Top five technology innovations in boating

By Jeff Sinclair

Jeff Sinclair is the Ambassador for Pride Marine Group and the “Voice of Boating”. He will be at the Toronto International Boat Show is on now through Sunday, January 17th and is taking place at the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place. It's open from 10 am - 7pm on Saturdays, 10 am - 6 pm on Sundays and 11 am - 8 pm during the weekday. Here is his list of hottest new technologies in boating.

1. Wave-Shaping Technology - Create That Perfect Wave

Wakesurfing has been rapidly gaining popularity and is a low-impact sport that the whole family can enjoy. Imagine surfing, no ropes attached, behind a boat and having full control of speed, wave height and shape as well as the music! The Nautique Surf System is an integrated system that actually allows the surfer to customize the steepness and shape of the wave – all through the push of a button. A wave plate extends outwards from the back of the boat, redirecting the flow of water to form a surf wave. The wave can even be shaped while surfing by using the Nautique Surf Select application on the Pebble™ Watch. The Nautique Surf System is available on all Super Air Nautique Series boats, which can be purchased at Pride Marine.

2. Touchscreen Technology

Navigation has never been easier thanks to real-time GPS positioning on touchscreens on your boat. From small to large vessels with some basic training a beginner boater can now plot a course on a touchscreen (such as those on Sea Rays from Pride Marine Group) just like a pro. 

3. Propulsion Technology, Faster, More Control, More Efficient

Propulsion technology is a mechanism used in motorized boats that gets the boat moving, ensuring that you don’t have to reach for a paddle. Zeus® is the world’s most advanced propulsion system that makes the boat easier to use and improves its performance, especially when the boat is going at a high-speed. It also prevents the boat from colliding with underwater debris that wreaks havoc on a boat’s propeller and more. It delivers up to 30 per cent improved fuel economy, 15 per cent faster cruise speed and 15 per cent faster top speed

4. Just Like A Video Game…Docking Without Fear

Never worry again about wind and current when you approach the dock. Advanced joystick control systems are incredibly intuitive and can be operated with a single turn of the wrist. One hand controls it all. Move sideways, diagonally or spin the boat on its axis. This technology is available on Zeus® Joystick Piloting for Pods, Axius® Joystick Piloting for Sterndrives and Axius® Joystick Piloting for Outboards. 

5. Anchor Without Using Your Anchor.  Skyhook Technology

Imagine having the ability to pull up to a busy fuel dock and wait in line without having to constantly tend to your controls to stay in place. Just turn on Skyhook™, which uses GPS along with autopilot to hold the boat in place, even when the wind and current are working against it. The system will automatically make tiny adjustments so you don’t have to.