13-02-2025
YANMAR E-SAILDRIVE SERIES WINS PRESTIGIOUS INNOVATION AWARD AT THE DISCOVER BOATING® MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW®

Museum Park Marina (booth MPM14) and Herald Plaza (booth HP5PA)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands — YANMAR Marine International (YMI) is thrilled to announce that its revolutionary E-Saildrive SDe 48V series has been honored with the prestigious Innovation Award in the Alternative Propulsion category at the 2025 Discover Boating® Miami International Boat Show®. Managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judged by Boating Writers International, the Innovation Awards recognize manufacturers and suppliers who introduce groundbreaking and forward-thinking products to the boating industry.
The E-Saildrive series, designed to facilitate a seamless transition to emission-free sailing, impressed the Innovation Awards jury with its advanced design, ease of integration, and commitment to sustainability. Featuring a ‘plug and play’ platform that eliminates the need for hull modifications, YANMAR’s E-Saildrive models serve as a direct drop-in replacement for traditional combustion engines. This approach ensures that sailing enthusiasts can effortlessly adopt electric propulsion while maintaining YANMAR’s renowned reliability and performance.
This latest recognition follows YANMAR’s earlier success at the 2024 METSTRADE Show in Amsterdam, where the E-Saildrive SDe 48V series won two esteemed DAME Design Awards in the ‘Propulsion & Dynamics’ and ‘Environmental’ categories. The back-to-back accolades reaffirm YANMAR’s position as a leader in marine innovation.
“We are incredibly proud that the E-Saildrive series has now been recognized with an Innovation Award at the Miami Boat Show,” said Wouter-Jan van der Wurff, President and CEO of the Marine Recreational Business Unit. “Winning both the DAME Design Awards and the Innovation Award in such a short time is a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of our team. These awards highlight our commitment to delivering cutting-edge, sustainable propulsion solutions that will shape the future of boating.”
Innovation Award judge, Kelsey Bonham, said: “Yanmar’s first all-electric saildrive is a specialist rather than a generalist, tailor-made for luxury daysailers and small coastal cruisers. The E-Saildrive is refined by its closed loop oil cooling system, which negates all raw water contact, and by the high-quality, well-thought-through engineering throughout.”
Unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival and Newport International Boat Show, the E-Saildrive range includes three models—the SDe7 kW, SDe10 kW, and SDe15 kW—delivering power outputs of up to 15kW for sailboats up to 40 feet (depending on application and displacement). The system operates on a 48V electrical platform, ensuring seamless integration and a reliable power source. Additionally, E-Saildrive owners benefit from YANMAR’s extensive support network, which includes over 2,000 distributors and dealers across 130 countries.
With this latest recognition at the Miami Boat Show, YANMAR continues to drive innovation and sustainability in the marine industry, empowering boaters to embrace the future of emission-free propulsion.
Attendees can view the E-Saildrive SDe 48V series at this year’s show at its Museum Park Marina location along the sail dock (booth MPM14). YANMAR will also showcase a full display of its renowned engines for power and sailboats at its Herald Plaza location (booth HP5PA), with expert representatives available to provide insights and information.
For further information or images, please contact the YANMAR team at McKenna Townsend by calling +44(0)1425 472330 or emailing yanmar@mckennatownsend.com
About YANMAR Marine International
YANMAR Marine International (YMI) is driven to create innovative, environmentally responsible marine propulsion solutions through the exploration and progression of advanced technologies. With sustainability at its heart, the YMI mission is to meet the evolving needs of its customers as a trusted partner, supplying cutting-edge products and systems which enhance our customers experiences.
The sustainable solutions from YMI are built to help customers take the next step on their journey to minimize their CO2 footprint, while fulfilling their appetite for life-affirming adventure on the water and requirements for onboard comfort. YMI continues to grow its network of service centers worldwide, providing quick and reliable support in over 130 countries.
Based in the Netherlands, YMI is incorporated within YANMAR’s global operations and forms part of the Marine Recreational Business Unit, one of seven rapidly expanding business domains that span land and sea. With a comprehensive portfolio of products, services, and expertise, the Marine Recreational Business Unit delivers total solutions as a leading engine and equipment manufacturer and includes YANMAR, Vetus, Maxwell, Flexofold and Smartgyro.
With its beginnings in Osaka, Japan in 1912, YANMAR is driven by its founding mission to benefit mankind and by a pioneering spirit for world-leading technology. Its offerings include small and large engines, agricultural machinery, construction equipment, energy systems, marine engines, machine tools, components, and advanced facilities.
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