The 2025 IBEX Innovation Awards Programme saw a record 112 entries submitted by exhibiting marine industry companies.
The programme recognises manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products to market.
Judges selected 12 Innovation Award winners and four honourable mentions at the annual Industry Breakfast, Keynote, and Innovation Awards presentation.
The programme is managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI).
The winners of the 2025 IBEX Innovation Awards are:
Boat Care and Maintenance: Spectrum Color, Spectrum Color Eye which scans and provides a colour match of faded gelcoat for boat repairs using an app.
Boatbuilding Methods and Materials: Diab, Advanced Kits, a weight-savings system for fitting flat foam-core sheets into complex curves starting from 3-D plans.
Honorable Mention: Viam, Viam Robotic Block Sanding System
Boatyard and Marina Hardware and Software: Brownell Boat Stands & Equipment, Brownell Boat Stands Service Station. The Service Station is designed to hold and manipulate lower units, stern drives, and small outboard engines for maintenance and repair.
Honorable Mention: Barnapole, Barnapole
Deck Equipment and Hardware: Docked, Docked. The Docked entry bar has been developed to simplify docking. Users aim the boat’s bow toward the Docked entry bar which locks in the boat and guides it into place.
Electrical Systems (dual winners): AquaAmp, SeaSocket and Solid State Marine, 36V120ah New 6TL
The AquaAmp SeaSocket transforms a programmable LED cup holder into a 12V system, delivering up to 360W to a wide range of accessories using NFC technology.
Solid State Marine’s new lithium-ion battery captures the electrolyte in a solid form resulting in a battery with 50% more power density than lithium-iron-phosphate chemistry that is able to deliver high amperage and take high charging current.
Furnishings, and Interior Parts: Taco Marine, Altura Luxury Helm combines traditional looks with structural upgrades to create an updated version of the teak ladderback helm chair.
Mechanical Systems: Dometic Marine, Dometic CSX Refrigeration System has a compact footprint, sleek design, and minimal environmental impact.
OEM Electronics (dual winners): Lookout, Lookout which integrates advanced AI vision cameras with a Coast Guard-certified navigation light, creating an all-in-one solution.
NorCross Marine Products, HawkEye DepthTrax Edge, an in-dash sonar system that delivers advanced depth and fish-finding capabilities. The device connects via Bluetooth to an app that turns smartwatches and other mobile devices into a multifunction display with full fish finder functionality.
Propulsion Parts, Propellers: Yamaha Motor Corporation, Yamaha Helm Master EX Wireless Control System allows boat drivers to access the full suite of Helm Master EX features from anywhere on the boat with just one hand.
Honourable Mention: Liquid Lumens, Vessel Vector Neo
Safety Equipment: ASA Electronics, Camera Docking Assist System by Voyager Safety Systems which provides assistance during docking.
“From the entire IBEX team, congratulations to all entrants of the 2025 Innovation Awards and a special thank you to our judges for their hard work in selecting this year’s winners,” said Mary Velline, IBEX show director.
“We had such an incredible array of new and innovative products this year, showcasing a bright future for our entire industry. And with such, our winners should be especially proud of their accomplishments.”
