Boat-show season is the time when new-product announcements drop faster than daylight hours. This is great news for anyone looking to upgrade a boat’s electronics, and it’s also a chance to see all the fascinating ideas that have been percolating in companies’ R&D departments.

As you’re touring the docks and tents, keep an eye out for these products, which are all worth a closer look.

Fusion

While achieving playlist consensus can be tricky, all ears can agree that high-quality speakers outperform the low-end alternatives. Fusion’s Apollo speakers ($550 to $800) and subwoofers ($450 to $950) use redesigned motors and composite materials for everyone’s listening pleasure at higher volumes. Embedded dual-hue LED lighting, hexagonal-shaped tweeters and interchangeable grills enhance the onboard aesthetics. The coaxial speakers come in three sizes—6.5, 7.7 and 8.8 inches—and the subwoofers are available in 10- and 12-inch models. Apollo speakers and subwoofers have IP66/IP67 environmental ratings as well as marinized connectors, and are optimized to work with Fusion-built stereos.

Garmin

Seeing is believing, and Garmin’s GC 255 Flush Mount Camera makes it easier to believe that an approach to the dock will be successful. The GC 255 ($1,000) comes bundled in a stainless-steel body and delivers up to 1080p high-resolution imagery across a 160-by-90-degree field of view. It can present bird’s-eye, fish-eye or standard views, along with vessel-specific distance markers and customizable guidance lines that help to defang docking and close-quarters maneuvers. The GC 255 has an IPX7 rating, weighs 22.9 ounces, measures 3.2-by-3.2-by-3.3 inches, and has a plug-and-play setup with compatible Garmin-built multifunction displays.

JL Audio

This brand arrived at the fall shows with two new options for generating good times afloat. The MM55 ($400) provides full stereo control via its eight hard buttons, volume-control knob and 2.8-inch color screen, while the white-box MM55-HR ($350) networks with a compatible multifunction display or JL Audio-built controller for its user interface to provide a clean-looking helm. Both stereos support three audio zones, each with dedicated subwoofer outputs and independent or unified volume controls. They also sport built-in 100-watt amplifiers and digital AM/FM tuners. Additionally, both stereos have Bluetooth, USB 2.0 and NMEA 2000 connectivity, and come with auxiliary inputs for connecting external analog devices.

Lumitec

Visibility is paramount for safe anchoring and nocturnal operations. Lumitec’s Contour Masthead Combo Light is designed to ensure that a vessel can be seen from at least 3 nautical miles. The slim, lightweight light is available with an antenna mount ($250) or an Angler motorized base ($1,050) that raises and lowers the light as needed. Both versions have a 225-degree masthead light, a 360-degree anchor light and a 135-degree stern light that sit atop a 39-inch shaft. (Custom lengths are available.) Both are certified to US Coast Guard and National Marine Manufacturers Association standards.

Maretron

The WSV200 MConnect Web Server lets users take deep dives into their NMEA 2000 networks. Users can view graphically rich custom-built or pre-built user-interface screens for a wealth of vessel and systems data. Boaters also can access the MConnect Web Server ($600) while aboard using a compatible networked multifunction display, or from afar using embedded virtual private networks and any third-party device that has a web browser. Each MConnect can pair to two NMEA 2000 networks and more than 400 N2K data points. MConnect black boxes can also connect with digital-switching systems (third-party and Maretron-built systems), giving owners and three other users the ability to control and monitor systems and real-time information via a single platform. Additionally, each MConnect has an RJ45 Ethernet port, a USB 3.0 port and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity.

