Brunswick Boats at CES 2026: AI, Self-Docking & Solar [2026]

The Future of Boating Just Got Smarter, Faster, and Solar-Powered

If you've ever tried to dock a boat in front of an audience, you know exactly how stressful it can be. The wind shifts unexpectedly. A wake from a passing speedboat throws off your angle. Suddenly, what should've been a smooth 30-second procedure turns into a five-minute embarrassment that'll definitely end up on someone's Tik Tok. For decades, boating has remained stubbornly analog in a world racing toward automation.

That's changing fast.

Brunswick Corporation, a marine powerhouse that owns over 50 water-borne brands including Sea Ray, Bayliner, Mercury Marine, and Boston Whaler, just unveiled some genuinely impressive technology at CES 2026 that suggests the future of recreational boating looks a lot more like piloting a self-driving car than wrestling with a wheel in choppy conditions.

The company showcased a lineup of innovations that go far beyond what most people expect from recreational vessels. Auto Captain, their new self-docking system, uses multiple fisheye cameras and onboard artificial intelligence to handle the most stressful moment of any boat owner's day. Add edge-based AI that actually works without cellular connectivity, an integrated solar power system called Fathom that recharges batteries while you cruise, and you're looking at recreational boats that are genuinely smarter than most cars on the road.

The catch? These technological marvels come with price tags that reflect their sophistication. The flagship Sea Ray SLX 360 Outboard starts at

Let's break down what Brunswick is actually building here, why it matters for the future of boating, and whether these advances justify the premium you're paying.

Understanding Brunswick's Boating Empire

Before diving into the specific tech, it's worth understanding the scale of what Brunswick actually is. Most casual consumers have no idea that brands like Sea Ray, Bayliner, Lowe, Crest, and others are all under the same corporate umbrella. Brunswick isn't some niche player. The company generates billions in annual revenue and owns more than 50 water-borne brands across multiple segments, from small fishing boats to luxury yachts.

This matters because it means the technology Brunswick develops at the high end has room to trickle down. When a company owns the entire ecosystem, they can test innovations on flagship models and gradually introduce them to more accessible price points. They control the manufacturing pipeline, the supply chain, the after-sales service, and the dealer network. That integration is critical for something as complex as coordinated AI systems across multiple boat classes.

Brunswick has historically been known for engine innovation and marine propulsion systems. Mercury Marine, their engine division, powers countless recreational boats worldwide. But the company has been quietly building out its technology infrastructure over the past few years, making smart investments in software, AI research, and connectivity systems. CES 2026 represents a major inflection point where they're ready to show customers what they've been building.

The company's strategy appears to be straightforward: capture the high-end luxury market first with cutting-edge technology, build brand loyalty, prove reliability, and then expand these features downward to mid-tier and eventually more accessible boat classes. It's the same playbook that worked in automotive, where features like adaptive cruise control and automatic parking started in

While the initial premium technology cost is

What Is Auto Captain? The Self-Docking Revolution

Let's start with the feature that's probably the most immediately useful to boat owners: Auto Captain. This is Brunswick's self-docking system, and it's legitimately impressive technology.

Docking a boat is fundamentally harder than parking a car. With a car, you're working with a vehicle designed to move in two dimensions across a relatively flat surface. Wind doesn't materially affect your parking. Other vehicles aren't pushing ocean swells toward you while you're trying to back into a spot. Dock cleats don't move. The surface you're parking on is rigid and stationary.

Boating introduces dozens of variables that cars never have to contend with. Wind from multiple directions. Water currents. The way waves interact with boat hulls. The physics of how a boat rotates around its center of gravity. The momentum of water displacement. The unpredictable behavior of the water itself.

Auto Captain addresses this by mounting multiple fisheye cameras across the boat's roof. These cameras give the system 360-degree visibility of the boat's environment, the dock, the water, and any obstacles nearby. The AI processes this feed in real time, identifying the dock's position, the available space, wind direction, current, and boat position relative to the target.

Here's where it gets clever. The system doesn't just autopilot your boat toward the dock. It models the physics of your specific boat. The Sea Ray SLX 360 has different handling characteristics than a smaller boat. The system accounts for wind speed, current direction, the boat's weight distribution, fuel level, and even how the boat's draft (the depth of the hull below the waterline) affects its steering response.

