A navigation light with no exposed power contacts
Scanstrut has won the Deck Equipment and Hardware category of the 2026 IBEX Innovation Awards for its Wireless Powered Navigation Pole Light. Announced after the October 6 awards ceremony in Tampa, the recognition concerns a deceptively ordinary piece of small-boat safety equipment. Pole lights often fail because electrical connections corrode after repeated exposure to water and salt.
The new Navlight replaces a conventional metal-to-metal connection with the company’s SystemOne wireless power transfer technology. Rather than plugging an exposed contact into a socket, the user opens the mount, inserts the pole and receives power through the sealed system. The aim is to make routine use easier while reducing a familiar failure point.
Two heights and a defined light range
Scanstrut offers the all-round white LED light in 600-millimetre and 1,200-millimetre pole lengths. It publishes a two-nautical-mile visibility rating, twelve-volt input and IPX6 water resistance for the main unit, with the closed mount rated IPX4. Marine-grade materials and stainless-steel hardware form part of the specification.
The published ABYC C-5 compliance claim is relevant to buyers using American small boats, but appropriate navigation-light arrangements depend on vessel type, size and applicable collision-prevention rules. Owners should confirm whether this particular light suits their boat’s required lighting configuration rather than assume one product replaces every existing masthead, stern or anchor light.
Installation and maintenance implications
The manufacturer describes a spring-closing cover and a mechanism that locks the pole into its mount. Because no exposed electrical contacts need wiping or cleaning, the design could reduce the routine attention required by boaters who remove a light before trailering or storage. A well-sealed mount may be especially useful on open fishing boats and centre consoles.
Wireless power does not remove the need for sound wiring on the supply side. Installers should protect the twelve-volt circuit correctly, position the light without obstructions and secure the mount to an appropriate deck structure. Regular checks that the unit illuminates and remains firmly seated should still form part of preparation before departure.
Award recognition versus operating evidence
IBEX judges selected a dozen winning products from one hundred entries in 2026. Their decision highlights a practical design response to a well-known problem, not proof that every installation will remain trouble-free indefinitely. Scanstrut offers a three-year warranty, subject to its published terms, and owners should verify local product availability.
For Leisure Boat Guide readers, the appeal is straightforward: improved reliability of an essential light without making the act of fitting it more complicated. The strongest test will be how the system performs through repeated seasons of spray, storage and regular removal. Careful positioning and routine function checks remain non-negotiable.