YANMAR Marine International (YMI) has announced that its groundbreaking E-Saildrive SDe 48v series has received two prestigious DAME Design Awards in the ‘Propulsion & Dynamics’ and ‘Environmental’ categories. The awards, presented during the METSTRADE Show in Amsterdam, honour the E-Saildrive as an exceptional example of innovation in design, functionality, and sustainability in marine propulsion.
Designed to facilitate a smooth and accessible transition to emission-free sailing, the E-Saildrive series was praised by the DAME Awards jury for its advanced design, seamless integration, and ease of installation. Built with a ‘plug and play’ platform that requires no hull modifications, YANMAR’s E-Saildrive models fit directly into existing engine compartments as a drop-in replacement for traditional combustion engines. This approach enables sailing enthusiasts to adopt electric propulsion easily and efficiently, while retaining the performance and reliability associated with YANMAR products.
“We are incredibly honoured that our E-Saildrive series has been recognized by the DAME Design Awards jury,” said Wouter-Jan van der Wurff, President and CEO of YANMAR Recreational Marine Business Unit. “These awards underscore the hard work and dedication of our team in developing an electric propulsion solution that empowers greener sailing. We’re excited to see how the E-Saildrive series will inspire sustainable innovation in the marine industry.”
Unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival and Newport International Boat Show, the E-Saildrive range features three models—the SDe7 kW, SDe10 kW, and SDe15 kW—which deliver power output of up to 15kW for sailboats up to 40 feet (depending on application and displacement). The system uses a 48V electrical system, seamlessly integrated, providing a secure and efficient power source for users. Additionally, E-Saildrive owners benefit from YANMAR’s robust support network of over 2,000 distributors and dealers across 130 countries.
In this 33rd edition of the DAME Design Awards, 58 products from 28 countries were shortlisted for the final assessment by a jury of nine international design and marine industry experts. This year’s competition incorporated the perspectives of a sustainability consultant and a master’s-level design student, reflecting a fresh commitment to sustainable and forward-thinking design.
The DAME Design Awards, established in 1991, have become a cornerstone in the global marine industry, celebrating excellence in design across all categories from functionality to aesthetics. This year’s winners will be showcased in Hall 13 at the heart of the METSTRADE show, with additional recognition through the DAME Jury Report available on the official DAME Design Awards website.
