2022 NMMA Innovation Award Winners

Despite frigid temperatures, things are heating up at the 2022 Minneapolis Boat Show with the announcement of the winners of the prestigious NMMA Innovation awards that were awarded at the show’s sneak peek event this evening.

There are four categories for the Minneapolis Show Innovation awards including pontoons, fiberglass and aluminum boats, as well as a new category for furnishings or specific boat features. The pontoon category once again received the most entries with extremely tough competition with the all-new Sea-Doo Switch coming out on top. In the furnishings/features category it was Premier’s Revolution seating that stood out to the panel of judges as the most innovative in this category. Other NMMA Innovation award winners include the Puma STS from Bass Cat Boats in the fiberglass boat category and the Renegade from Lund Boats in the aluminum boat category.

The Switch
“With so many families wanting to get into boating for the first time, the development of the new and affordable Sea-Doo Switch is not only great for the pontoon industry, but it’s huge for the entire boating industry,” said judge Brady Kay.

The Sea-Doo Switch pontoon is accessible, adaptable, and fun while also being extremely affordable. Starting at $17,999 with engine and trailer, the Switch opens boating to new entrants and makes it easy. The innovative triple pontoon hull includes a center that is modeled after a Sea-Doo watercraft.

The construction is modular with various model lengths achieved through connecting complete 3-foot sections for more dynamic and flexible order and production capabilities. The hull material is BRP’s proprietary, Polytec material that is light, durable, and scratch resistant and is perfect for new entrants. 

The Switch controls focus on ease of operation and utilize a standard Sea-Doo handlebar system with all the controls located on the handlebars, including the throttle/neutral/reverse controls and the intelligent brake and reverse system. This provides the driver more control of the jet drive system as they never remove their hands from the controls and provides a full-throw of the steering system with minimal movement.   

The Switch gains its name from the adaptability of the deck that can be configured to perfectly fit any moment. The deck is made entirely of LinQ tiles providing a blank building-block canvas where various seating and accessories can be locked in place through a quick-attach system. When the moment changes the configuration can be ‘switched’ in seconds using the easy to find and use, yellow-coded connection points.  And the clear siding provides an ‘open’ feel to the water while providing protection. 

Pontoon Innovation
Sea-Doo’s Switch pontoon from BRP earned the Innovation award, but it wasn’t the only innovative pontoon model competing as Avalon, Bennington and Harris also debuted new boat models, plus Mercury Marine’s all-new Joystick Piloting for pontoons. All our on display at the Minneapolis Boat Show that officially starts tomorrow and goes through Sunday.

Avalon Versatile Bench
Avalon’s Catalina Platinum Electric Versatile Rear Bench Windshield (EVRBW) model was entered in the pontoon category and it is truly unique. The EVRBW features the large rear bench/bed with an electric sliding seat back. Unlike similar bed type layouts that use a reversible swingback arm, The EVRBW seat back from Avalon will slide fore or aft at the touch of a button, to any desired spot to allow front or rear facing lounging or in the middle for both. 

Bennington’s ESP+
Bennington entered its Elliptical Sport Package Plus (ESP+), which now brings its legendary twin-engine performance to its standard 8-foot, 6-inch models. The new Elliptical Sport Package Plus is included with several all-new standard-beam models across Bennington’s R, RX Sport, Q, & QX lines. The ESP+ platform may be configured with twin engines pumping out up to 600hp.

Harris Beauty
The all-new Harris Grand Mariner’s distinctive and innovative design truly exudes modern luxury. It blends the DNA of a luxury cruiser with the thrilling dynamics of a high-performance boat with a new user interface that allows boaters to interact visually with their lighting and safety features from the Simrad screen. Other innovative features include a Distance Keyless Remote Key (Fob) to control tower position, lighting power and colors and stereo controls along with an SOS lighting feature that uses SOS Morse code that boaters can use to attract attention if they are in distress.

Mercury’s Joystick Piloting
Those with larger pontoon boats are going to want to pay attention to the Mercury Joystick Piloting for Outboards (JPO) for single-engine pontoons. With this system, boaters driving pontoons powered by a single 175-600hp Mercury outboard with Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) controls can enjoy the confidence of having precise 360-degree control, even in wind and current. The impressive unit earned an honorable mention in the pontoon category.

Integrated bow and stern thrusters positioned under the deck deploy and stow as needed. Once deployed, they work in coordination with a single outboard to provide unprecedented control.

The boater simply points the joystick in the desired direction, and the system takes the boat there, positioning it perfectly for docking or other low-speed maneuvers. Joystick inputs move the boat in any direction — sideways, diagonally, forward, backward or rotating in place. Plus, the system enables combined commands, such as simultaneously rotating and moving sideways.

This product comes in two configurations and the premium version uses an electronic steering helm and can be rigged with 250-600hp Verado outboards. The basic version can be rigged with any 175-450hp outboard with DTS, and it uses hydraulic steering, making it available to a much wider range of boats.

Mercury JPO for Single-Engine Pontoons significantly enhances the already strong appeal of single-engine pontoons by giving boaters confidence and capability in slow, tight-quarters maneuvers. 

Furnishing/Features
The patent-pending Premier Revolution seating configuration offers 360 degrees of choice and it earned an NMMA award in the furnishing/features category. The rotating Revolution design locks in at 90-degree intervals so you can enjoy the view from any angle. Enjoy forward-facing cruising, direct to the water side access, or comfortable rearward views for watersports. Transform your layout with the simple push of the floor lever.

“Offering versatility is crucial in boaters ever-evolving needs today. Premier’s 360 degree Revolution seating offers new experiences for all at every turn,” said judge Adam Quandt.”

The Revolution features a large U-shaped booth with table that lowers to convert couch seating to a full lounge bed in seconds. The platform includes a built-in ladder to drop into the water when the booth is open to the port side so you can easily and safely enter the water away from the engine. To enhance your time on the water, the Revolution from Premier comes complete with lighted cupholders, speakers, ample wireless chargers, including its exclusive phone pockets for secure storage and its patent-pending magnetic table so your insulated can holders and tumblers are always within reach.

Other entrants included the Better Boat Bumper that easily adjusts up or down 20 inches with just one bolt and the Pontoon Port from Wave Armor that was originally entered but had to cancel and was not attend the show. The Pontoon Port is a drive on/drive off floating pontoon dock with 22 guiding bowtie rollers for outstanding smooth on/off performance.