Rewarding Ingenuity. Honoring Excellence.
The IBEX Innovation Awards showcase outstanding marine product development to the recreational boating industry and beyond. The program, managed by by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI), is one of the marine industry’s most prestigious honors recognizing manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products to market. Discover the 2020 award winning products below.
Watch the 2020 Innovation Awards Presentation
Boat Care and Maintenance
Sea-Dog Line, Hose Klip
The Hose Klip™ is water hose lock for deck fills. It snaps over any standard hose and the compression fitting holds the hose in place for hands free operation, which stops the hose from popping out of the deck fill during filling. Fits almost all 1-1/2” water deck fills. Learn More
Deck Equipment & Hardware
Rupp Marine, Boltless Rod Holder
Two rod holders in one! An investment cast stainless steel rod holder design that allows for use in either a “fixed” or “360 degree rotating swivel” configuration, by simply swapping a washer (included). Finally, a rod holder that can be easily installed while still providing the clean bolt-less look. For more information about this product and its development, click here for the IBEX 365 Interview. Learn More
Electrical Systems
Yamaha Motor Corporation, Phase Angle Control Charging System
Meeting extreme electrical demands of today’s bigger boats, especially at low rpm, Yamaha developed a completely new Phase Angle Control charging system. Now there’s plenty of power for devices like gyro stabilizers, air conditioning, sound systems and console electronics without the need for a generator.
Mechanical Products
Series 53 Battery Disconnect Circuit Breaker
Mechanical Systems
Attwood, Sahara Mk2 Automatic Bilge Pump Range
Sahara Mk2 is the ONLY automatic bilge pump that eliminates air locks. Attwood’s patented X-Air™ Impeller forces air bubbles trapped in the hose and underside of the pump out of the pipework, so that the pump will not run dry and burn out. For more information about this product and its development, click here for the IBEX 365 Interview. Learn More
OEM Electronics
Veratron, LinkUp
The Veratron family of LinkUp single function gateway modules provide an easy method to convert vessel and engine signals, and diesel engine J1939 protocol to NMEA 2000. The LinkUp gateway configuring process is extremely user friendly via our dedicate “Veratron LinkUp Configurator” App available for Android or iOS mobile devices. For more information about this product and its development, click here for the IBEX 365 Interview.
Outboard Engines
Yamaha Motor Corporation, Helm Master EX Joystick for Single Engine Applications
Yamaha Helm Master EX makes the ultimate in control, including joystick maneuverability, available to customers with single-outboard boat configurations. Perfect for smaller center console and larger bay boats, this new joystick option allows boaters with single-outboard power to enjoy the majority of benefits associated with multi-outboard Helm Master EX applications. Learn More
Propulsion Parts, Propellers
Dometic, Electric Power Assist
Power Assist Mechanical Steering converts a boat’s existing rack or rotary cable steering system into smooth, effortless power steering. This electric steering actuator attaches to the outboard and turns the engine load. Brings affordable, practical power steering to a range of boats with outboards from 90 – 200 HP. For more information about this product and its development, click here for the IBEX 365 Interview. Learn More
2020 Judging Panel
Boating Writers International (BWI)
BWI is a professional organization consisting of writers, editors, publishers, photographers, broadcasters, public relations specialists and others in the communications profession associated with the boating industry. Members are active marine journalists across the United States, Canada, Europe and beyond.
Brady Kay
Brady is the executive editor of Pontoon & Deck Boat magazine and has been at the helm of this publication for over 20 years. During his tenure, Brady has tested and reviewed countless pontoon and deck boats, traveled to all 50 states for feature profiles and has taken thousands of photos. He also currently oversees Great Lakes Boating magazine, a sister publication at Harris Publishing, and is serving as the second vice president of BWI.
Zuzana Prochazka (Chair)
Zuzana is a freelance writer and photographer with regular contributions to more than a dozen publications. A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana has cruised, chartered and captained vessels in most parts of the world and founded a flotilla charter company called Zescapes. She serves as an international presenter on charter destinations, safety issues and technical topics, and she’s the Executive Director of BWI.
Ed Sherman
Ed is a 40+ year industry veteran who semi-retired as vice president of the American Boat and Yacht Council last year. He continues to write technical training material for the council and is a contributor to Cruising World, Marine Electronics Journal, and Boat US magazines. He is the author of five marine technical books covering outboard engines and marine electrical/electronic systems.
Ben Stein (Co-Chair)
Ben Stein is editor of Panbo.com covering the marine electronics industry. He also serves as electronics editor for Power & Motoryacht and PassageMaker magazines and is a regular contributor to Soundings. After 15 years in financial services technology, he left the corporate world to pursue his passion in boating. A USCG 100 Ton Master, Ben has completed the Great Loop and currently lives aboard his boat with his wife and two daughters.
Greg Thornton
Greg hails from Rhode Island, is an ABYC certified technician, holds a USCG 100 Ton Master’s license and has over 15 years of experience commanding both sail and motor yachts throughout North America and abroad. He works for BoatTEST.com full-time as client services director and test captain. Greg is a member of BWI, his local USCG Auxiliary flotilla, American Red Cross Disaster Response Team, and a part-time harbormaster.
For questions, contact:
Rachel Harmon
NMMA
T: 312-946-6247
E: rharmon@nullnmma.org
