Recapping the Fall IBEX Show

Recapping The
Fall IBEX Show

By Roy Sparks

Manufacturers gather together at the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) each fall (or at least when there’s not a threat of a major hurricane such as in 2022) to see first-hand the new products, materials and methods to make their own boats better. Since it’s geared toward manufacturers you won’t see a lot of boats on the showroom floor like you would at a typical consumer-driven boat show, yet this Tampa, Fla., show has become a must-attend event for a lot of people. As a staff we spent a couple of days walking the show floor and left wishing we had more time to see it all. Here are some of the key highlights – from a pontoon and deck boat perspective – from the three-day show.

Brady Kay giving a speech at the innovation awards

IBEX Innovation Awards

Winners of the 2023 IBEX Innovation Awards Program that is managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI) were announced at the industry breakfast to kick off the show. Over the years PDB Editor/Publisher Brady Kay has been on the judging panel but this year as president of BWI he was the chair and announced the 17 winners that included 13 Innovation Award winners and four honorable mentions from nearly 100 entries submitted by exhibiting marine industry companies.

Not Messing Around

In the Boatbuilding Methods and Materials category, Infinity Luxury Woven Vinyl won an NMMA Innovation Award for its self-adhesive backing vinyl flooring that will deliver significant labor and cost savings to pontoon manufacturers, making installation simple and mess-free.
(www.infinitylwv.com)

You Need This Winch

Another NMMA Innovation winner that is specific to pontooners is the Lippert, Lewmar Venta Pontoon Winch in the Deck Equipment and Hardware category. The underdeck pontoon winch is completely waterproof and stays clear of passengers on deck. The unit slides into a mount so the winch is easily installed and removed as seasons change, and the spring-loaded roller keeps the anchor under the deck until deployed or retrieved. (www.lewmar.com)

All About Geometry

KICKER Marine Audio KMXL Coaxial Speakers produce not only loud, but also sonically accurate, premier performance through its new speaker assembly. KMXL incorporates a large professional-sound-style compression driver, with a coaxially mounted horn, delivering greater sensitivity than traditional dome tweeters. KICKER’s unique horn geometry, crafted for sonic accuracy, eliminates audio impurities, resonances, and standing waves that harm precise audio quality. KMXL speakers project smooth, accurate audio waves for fatigue-free listening—nearby, at a distance, and at any volume. (www.kicker.com)

Sunroof For Your Cover

System earned an NMMA Award. Roswell uses the magic of slap bracelets to solve a longstanding problem in marine canvas – how to roll sections of Biminis when they’re opened up. With Roswell’s Auto Rolling Fabric System, boaters simply unzip sections of the canvas, and it automatically rolls out of the way – no snaps, no Velcro. (www.roswellmarine.com)

On Board Air Made Easy

We actually got a sneak peek from Teak Isle Manufacturing earlier in the summer who is working with Scanstrut on a drawer for its ATMOS 12V Integrated Airstation. Seeing the actual system in person confirmed this is a great airstation and we weren’t surprised it won an NMMA Innovation Award in the Mechanical Systems category. The 12-volt Integrated Airstation is an elegant and effective solution to inflating water toys. (www.scanstrut.com)

Crank It Up

In the highly competitive Entertainment category, Hertz Marine earned an NMMA Innovation Award for its HTX 8H S-FL-G horn-loaded compression driver tower speakers. The cutting-edge horn-loaded compression driver technology optimizes the dispersion of sound waves, enabling enhanced sound projection and increased efficiency. The result is clear, distortion-free audio that carries over long distances, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music with a level of clarity and fidelity. The powerful drivers integrated into the Hertz Marine Tower Speakers are expertly tuned to deliver a wide frequency response, ensuring every note, beat, and melody is reproduced faithfully, showing a focused and very linear SPL response at the listening position with a horizontal directivity of 60 degrees starting from 2kHz up to the top end. (www.hertz-audio.com)

Judges

There were a total of eight judges on the Boating Writers International panel for the NMMA Innovation Awards, including the five pictured on the stage following the presentations. (From L to R) Brady Kay, Ryan Gullang, Julia Carleton, Ben Stein, Tim Murphy and Andy Adams. Not pictured, Steve Davis and Ed Sherman.