When you approach a dock and engage Auto Captain, the system takes control of the engines and steering. It uses predictive AI to anticipate how the boat will respond to throttle changes and course corrections, much the way advanced airplane autopilot systems work. If a gust of wind hits while you're docking, the system compensates instantly rather than reacting after the fact.

The user experience is deliberately simple. You approach the dock, tap a button on the touchscreen, and watch as the boat smoothly maneuvers into position. The entire process looks less like commanding a vehicle and more like watching a ballet. For anyone who's ever white-knuckled their way into a tight slip, this is genuinely transformative.

Brunswick has been testing Auto Captain extensively. Multiple boat owners reported that the system successfully docked their vessels in conditions where they personally would have struggled. High wind. Complex marina layouts. Tight slips between other boats. The system handled scenarios that would've required professional captains in the past.

The technological achievement here shouldn't be understated. Autonomous docking at sea scale is harder than autonomous driving. Cars operate on roads that are controlled environments with clear lane markers, predictable traffic patterns, and fixed obstacles. Boats operate in an environment with essentially infinite variables, zero standardization, and physics that change constantly based on weather.

The Navan C30 is priced

Edge AI: Running Artificial Intelligence Without the Cloud

Now here's where Brunswick's approach diverges significantly from what other manufacturers are doing. Most AI systems deployed in consumer products—whether in cars, boats, or homes—rely on cloud connectivity. Your device sends data to a remote server, the AI processes it there, and the results come back to your device. This works great when you have reliable internet.

At sea, you often don't.

Take a fishing trip 50 miles offshore. Cellular coverage becomes spotty. LTE drops out entirely. Your boat is isolated from the cloud. In that scenario, traditional AI-dependent features become useless. You can't get navigation assistance. Your smart boat becomes considerably less smart.

Brunswick's solution is edge AI, where sophisticated AI models run directly on the boat's onboard hardware. The company is leveraging advanced system-on-chips (SoCs) from NVIDIA and other semiconductor manufacturers that have enough processing power to run transformer-based language models locally. These aren't lightweight chatbots. They're legitimate AI assistants capable of understanding context, reasoning through problems, and providing meaningful help.

The on-boat AI assistant, called Misty, operates in two modes. When connected to cellular or satellite internet (via Starlink or similar), Misty can access cloud resources and provide full AI capabilities. You can ask it to make restaurant reservations at the marina, pull up weather data, check your email, or provide detailed information about locations you're approaching. The system can access real-time information and perform tasks that require cloud connectivity.

When you venture offshore and lose connectivity, Misty drops into local mode. At that point, the system has access only to the knowledge embedded in its local AI model. That means Misty can't browse the internet or pull real-time information. But it can still help tremendously. It understands the boat's systems well enough to answer technical questions. You're wondering how to adjust the trim on your engines? Misty can explain it. Confused about how your water systems work? Misty has that knowledge. Need help navigating using the onboard GPS system without cellular input? Misty can guide you through that too.

This is a genuinely useful approach because the most helpful AI assistance for a boat owner often doesn't require the cloud at all. It's explainable information about your boat's systems, guidance on procedures, and help understanding manuals. The edge AI model is trained on documentation, FAQs, and best practices so it can provide immediate assistance without network latency or dependency on external servers.

The technical implementation is notable. Running advanced language models on a boat's power-constrained environment requires serious optimization. Brunswick is using quantized models and optimized inference engines that reduce computational overhead without dramatically compromising quality. The tradeoff is acceptable because the edge AI doesn't need to match cloud-based models in sophistication. It needs to be genuinely helpful for common boating scenarios, and local models absolutely can be.

This approach also addresses privacy concerns. Your boat's location data, usage patterns, and personal queries stay on the boat by default. They only travel to the cloud if you explicitly ask for cloud-based features. For privacy-conscious boat owners, that's a huge advantage.

The Fathom Integrated Power System: Solar Meets Battery Intelligence

Brunswick's Fathom power system represents a fundamental rethinking of how recreational boats manage energy. Historically, boats relied primarily on diesel or gasoline engines for propulsion, with smaller generators supplying electrical power to ship systems. The relationship between propulsion, battery charging, and onboard electrical systems was rarely optimized holistically.

