Innovation Awards for sailing products: Four winners for 2010

9:32 PM Fri 12 Feb 2010 GMT

'The road to Innovation (Innovation Society online)' .

Innovative products are one of the most exciting tangible results of human imagination let loose, and every year at the Miami International Boat Show manufacturers are recognised in a potential of ten categories for the best innovation of the year.

Sail-World Cruising here looks at four of those as being relevant to leisure sailors: A natty combination VHF and AIS; A cordless electric winch you can move around the boat or from boat to boat; A night-vision imaging device; and an upgrade to an environmentally friendly outboard motor for the dinghy.

50 products were entered into the categories, which were judged by a panel of members from Boating Writers International (BWI).

'The judges were impressed with the products submitted and were able to recognise winners in most categories, including an Environmental Award and two Honorable Mentions,' said Zuzana Prochazka, the chair of the awards committee, in a statement.

Here are the four applicable to leisure sailors, winners in their categories:

Consumer Electronics & Software category:

Awarded to Standard Horizon for its product, the Matrix AIS

MATRIX AIS - .. .

This compact, affordable combination of Class D VHF and AIS brings two important safety and communication features into the hands of the average boater - a 25W Fixed Mount VHF with built-in AIS dual channel receiver, waypoint navigation, 30W loud hailer with listen back and RAM3 second station capable.

Here are the full list of features:
. Integrated dual channel AIS receiver with one VHF antenna connection
. AIS target display: MMSI, Call Sign, Ship Name, BRG, DST, SOG and COG
. Contact AIS Ship with DSC
. CPA (Closest Point of Approach) Alarm
. 80dB Commercial grade receiver
. Class D DSC (Digital Selective Calling) with Individual, All ship, Position Report, Request and Distress
. Independent Channel 70 receiver built-in for continuous DSC watch
. Local/Distance attenuator
. Enter, Save and Navigate to waypoints with Compass page*
. Navigate to a DSC Distress Call*
. Submersible JIS-7 / IPX7 (3.3 feet for 30 minutes)
. ClearVoice noise canceling speaker microphone with channel selection and 16/9 key
. Oversized rotary channel knob with push to enter, backlit display and keys
. 30 Watt PA/Loud Hailer with preprogrammed fog signals and listen back
. Capable of connecting an optional RAM3 second station remote microphone
. Control all radio, PA/Fog, DSC and AIS functions remotely with the optional RAM3 mic
. DSC position request and report functions when connected to compatible GPS chart plotter
. Voice Scrambler (optional)
. Versatile user-programmable scanning, priority scan and Dual Watch
. One-button access to Channel 16 and 9
. User programmable soft keys
. Navigation (LAT/LON, SOG and COG) information shown on display when connected to GPS
. 38400 AIS VDM sentence output to compatible GPS Chart Plotter
. 3 Year Waterproof Warranty
*when connected to a GPS

More information HERE

Consumer Personal Gear Category:

Awarded to Sailology for its product WinchRite

Sailology WinchRite in use - .. .

This cordless electric winch handle was designed to allow for easily cranking sailboat winches at an affordable price. Judge notes: 'This affordable device makes every winch a power winch and will extend boaters' sailing careers.'

> Exterior housing: Composite of ABS and PC plastics resulting in superior durability and strength.
> Integrated rubber inlay for anti-skid prevention.
> Weather resistant design to IPX6+.
> Designed specifically for use on a sailboat
> Torque: Achieves 110+NM of torque to stall
> Rotation: 50-120rpm via variable speed technology in both directions allowing for two speed winch rotations.
> Winch cog contains unique drive to prevent failure in both rotation directions.
> Cog will not unthread or snap the retaining screw.
> Drive: Integrated standard winch cog of stainless steel.
> Battery: Internal rechargeable 18V Lithium 2.8AH

Included:
> Quick charging device.
> Storage tote bag.
More information HERE

Safety Equipment Category:

Awarded to FLIR Systems Inc. for its product FLIR First Mate

Flir First Mate - .. .

This portable and affordable thermal imaging handheld device heightens safety and security when boating at night. Judge notes: 'This is a powerful navigation tool that significantly reduces the hazards of nighttime travel. There's no longer a reason to be afraid of the dark.'

First Mate gives every mariner the power to see at night like never before. The world's first waterproof, hand held, high-performance maritime thermal night vision camera available for US$2999, First Mate lets you navigate with confidence anywhere, anytime! With First Mate one can see clearly and navigate safely in total darkness.

Features:
First Mate can be mounted on your boat or held in the palm of your hand
Long battery life; no vessel power supply required
Because it's not permanently mounted, First Mate provides "go-anywhere" thermal night vision
Instant-on for images when you need them
Take First Mate with you from vessel to vessel
Improved security while sitting at anchor or docked for the night
Prevents getting blinded by bright shore lights

More information HERE

Environmental Award category:

Awarded to Torqeedo for its product Travel 503/1003

Torqeedo Travel Outboard - .. .

The display integrated into the tiller GPS receiver provides information without the remaining range at current speed, power consumption and state of charge. Judge notes: 'Torqeedo continues to show its commitment to providing alternative propulsion solutions and we felt this was an admirable step in the right direction toward environmental causes.'

Torqeedo Travel outboards combine built-in lithium batteries with world-record efficiency levels. This combination offers high power and range from small volume and light weight. The brand new 1003 models offer additional substantial benefits: They offer more power and up to 30% more battery capacity, they are fully waterproof, and they have even higher efficiencies. At slow speed they can run for more than 10 nautical miles on one charge of the battery, which is the energy equivalent of 1 ounce of gas.

In a display integrated in the tiller, they provide accurate information on battery charge, speed over ground, power consumption and most importantly: remaining range based on the current speed. The speed and range data are calculated using an integrated GPS-receiver. An acoustic signal warns when the battery charge reaches 30%.

The perfect motor for tenders, dinghies and daysailers up to 1.5 tons has become even more perfect.

Travel 1003 Specifications:
Power: Input power 1,000 W, output power 480 W (comparable to 3 HP gas outboard)
Static thrust: 92 lbs
Battery: 400 Wh lithium-manganese (13 Ah @29.6V)
Range: >2 nautical miles at full throttle (approx. 4.8 knots), >10 nautical miles or 6 hours at slow speed
Propeller: 12' x 10'
Steering: Twist tiller
Gearing: F-R continuously variable
Weight: 28 lbs

More information HERE

by Sail-World Cruising.