Top products that enhance safety, functionality, and sustainability
Boating can be beautiful, elegant, and peaceful—but also dangerous, dirty, and uncomfortable. Luckily, the world’s top marine equipment manufacturers make it their goal to build better products that save lives, increase comfort, and minimize pollution.
The annual METSTRADE DAME Design Awards honor the best of the best of these products, based on aesthetics, practicality, and environmental impact. Products are judged by an independent panel of marine experts, and the 2024 winners were announced in Amsterdam on November 14, 2024.
Here’s a look at winners and nominess related to the engine room categories as well as the overall winner, the TeamO Offshore 150N Hi-Lift Lifejacket and Harness.
Category: Overall Winner
The TeamO Offshore 150N Hi-Lift Lifejacket and Harness won for its innovative design and superior safety features. Engineered for offshore conditions, it combines a high buoyancy rating of 150N (rated to keep an adult weighing 330 pounds afloat) with a unique Hi-Lift system, ensuring rapid and effective recovery in emergencies.
The integrated harness offers secure attachment points, enhancing safety during high-seas operations and making it an essential piece of equipment for professional mariners and serious sailors alike.
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Category: Environmental Design Award Winner (Propulsion and Dynamics)
The YANMAR E-Saildrive SDe 48v offers an emission-free sailing experience. It harnesses electric power through a robust electric propulsion system that utilizes a 48-volt battery setup. This system converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, allowing for efficient propulsion without the need for fossil fuels.
The E-Saildrive can be charged using renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines, to enhance its eco-friendly capabilities. By integrating advanced technology, it ensures smooth power delivery and optimal performance.
A standout feature of the E-Saildrive is its ability to operate silently, maximizing the tranquility of the sailing experience and minimizing noise pollution. This is particularly beneficial for marine wildlife as it decreases disturbances to their natural habitats.
The E-Saildrive SDe 48v offers low maintenance and reduced operational costs, making it an attractive option for sailors looking to deplete their ecological footprint.
Category: Comfort and Entertainment Afloat Winner
The Indel Webasto Slim-Fit Cooling Unit enhances maritime climate control with compact, effective solutions. This unit is designed for boats where every inch matters due to space limits. Its small shape makes it easier to install in confined locations, saving space for comfort.
The Indel Webasto Slim-Fit Cooling Unit prioritizes efficiency. It uses modern technologies to cool efficiently and save energy. It protects the battery from cooling-system drain, which is especially useful for boats with restricted power. Energy-efficient functioning reduces fuel use, making the machine eco-friendly.
The quiet Indel Webasto Slim-Fit Cooling Unit improves the onboard experience by removing air conditioning noise, allowing boaters to enjoy the silence and relax. Its corrosion-resistant materials provide durability in the severe sea environment. Boat owners can count on continuous climate control without frequent maintenance or repairs due to the rugged design.
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Category: Electronic and Electrical Systems Award Winner
The Egis Mobile XD Series NMEA-2000 Controllable Remote Battery Switching and Charge Management System offers seamless control and enhanced efficiency. The system integrates with the NMEA-2000 network, letting users monitor and manage battery status remotely via a centralized interface.
By providing real-time data on battery health, charge levels, and power consumption, it helps boat owners make informed decisions, ensuring optimal performance and longevity of their battery systems.
Remote switching capability enables control over battery connections, allowing users to switch between batteries or isolate them as needed without manual intervention. This feature helps in emergency situations, where quick response is crucial. Additionally, the system’s charge management functionality optimizes charging processes, preventing overcharging and extending battery life.
Category: Propulsion and Dynamics Special Mention
The Mitek REVOLVE is a 100-percent electric, one-of-a-kind sterndrive. It’s able to rotate on its own axis that allows it to switch from ON mode (propeller immersed in the water ready to work) to OFF mode (propeller out of the water in closed position) completely resetting the external dimensions of the motor. In this way, the motor will always be installed and ready for use making it easier to place the tender on board (for long navigation) or in the appropriate compartment or garage.
-by Doug Thompson
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