Boating Writers International News

MasterCraft Boat Company continues its leadership accolades in the towboat category with a prestigious innovation award for its most advanced towboat to date, the 2018 XStar, said a press release from the company. Just announced at the Miami International Boat Show, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International honored MasterCraft with this award as one of 17 winners out of 62 total evaluated products. “With the new XStar, validation came when ranks of pro wakeboarders outside of the MasterCraft team were raving about its versatility and what it will allow them to do off the wake. It’s truly the first wakeboard boat in the world that is so versatile that it enables progression for anyone from family riders to the world’s best…

FUSION announced today that its STEREOACTIVE purpose-builtportable marine stereo has won the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award in the Watersport Equipmentcategory at the 2017 Miami International Boat Show. “We are very proud of the passion and dedication our design and engineering team has put into STEREOACTIVE and are deeply honored to be recognized by the NMMA,” said Chris Baird, managing director of FUSION Entertainment. “After 10 years in the industry, we really wanted to push the boundaries and enable smaller boats to easily and cost effectively add quality, purpose-built entertainment to their vessel.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) today presented Volvo Penta with a 2017 Innovation Award for the Volvo Penta Joystick for Inboard. It is the first and only joystick for twin inboard shaft installations that includes both docking and driving modes and integrates all five steering components: thruster, rudders, gear shift, slip and throttle. “The Joystick for Inboard propulsion delivers substantial benefits to boat builders, dealers and customers, allowing us to offer a complete helm-to-prop solution for inboard applications that makes docking and driving a shaft boat effortless and intuitive,” said Ron Huibers, president of Volvo Penta of the Americas.

Simrad StructureScan 3D sonar imaging has won the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award in the Consumer Electronics category at the 2016 Miami International Boat Show. Following the success of the Simrad NSO evo2 multifunction display in 2014, and Simrad ForwardScan sonar in 2015, this is the third consecutive NMMA innovation win at the Miami show for the brand. Simrad HALO Pulse Compression Radar also won the NMMA Innovation Award in September at the 2015 International Boat Builders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX). The Innovation Awards program, organized by the NMMA and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI)…

BRP’s Rotax Intelligent Shift and Throttle (iST) system was recognized by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) with an Innovation Award in the Jet Boat category at the 2016 Miami International Boat Show. The game-changing iST option for Rotax jet propulsion systems brings electronic control to formerly mechanical functions. Now available on nearly all Scarab jet boat models and Chaparral Vortex models, iST allows boaters to optimize low-speed maneuverability in a variety of environmental conditions. Whether cruising, pulling, fishing or docking, the iST system gives boaters the confidence of being in full control so they can enjoy their time on the water.

Simrad Yachting announced today that Simrad HALO Pulse Compression Radar has been awarded the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award in the OEM Electronics category at the 2015 International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX). Simrad HALO Pulse Compression Radar range is the world’s first high-performance solid-state, open-array radar system with pulse compression technology, suitable for recreational and light marine markets. Combining the advantages of Broadband Radar™ and traditional pulse radar systems, HALO provides navigational visibility and awareness, as close as 20-feet, within the pulse radar’s short-range “blind spot,” where once only Broadband Radar could operate — all while offering exceptional long-range performance.

Independent panel selects product based on innovation, benefit to boaters, practicality and value. Raymarine took top honors at the 2013 National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) International Marine Electronics Conference & Expo, winning the NMEA-BWI Technology Award for its Evolution Autopilot. The NMEA event, held at the San Diego Sheraton Hotel & Marina September 25-28, was attended by representatives of leading marine electronics manufacturers, dealers, distributors, media, and others from the United States and abroad. Named runners-up in the Technology Award competition were Nobeltec's TimeZero app (first) and Garmin's quatix marine watch (second).

2013 NMEA-BWI Technology award goes to  Raymarine’s Evolution  autopilot. Raymarine is delighted to announce that its award-winning Evolution  autopilot has won the coveted 2013 NMEA-BWI Technology Award at the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) annual convention held in San Diego, Calif. The NMEA-BWI Technology Award recognizes recently introduced products and singles out the “best” based on a combination of innovative design, benefits to boaters, practicality and value.

B&G announced that its new multifunction navigation display, Zeus, received the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award at the 70th Annual Miami International Boat Show. Awarded in the consumer electronics category, the feature-packed Zeus multifunction display with dedicated functions designed specifically for sailors, offers full integration with GPS, Broadband Radar, Automatic Identification System (AIS), weather, entertainment and digital switching. “B&G Zeus is a true revolution for sailors,” said Louis Chemi, chief operating officer, Navico Americas. “We developed a complete navigation system designed to give sailors unique benefits -- like visual indicators of where to tack/jibe to make the maximum progress along their intended course…

Simrad Yachting, a leader in the design and manufacture of world-class marine navigation, autopilot, radar, communications and fishfinding systems, announced that its innovative NSE multifunction display and professional-grade autopilot systems received multiple awards at the 2010 National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) convention held in Seattle, Wash. Judged by a panel of experts organized by Boating Writers International (BWI), Simrad NSE with 2.0 software functionality received “Honorable Mention” in the event’s most prestigious category, the “NMEA Technology Award.” Continuing a long-standing tradition as an industry favorite, the Simrad AP24 and AP28 also received top honors for “Best Autopilot” as voted by NMEA members.

Navico announced today that its Simrad BR24 Broadband Radar, and Simrad AP24 and AP28 autopilots received awards at the 2009 National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) convention held in Fort Myers, Fla. In a slightly different format than previous years, the BR24 was selected for the first ever “NMEA Technology Award” by an independent panel of experts organized by Boating Writers International (BWI). The traditional NMEA product award for the AP24 and AP28 was selected based on the votes of dealer members of the Association. NMEA awards recognize excellence in the design, performance and reliability of marine electronics products.

The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) will hold its 2009 NMEA Convention & Expo Sept. 30 - Oct .2, 2009, at the Sanibel Harbour Resort in Fort Myers, Fla. “The NMEA Convention & Expo is very valuable for everyone involved in the industry, but it is really organized to serve NMEA dealers and their personnel,” said David Hayden, NMEA’s President and Executive Director. “This year’s Convention has never been more important, as we need to work together to address the current economic challenge to our industry,” he said. Featured speakers this year include Joe Hersey, Administrative Program Manager for the U.S. Coast Guard who will talk about the VHF band, and Lee Luft of the U.S.

Navico, providing marine electronics for the recreational boating segment, was awarded the 2009 National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) Innovation Award for the Consumer Electronics category at this year’s Miami International Boat Show for its Simrad BR24 Broadband Radar. As stated by the NMMA, the Innovation Awards program, organized by NMMA and judged by BWI, recognizes those products that best meet the following criteria: innovative distinction from other products currently being manufactured; benefit to the marine industry and/or consumer; practicality; and cost-effectiveness. Combining straightforward installation…

Correct Craft, Inc., based in Orlando, manufacturer of the world-famous Nautique brand of water ski and wakeboarding boats, is preparing to launch a major celebration as it enters model year 2000 with its 75th Anniversary. Coming off the eve of major industry recognition - the company claimed the Innovation of the Year Award from Boating Writers International - Correct Craft has proven its continued reputation within the markets it serves. At IMTEC 1999, Correct Craft was presented a coveted distinction for its Total Wake Control Hull featured on the all-new Pro Air model; the first dedicated designed boat for the fast-growing sport of wakeboarding. Throughout its rich history and tradition, the company has maintained a consistent leadership role.