Innovation Way 2024

Judge Tim Murphy: Nearly every boat needs to be protected from galvanic corrosion, but our typical metal sacrificial anodes add toxic metals to the water we boat in. The CMP Smartyr impressed-current cathodic protection solves this problem, and satisfies the ABYC E-2 power requirement with a self-contained lithium battery charged by solar cells. The unit senses hull potential, self regulates and indicates proper functioning with LED lights. It’s a clean solution at a similar price to of sacrificial anodes.

Judge Pim Van Hemmen: It’s always fun to see someone cook up a really clever, simple, inexpensive solution to a problem that has vexed boaters ever since the onboard fuel tank was invented. The CLiX fuel spill prevention product is simply brilliant and revolutionary.

Judge Charles Doane: This inventive product, designed to replace marine plywood in boatbuilding and other applications, hits a lot of buttons. Fabricated from recycled plastic, it is itself recyclable. It is rot-proof, price competitive, weighs the same, and is more versatile. An important step forward!

Judge Brady Kay: The Self-Booting Bimini is the next evolution in power tops with a truly innovative design where the canvas top retracts automatically into an integrated boot box with a simple push of a button. Say goodbye to zipper Bimini boot struggles.

Judge Tim Murphy: From simple center consoles to complex cruising yachts, the Egis XD Series remote relay offers an elegant priceworthy solution to delivering power throughout the boat. The relay’s modular design, together with NMEA 2000 monitoring and control, promises to significantly reduce long heavy wire runs, and does so with comforting analog redundancy.

Judge Brady Kay: As boats continue to trend towards automotive-like comfort, the XPower Seat with memory settings and 4-inches of movement in all directions takes marine seating to new heights. The electric seat base is integrated to move on the post for a sleeker and more efficient solution to marine seating.

Judge Theresa Nicholson: After 4 years of development, Phiber’s pressurized, hydro injection for brine evacuation and remediation is the first product to streamline the flushing process and to have universal application. Phiber makes freshwater flushing maintenance an INTRINSIC function for any system that uses raw water for cooling, at the touch of a button.

Judge Charles Doane: This clever but simple product takes a critical and ubiquitous bit of kit, the Racor fuel filter, and helps it work even better. The easily removed heat shield bowl enhances key features—the ability to detect water in fuel and easily drain off contaminants—and improves functionality.

Judge Theresa Nicholson: Tocaro Blue Proteus distills RADAR information to bring an easy awareness of waters around the boat. Proteus helps the user digest and understand information from their boat’s Radar, sonar, and AIS systems.

Judge Brady Kay: With Honda’s first production V8 engine, their high-power outboard integrates innovative highlights including a fully balanced 60 degree offset crankshaft that eliminates the need for a harmonic balancer along with key exclusive features found in Honda’s DNA. The development of the BF350 enhances its existing lineup and takes Honda power to the next level.

Judge Richard Armstrong: The Lenco Pro Control Auto leveling system leverages existing plane mounting points to and counteracts dynamic running conditions to improve stability, reduce pitch and re-entry impact. This cost effective system is a snap to install and configure.

Judge Richard Armstrong: The Banshee VA1 isn’t the first VHF radio extension speaker, but it’s the clearest and loudest with a 10 watt integrated amplifier and DSP to filter out background noise and emphasize the human voice. The versatile mounting options make it easy to fit on any boat.

Judge Pim Van Hemmen: As someone who’s spent the past decade clambering onto his trailered boat by using the trailer head and the spare tire to get over the bow cleat without hurting himself, the G2 bow step is a welcome innovation. It’s a smart, well-engineered product that makes getting into a trailered boat so much easier.