Fully Electric Hydrofin Ride

Hydrofin founder Jason Minor earned an NMMA Innovation Award back in 2021 for his Super Fly hydrofoil system designed specifically for pontoon boats. So when we saw him at the show this year we jumped at the opportunity to go for a ride on a fully electric foil-assisted triple pontoon.

For the show, Hydrofin partnered with a company called Hyper Electric who is leveraging Tesla technology as the foundation of an outboard motor that produces 350hp of whisper quiet instant torque. Their motor was on a 24-foot Qwest triple pontoon model and equipped with the new hydrofoil system. We were pleasantly surprised by the power and ride on this Qwest that did not disappoint. The bolt-on electric propulsion is for any pontoon model.
(www.shophydrofin.com // www.hyperelectricmarine.com)

The Beefy Honda

Honda Marine received a lot of attention both inside the Tampa Convention Center and outside on the water with the introduction of its most powerful outboard to date. The all-new Honda BF350 V8 was in its booth as well as on the water for attendees to run. It’s a landmark achievement because while Honda has engineered and built high-performance racing engines for decades, the BF350 is the first commercially available Honda V8 engine whether on land or water.

The Honda BF350 offers extraordinary power and enhanced performance for exceptional boating experiences. It also delivers impressive fuel economy, outstanding and quiet performance, and a range of features and functions found only on Honda outboards. The Honda BF350 does it all in a sleek, striking new design that’s as practical and functional as it is elegant and eye-catching.(www.marine.honda.com)

The Beefy Honda

Unleash The Kraken

Garmin’s new Force Kraken trolling motor is designed with longer shaft lengths (63-, 75-, 90-inch) and a pivot-style mount for easy installation on boats where bow space is limited. Kraken’s brushless motor uses a high-efficiency propeller to produce 100 pounds of thrust on a 36-volt system, or 80 pounds on a 24-volt system. In addition to its precise boat positioning technology with multi-band

GPS, Kraken features several improvements over the existing Force, including the ability to spin the prop backwards, which reduces the need to rotate the head and increases response time. (www.garmin.com/marine)

Light Shaper

By using a specifically designed lens placed in front of the LED, Hella Marine’s APELO A3 RGBW is able to shape the light to be the most effective it can be. In-house optical design expertise over three decades has taught Hella Marine that light tailored to the application is better than just adding more light. They use this to great effect in the APELO lamps, as research has shown that a 90-degree horizontal angle is the optimum spread to create the required visual effect when viewed from above, and 24-degree vertical angle is perfect to give the light some punch for distance, while still retaining the depth of color on the water. (www.hellamarine.com)

Arch-Looking Bimini Top

Many premium pontoon brands feature a forward-facing arch, giving the boat a sporty look and enhanced functionality. Speakers, wakeboard or ski racks, and canvas shade systems are typical additions to add on-board comfort and convenience. Until now, boaters have had to deploy and retract their canvas Bimini tops manually, often a cumbersome process requiring two people. Lippert has now introduced the 2000 Series, a powered shade option for forward-facing pontoon and deck boat Bimini tops. This automatic shade system allows the captain to raise and lower the integrated canvas with the touch of a button. No more fumbling with straps or stanchions to put the Bimini shade up. The operation is smooth and the top deploys in seconds, providing shade when you need it. The 2000 Series also features Fusion lighting – an integrated LED light bar for soft, diffused lighting and a high end appearance. This new product allows pontoon builders to offer an attractive, easy-to-use automated shade solution that is sure to turn heads on the water. (www.lippert.com)

Luke Goedek with Gus Blakely and Brady Kay

Go Buccs

Tampa Bay offensive tackle Luke Goedeke stands in for a photo with Suzuki Marine Executive Vice President Sales & Service George “Gus” Blakely (R) and PDB’s Brady Kay. Suzuki Marine is based in Tampa and Suzuki Marine is a sponsor of the NFL football team (www.suzukimarine.com)

Above Deck Anchor

The GX1-P anchor winch can be mounted in as little as 8 inches of deck space, making it a great fit for pontoon boats. Australian-made from 316 stainless steel and 6061 machined and anodized aluminum, the GX1-P is made for the elements and is at home in both fresh and saltwater environments.

