Your next boat could finally feel like your car, thanks to this major navigation upgrade
Getting around on the water is about to feel a lot more like driving your car, with smarter navigation arriving right at the helm.
Boaters are set to experience driving-like convenience on the water thanks to a partnership between Crest and Balise, two pontoon brands under MasterCraft Boat Holdings, and Savvy Navvy, a popular marine navigation app. Starting with the 2027 model year, owners of Balise and Crest boats will be able to access Savvy Navvy directly through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on their boat's display.
This replaces the need for separate navigation hardware and allows users to view maps, routes, trip information, and more from the same infotainment screen they are accustomed to in their vehicles. Once a compatible smartphone is connected, Savvy Navvy can display nautical charts, GPS tracking, weather forecasts, tidal information, and intelligent route planning on the boat's screen, all while offering multiple map views for optimal visibility.
The new system allows trip planning to begin before reaching the marina, with routes created on a phone before leaving home appearing automatically once connected. The partnership was demonstrated during Crest Marine's annual dealer meeting on Michigan’s Lake Lansing, where boaters tested the integrated experience in real-time. The 2027 Crest and Balise boats will feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with Savvy Navvy support as standard, while all new Balise pontoons will include the app's complete collection of navigation tools through Savvy Navvy Premium.
Savvy Navvy boasts over three million downloads globally, indicating the potential for this upgrade to enhance the boating experience.
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