Boston Whaler 350 Realm Wins Cabin Cruiser Innovation Award at Miami Show. See 15 Other Winners

The new Boston Whaler 350 Realm, powered by three 300-hp Mercury Verado outboards, just won the Innovation Award in the Cabin Cruisers category at the Miami International Boat Show. The annual Innovation Awards, recognizing groundbreaking new consumer boating products, were given in 16 categories by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and Boating Writers International.

The 350 Realm, the first in Whaler’s fleet of express models, exemplifies the growing trend toward multi-purpose, outboard-powered boats. It offers lots of comfort for cruising or entertaining and high performance for offshore fishing. A forward console lounge provides a separate seating area, a portside dive and boarding door gives easy access to the water or the dock, and the cockpit does double duty with a prep center for fishing plus an electric grill, fridge and hot and cold running water for easy living. Below, the cabin has a convertible V-berth/seating area and a full head. And the boat holds 400 gallons of fuel to provide an ample range.

The other categories and the winners:

1. Cabin Cruisers: Boston Whaler 350 Realm.
2. Center Console/Walkaround Fishing Boats: Pursuit DC 365
3. Consumer Safety Equipment (two winners): Search and Rescue Yellow TD2401, Throw Raft, and Crew Watcher MOB Alert from Weems & Plath.
4. Cuddy Cabin and Bowrider Boats: Tiara Sport 37 LS.
5. Deck Equipment: Hardin Marine Outboard Swivel Rigging Hose Connector Kit.
6. PowerDocksLLC: Blue Isles Solar Docks.
7. Electric Motor/Battery Powered Propulsion/Hybrids: PropEle Boat Motors Inc. EP Carry, Annapolis Hybrid Marine.
8. Environmental Award: Plasteak, Inc. PlasDeck Eco Series.
9. Inboard Engines: Yanmar Marine 3JH40 Common Rail Inboard Diesel Engine.
10. Outboard Engines: Mercury Marine 3.4L V6 Outboard.
11. Personal Gear, Soft Goods: Grundens USA, Super Watch Jacket.
12. Personal Watercraft: BRP U.S. Inc., Sea-Doo GTX Unlimited Watercraft.
13. Propulsion Equipment & Parts: Vetus Maxwell. Inc., BOW-Proportional.
14. Sailboats: Jeanneau America, Walk-Around Deck 490.
15. Tow Boats: MasterCraft Xstar.
16. Watersports Equipment: Rigid Boats, Frigid Rigid Pull Cooler.

The Innovation Awards judges’ committee is made up of eight members of Boating Writers International and is chaired by Zuzana Prochazka, a veteran freelance writer who holds a 100 Ton Master license from the Coast Guard.