Sea.AI

Optical-based systems for collision avoidance are one of the most exciting instruments in years, but adding a full system can be redundant for boaters who already cruise with thermal-imaging cameras. Sea.AI’s Brain ($8,990) is a black-box system that processes imagery from a compatible thermal-imaging camera (one that conforms with the Open Network Video Interface Forum’s Profile S standards) and applies its embedded AI to detect nonwater objects in the video feed to provide warnings and alarms. Sea.AI’s Brain has three operating modes (collision avoidance, 360-degree surveillance and manual), and it’s compatible with Android, Apple iOS and Windows operating systems. Sea.AI’s Brain connects to a thermal-imaging camera via Ethernet, and it connects to a third-party device via Wi-Fi. Boaters use third-party software to display their camera’s video feed—plus Brain-detected targets and alarms—on their device.

Siren Marine

For years, connected-boat technology was mostly reserved for vessels with lengthy waterlines. This changed when Siren Marine introduced the Siren 3 for tenders and outboard-powered side rides. Each Siren 3 ($300) can network with six Siren-built wireless sensors (including bilge, high-water, entry and temperature sensors) via SirenWave, which is Siren Marine’s proprietary communications protocol. Additionally, each Siren 3 system can monitor one hard-wired battery, network with the boat’s NMEA 2000 backbone, and network with Yamaha’s Command Link network. Users can monitor all the information using a smartphone or smartwatch, and via the Siren Connected Boat app. Siren 3 is designed to be DIY or builder-installed, and it has a new internal antenna that makes it fit aboard smaller rides easier than its big brother, the Siren 3 Pro.

Tocaro Blue

Radars may be powerful sensors, but they can be challenging to read, especially for occasional users. Tocaro Blue’s Proteus Hub ($2,950) simplifies this task by connecting to a vessel’s NMEA 2000 data backbone and accessing networked radar and sensor data (depth, automatic identification system, heading and location information). Tocaro Blue’s ProteusCore software then applies AI machine learning to remove radar clutter and determine the nature of each target, such as buoys, markers and vessels. The system communicates with the radar to help optimize target detection, and it leverages the radar feed along with data from other networked sensors to predict the movement of its own vessel and all gathered targets over a 30-second horizon. This information is presented on a compatible multifunction display as a two-dimensional top-down map or a 3D view. Users can jump between views to find their best presentational fit.

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ACR ResQLink AIS PLB-450

The more ears that hear a call for help, the better chance there is to get it sooner. Add in greater position accuracy and you get the ACR ResQLink AIS PLB-450. This personal locator beacon uses AIS and 406 mHz frequencies to broadcast a user’s location. To help pinpoint that location, the PLB-450 harnesses the global navigation satellite system. When we tested the ACR ResQLink PLB-450 on land, the system quickly identified three satellites within view and acquired its first fix within 35 seconds, with a position accuracy of about 215 feet. The ability to add a wearable beacon that broadcasts to local vessels and rescuing authorities provides highly accurate location data The fact that the device broadcasts for 24-plus hours makes the ACR ResQLink PLB-450 an option for boaters of all types. 

ePropulsion X40 Outboard

The X40 is ePropulsion’s largest electric outboard in a three-model series, which also includes an X12 and X20. The engine’s number designation indicates power in kilowatts. When the company tested its X40 on a 20-foot V-hull aluminum boat, the engine produced a top speed of around 19.4 knots (22.3 mph), which it can maintain for one hour. Dial it back to 8.3 knots to double the run time. At 6.7 knots, it’s four hours. The X40 has 88.2 percent total powertrain efficiency. ePropulsion designed the engine’s electric steering, power trim and tilt, electric control unit and motor controller as a single unit.

Compass 11.1 Limo Tender

Yacht owners seeking an all-weather ride that accommodates 12 passengers from the big boat in a climate-controlled environment may want to consider the Compass 11.1 Limo tender. The cabin is outfitted with custom leather seating, a teak sole with an eye-catching geometric pattern, warm interior lighting that follows the curve of the superstructure, and a glass roof that opens and articulates in several directions. Windows are a clear-coat carbon fiber and provide ocean views at all points. There are steps forward and aft, as well as a swim platform to ensure seamless boarding in any scenario. The Compass 11.1 Limo tender is powered with a pair of twin 320 hp Yanmar diesels paired to sterndrives. Top speed is 34 knots, but with a great ride, what’s the rush?

