From LinkedIn

With prime boating season winding down, this is the time to take stock and assess the year behind us and the year ahead. Shawn Macking, Marina Division President for Go Outdoors, recently attended the International BoatBuilders Exhibit and Conference (IBEX) at the Conference Center in Tampa, Florida. With three floors full of exhibitor booths and displays, and an incredibly well attended industry-only event, there was plenty to see and talk about with fellow recreational boating leaders.

Hot trends getting hotter:

• Sustainability:

  The number of lithium-ion marina battery companies, hybrid propulsion, and power management systems displaying and showing off their wares was staggering. Even more so, than years previously. But equally noteworthy, was the number of sustainable products in other areas; utilizing renewable materials for upholstery and decking, and everything in between.

• Customization:

  The theme of customization continues to permeate the recreational boating industry. From custom logoed flooring and canvas, to custom 3D-printed accessories (cleats, speaker grills, lighting, etc). Custom design was everywhere with prices at a very high premium. Clearly, the boat manufacturers and 3rd party outfitters feel the luxury market is still on fire. 

New trends:

• Small boats with big boat amenities:

  Small boats can now get what the big guys have. Air conditioning, upgraded navigation systems, entertainment systems, advanced docking control systems, bow-thrusters, lighting packages, cameras, WiFi/Satellite internet; they’re all making their way into smaller boats. 

•  Hybrids:

  They’re here! Many boat companies and manufacturers are realizing the importance of electric boating by building fully electric boats and hybrid gas/electric boats, as well as electric outboard motors. These were certainly on display this year. In fact, the TEMO·450 is the first electroportable propulsion solution and won one of the Innovation Award at IBEX. As Judge Steve Davis noted,

  “The simple, lightweight design of the Temo 450 electric motor is an innovative way to power small boats and dinghies. The tubular design with built-in motor and battery is waterproof, simple, efficient, and easy to mount and operate.”

New trends bring new challenges:

• Small boats + big amenities = more power:

  As we see the inclusion of additional power-hungry systems typically reserved for larger cruisers trickling down to the smaller recreational boating segment, the demand for additional power can put strain on a marina’s infrastructure. At Go Outdoors, we own and develop marinas, so keeping tabs on industry trends allows us to prepare for the needs of tomorrow’s boating community.

On our watch list:

• Most potentially-disruptive new marina product:

  Given the challenge we will be facing regarding increased power needs, this product could be a game changer. Voltsafe Marine is a “Smart Pedestal” that monitors and controls power consumption.  It also detects any leakage, line resistance, or other dangerous conditions in real-time.  The entire system can be customized to your needs to allow for usage thresholds to either limit a slipholder’s availability of power, or charge them a higher rate if they go above a certain pre-set threshold.  Voltsafe was awarded the IBEX Innovation Award during this show, as well as a CES Innovation Award last year, so we’ll be sure to keep tracking their progress.

•  Technology & Safety:

  While technology may be a challenge in regards to power usage, there were quite a few tech innovations that can greatly improve safety.  One of Shawn’s favorite products is the Fell MOB – essentially a wireless kill-switch that can be worn on a lanyard or a wristband. It shuts off the boat if you go in the water or get too far away from the base station. The newer versions released this year have a lot of additional features that make them even more appealing.

• Boating regulations:

  As always, there was a lot of talk on the IBEX floor about boating regulations on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico – specifically the NOAA recommendation to have slow-speed zones in coastal areas to protect the Atlantic Right Whales. It’s a hot topic with many in the industry concerned about the negative impact on the recreational boating Industry. We’ll be watching this closely.

Conclusion:

With 2024 just around the corner, there is excitement in the air with all the innovations and new ideas percolating in the recreational boating universe. With new ideas, come new challenges. After exploring the floors of IBEX and talking with peers, we have no doubt that new, creative solutions will be discovered for the challenges ahead.

On a closing note. We asked Shawn to share his favorite product from IBEX. He said that hands down, this is the product his boss, Chairman Darby Campbell, will like the most: Hydrofin – High Performance Hydrofoils for Tritoon and Pontoon Boats.  Stick a foil on your pontoon and see 38% decrease in drag, leading to a faster, more efficient ride. Whether for you, your boss, or any other boat lover, IBEX 2023 certainly had plenty of innovative new products on display.