METS 2012 Dame Awards – News Feature

Game-changing German electric outboard wins world's biggest marine equipment trade show

A much anticipated and key component of the annual Marine Equipment Trade Show or METS in Amsterdam is the DAME Awards for the best new boating kit. The 22nd annual Design Award METS competition attracted 115 products from 25 countries.

A total of 39 products were short listed for final consideration and these ‘Nominated’ products then appear in the DAME stand at METS. The Jury then selects the Overall DAME Winner -- see the video of the winner at the foot of this article -- together with six outright Category Winners and 10 Special Mentions.

When making any assessment under the DAME rules the most important aspect, central to the final judgement, is design in its fullest context -- the degree to which the overall styling, construction, functionality (the capability of the product in relation to its intended use) and level of innovation are seen as equally balanced features of the entry.

Originality, use and ease of human operation are also taken into account, as well as other considerations such as the ratio of price to performance.

The DAME Award's Jury Chairman, Bill Dixon, says the calibre of entrants in this year's competition has been as strong as ever.

"The excellent quality of the 2012 DAME Design Award entry list has been clear evidence that the marine industry is continuing to invest confidently in a broad range of innovative and well-designed new products, despite the difficult economic climate.

"As always, it was a difficult task for the DAME Jury judges to elect the eventual Category and Overall Winners from such an impressive array of diverse and well-designed marine products.

"We were, however, very pleased that all seven categories were well represented -- especially in the important areas of deck equipment, rigging, safety and navigational software," Dixon said

DAME OVERALL AWARD WINNER

Overall Winner of the DAME Award 2012: Deep Blue Electric Outboard by Torqeedo of Germany.

The Jury believes that the new Deep Blue large electric outboard from Torqeedo GmbH is an exceptional example of groundbreaking research and development -- one which will bring great benefits to both the users and builders of marine craft. Through substantial financial investment Torqeedo has successfully combined two established yet distinct technologies -- the large outboard engine and electric motor ---for the first time. In so doing it has created a revolutionary integrated propulsion system that is striking in its styling and highly notable for its innovation. In bringing this truly original product to the marine market, Deep Blue’s designers have achieved a first-class package that offers convenience, price worthiness and performance. It also promises to provide a cleaner, quieter and more economical boating experience for many people in the years to come.

DAME AWARDS CATEGORY WINNERS

Marine equipment & related software: SonarCharts by Navionics

Navionics SonarCharts is a highly detailed bathymetric map with 3D functionality that uses community mapping -- where users share information by comparing sonar log recordings in order to build up a comprehensive database. It is the first system to enable large-scale displays that incorporate automated and global daily updates of bathymetrical data. The Jury considered this to be a finely designed product that represents a tremendously exciting development in the area of marine navigation and believe that this product is a glimpse into the future of the chartware sector.

Interior equipment, furnishings, materials and electrical fittings used in cabins: Nuance by Vision Systems

Nuance is an innovative solar protection product which allows users to accurately control the level of light and heat entering a yacht through its cabin windows. It can be manufactured to fulfil any shape with no size limit while saving space and weight. Its management can be operated instantly and comprehensively through manual or automatic means. The Jury felt that Nuance is major innovation that will benefit designers and owners greatly -- with comparatively little increase in cost.

Deck equipment, sails, and rigging: T25 Organiser by Spinlock Ltd

Designed for the decks of smaller boats, this neat and well-thought-out multiple-line organiser is micro-sized in order to achieve minimal weight, windage and footprint area. Its modular design uses a kit of finely detailed, reinforced mouldings. The Jury was impressed by its smart design and the benefits it will offer in terms of space-saving and cost reductions.

Clothing and crew equipment: Fibercon G2 & Elysse G2 by Chatham Marine

Chatham has designed a new range of deck shoes that use Contender sailcloth. Each pair incorporates this material which is proven to be tough and flexible in extreme marine conditions. The shoes are exceptionally lightweight, water resistant and durable. The Jury felt that they are an important and attractive development in the design of marine clothing -- a clear improvement on the many excellent products currently available in this sector.

Life saving and safety equipment: inReach by DeLorme

This is the world's first affordable two-way global satellite communication solution, offering sophisticated location tracking that includes SOS alerting through either text messaging or email using a wireless connection to a smart mobile device. inReach uses the Iridium satellite network in order to guarantee global coverage from anywhere on Earth. The Jury felt that the new inReach unit is an important contribution to boating safety, one that has successfully brought together popular modern technologies in order to save lives in the future.

