Carl Blackwell, who was once president of boating resource company Discover Boating, has endless knowledge when it comes to everything on the water. Here, he shares his forecast for the new year when it comes to boating.
This article was featured in PartsVu Xchange.
Is the increased interest in boating and outdoor activities related to the pandemic sustainable, or will it fade over time?
Carl: I think it will be long-term. Boating is an excellent way to connect with people authentically versus the disconnection we see so much with phone technology, for example.
The interest in being in the outdoors has always been there. When you get your friends and family on a boat, you get a glimpse of nature while staying within ten to fifteen feet of your loved ones. Boating gives you a chance to bond and connect while on the water.
There’s a sense of relief when you step onto a boat and start to pull away from the dock. Tension releases and there is a renewed sense of self where stress dissipates, and peace replaces every-day worries.
Fishing is also on the rise, especially among youth anglers. Kids are getting off the couch and on the water to compete in catch-and-release formats for accolades and prizes, which is a gratifying competitive experience.
How has new technology changed the boating experience?
Carl: Boats are getting smarter, driven by new technology. For example, you can start a boat engine with your phone and turn on your air conditioning or appliances if your boat is equipped with those accessories. You can also remotely check your battery power and check for bilge pump usage to monitor for any water intrusion.
Many boat builders are including smart technology in their models. For example, Ski Nautique, Harris Pontoon, and Boston Whaler all have models that include smart boat technology.
Auto-docking is an impressive new feature that companies like Brunswick and Volvo have been working on. Auto-docking technology assists in making one of the most stressful things a boater has to do just a little bit easier.
Can you explain telematics and how it is being incorporated into boating technology?
Carl: Telematics refers to technology that connects different components to one central device, which allows you to monitor your boat remotely. There is a new technology that even allows you to place geofences around your boat. It alerts you if the boat moves out of the confines of the geofence.
Boat theft is a big problem. Alarm systems are becoming more important for the safety of boat owners and their investments. Boat alarm systems are an integral part of security; they can even be set to detect people tampering with a boat that triggers the alarm.
Maintenance log apps are also a neat tool that allows owners to track maintenance on their vessels. Keeping track of things like battery replacements, oil changes, and other essential maintenance issues is extremely important to the longevity of a boat and its components.
How have you seen boat clubs impact the industry? What kind of growth do you expect to see in the future?
Carl: Boat clubs are great for the industry at large. Boat clubs make a lot of sense for people getting started in boating or those looking to release themselves from boat ownership while staying connected to the water.
Boat clubs require an initial investment and an ongoing monthly fee that allows members to use boats throughout the year through a reservation system. Members can enjoy boating without some of the burdens of owning a boat.
The upsides to boat club membership are considerable, but you have to balance that with a slight loss of spontaneity. You can’t always pick up and get on the water whenever you want if there’s no reservation available. Additionally, most boat club vessels are smaller horsepower boats. So, they may not get you where you want to be as quickly as you would like. However, limited speed may be safer for those newer to boating.
One of the neat things about a boat subscription arrangement like those offered by Freedom Boat Club is that you can usually make reservations in various cities across the country, allowing you to enjoy boating in a wide variety of venues.
Boat sharing is an alternative to boat clubs that is appealing as well. Boat-sharing concepts like Boatsetter or GetMyBoat are popular for those looking for occasional usage who don’t necessarily want a monthly agreement. These arrangements are typically for short-term use, like one or two days. The idea is similar to Airbnb but for boat owners.
What do you think about the new generation of high-powered outboard motors?
Carl: With the advent of new boat deck designs, it’s simpler to mount multiple outboard engines to a boat. One of the big advantages of outboards is that they are much easier to maintain. Outboards can also help to save space which is a huge benefit when dealing with boat storage. Outboards are prevalent on most boats these days, and I don’t see an end in sight regarding their popularity.
Can you comment on the introduction of electric boats to the marine industry?
Carl: I think electric boats are here to stay. We’ve seen custom builders introduce electric boats to the market. Now we’re starting to see production manufacturers build electric boats. That means that we should see them start to become more mainstream in the very near future. For example, Correct Craft introduced the Ingenity, their new twenty-three-foot electric day boat, so they are one manufacturer at the forefront of this new technology.
We’ve also seen leading outboard manufacturers like Yamaha and Mercury Marine introducing their first electric outboards.
What kind of new and exciting marine products have you seen come to market recently?
Carl: I had the opportunity to serve on a panel that judged the top ten most innovative products in the recreational boating industry. So, I had the chance to see a lot of great new products.
SeaKeeper Ride
One product that I found interesting was the Seakeeper Ride. The Seakeeper Ride is designed to eliminate seventy percent of the pitch and roll related to waves and wind for smaller boats. It helps reduce the potential effects of sea sickness and serves as a way to provide a better overall experience on the water.
Microplastic Filters
Suzuki introduced something called a microplastic filter, which attaches to an engine. With that product, as water is getting sucked up into the engine and spit back out, the filter screens for plastic which is excellent to aid in protecting the environment. So, Suzuki’s innovation benefits not only the boat owner but the environment as well.
The LEASH
I fished in a pro-am bass tournament, allowing me to ride along in a boat running at very high speeds. Traveling at high speeds can be dangerous, especially if you hit a submerged object. The LEASH is a neat product that restrains an outboard motor and prevent it from flipping onto the back of a bass boat in the event of sub-surface collisions. A product like that can prevent serious injuries and save lives.
The Hydrospider
A simple yet innovative idea is HydroSpider which is a rescue device that attaches to a type four flotation device that allows a rescuer to throw the device multiple times during a rescue attempt. Other rescue devices allow for one shot at a throw, but the HydroSpider is easy to deploy and redeploy if needed, which is of utmost importance in a tense rescue situation. When you have wind, current, and other factors involved, making accurate throws is tough, so it’s vital to make multiple throws without having to real a rope back in.
I had a personal experience in Lake Michigan where someone jumped in the water and got caught up in a rip current. I made a throw that was off-target the first time. Luckily, I could reel the rope and device back in and made a second successful throw. But that’s not the situation you want to find yourself in. So, a device like the HydroSpider that is designed for easy redeployment is a much safer way.
PartsVu is proud to be affiliated with many of the new products mentioned above, which can be found on PartsVu.com. Also, visit Discoverboating.com, an excellent resource to learn more about boat ownership, boat clubs, or other boating-related information.