Dockmate Dynamic Positioning

Dockmate’s Dynamic Positioning System is an upgrade to the company’s remote-control technology, adding next-level confidence for boat owners who are ready to take a break from being stuck at the helm when waiting for a bridge opening. The Dockmate hand-held remote control gives the skipper access to two modes. The first one is designed for operating on open water, where the positioning system uses only the engines to hold station. It will keep the vessel into the wind or current to stay in place. In close-quarters scenarios, Dockmate’s system will engage the engines and thrusters to stay on the waypoint. A 4-inch screen at the helm displays the vessel’s position at all times, and the skipper has the ability to activate the dynamic positioning system with the push of a button.

Furuno TZTouchXL

The latest from Furuno is an upgraded version of the TZtouch line of multifunction displays. Dubbed the TZtouchXL, these wide-bodied displays are not only equipped with faster processors, but they also deliver better imagery. In fact, they are the only displays that can render TimeZero’s TZ Maps. TZtouchXL displays come in 10-, 13-, 16-, 22– and 24-inch screen sizes, and have 1920-by-1080 high-definition displays, which highlight TZ Maps’ rich colors and bathymetric details. Skippers can also use Furuno’s AI Routing, where they select start and end points, and the software uses the chart’s bathymetric data to generate safe routes. Anglers can use this tech to access Furuno’s Dynamic Fishing Maps with five different resolution levels, including hybrid satellite and contour charts, and 3-inch contour lines to help pinpoint a hot bite.

SipaBoards

Imagine enjoying a relaxing morning paddle amid light winds but then finding yourself a bit farther from shore than you initially thought. What if there was the option of a power assist that could kick in and return you safely to your boat or terra firma? That was the thinking behind the SipaBoards line of power-assisted SUPs. Each of the three models—the Neo ($3,255), Tourer ($3,900) and AllRounder ($3,900)—has a water jet paired with a power-pack battery and a Bluetooth-enabled remote control. There’s also a self-inflate system to help ease the task of getting the boards prepped and ready for the water. Launched with a Kickstarter campaign in 2015, SipaBoards has now sold more than 5,000 SUPs in 26 countries.

Lomac GranTurismo 14

Dubbed a “maxi RIB” by the builder, the Lomac GranTurismo 14 is the culmination of three years of research and development in a 100 percent made-in-Milan design by Federico Fiorientino. It has hulls optimized by computational fluid dynamics as well as vacuum-infusion lamination incorporating vinylester resins and neopentyl gelcoat. Aramid fibers also reinforce the T-top, deck and hull without adding substantially more weight. The 16-person capacity means owners will have plenty of room for family and friends. Standard power is triple 300 hp outboards, although speed demons can upgrade to triple 450 hp engines for even greater performance. 

Garmin GPSMap 9000 Series

The latest from Garmin, the GPSMap 9000 series of chart plotters offers up to seven times the processing speed of previous generations of Garmin multifunction displays. Available in 19-, 22-, 24– or 27-inch versions, each display has 4K resolution and edge-to-edge clarity. They can also be flat- or flush-mounted for an all-glass helm. In-plane switching ensures sunlight readability from virtually any viewing angle, even while wearing polarized sunglasses. In addition to enhancing navigation, the large-format 4K displays can also be used to display streaming entertainment or for watching stored content. GPSMap 9000 displays also utilize high-bandwidth digital content protection distribution, allowing users to play the same content simultaneously across all networked GPSMap 9000 screens. 

