In a year marked by renewed design momentum across the global marine sector, the 2025 DAME Design Awards have placed intelligent, user-focused, and sustainability-driven thinking under the spotlight at METSTRADE. With a record 146 entries and 67 shortlisted nominees—the largest field since 2016—the competition saw a strong mix of incremental innovation and bold new ideas across propulsion, electronics, comfort, and safety systems.
DAME Design Awards 2025 puts smart marine design under the spotlight
But it was a compact, aviation-inspired chartplotter that captured the imagination of the judging panel.
The overall winner: LXNAV E360 Round Chartplotter
The DAME Awards jury kept circling back to one entry. Despite a strong crop of contenders in nearly every category, LXNAV’s new E360 Round Chartplotter stood out for its cohesive design, rich functionality, and cross-industry innovation.
A 4-inch multi-function touchscreen instrument, the E360 integrates NMEA 2000 data, OpenSeaMap charting, Navionics compatibility, GPS, Wi-Fi, and Fusion audio control into a round, compact format. It also features a high level of user customisation and alert logic, all sealed to IPX6.
The jury particularly praised its intuitive interface, crisp responsiveness, and a car-style jog-wheel controller, offered as an option, for simple tactile input. With its roots in aviation instrumentation, Slovenian manufacturer LXNAV has applied its pedigree to the marine space with remarkable effect.
“This was a year of very tight competition,” said acting jury chair Patrick Hemp, stepping in for long-standing chair Andre Hoek. “But we kept returning to the E360. It represents a fresh way of thinking about small-boat instrumentation, and it just works.”
Innovation across every category
Eight category winners were named, spanning everything from propulsion to deck equipment.
In Propulsion & Dynamics, Dometic’s DG3 Gyro earned top honours with its compact stabilisation solution aimed at smaller vessels, showing that comfort no longer needs to be reserved for superyachts.
The Simarine SAC15R smart AC distribution unit won in Electronic & Electrical Systems, highlighting the increasing importance of connected, efficient onboard power management.
Garmin’s OnBoard System was named Safety & Security winner, showcasing how connected monitoring is now core to modern boating.
FLIR’s Ocean Scout Pro took out Personal Equipment with its advanced handheld thermal imaging platform.
Dometic’s CSX Refrigeration System led the Onboard Comfort category, reflecting the shift toward energy-conscious, high-efficiency living systems.
Softstep by ONE Palma won in Deck Equipment, offering a simple, modular solution that doubles as both a step and workstation.
And in Manufacturing & Support Products, Supersede Marine Board stood out with its durable, recycled-plastic marine sheathing material.
The breadth of these winners points to a design culture that now spans across vessel types, from trailer boats to hybrid multihulls, and from compact tenders to large production cruisers.
Environmental thinking rewarded
Two products also claimed the Environmental Design Award, highlighting a strong theme of sustainability woven through this year’s entries.
ONE Palma’s IFS Multi Tradewind Sail, a high-performance sail material with lower lifecycle impact, and Digital Yacht’s BILGE IQ, a smart bilge monitoring system that can detect leaks early and prevent environmental harm, were recognised for their contribution to cleaner, more responsible boating.
Special mentions signal rising stars
Eighteen products received Special Mentions, including smart charging systems, sustainable interior materials, and next-gen navigation aids such as SEA.AI’s WATCHKEEPER and Avikus NEUBOAT Dock II. Notably, several of the recipients were startup exhibitors at METSTRADE, confirming that innovation is increasingly coming from agile newcomers as well as major marine manufacturers.
Sea.AI launches Watchkeeper, smart collision avoidance for recreational boaters
Jury reflections: design that delivers
In his opening remarks at the awards breakfast, Hemp reflected on the scale and substance of this year’s entries.
“There’s clear evidence the industry isn’t content with the status quo,” he said. “We saw many designs where manufacturers are actively simplifying user experience, minimising energy use, and transferring high-tech ideas from the superyacht and aviation sectors into affordable, everyday marine gear.”
The judges were also impressed by how many companies are applying iterative improvements—not just seeking radical change. “It’s not about reinventing everything,” Hemp noted, “but about making smart, targeted advances that make boats better to own and easier to live aboard.”
Ocean Conservation Trust donation
In a strong show of purpose, entry fees from this year’s DAME Awards raised a record €21,900 for the Ocean Conservation Trust. The funds will support habitat restoration and ocean health initiatives, reinforcing the direct link between smart marine design and long-term environmental care.
