NMMA and BWI meet at IBEX

Posted by Alan Sorum Nov 13, 2006

It may sound like alphabet soup. NMMA and BWI announced their annual innovation and environmental awards at IBEX. Translated this means the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) recognized several outstanding businesses at the International Boat Builders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) held in Miami, Florida at the beginning of this month.

55 groundbreaking products were entered into the competition by their respective companies. These represent the best new products introduced in their categories. Two of interest come from Suzuki Marine and Paneltronics.

Suzuki was one of the winners in the outboard engines category with their DF300 engine. The DF300 is a 300 horsepower four-stoke outboard that is controlled with a fly-by-wire system. There are no mechanical cables between the throttle lever and the engine. Four-stoke engines produce much less exhaust pollution than their two-stoke cousins. The DF300 meets 3-Star standards set by the California Air Resource Board (CARB) for ultra-low emissions.

Paneltronics won the electrical systems category with a DC power distribution and management system. Called PowerSign, the system can control loads at remote locations on a boat. The manufacturer claims system advantages of savings in wire installed, reduced electrical system installation labor, and savings in available panel space on the boat.

The environmental award was given to Indmar Products for its catalytic converter designed for use on gasoline powered marine engines. It is the first catalytic converter built for this application and can produce CARB 4-star super-ultra-low emission levels when installed on a boat.

Plans are underway for IBEX 2007 to be held in Miami on October 10th to 12th at the Miami Beach Convention Center.