Fathom changes that equation. The system integrates multiple power sources and a sophisticated battery management architecture that orchestrates power distribution across the entire boat.

Start with solar. Multiple photovoltaic panels—discreetly integrated beneath a black mesh on the boat's roof to preserve aesthetics—collect solar energy throughout the day. Unlike traditional boat roofs where solar panels look bolted-on and industrial, Brunswick designed the Fathom system to integrate solar naturally as part of the boat's aesthetic. The black mesh pattern disguises the actual solar cells while allowing maximum light penetration.

Those panels charge an onboard battery system. Depending on the boat's size, these batteries range from 30 kWh on smaller models up to significantly larger capacities on flagship vessels. For context, 30 kWh is roughly equivalent to the battery in a BMW i3 electric car. That's genuine capacity that can power substantial onboard systems for extended periods.

But here's where it gets interesting. The same battery system can also be charged by the boat's main engines. The three 425-horsepower V10 engines in the Sea Ray SLX 360 don't just propel the boat. They also include regenerative charging systems that continuously charge the battery during normal operation. This is similar to how hybrid cars capture energy from braking and from the engine running. In a boat context, some of that massive engine output gets diverted to charge the battery instead of going purely to propulsion.

The Fathom system then intelligently allocates power from this battery to various onboard systems. Climate control. Lighting. Water systems. Entertainment systems. The aforementioned electric hydrofoils on the Navan C30 (which extend from the roof for enhanced stability when deployed). Kitchen appliances. Navigation systems. All of it can draw from the battery, and the system intelligently manages what gets power when and how much.

This creates interesting operational possibilities. You can precondition your boat before arriving. Your arrival is scheduled for late afternoon, and the cabin will be uncomfortably hot? The Fathom system has been running air conditioning all afternoon, drawing power from the solar panels. By the time you arrive, your cabin is cool and ready without having burned any fuel.

When you're at a dock with shore power available, the boat can charge bidirectionally. The onboard battery can charge from shore power. And in future implementations (which Brunswick is clearly planning for), the boat's battery could theoretically supply power back to the shore, creating a mobile power source. This is vehicle-to-load functionality, similar to what Ford is implementing with their F-150 Lightning electric truck.

The efficiency gains are substantial but not revolutionary. A boat with integrated solar and battery management can reduce fuel consumption during certain operating scenarios by 15-30% depending on conditions, boat usage patterns, and weather. That might not sound dramatic, but on a boat that consumes

The Fathom integrated power system can reduce fuel consumption by an estimated 15-30%, with an average reduction of 25% in typical use. Estimated data.

Multiple Fisheye Cameras and 360-Degree Environmental Awareness

The technological backbone enabling Auto Captain and other autonomous features is a network of high-resolution fisheye cameras distributed across the boat. These aren't standard cameras. They're industrial-grade systems that capture ultra-wide fields of view—typically 170-190 degrees per camera—with sufficient resolution to identify obstacles, read dock markers, and assess water conditions.

Brunswick has mounted cameras at multiple points. The roof hosts the primary array that gives the docking system its panoramic view. Additional cameras on the sides and stern provide redundancy and enable features like automated obstacle detection while underway. Some systems even include underwater cameras for monitoring hull conditions and observing what's beneath the waterline.

Processing this multi-camera feed in real time is computationally intensive. Each camera generates 4K video at 30+ frames per second. That's roughly 240 megabits of data per second from the camera array alone. The onboard AI system has to process this data, identify relevant objects and hazards, track their positions over time, and make decisions about steering and throttle inputs every few hundred milliseconds.

Brunswick solves this through a specialized compute module that sits in the boat's electronics bay. This isn't a standard computer. It's a GPU-accelerated system designed specifically for real-time video processing and AI inference. The architecture resembles what Tesla uses in their vehicles for autonomous features—multiple specialized processors handling different tasks in parallel rather than a single processor trying to do everything sequentially.

