2010 Miami “Absolute Insanity” Award

Yes, I know the Miami boat show is old news at this point, but there’s one thing we haven’t discussed yet: the Miami “Absolute Insanity” award. This prestigious award (which doesn’t actually exist) has been presented annually (since 2010) to a boat or product introduced at the show, which has the following qualifications: it was invented, developed, or built by someone who’s clearly insane; it serves no real purpose other then to evidence that insanity; and finally, someone would have to be insane to buy or use it. The award is chosen by a highly-qualified panel of judges, consisting mostly (entirely) of  me.

Now without further delay, I’d like to announce that the 2010 Absolute Insanity award goes to: Statement Marine, LLC, for it’s high-performance speedboat which has a big-screen LCD TV integrated into the underside of the engine hatch – yes, a TV. Check this out:

Yes, that's an LCD TV in the engine hatch. Insane? You be the judge.

Now, I could be wrong, but the last time I checked the underside of a boat’s engine hatch was prone to high temperatures and constant vibration, which is not exactly the perfect environment for a flat-screen TV. Then again, considering how quickly the engines in this type of boat tend to blow, I suppose you have a pretty good shot at watching Baywatch re-runs the next time you have to yank a block. And boats like this tend to be like Pamela Anderson, anyway, spending more time with the hatch opened then closed. So maybe it isn’t so crazy, after all. Or is it? Hey – you be the judge.

Lenny Rudow is Senior Editor for Dominion Marine Media, including Boats.com and Yachtworld.com. With over two decades of experience in marine journalism, he has contributed to publications including Boating Magazine, Marlin Magazine, Boating World, Saltwater Sportsman, Texas Fish & Game, and many others. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design who has won 28 BWI and OWAA writing awards.