Miami Innovation Awards

The Innovation Awards program presented at the Discover Boating® Miami International Boat Show® honors manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products for the boating industry to market. The Miami program offers twenty-two consumer product categories for entry. Complete details can be reviewed on the program webpage.

 
 

Miami International Boat Show Innovative Products Categories

  • Boat Care and Maintenance (coatings, chemicals, paints, finishes, additives, oils and tools)
  • Cabin Cruisers, Motor Yachts, Trawlers
  • Center Console/Walkaround Fishing Boats
  • Consumer Electronics, Mobile Applications and Software
  • Consumer Safety Equipment
  • Cuddy Cabin, Bowrider, Deck Boats (boats intended for family day use)
  • Deck Equipment (rigging, rope, anchoring equipment, boat covers, canvas work, T-tops/arches, stainless work, mooring gear, steering mechanisms and wheels, exterior and underwater lighting, BBQs, blocks, winches/winch handles, screens, vents, rod holders, outriggers, etc.)
  • Docking and Fendering Equipment
  • Electric Motor/Battery Powered Propulsion/Hyrbid
  • Fishing Equipment, Gear and Tackle
  • Furnishings and Interior Parts (appliances, furniture, lighting, testiles, galley, etc.)
  • Inboard Engines
  • Inflatables and Tenders
  • Mechanical and Electrical Systems (AC/DC onboard and shore power systems, batteries, control apparatus, battery management tools, inverters, chargers, air conditioning, heating, plumbing, ventilation, pumps, tanks and fuel systems, solar panels, etc.)
  • Outboard Engines (including trolling, propane and electric motors)
  • Personal Gear, Soft Goods (clothing, footware, etc.)
  • Personal Watercraft
  • Power Multihull
  • Propulsion Equipment and Parts (gauges, trim tabs, propellers, steering systems, thrusters, etc.)
  • Sailboats (multihull and monohull)
  • Tow Boats
  • Trailers, Parts and Trailer Accessories
Miami Innovation Awards By Years

2023 Miami Innovation Awards Winners
Center Console/Walkaround Fishing Boats

Honorable Mention: 280 Dauntless, Boston Whaler

V-55 Center Console, Viking Yachts

Judge Gary Reich said: “The Valhalla V-55 takes big sportfishing yacht features and seamlessly integrates them into a package that’s manageable by a single owner/operator. The belowdecks mechanical space keeps sensitive systems safe and dry but easily accessible. The massive tower is supersized, and the easy-access console cabin feels like the interior spaces you’d find on a much larger sportfish yacht.”


Consumer Electronics, Mobile Applications and Software

Honorable Mention: WSO200 Ultrasonic wind and weather station, Maretron

Lowrance® HDS PRO with Active Imaging HD and ActiveTarget 2, Navico Group

Judge Glenn Hayes said: “Lowrance HDS Pro brings fish finding to a new level by combining two live sonar systems giving a more comprehensive and wider view to the angler. The innovation doesn’t stop there. With new overlay features and FishReveal now in SideScan mode, locating trophy fish has never been quicker and easier.” 


Consumer Safety Equipment

Honorable Mention: B&G Zeus S, Navico Group

ResQLink AIS Personal Locator Beacon, ACR Electronics

Judge Jennifer Brett said: “For many boaters, an AIS equipped personal locator beacon was the holy grail of safety equipment. In the ResQLink AIS PLB, ACR has achieved this in a compact form-factor device that can attach to an inflatable PFD.” 


Cuddy Cabin, Bowrider, Deck Boats

SLX 260 Outboard, Sea Ray

Judge Kate Bush said: “This all-female designed boat provides an updated, one-touch Power Tower that can be lowered while underway, a hinged dash that provides easy access for maintenance and a clever aft portside locker for water toys.” 


Deck Equipment

Deckpad, Deckpad

Judge Glenn Hayes said: “Deckpad is a versatile new product that you won’t want to leave behind. Its multiple uses as a deck cushion, platform, float, and sunshade make it the most used and versatile accessory aboard.”


Electric Motor/Battery Powered Propulsion/Hyrbid

Avator 7.5e electric outboard motor, Mercury Marine

Judge Zuzana Prochazka said: “Much thought went into the design of Mercury's Avator including the convenient exchange of the battery, the tiller that doubles as a carrying handle, and the easy removal of the engine from the transom bracket.” 


Mechanical and Electrical Systems

Fathom e-power system, Navico Group

Judge Tim Murphy said: “A growing trend in recreational boat systems uses high capacity electric systems to power all the house loads including Air conditioning without an onboard generator. Navico Group meets this challenge with a fully integrated system based on Lithium Batteries operating at 48-volts to extend the time away from charging sources and remove one internal combustion engine from the boat.”


Outboard Engines

Rotax S, BRP

Judge Gary Reich said: “The BRP Rotax S creates additional deck space traditionally taken up by one or more outboards by orientating the engine block horizontally and tucking a portion of it under the surface. This allows the addition of an expansive aft deck while still allowing the engine to be tilted completely out of the water.” 


Personal Watercraft

Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170, BRP

Judge Alfred Boer said: “The Sea Doo Explorer Pro 170 is suitable for long haul adventures, it opens a whole new market and likely to draw new boaters.”


Propulsion Equipment and Parts

Joystick system for single diesel Aquamatic sterndrives, Volvo Penta

Judge Tim Murphy said: Joystick control takes boat handling stress out of docking, and Volvo Penta now brings that operation to boats with single diesel powered stern drives. The system integrates steering, bow thruster, gear, and throttle into one handed operation.