Crest Marine and Balise Pontoons Integrate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in Upcoming Boats
In a significant move for marine technology, Crest Marine and Balise Pontoons — both owned by MasterCraft Boat Holdings — announced plans to integrate smartphone projection systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into their new boat models launching in 2027. The boats will feature a seven-inch 'marine touchscreen' that allows users to access these platforms alongside marine-specific tools such as navigation, weather data, and GPS tracking. The integration is part of an effort led by the manufacturers with Savvy Navvy, a marine navigation app provider, which aims to offer nautical charts, smart routing, live weather updates, tidal information, and other features on one unified display. This development marks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto's expansion beyond traditional automotive use into watercraft. The move is expected to enhance user experience for boaters by combining familiar smartphone interfaces with essential marine functions in a single system.
Topics: Android Auto Apple CarPlay Marine Technology Smartphone Projection