IBEX has announced the winners of its Innovation Awards for 2026, with 12 products receiving awards and three receiving honourable mentions from 100 entries submitted by exhibiting marine industry companies.
The programme is managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI). The judging panel was announced earlier this year. Awards were presented during the Industry Breakfast and Innovation Awards presentation yesterday (6 October 2026) at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida.
Boat care and maintenance
Propspeed’s Foulfree Multi-Surface and Spectrum Color’s Spectrum Color TouchPro were joint winners in the Boat Care and Maintenance category.
Judge Tony Esposito says: “Propspeed builds on what they’ve done for protecting exposed metal underwater and delivers protection for 20 non-metal surfaces on underwater components like transducers, interceptors, and bow thrusters that can be fouled to failure by bio marine growth with its non-toxic, three-step process that provides dealers and boatyards with an additional value-added revenue stream.”
Spectrum Color TouchPro is an aerosol-based kit for repairing scratches and finish defects on powder-coated metal surfaces.
Judge Steve Davis adds: An ingenious way to repair scratches and finish defects on powder-coated metal surfaces, Spectrum Color TouchPro is an aerosol-based kit with the same protections from the marine environment that accurately matches OEM colour palettes. No more spray guns, controlled environments, or full replacement required.”
Boatbuilding methods and materials
Big Dog Adhesives won the Boatbuilding Methods and Materials category for Reload Adhesives, a system based on reusable caulking cartridges.
Judge Pim Van Hemmen comments: “Every year, millions of caulking canisters go to the landfill. Big Dog Adhesives addresses that with their reloadable caulking cartridges. As fresh aluminium foil cartridges are loaded into the reversible canisters, the used foil cartridges are discharged from the other end. The Big Dog system uses standard industry adhesives and accessories, lowers shipping and material costs, and takes a huge bite out of the waste stream. It’s a win-win-win.”
Deck equipment and hardware
Scanstrut won the Deck Equipment and Hardware category with its Wireless Powered All-Round White LED Navigation Pole Light.
Judge Tim Murphy says: From time immemorial, we’ve seen the crusty green results of corroded metal-to-metal connections on pole-mounted navigation lights. Results that too often lead to lights that fail just when boaters need them most. Scanstrut solves this problem with wireless power delivery and a nifty water-resistant mount, delivering a 2 nautical-mile light that promises to keep working long after traditional models would have failed.
Gemlux’s Deluxe Antenna Mount received an honourable mention.
Electrical systems
Aeco’s Zeus Omega Alternator Control System and Egis Mobile Electric’s Modular Power Distribution Module (PDM) were joint winners in Electrical Systems.
Judge Steve Mitchell says: “The Arco Zeus Omega splits the alternator regulator in two, with a potted drive module at the alternator and a control module near the batteries, connected by one cable instead of a large bundle of wiring. Pre-made connectors plug directly into Arco alternators without cutting wires, and Hall effect sensing eliminates the shunt. One control module manages up to six alternators on 12 through 48V systems and integrates with Victron, NMEA 2000, CZone, and smart BMS batteries.”
The Egis Modular PDM combines switches, fuse blocks and bus bars in a sealed, ignition-protected module. It includes fuses, resettable circuit breakers, Deutsch connectors and NMEA 2000 control. Its stackable, busbar-linked design provides a scalable platform.
Judge Steve Mitchell adds: Small-boat DC systems have long been a patchwork of switches, fuse blocks, and bus bars. The Egis Modular PDM rolls all of it into one sealed, ignition-protected module with fuses, resettable circuit breakers, Deutsch connectors and NMEA 2000 control. Its stackable, busbar-linked design gives boatbuilders a single scalable platform and gives field technicians fewer pieces to troubleshoot down the road.
AquaAmp’s Smart DT Connector received an honourable mention.
Furnishings and interior parts
Kenyon International’s Kenyon Signature Induction Cooktop Series won the Furnishings and Interior Parts category.