JL Audio MediaMaster 55

Guided by a philosophy that great audio has real value, Garmin and its brands—JL Audio and Fusion—develop and deliver world-class audio entertainment. The JL Audio MediaMaster 55 is a next-generation source unit designed specifically for the often harsh maritime environment. Built for nonstop playback of the skipper’s favorite tunes, it has multiple connectivity options, including a digital AM/FM tuner, DAB+ radio, Bluetooth connectivity, analog auxiliary input, and a USB connection with charging. It is also equipped with a built-in amplifier, providing the ability to drive multiple speakers per channel. Rugged and weatherproof, the MM55 has a silicone button pad and new rotary knob. The 2.8-inch full-color LCD screen has larger icons than on previous models, simplified menus and a refreshed color palette. It still has separate day and night lighting themes for easier viewing if cocktail hour runs past sunset.

Valo Hyperfoil

In a clever combination, this company introduced foiling technology and electric propulsion to personal watercraft. Founded in 2019, Boundary Layer Technologies initially worked on several commercial marine concepts. In late 2022, the company shifted its focus to the recreational market, building a prototype of an electric foiling PWC. That led to the updated design, which was unveiled at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October 2023. The Valo Hyperfoil has a control system called Skyride, which uses advanced algorithms to adjust the foils hundreds of times every second. This technology comes at an early-adopter premium. With a suggested retail price of $59,000, the Valo Hyperfoil is more than double the price of most traditional PWC. Projected range is more than 60 nautical miles at an average speed of 27 knots.

Winch Design’s Arc in Colour

Winch Design worked with Summit Furniture on this updated line called Arc in Colour. It’s built from sustainable, plantation-grown teak, along with fabrics made from recycled fishing nets and textile waste. The idea is not so much to make furniture that looks like it came from recycled and sustainable materials, but instead to make furniture that looks luxurious while being crafted in a way that’s better for the planet. Plans call for expanding the Arc in Colour line into bar chairs, dining chairs and modular  sofas. It’s not going to be a custom line; instead, the goal is to make the furniture accessible for many clients, since more and more yacht owners are making verified sustainable materials part of their project briefs.

Mercury Avator 7.5e

Mercury Marine can forever say that it was the first major manufacturer of marine internal-combustion engines to offer an electric outboard option. The company’s Avator 7.5e delivers comparable performance to Mercury’s 3.5 hp four-stroke gasoline outboard engine, minus the carbon dioxide. The Avator 7.5e was also introduced as the only outboard on the market with a transverse flux motor, a design that Andrew Przybyl, Mercury’s technical manager and engineer for the Avator line, says has high torque-density characteristics. The Avator 7.5e comes with a 1 kWh lithium-ion battery, and a color display with GPS that gives operators a bevy of real-time range information.

Raymarine Axiom 2

Raymarine’s Axiom 2 is an updated version of displays the company first unveiled in 2017. Axiom 2 displays come in three models with screen sizes ranging from 9 to 24 inches. All of them have six-core processors, global navigation satellite system receivers, 64 gigabytes of solid-state storage, the latest version of Raymarine’s Lighthouse 4 operating system and next-generation screen coatings. Axiom displays can include angling-and cruising-specific versions, and they use different transducers than previous-generation Axiom offerings. These transducers have piezoceramic elements inside that are larger, equating to greater acoustic sensitivity and better beam-shaping capability. With the new transducers, boaters can realize the system’s full acoustic capabilities.

Williams Sportjet 520

The spy film Argylle hit the big screen worldwide with a star-studded cast that included Bryce Dallas Howard, John Cena, Bryan Cranston, Ariana DeBose, Catherine O’Hara and Samuel L. Jackson—along with the debut of the Williams SportJet 520, which the filmmakers used for a chase scene along the River Thames in England. The SportJet 520, at 17 feet long, is the flagship vessel in the Williams SportJet line. It has seating for seven people and is intended for use as an all-purpose tender with yachts about 98 feet and larger. 

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It’s a single-source unit with 100 watts of power, two independent main zones plus a separate subwoofer zone and the ability to digitally deliver your music via various options, including Bluetooth streaming. This unit even has NMEA2000 compatibility with Garmin, Lowrance, Raymarine and Simrad MFDs, along with wired and wireless remotes.

