a 30kg anchor and 70 metres of 8mm chain that will ensure a peaceful night's sleep.

Finally, the Australian designed and developed Sea Pen dry docking system promises to take most of the niggling worries and dirty work out of boat owning.

The floating dock sinks to allow a boat to enter and then the water inside the outer membrane is pumped out, leaving the boat resting on a rope net and surrounded by air.

Anti-fouling, osmosis and electrolysis become things of the past. Sea Pen can be made to fit boats from six to 30 metres and everything from mono-hull powerboats to catamaran fishing boats and deep keel yachts. The dry dock moulds around all manner of power drives from outboards to fixed props and sterndrives.

The Queensland-based company offers a three year warranty and claims little marine growth will cling to the outside of the Sea Pen docks.