IBEX: New Innovations

IBEX (International Boatbuilders’ Exhibition & Conference) is the show for all things related to yacht building and "yusage." IBEX is being held Sept 30 – Oct. 2nd in Tampa, Fl. and is the largest marine technical trade-show in the world. Owned and produced by “Professional BoatBuilder” magazine and National Marine Manufacturers Assoc., their claim is “ Where Better Boats Begin.” With over 550 companies having displays both in the Tampa Convention Center and at the in-water venue onsite, I am hoping that this new relationship with YF will bring us some new contributing members. YF could use additional experts on fiberglass delamination, stability, launching methods, and any topic that has pulled comments in the gazillion page range

IBEX not only offers product displays and demonstrations, but presents a format for educating those in the yacht building industry. 5,000 marine professionals from 50 countries are expected for the 3 day confluence of demonstrating new developments in the marine trade. In additional to the exhibit hall presentations, there are educational seminars led of course by the industry experts.

BWI (Boating Writers International) is the organization entrusted with reviewing new products and coming up with a group conclusion on who gets the prestigious awards for the latest and greatest. The awards will be presented at the opening breakfast Tuesday morning, Sept. 30th.

The plan is for the IBEX organizer to send the 5 judges information on the Innovation Award candidates by Dropbox this week. In a few weeks we’re having a 10 person conference call. Then we start 9:00 on Sunday morning pre-convention and put in 2 days of hands-on review of the products, hearing the “why I should win” pitch from the manufacturer, and subsequently we collectively come up with our winning conclusions.

In anticipation of getting my sneak preview this week as one of the 5 judges (see Carl's magnanimous YF post earlier), I’ve been thinking of what might appear as the new gotta have boat thingy. I haven’t researched past winners, but surely Travelift was one. Or gyrostabilizers, or joysticks or vacuum bagging. Was autopilot not the greatest invention for marine use! That got me thinking what I might expect and more importantly what would YOU want to see as a new introduction to the marine world. Whether in the build process or end usage, what would make you vote Yes!

I’ll start a new thread on “Marine Wish List.”

Judy

Marine Wish List

For the intro, please see the threads entitled IBEX. What innovations would you like to see? I have a few suggestions:

Barnacle Belchers: Not just bottom paint to resist barnacles, but one that eats them as they try to attach. That way not only is your bottom barnacle free, but it stops the little buggers from attaching to your dock neighbor’s bottom. Maybe this will help eradicate this nautical nuisance until the “Save the Barnacle” brigade arrives.

Varnish Vaporizer: Bright work that aint so bright needs a bright idea. Don’t you hate having to sand the old crud before even getting started? Does your caprail look like a molting alligator? Voila – slap on Varnish Vaporizer. It dissolves the old varnish as it is replaced with ooey-gooey shiny.

Forum Fumigator: The computer program that gets the bugs out for Carl so that he can drop his Wizard role behind the curtain and come back to writing yacht reviews!

Thanks, Ralph! Great reminder of something that will be on my priority list on equipment as appropriate.

Please keep suggestions like that coming!

Judy

I now have information on 88 (!) submissions for the Innovation Awards. There are 13 categories with a winner to be selected in each category. Let me know if you want me to list the 13 categories. I think the number of entries is an all-time IBEX record (there were 60 something last year). It's going to take me a while to get through reading the applications, descriptions, and looking at the videos and photos of all 88! This is for the judges' preliminary review (homework) to get familiar with each product before experiencing it hands-on in Tampa.

For a brief overview, there are submissions that are improvements on the old tried and true; there's the "I can't believe somebody didn't think of that sooner;" a plethora of "isn't technology amazing;" a long list of gotta haves; and of course the odds and ends ranging from unique to wtf. More than one submission is related to social beverages but I'll withhold an opinion until onsite where I might have to give in to imbibe bribe

Judy

I've become a new product junkie! Can't wait to report to some YF relevant posts. I recall a thread on synthetic teak decking and now there's a product that cools off 30% faster and reduces the weight 2.7kg/m2. There's a new one-piece sea strainer made from an anticorrosive material. Lots of remote control widgets such as a remote drain plug for fishing boats. There's a new and improved varnish that almost fits my earlier wish list. I'm seeing products with an ecological conscience from construction materials to aftermarket comfies. I can't believe how many products are being created to make our happy hour happier! Forget those built-in cupholders, you need one that keeps your can cold if you're a slow swigger - better yet, one that has a lighted stainless trim so you can find it if you're at the stumbling stage after sunset.

And I haven't even gotten through a fourth of the list!

Judy

IBEX is around the corner (I fly to Tampa Saturday night) and i have been busy doing homework. The exhibits are sold out and they are expecting record crowds. I've made a short list of 32 first place contenders for the Innovation Awards' 13 categories. I was told to compile a reject list but I didn't come up with any that I thought were really bad ideas; however, if some of the submissions are improved products but not innovative, then they will get bumped.

I'm also gearing up for FLIBS and I have my eye on a new foot cover. Don't you hate having to take off your shoes for every boat at a boat show? Or worse, the surgical shoe covers which still require manual dexterity while holding bags and stooping. I'm hoping to mooch a new invention that is perfect for boat shows even if it was designed for sole protection for mechanics. There are numerous head improvements and inventions that beat the crap out of the old school toilets Aside from having products from head to toe so to speak, there's everything in-between. Speaking of crap, there's a mini-sized bilge pump for inaccessible recesses for Ralph.

It's all very exciting and I can't wait to see what the other judges come up with for their short list. Will also be interesting to see how the products match up to their descriptions and promotions. We review the 88 products Sunday and Monday and then present the awards at the opening breakfast on Tuesday. Can't wait!

Judy

I arrived at IBEX, met the other 4 judges and team leader, and after setting up the format and process, we headed into the exhibit hall to start exploring the 88 innovative submissions. The judges are an impressive group flying in from all US corners who share a passion for boating and have made a career out of working in the marine industry while simultaneously honing the skill of writing about various aspects of the maritime boat building sector. These accomplished writers have resumes that read like a nautical library, and each brings an interesting vantage point to their opinion of the products.

While we each had our favorites list, we all agreed the cling-wrap for footsies is simple, brilliant, and why didn't somebody come up with the idea sooner for protecting flooring. Many of the products were good improvements over previous productions, but improvement isn't synonymous with innovation. Quality became a leading topic and many good ideas didn't pass the look and feel standards. Remotes were a common theme; towers, arches, and bimini tops were offered in various stages of folding, flexing, and covering. Wait til you hear details about a weldless ski/wake tower that redefines out of the box creativity and engineering.

It was an 11 hour day of shop walk n' talk. My pedometer readout was 1.6 miles - just in the convention center exhibit hall. Only 60 more products to visit tomorrow before we begin final selections.

Judy