Price: $399.99

Contact: jlaudio.com

See the complete 2020 Marine Electronics Guide

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The M3 utilizes a long-excursion woofer and a 0.75-inch marine silkdome tweeter to deliver top audio performance even with relatively little power. It can be used with systems producing as little as 20 watts per channel, or you can amp up the action with as much as 100 watts of juice per channel. RGB LED lighting is integrated into the grilles; there’s also a 7.7-inch version available.

Price: $349.99

Contact: jlaudio.com

See the complete 2020 Marine Electronics Guide

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With JL Audio’s M6 you can pick the colors of the lighted tower speakers. The RGB LED lighting is emitted through the speaker’s cone, and that cone area is huge to bring you the boomiest bass. A 1.25-inch silk dome tweeter designed specifically for the marine environment rounds out the sound, and the two-way crossover network delivers low frequencies to the woofers and highs to the tweeters for more accurate audio reproduction.

Price: $1,249.99

Contact: jlaudio.com

See the complete 2020 Marine Electronics Guide

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With a 2.8-inch color LCD display, the MediaMaster 50 is an IP66-rated unit that stands tough against the elements. It’s fully stocked with various options and custom controls, and users can choose between separate audio zones: variable, fixed, off, volume limit and rename zone. Users also have a choice of three remote controls — each sold separately — and can enjoy a digital AM/FM tuner, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port and an analog aux input.

Price: $379.99

Contact: jlaudio.com/marine-audio

See the complete 2019 Marine Electronics Guide

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Protected by an IP66 weatherproof rating, the MediaMaster 100s premium source unit ups the ante with a 3.5-inch ­color LCD display and two built-in lighting themes to choose from, either Day or Night mode. Four separate audio zones are powered by audiophile-quality circuits and eight channels of preamp outputs. Other highlights include selectable subwoofer control, digital AM/FM/weather-band tuner, Bluetooth connectivity, USB/­iPhone inputs, an aux port and SiriusXM-ready compatibility

Price: $599.99

Contact: jlaudio.com/marine-audio

See the complete 2019 Marine Electronics Guide

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JL Audio’s M6-Series Classic grille ­marine speaker systems will take your audio — and your visuals — to new limits, with the addition of the optional transflective RGB LED lighting system. These speakers are saltwater-­rated and resistant to corrosion and UV rays. Long-excursion woofers ensure that your audio is crystal-clear even at powerboating speeds. Available in 6.5-, 7.7- and 8.8-inch models in both coaxial speaker systems and enclosed-tower speaker systems.

Price: $479.99

Contact: jlaudio.com/marine-audio

See the complete 2019 Marine Electronics Guide

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If mounting room is sparse but you still want big sound from your stereo, the M6 series can be affixed in a compact .875-cubic-foot sealed enclosure. Add the optional transflective RGB LED lighting system, and you can get the party started with color along with the deep bass. For optimum performance, it’s best to use this unit with amplifier power in the 75- to 250-watt range. Additional choices are available in an 8-inch model and in 8-inch or 10-inch models designed for high-powered, infinite-baffle operation.

Price: $379.99

Contact: jlaudio.com/marine-audio

See the complete 2019 Marine Electronics Guide

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The M6 10-inch infinite-baffle ­subwoofer is designed for remarkable audio performance in open-air marine environments without a dedicated enclosure. This unit is intended for those looking to enhance their boat’s audio system to the highest level, and is best used with amplified power in the 75- to 250-watt range. We’re talking big booms here, people, from this saltwater-­rated and ­corrosion-/UV-resistant ­subwoofer. Make it look big too, with the optional transflective RGB LED lighting-system upgrade.

Price: $379.99

Contact: jlaudio.com/marine-audio

See the complete 2019 Marine Electronics Guide

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