The pivoting bowsprit design of the GX1-P lifts the anchor upon full retrieval, allowing the operator to clear the boat slip or trailer with ease. The anchor features a powerful 600w motor and comes with three rope and chain options. (www.lonestarmarine.com.au)

Murano Multifunction Display by Gussi Italia

A New Way To Display

Syntec didn’t reinvent the wheel, they just put their own spin on it. Murano glass is world-famous for its quality, exquisite range of colors and unsurpassed craftsmanship. Such is the Murano Multifunction Display by Gussi Italia. The first of its kind, the Murano is a touchscreen display that can be installed conveniently on the center cap of select wheels, and in combination with Syntec’s Power Wings Sport controls, you can effortlessly take control and your hands never have to leave the wheel.

Customize the Murano to store your most-liked boat actions, assuring your favorite functions are just one touch away. Changing logos, icons and color schemes is as easy as a swipe on your phone with the corresponding Murano app. (www.syntecind.com)

Shallow Water Anchor…For Pontoons!

Unlock a new realm of aquatic joy with Power-Pole shallow water anchors—a game-changer for pontoon boats. Keep things simple and deploy the shallow water anchor with a wireless remote from land or sea, securing your pontoon precisely where you want it.

Installing Power-Pole shallow water anchors on pontoons is a breeze with specially engineered pontoon brackets, ensuring a perfect fit for any make and model. Whether you’re gearing up for a sandbar fiesta, towing an eager rider, or sneaking off to your top-secret fishing haven, Power-Pole shallow water anchors effortlessly handle it all. Say goodbye to anchor-dragging worries for good! (www.power-pole.com)

Step It Up

The Bow Step G2 is a boat entry ladder made specifically for your trailer. With a unique folding design, the G2 is crafted to prevent collisions with the tow vehicle during turns, and when deployed the folding mechanism mimics the straightforwardness of a regular step ladder.

With aluminum boat trailers gaining popularity, the G2 has been meticulously designed to bolt atop the trailer’s a-frame, optimizing weight distribution and preventing side loading. This also means it can be conveniently mounted on either the port or starboard side, granting users flexibility during installation.

A simple pull releases the stainless gas shock, allowing the G2 to auto-deploy, lock in place, and be ready for action. (www.qualitymarkinc.com)

pontoon boat on the water with a group of people

Pontoon Paradise

The new JC TriToon SportAngler was on the water outside the Tampa Convention Center, along with a couple of Qwest pontoon boats, which is always great to see. A Trifecta pontoon with twin 500R outboards from Mercury Racing was also on display along with a semi hauling multiple pontoons from Smokercraft Marine. For a boat show with a limited number of actual boats on display, pontoons were well represented. (www.jcpontoon.com // www.qwestpontoons.com // www.trifectapontoon.com // www.mercuryracing.com // www.smokercraft.com)

A CLEAT THAT CLICKS

This Rectangular Folding Cleat with hidden hex bolts features an innovative design incorporating removable hex bolts instead of welded studs, making bolt length choices easy for the customer. The drain opening on the Sea-Dog Line cleat allows water and debris to pass through, reducing corrosion and wear and it incorporates a positive locking feature with audible click into the open/closed positions for easy rigging. Constructed of corrosion resistant investment cast 316 stainless steel and are available in a highly polished or black powder coated finish. (www.sea-dog.com)

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