The gates to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show opened at 10 a.m. yesterday to long lines of attendees anxious to see new boats, engines, accessories and more.

Soundings Trade Only again spent the day on the ground covering boat and technology launches, as well as catching up with industry CEOs to discuss their forward-looking plans.

Innovative Company Awards

Brunswick Corp. placed first in this year’s Top Ten Most Innovative Companies Award program.

STO editor-in-chief Gary Reich and publisher Michele Goldsmith presented the award to Boat Group president Aine Denari and Lee Gordon, vice president of global public relations, communications and media relations.

The award was going to be presented on the eve of the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference in September, but the show was cancelled due to Hurricane Ian.

“It’s an honor to receive this recognition again this year,” Gordon said. “The team worked really hard to make this happen.”

Speaking at the company’s Sea Ray display, Gordon commented: “Buyers are here.”

Cox Powertrain

Trade Only Today sat down with diesel outboard manufacturer Cox Powertrain’s CEO Gavin Wesson to discuss its North American expansion, supply-chain strategies, product pipeline and sustainability.

“We’re really excited to be here after a challenging two years,” Wesson said.

Asked about unit delivery, Wesson said the company’s Shoreham-by-the-Sea factory in the United Kingdom is on target to produce 500 of the 300-hp V-8 diesel outboards this year and plans to produce 1,000 units in 2023. “Our factory has the ability to eventually produce 4,000 units a year, so that’s the long-term goal,” he said.

The company spent the last year strengthening its North American presence, hiring sales and support staff, bolstering its leadership team and cementing partnerships globally.

Wesson said demand for the CXO300 is growing in the recreational segment, but also that the commercial market for the outboard is very strong.

“We’re seeing a lot of growth in the recreational repower market for boat owners with inboard diesels who still want to use diesel fuel but want to expand space inside the boat,” he said. “We’ve also got some great OEM partners who are using our engines. Here in the States, we’re also selling lots of units for commercial applications, especially on the Louisiana Gulf Coast.”

Asked about supply-chain constraints, Wesson was optimistic. “Things are definitely getting better,” he said. “Our logistics team has spent a lot of time categorizing crucial components and making sure we have microchips and other critical components when and where we need them. We’ll need to continue that hard work to ensure our deliveries are on time.”

Wesson concluded the conversation by answering a question about sustainable powertrain options. “That’s a good question, and there are lots of answers,” he said. “Our outboards run perfectly well on hydrotreated vegetable oil, for example, but we also see a future in hydrogen and ammonia gas fuels down the road.”

On the electric propulsion front, Wesson said he believes the market is still trying to determine the best use-cases for the technology. “I don’t see the entire boating market headed toward total electrification,” he said. “I think what we’ll see in the future is a number of different sustainable options, with each one best-suited to individual applications. That means hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen fuels and many others. We’re happy to be able to offer an efficient, low-emission propulsion option that provides great performance … and people are seeing those benefits today.”

Hacker-Craft/Ingenity

Hacker-Craft president and CEO George Badcock and Ingenity president Sean Marerro conducted a press conference to detail a partnership between the two companies that will make Ingenity’s electric propulsion systems available on five Hacker-Craft models. The first model to carry the electric drivetrain is the 27 Special Sport.

“The system in this boat has an approximate equivalent of 300 hp and runs off a 126-kWh, lithium-ion battery pack,” Marerro said. “The best use-case is for lower speeds, where owners can enjoy all-day range. The boat can top out near 30 mph, but that impacts range to about an hour of use.”

The two companies have been in talks about the partnership since June. “Ingenity seemed like the perfect match for us,” Badcock said. “We’re excited to have electric options available for our customers on five of our models and hope to expand that number going forward.”

Avikus

Trade Only Today spoke with Dohyeong Lim, CEO of autonomous technology company Avikus, a division of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group.

The company had announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Raymarine to cooperate on the integration of the first autonomous recreational boat solution, the Avikus NeuBoat, into the electronics company’s navigational products.

“This MoU is groundbreaking, as it will result in future boaters being able to have all their navigational equipment from Raymarine combined with Avikus NeuBoat, the next generation autonomous navigation system,” Lim said in a statement. “No other technology has changed the boating experience the way NeuBoat will. Boating on the open water is often seen as the ultimate experience of freedom, but what kind of freedom is it when you must constantly worry about collisions, safety and navigation? With NeuBoat, you can experience the true freedom of the open sea on your own terms.”

The Avikus system consists of a number of components, including a LIDAR sensor, engine control unit, autopilot unit, cameras and other sensors to steer a boat clear of moving obstacles with no human intervention. The system software uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to scan the boat’s surroundings and make course adjustments. The technology has been in use on Hyundai’s oceangoing vessels for years.

Cruisers Yachts

Cruisers Yachts and parent company MarineMax unveiled the 50 GLS, the largest boat in its GLS range.

The boat is powered by triple 600-hp Mercury V-12 Verado outboards with joystick docking. It measures 52 feet, 4 inches and has a 14-foot beam. The 38,000-pound boat can be equipped with a Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer.

The 50 GLS features twin fold-down topside panels that form an expansive “beach” area at the transom. Cockpit seating includes an amidships L-shaped lounge, two aft-facing seats and additional bench space.

The galley is on the main level and has a fiberglass sink, refrigerator and cabinet stowage. Options include a second refrigerator and a pop-up 55-inch television.

Below, the 50 GLS has a forward stateroom, an aft sleeping area and a private head. The forward cabin has a queen berth, 32-inch flat-screen television and a hanging locker. The aft area has a berth with two facing seats that can be expanded with a filler cushion.

Trade Only Today’s coverage of FLIBS will conclude Monday. Look for a full show wrap in the January issue of Soundings Trade Only.