Machinery, propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems and fittings: Deep Blue by Torqeedo GmbH

This product successfully combines two established yet distinct technologies -- the large outboard engine and electric motor -- for the first time. In doing so, Torqeedo have created a revolutionary integrated propulsion system that is striking in both in its styling and innovation. In bringing this truly original product to the marine market, Deep Blue’s designers have achieved a first-class package that offers convenience, price worthiness and performance. It also promises to provide a cleaner, quieter and more economical boating experience for many people in the years to come.

SPECIAL MENTIONS

Clothing and crew accessories: adipower hiking by adidas sailing

Adidas designers and technologists spent more than a full year working closely with the British Olympic sailing team in order to develop this original and unique approach to athletic shoe design. These new shoes will provide crews with an increased quality of direct contact to the boat while providing superb deck feel.

Marina Equipment, boatyard equipment and boat construction tools and materials: Waterlock, NLP3 by VETUS N.V.

Besides preventing water flowing back into the engine, reducing noise is a key feature of any waterlock. While trying to improve the noise reduction of its waterlock, VETUS has come up with a unique triple chamber unit that offers maximal sound reduction with optimal performance.

Interior Equipment, furnishing, materials and electrical fittings used in cabins: YKK Baby SNAD by YKK Fasteners

These new plastic snap fasteners have been designed specifically for the marine market and, unlike traditional metal screw studs, will prevent the snagging of clothing and the deterioration of the material through exposure to sunlight or saltwater. The Jury felt that while this product is small in size, it is highly significant for its clever design that uses dome shaping which can be stepped on without causing harm or pain. It is a truly innovative product that will save builders and owners time and money.

Deck Equipment, sails and rigging: TRExDUE by Seasmart

The DUExTRE is a removable table for boats that is light and easy to stow and install. It consists of three parts -- two carbon legs to be fixed to the floor and one folding table to be fixed onto the legs. The Jury considered the DUExTRE to be an exceptional example of well-designed engineering set out with elegant styling. It offers a smart solution for the design and construction of small boats.

Clothing and crew accessories: ZhikGrip 2 Boot and Straps by Zhik Pty Ltd

The design for the ZhikGrip 2 range of boots and straps is the culmination of many years of research and development that has included having the products tested and critiqued by a team of world champion athletes, including Olympic gold medallists at this year’s London games. The products provide competitive racing sailors with an improved connection to the boat’s performance while still allowing full mobility. The Jury felt that this product succeeded in having tremendous grip while being both comfortable and aesthetically striking.

Deck Equipment, sails and rigging: Quick Lock deck filler by Osculati

This uniquely designed deck filler unit allows the user to open or close a fuel or water cap with a single 45° rotation, making operation much faster and simpler than can be achieved by other existing products, all of which require several rotations in order to fully complete the action of opening or closing. The Jury felt that the Quick Lock deck filler has successfully addressed an overlooked problem in the area of boat management and achieved a design solution that increases speed and convenience.

Lifesaving and safety equipment: AQ40 by Ocean Safety Ltd

This compact water-activated lifejacket light uses LED technology to help it operate five times longer than other similar models currently on the market. It is also noticeably smaller and neater than any of its competitors. The Jury felt that the design of the AQ40 is notable for the way in which it has successfully set out a new and clear standard in the design of lifejacket lights.

Machinery, propulsion, mechanical and electrical systems and fittings: Oceanvolt SD8.6 by Oceanvolt Ltd

The Oceanvolt SD8.6 saildrive propulsion system has been designed for silent and ecological motoring with maximum comfort. Lighter than similar products already on the market it is highly hydrodynamic and includes a useful graphic display which accurately indicates its remaining operating time. The Jury felt that this product was notable for being both compact and yet cleverly engineered.

Lifesaving and safety equipment: Odeo Flare Mk2 by Odeo Flare Ltd

The Odeo Flare Mark 2 is designed to solve the difficulties involved in safely transporting, storing and disposing of pyrotechnic red hand-held flares. It has no flames or explosives making it a safer alternative to the conventional hand-held pyrotechnic flare. Its lasers transmit a full hemisphere of light output with distinctive bright and random flashes, visible from the surface and the air at a minimum range of three miles. The Jury felt that this product will enhance crew safety by its excellent and appropriate use of laser technology.

Marine electronics & Marine related software: NavNet TZ touch by Furuno

The NavNet TZ touch makes display manipulation easier than ever before with features that include two-finger course rotation and the capability to create or connect to an existing wireless LAN network, allowing users to interact with the TZ touch via their tablet or smartphone. The Jury felt that the NavNet TZ touch is both exceptionally user-friendly and a pleasing evolution of display interactivity.

Read the latest Boatsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the Boatsales Network's mobile site. Or download the all-new App.

METS 2012 Dame Awards – News Feature

Tags