The cooktop uses matte black glass-ceramic and includes a bridge feature designed to span two burners.
Judge Tony Esposito: Kenyon’s new matte black glass-ceramic cooktop eliminates reflective glare, fingerprints and visible dings from daily use; but as a cook, the real innovation is the ‘bridge’ feature that spans two burners and provides even heat across a flat-top griddle or oversized pasta pot, further blurring the line between cooking onboard and at your abode.
Mechanical systems
Flow Marine Systems won the Mechanical Systems category with its FlowGuard Integrated Marine HVAC Condensate Protection system.
The system uses a drain-pan water sensor and control-board logic to detect condensate leaks, notify the operator and stop air-conditioning operation until the leak is resolved.
Judge Tim Murphy says: “The water that condenses out of HVAC systems is a fact of life on our boats, and one that can be costly when it leaks into expensive cabinetry or furnishings. Flowguard solves this problem with not just a drain-pan water sensor but also control-board logic that notifies the operator of a leak and stops air-conditioner operation till the leak is solved.”
OEM electronics
Garmin USA’s Garmin Signal VHF 400 won the OEM Electronics category.
The unit combines VHF, DSC and a Class B SOTDMA AIS transponder with a colour touchscreen. It can monitor three channels simultaneously and replay the previous three minutes of audio. Diagnostic screens are included for antenna and cabling issues, along with NMEA 2000 integration and support for 12V and 24V systems.
Judge Steve Mitchell says: “The Garmin Signal VHF 400 puts VHF, DSC, and a Class B SOTDMA AIS transponder on a colour touchscreen in a unit small enough for almost any helm. It listens to three channels at once, replays the last three minutes of audio, and includes diagnostic screens that help troubleshoot antenna and cabling issues.
“NMEA 2000 integration, 12V and 24V support, and a separately powered fist mic with magnetic mounting round out a radio that is easy to install on a wide range of boats.”
Nextfour / Q Experience’s Q Float display received an honourable mention.
Propulsion equipment and parts
Glydus won the Propulsion Equipment and Parts category for its Telescopic and Tilt Mechanism.
Judge Tony Esposito says: “As a boater with short arms who has contorted against the bolster to reach the steering wheel many times, Glydus’s two inches of telescopic movement across 34 positions and its full tilt capability deliver adjustability, comfort and safety never seen in the recreational marine industry before.”
Safety equipment
Canyon Runner won the Safety Equipment category with Canyon Runner Connected Vessel Intelligence.
Its Brizco Connected Vessel Intelligence Service combines live vessel data with predictive analysis, weather intelligence, navigation information and crowdsourced data. The service does not require existing marine electronics to be replaced, and boat owners can select individual services.
Judge Pim Van Hemmen says: “Canyon Runner’s Brizco Connected Vessel Intelligence Service combines live vessel data, predictive analysis, weather intelligence, navigation insight, and crowdsourced data to help recreational and professional captains make safer, more informed decisions.
“Boat owners don’t have to replace existing marine electronics, and they can select only the services they need, whether they want to find fish or locate the exact position of an inlet by using the latest crowdsourced tracking to get home safely.”
Trailers, parts and accessories
Launch & Retrieve Boat Latch won the Trailers, Parts and Accessories category with its L&R Boat Latch.
The latch has launch and retrieve positions, with a U-bolt-style bow snare that can be disengaged or connected without the operator leaving the helm.
Judge Steve Davis comments: “Straightforward and simple, the L&R Boat Latch makes launching and retrieving a trailerable boat safe and easy, perfect for the solo operator. Set the latch into launch or retrieve positions and the U-bolt style bow snare disengages or connects effortlessly without leaving the helm.”
IBEX continues
The submitted products are being displayed along Innovation Way on the second-floor rotunda at the Tampa Convention Center during IBEX, which runs from 6-8 October 2026. The winners of the Innovation Awards for 2026 are also included in the event’s online showcase.
IBEX 2026 includes technical education, product displays, networking and other industry activities.
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