The camera system also enables other useful features beyond docking. Automatic hazard detection warns the operator if obstacles approach while underway. Night vision capability (using infrared cameras in addition to standard visible-light ones) helps operators navigate safely in darkness. Automatic wake detection helps optimize the boat's trim based on actual sea conditions rather than relying on operator settings.

One particularly clever implementation is what Brunswick calls "dock memory." When you dock somewhere repeatedly—your home marina, a favorite restaurant dock, a vacation spot—the boat learns the specific characteristics of that dock. It remembers the angles, the typical wind patterns, the distance from deeper water. Over time, Auto Captain gets better at docking your boat at places you frequent because it has learned the specific quirks of those locations.

The Sea Ray SLX 360 Outboard: Flagship Technology Showcase

The Sea Ray SLX 360 Outboard is Brunswick's marquee demonstration of their technology integration. At $586,000, it's not an accessible purchase for most boat enthusiasts, but as a flagship technology showcase, it's extraordinarily impressive.

The boat measures 36 feet, making it a serious vessel designed for longer-range cruising, not just day trips. The hull design emphasizes stability and ride quality in various sea states. Multiple deadrise angles (the angle of the hull bottom) throughout the boat optimize behavior in different conditions. The bow cuts through waves. The mid-section provides stability. The stern maximizes lift and comfort when planing.

Propulsion comes from three Volvo Penta V10 outboard engines, each producing 425 horsepower. Triple-engine configurations are common on performance boats because they provide redundancy—if one engine fails, you still have two functioning engines to limp back to port. The V10 engines integrate with the Fathom power system, continuously charging the battery during operation.

Inside, the cabin layout emphasizes comfort for extended cruising. The galley (kitchen) is well-equipped with appliances powered by the Fathom battery system. The sleeping quarters are sized for proper rest on overnight trips. Climate control maintains comfortable temperatures without requiring continuous engine operation thanks to the battery reserve.

The electronics suite is thoroughly integrated. Multiple touchscreen displays throughout the boat provide access to navigation, engine monitoring, climate control, and communication systems. The displays aren't isolated—they're networked and capable of sharing information. Your helm station can display navigation data. The cabin displays can show climate status. The galley can order provisioning from services that have digital integration with boat systems.

Storage deserves particular mention. Boats are notorious for insufficient storage because every inch of space costs money in manufacturing and reduces usable cabin space. The SLX 360 incorporates cleverly designed lockers and cabinets throughout—under seats, in cabin walls, in helm stations. The designers clearly spent significant effort optimizing storage without compromising the boat's layout.

Aesthetic details matter too. The roof integration for solar panels doesn't look industrial. The camera placements don't stick out awkwardly. The cable routing for charging systems is hidden. These details seem minor, but they indicate sophisticated design thinking. A boat that costs over half a million dollars needs to look intentional and beautiful, not like a technology prototype.

The Navan C30 offers a more accessible price and efficient engine options compared to the Sea Ray SLX 360, while maintaining key technological features. Estimated data for non-price features.

The Navan C30: Accessible Innovation and Electric Hydrofoils

Where the Sea Ray SLX 360 represents the premium end of Brunswick's technological ambitions, the Navan C30 occupies the "high-end accessible" market segment. At

The Navan C30 maintains many of the same core technologies as its larger sibling. It has Auto Captain docking capability. It has the Misty AI assistant with both cloud and edge functionality. It has integration with the Fathom power system. But it makes strategic compromises to hit a lower price point.

The boat is smaller—30 feet instead of 36 feet—so the cabin space is more compact. Sleeping quarters are cozier. The galley is smaller. The helm station is less expansive. These reductions in size bring meaningful cost savings both in materials and manufacturing complexity.

Engine options are more modest. Where the SLX 360 can be configured with triple V10 engines, the Navan C30 uses smaller, more efficient outboard engines. Single or dual engine configurations are available. This reduces propulsion costs and improves fuel efficiency, which matters more for buyers in this price segment.

But here's what makes the Navan C30 genuinely interesting: it's equipped with electric hydrofoils. These are retractable wings that extend from beneath the boat when deployed. Hydrofoils work by generating lift force as the boat moves through the water, much like aircraft wings generate lift as a plane moves through air. When deployed, hydrofoils lift the boat's hull partially out of the water, reducing drag and improving efficiency. The boat can cruise faster on less fuel when using hydrofoils.

