Miami International Boat Show 2015 Innovation Award Winners

17 Products Recognized for Technical Advancement

MIAMI (February 12, 2015) – The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) announced today winners of the 2015 Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show Innovation Awards, presented during the annual Industry Breakfast at the Miami Beach Convention Center. This year’s program featured a record number of entries with 97 products—a 68 percent increase in entries compared to last year.

The 2015 Miami International Boat Show Innovation Award winners are:

Alternate Drive Technology (pods, stern drives):Volvo Penta, Forward Drive

Deck Equipment & Hardware: Taco Metals, Rub Rail Mounted LED Light

Docking & Fendering Equipment: StormFender LLC, StormFender

Mechanical & Electrical Systems: Yamaha Watercraft, Connext Helm Control System

Inboard Engines: Indmar Products, ROUSH Charged Raptor

Outboard Engines: BRP U.S. Inc., Evinrude E-TEC G2

Consumer Safety Equipment: Simrad-Navico, Forward Scan

Watersport Equipment: LilliPad Diving Boards, LilliPad Diving Board

Consumer Electronics, Apps & Software: Navionics, Inc, SonarCharts and SonarCharts Live

Center Console & Walkaround Fishing Boats: Hydra-Sport, 53’ Suenos

Cuddy Cabin and Bowrider Boats: Rec Boat Holdings/Four Winns, Horizon 440 Bow Cruiser

Deck Boats: Boston Whaler, 320 Vantage

Jet Boats: Chaparral Boats, Aerial Surf Platform

Personal Watercrafts (PWCs): Yamaha Watercraft, Yamaha RiDE System

Pontoon Boats: Apex Marine, Inc., Angler Quest

Tow Boats: MasterCraft Boat Company, X23

Environmental Award: Wake Worx, LLC, Mussel Mast’R Aquatic Invasive Species Filter System

The Innovation Awards judging committee is comprised of BWI members who perform product testing throughout the year and have specific expertise in marine products and equipment. The committee is chaired by Zuzana Prochazka, freelance writer with regular contributions to SAIL, Sea, BoatUS and Cruising Outpost magazines as well as Boats.com, Yachtworld.com and TalkoftheDock.com. The judging committee includes:

Nigel Calder: Associate/Technical Editor with Professional BoatBuilder, Sail, PassageMaker, Yachting Monthly and Ocean Navigator; and author of The Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual, Marine Diesel Engines and several other titles.

Alan Jones: Executive Editor of Boating World magazine.

Liz Pasch: Editorial Director of Southern Boating.

Lenny Rudow: Senior Editor for Dominion Marine Media, including Boats.com and Yachtworld.com; Electronics Editor for BoatUS Magazine; and author of six books.

David Schmidt: Electronics Editor at Yachting magazine; Racing Editor at SAIL magazine; U.S. Racing Editor of www.sail-world-com; and Owner and Founder of Alembic Media, LLC.

Ed Sherman: Vice President and Education Director of American Boat & Yacht Council; contributor to Boating, Cruising World, Soundings, Professional BoatBuilder, and Yachting magazines; owner of Ed’s Boat Tips blog; and author of several books.

Alan Wendt: President of BWI and frequent contributor to Lakeland Boating.

Innovation Awards recognize exceptionally innovative new consumer marine products, and will be on display throughout the show, February 12-16, at the show’s three locations – Miami Beach Convention Center, Sea Isle Marina and Miamarina at Bayside.

About NMMA: The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association for the North American recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters in North America. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. Learn more at www.nmma.org. Contact: Kelly Kaylor Rooney 312.946.6262