TeamO has earned the overall 2024 DAME Design Award for its Hi-Lift 150N lifejacket and harness, while Yanmar Marine took home wins in two categories covering propulsion as well as environmental sustainability for its breakthrough E-Saildrive. At the annual awards announcement at METSTRADE in Amsterdam this week, the jury also awarded eight category winners, nine special mentions, and two Environmental Design Award winners.

“In an age where the marine industry could be forgiven for being fully focused on new market drivers, it is encouraging to see such a strong step forward in a vital long-standing element of leisure marine equipment,” the jury said in a media release about the winning TeamO design, which won the personal equipment category.

In lauding Yanmar for its new E-Saildrive, the judges noted that the electric drive’s ability to be a drop-in replacement for an existing engine without requiring structural changes lowers time, expense, and complexity for such a repower. “At a stroke this eliminates a major obstacle for electrifying a large global fleet of Yanmar-equipped yachts of up to 40 feet,” the jury said.

The DAME Design Awards jury inspected 114 entries from 28 countries and narrowed that to a list of 58 product nominees before finalizing its decisions about the winners.

“Our focus was inevitably drawn towards the high number of entries driven by developing technologies that will serve the marine industry’s future needs in areas, such as electrification and networking,” said Andre Hoek, chair of the DAME jury. “But in a close-run finish, it was an excellent new development in safety that was unanimously named outright winner of this year’s awards. A perfect reminder of how we can never stop improving product categories that have been an essential part of boating for decades.”

Following are the category winners with jury comments.

Personal Equipment: Team0 Hi-Lift 150N lifejacket and harness

“TeamO has dared to think different with its Hi-Lift 150N lifejacket. Bladder buoyancy is comprehensively redistributed to provide an impressive improvement in the height of the wearer’s mouth above the water, enabling the Hi-Lift to outperform a 275N lifejacket in terms of face protection. The Jury noted lots of additional design detail, including the integrated BackTow Technology harness for safer MOB retrieval and its comfortable styling, always encouraging use when on or near the water.”

Special Mention: Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Motion

Comfort & Entertainment Afloat: Indel Webasto Marine Slim-Fit Cooling Unit

“The design masterstroke of the Slim-Fit Cooling Unit is its evaporator, pre-connected to the compressor and charged with cooling gas. The evaporator’s compact form enables installation in a coolbox through a relatively small hole. Fully factory sealed pipework enables easier use of eco-friendly R600 refrigerant gas, which is prone to leak to atmosphere through the traditional installation method of using quick fittings.”

Special Mention: GN Espace Galley Solutions ECO Door

Navigation & Communication: Raymarine RSW Wired Smart Wind transducer

“Raymarine’s completely rethought approach to wind transducers is impressive at every level, from its ease of use and physical design to its pre-calibrated operating software. An integrated 3D motion sensor accounts for pitch and roll, delivering improved true-wind accuracy. Smart Wind technology compensates for mast twist and bend and up-wash against the sails. A great example of impressive holistic design effort.”

Special Mention: Navico Group NSX ULTRAWIDE; Raymarine Pathfinder Commercial Radar

Electronic & Electric Systems: Egis Mobile Electric XD Series NMEA-2000 Controllable Remote Battery Switching & Charge Management

“The Jury’s eyes were immediately drawn to this very nicely designed series of NMEA 2000 controllable battery management relays and switches that are much more compact than conventional battery controls. Front facing terminals offer the potential for easier installation and cable management despite the unit’s compact form and multiple XD switches nest nicely together with short bus bars where needed. Manual override is easy to control. A great example of a well-conceived product.”

Special Mention: Rondal Hydro Generator

Propulsion & Dynamics: Yanmar Marine International E-Saildrive

“The 7-15kW 48V E-saildrive fits on existing footprints as a drop-in replacement for combustion engines with no major structural changes needed to repower. At a stroke this eliminates a major obstacle for electrifying a large global fleet of Yanmar-equipped yachts of up to 40 feet. The E-saildrive is noticeably well engineered, supported by Yanmar’s global service network, and features an internal closed loop oil cooling system, further reducing installation time.” This product also won the Environmental Design Award.

Special Mention: Mitek REVOLVE

Deck Equipment: Karver Systems KJS12 Karver rope clutch

“Every detail has clearly been studied by Karver’s designers for the development of the compact KJS12 1.2T SWL rope clutch. The finished result offers improved durability and reduced rope wear, ease of serviceability and handling and incorporation of a color-coding system. A trigger button design is used instead of clutch handles, and these can also be remotely operated from the cockpit. A worthy winner among many commendable entries in this category.”

Special Mention: Ankerplex flat pack anchor

Security & Safety Aboard: AirMarker R.Four

“AirMarker features a 41cm luminous orange tethered signal balloon with an integrated light source. It inflates and rises from a portable housing when the integrated helium gas cylinders are triggered by twisting the base. It is tethered at altitude using a strong, lightweight leash, with a quoted flight duration of up to three days. A fascinating new addition to boat safety equipment, whether at sea or inland.”

Special Mention: CMP Group SMartyr SCP Anode; Ocean Signal ACR ResQFlare Pro

Shoreside Equipment & Materials: North Sails NPL RENEW

“Sailcloth is a key focus area for sustainability and the drive for new materials is gaining pace. North Sails sourced recycled polyester film and yarn, and bio-based Dyneema, without compromising performance, to create a highly durable cruising laminate cloth called RENEW. The supplier products are all Bluesign Certified and ISCC compliant to guarantee the validity of the sources and processes used in their manufacture.”

Environmental Design Winners: CMP Group SMartyr SCP Anode and Yanmar Marine International
E-Saildrive

CMP Group SMartyr SCP Anode: “The SMartyr SCP Anode is based on compact impressed current cathodic protection, a technology proven in commercial maritime applications. This requires a small DC electrical current to work which is provided by integrated underwater solar power. The SMartyr protects vessels from galvanic corrosion while avoiding the release of harmful metals, such as cadmium and mercury, into the water. Installation is simple with a single bolt attachment option. Anticipated lifespan is two to three years. An excellent development from a major anode producing company offering a pathway to more sustainable solutions for cathodic protection in leisure marine.”

Yanmar Marine International E-Saildrive: “The 7-15kW 48V E-saildrive is noticeably well engineered, supported by Yanmar’s global service network, and features an internal closed loop oil cooling system, further reducing installation time. So, much to admire, but the E-Saildrive specifically wins this DAME Environmental Award for its exciting potential to accelerate electrification in a very large global fleet of yachts. It fits on existing footprints as a drop-in replacement for combustion engines with no major structural changes needed to repower. At a stroke this eliminates a major obstacle for electrifying Yanmar saildrive-powered yachts of up to 40 feet.”