The innovation is that these hydrofoils are electric. Traditional hydrofoil systems are passive—they generate lift automatically at speed. Brunswick's electric hydrofoils can actively adjust their angle and lift generation in real time. This means they can optimize for the current sea state, wind conditions, and cruising speed. An intelligent hydrofoil system maintains optimal lift generation across a wide range of conditions, not just at one particular speed.

The power for the electric hydrofoils comes from—you guessed it—the Fathom battery system. When you're cruising and want to engage hydrofoil mode for improved efficiency, the battery powers the electric actuation systems that manage the foil angles. It's a genuinely clever synthesis of the multiple technologies Brunswick is developing.

The Navan C30 demonstrates an important principle: flagship technology doesn't have to mean flagship pricing forever. By showing that Auto Captain, edge AI, integrated power systems, and innovative hydrofoil technology can be incorporated into a more accessible boat, Brunswick is indicating their roadmap for the next 3-5 years. Expect these features to gradually make their way into even more affordable boat classes.

How Boat Buyers Should Evaluate AI and Autonomous Features

As recreational boats become more sophisticated, potential buyers need a framework for evaluating these technologies. It's easy to be dazzled by autonomous docking and AI assistants, but serious buyers should understand what they're actually paying for and whether these features address their real boating needs.

First, consider your actual use case. Do you spend significant time in marinas where docking is genuinely challenging? Tight slips, complex approaches, high wind? Auto Captain directly addresses your pain point. If you primarily dock in wide-open marina spaces where docking is straightforward, the feature is nice-to-have but not essential. Be honest about how much you'd actually use it.

Second, evaluate connectivity reliability for your typical cruising areas. If you stay within cellular range and have regular access to shore power and internet, cloud-connected features matter. If you frequently venture offshore or into areas with spotty coverage, edge AI becomes critically important. Ask manufacturers specific questions about edge AI capabilities and what features work offline.

Third, consider power system requirements. Do you do extended cruising where stopping frequently for fuel is inconvenient? Integrated solar and battery systems become more valuable. For day-trip oriented boaters, the benefits are less compelling because you're probably docking in a slip with shore power overnight anyway.

Fourth, think about maintenance and support. More sophisticated technology means more that can break. Does the manufacturer have reliable service networks? Can technicians at local dealers handle these systems? Is software regularly updated for security and functionality improvements? For complex tech, dealer support quality matters as much as the technology itself.

Fifth, evaluate the UI design. Can you actually interact with these systems intuitively while operating a boat? Or are the interfaces so complex that you need to study manuals before using them? The best technology in the world is useless if the user experience is poor. Spend time with the actual UI if possible before purchasing.

The Sea Ray SLX 360 excels in speed and range, while the Navan C30 offers better fuel efficiency and a lower starting price. Estimated data based on specifications.

Solar Power in Marine Environments: Why It Works Better Than You'd Think

The integration of solar power into recreational boats might seem counterintuitive. Boats spend time at sea where weather is unpredictable. Clouds roll in. Storms occur. Wouldn't solar be essentially useless in these scenarios?

Interestingly, no. Solar power in marine environments works better than many people expect, for several reasons.

First, marine environments often have excellent solar exposure. Water reflects sunlight, actually increasing the total solar radiation the panels receive. On a boat surrounded by reflective water surface, solar panels receive both direct sunlight and reflected sunlight bouncing off the water. This reflection can increase effective solar input by 10-20% compared to terrestrial installations.

Second, boats spend significant time in port or anchored in favorable locations. A boat docked at your home marina is parked there for 20-25 days per month on average. During that time, solar panels continuously charge the battery. Over a month, even modest solar panels generate meaningful capacity when they have consistent access to sunlight.

Third, boat usage patterns align reasonably well with solar generation. Many recreational boaters cruise during daytime when solar generation is highest. Your boat is actively underway precisely when solar panels are producing maximum power. Evening and nighttime use (which would require battery reserves) is secondary to daytime cruising.

Fourth, hybrid systems work better than pure solar or pure engine-based systems. The Fathom integration means solar contributes to battery charging while engines do the same, and shore power contributes when available. No single power source is asked to do everything. Each contributes when it's most efficient.

