Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show announces Most Innovative Product Award for 2023.
When the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show announced its Most Innovative Product Award for 2023, it certainly raised a few eyebrows. That’s because it didn’t go to a boat – it went to a trailer!
However, when you see how the engineers at Balex have re-invented it, you can easily understand why this new trailer got the nod. Long recognised for its innovation credentials, Balex is the company that introduced the Automatic Boat Loader – a real gamechanger for boaties fed up with the drawbacks of manual launching and retrieving.
The powerful marine grade hydraulic system can even be operated via remote control. No need to clamber down slippery boat ramps to hook or unhook your boat, no more tiresome, inaccurate winching, no more power loading. With this brilliant technology fully integrated into the new trailer design, the team at Balex then applied its know-how to everything from the jockey wheel up. Along the way they’ve set new benchmarks for strength, safety and towability.
Three additional features really make their presence felt. Firstly, the multi-bunk roller system, custom designed by Balex, is frictionless and centres your boat with ease. Secondly, when you’ve launched or retrieved your boat, the Balex integrated wash-down system (with on board tank) enables you to quickly wash any saltwater off key components at the touch of a button. And thirdly, the Wireless Braking System shortens stopping distance for safer, more comfortable towing – and is adjustable from your car seat.
Made right here in NZ from marine grade 5083 aluminium that is lightweight, has excellent corrosion resistance and is folded for extra strength, a Balex trailer feels as good on the road as it does on the ramp. In fact, towing your boat is as stress-free as launching it.
All this innovation should not really come as a surprise, after all, as well as the Automatic Boat Loader, the Balex design team has  developed a self-loading floating dock. This enables you to keep your boat out of the water while tethered in its pen at the marina, reducing the need for anti-fouling.
