METSTRADE dominates this week's industry news - MarineBusinessWorld Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 17 Nov 2022 15:00 PST
YS Link and iPhone © YachtSense Link
With the largest marine trades exhibition show taking place in Amsterdam this week it is not surprising that the news revolves around the latest offerings on show. Awards are an important result of successful new products and we start with Raymarine.
Raymarine has announced its YachtSense Link marine router has won the 2022 DAME Award in the category 'Marine electronics and marine related software'. This innovative device is a multipurpose marine mobile router equipped with Raynet Ethernet ports, mobile broadband connectivity, and onboard Wi-Fi. Announced during the international METSTRADE exhibition, the award was judged by a mix of experts seeking to recognise outstanding products, assessed on overall design, build quality, functionality and use of materials.
Gregoire Outters, General Manager at Raymarine, said: "We are thrilled to be announced as a winner at the 2022 DAME awards. We are constantly aiming to deliver high-performance systems that make boating more stress-free, in which onboard connectivity is crucial. We are delighted to be recognised for YachtSense Link, an integral part of the new YachtSense Ecosystem which enables complete onboard and offboard integration for a smart home on the water."
This year's Boat Builder Awards for Business Achievement, saw Horizon Yachts' John Lu honoured for Lifetime Achievement, Garrett Koschak from Manitou Pontoon Boats and Hayley Spencer from Princess Yachts named as this year's Rising Stars, and boatbuilding companies and their supply chain partners celebrated for their notable efforts to drive the leisure marine industry forwards.
The eighth edition of the Boat Builder Awards received 99 accepted nominations, with 32 companies from 16 countries named as finalists, from which 13 winners and two Honourable Mentions were named. The gala dinner and awards ceremony was held on Tuesday 15 November, marking a spectacular return to the historic amphitheatre of the Amsterdam Maritime Museum's starlit covered courtyard.
Ocean Signal has won the Overall DAME Design Award 2022 for its rescueME PLB3 AIS Personal Locator Beacon. Jury Chair Andre Hoek presented the world-renowned award to the Ocean Signal team at the METSTRADE Breakfast Briefing following judgment by an international panel of leading design and user experts.
Described as "the standout product in the Jury room", this next generation Cospas-Sarsat approved PLB offers boaters the most powerful safety solution for rapid rescue in a Man Overboard Emergency, even if the survivor is incapacitated.
Moving on to electric propulsion now. With its ultra-efficient mounting solution, simple plug-and-play drive interface, and integrated technology backbone that extends from surface-drive propeller through the AI Box and battery bank to the helm interface, the eD-QDrive - displayed at METSTRADE as a complete system for the first time - marks the future of yachting.
The system, designed and developed by the 'Believer Team' at exciting German start-up company eD-TEC (founded by former VW Group chief strategist Michael Jost and supported by Mike and Marc Jost along with several expert technology partners), has been conceived to offer an electric drive solution to the boating industry for yachts from small dayboats and tenders to performance cruisers up to 30 metres in length.
At the METS show, ePropulsion showcased a number of new products and systems, demonstrating its continuous innovation in facilitating a more intelligent and reliable boating experience. The latest model range on display at METSTRADE includes the new, DAME Award-shortlisted I-20 inboard motor, part of the new I-Series which also includes the I-10 and I-40.
Meanwhile VETUS has set a new industry standard in DC thruster power with the launch of its first BOW PRO Boosted units for 400mm tunnels, previewed for the first time at METSTRADE. Expanding the VETUS line-up of advanced BOW PRO models, the BOW PRO Boosted 385 (BOWB385) and the BOW PRO Boosted 420 (BOWB420) are the most powerful fully proportional brushless thrusters available on the market with 48V DC compatibility.
Away from the show, Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation, has introduced the industry's first ever V10 outboard with the official launch of its all-new 5.7L 350 and 400hp Verado® outboard engines. Consistent with the award-winning Verado brand, the new V10 engines are the quietest and smoothest in their class running 45 percent quieter than a leading competitor at cruise.
In addition to NVH, the new Verados are not only compatible with the latest Mercury SmartCraft® technologies but will also be offered with an optional dual-mode 48V/12V alternator to seamlessly pair with Navico Group's Fathom® e-power system, an integrated lithium-ion auxiliary power management system, providing boaters the opportunity to eliminate an onboard generator system.
"The all-new Mercury V10 Verado outboards are exactly what boaters have been asking for in a 350 and 400hp platform," said Chris Drees, Mercury Marine president. "They are powerful, smooth and quiet. They have many of the same fuel efficiency-enhancing features that are synonymous with our high-horsepower lineup. They also deliver the same kind of premium boating experience that has made Verado outboards legendary. The V10 Verado outboards solidify Mercury's leadership position in the high-horsepower outboard market."
New boats this week includes Absolute Yachts who have unveiled their latest luxury model, the 52 FLY, setting a new benchmark in engineering, liveability and design. The 52 FLY incorporates the hallmark features of the shipyard's larger 56 FLY and 60 FLY in a more compact design while still delivering extraordinary volume and liveability. Key features of the new model include the expansive flybridge with terrace and bar, a foredeck lounge and sunbathing station as well as a generous cockpit with three-leaf sliding saloon doors that provide seamless transition with the interior.
All of the outdoor living spaces are equipped with Absolute's contemporary modular furniture for optimal flexibility of design. Expansive opening windows afford panoramic views from the saloon, which features a stunning design with ornate ceiling, recessed LED lighting, contemporary timber finishes and leather trims. The 52 FLY's galley has been designed for optimal entertaining with a full-sized refrigerator and separate freezer and a remarkably large pantry for a yacht of this size. Absolute Yachts are distributed by the Yacht Sales Co in Australia.
And if you are involved in boat maintenance the following product from Propspeed®, will be of interest. Announced this week, a new solvent-based stripper used to easily and efficiently remove foul-release coatings like Propspeed from underwater metals: Stripspeed™. Developed to help Propspeed applicators prepare metal surfaces for reapplication, Stripspeed removes foul-release coatings in 30-minutes or less.
There is no mixing required to create the thick consistency, which easily hangs on vertical and overhead surfaces, making it easy to use. Stripspeed is non-flammable, non-caustic, DCM- and NMP-free, and doesn't create toxic dusts or debris. Unlike grinding or using abrasives, Stripspeed doesn't cause mechanical wear through multiple refits, increasing the lifetime of the metal.
Stripspeed can be used on any metal surface where Propspeed, or similar running gear coatings have been applied.
Stay dry,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com