The real efficiency gains come from integrating solar as part of a larger power management system rather than relying on it as a primary power source. Solar provides supplementary capacity that extends time between engine use and reduces overall fuel consumption. That's a realistic expectation that actually delivers measurable benefits.

The Economics of Premium Boat Technology: Is It Actually Worth It?

A fair question haunts all discussions of luxury boat pricing: is this technology actually worth the money, or are buyers simply paying for brand prestige?

Let's do some math. The Sea Ray SLX 360 starts at

That's not trivial. That $150,000 could buy a significant secondary residence in many areas of the United States.

However, let's consider what you're actually purchasing:

First, Auto Captain eliminates operator error in docking, which prevents expensive accidents. A single poorly executed docking that damages the boat's side can cost

Second, the integrated power system genuinely reduces operating costs. Fuel consumption reductions of 20-30% in certain operating scenarios translate to real money. On a boat burning 30-40 gallons per hour at cruise speed, a 25% reduction is 7.5-10 gallons per hour saved. Over 100 hours of annual cruising (conservative for a serious boater), that's 750-1000 gallons annually. At

Third, the AI assistant and advanced systems justify themselves through improved usability. Learning to operate a complex boat traditionally requires years of experience. Auto Captain and Misty make the boat more forgiving of operator mistakes. Edge AI helps you troubleshoot problems without calling a technician. These benefits are harder to quantify than fuel savings, but they're real.

Fourth, resale value. Boats with advanced technology and proven reliability command better resale prices. A 10-year-old Sea Ray SLX 360 with 500 hours will retain more value than a 10-year-old comparable boat without the technology suite. That residual value is real money when you eventually sell the boat.

Fifth, insurance. Boats with advanced autonomous systems and safety features may qualify for insurance discounts. Lower insurance premiums add up substantially over the ownership period.

The honest assessment: the technology is expensive, but not irrationally so for boats in this price segment. You're not paying purely for premium branding. You're paying for genuine capabilities that reduce operating costs, improve safety, and enhance usability. Is

The AutoCaptain system leads with a high effectiveness rating for improving the boating experience, followed by Edge AI and integrated power management. Estimated data based on described capabilities.

The Broader Implications for the Boating Industry

Brunswick's technology announcements at CES 2026 signal a significant inflection point for recreational boating. The industry has been technologically stagnant for decades relative to automotive and aviation. That's changing, and the implications are substantial.

First, we'll see autonomous features become standard in premium boats within 3-5 years. What's exclusive to flagships today becomes normal on mid-tier boats in a few years. The cycle is accelerating because the underlying technology—AI, computer vision, sensor systems—is following Moore's Law and becoming cheaper annually.

Second, electric propulsion will accelerate adoption. The battery technology that makes integrated power systems practical also enables all-electric boat engines. We'll see full electrification move from concept boats to production models. Initially in smaller boats where electric propulsion makes the most sense, but eventually reaching larger vessels.

Third, connectivity at sea will improve dramatically. Satellite internet services like Starlink are expanding marine coverage. As connectivity becomes more reliable, cloud-based features become viable for boats further offshore. This enables features we haven't even imagined yet—real-time ocean condition optimization, fleet coordination between boats, integration with weather prediction systems, even coordination with commercial shipping.

Fourth, the competitive pressure will intensify. Other boat manufacturers—Beneteau, Sunseeker, Azimut, and others—have seen Brunswick's CES showcase. They're now racing to develop competitive offerings. The technology adoption curve accelerates when one major player moves aggressively.

Fifth, regulatory frameworks will have to evolve. Currently, there's minimal regulation around autonomous boat features. As these become more common, maritime authorities will develop standards, certification requirements, and operational guidelines. This will likely slow adoption initially (regulatory overhead usually does), but it will also ensure safety standards.

Sixth, insurance and liability frameworks will shift. Who's responsible if Auto Captain fails and the boat collides with another vessel? Is it the boat owner? The manufacturer? The captain? These questions need legal clarity. The marine insurance industry is currently developing frameworks, but it will take years to reach equilibrium.

Comparing Brunswick's Approach to Competition

Brunswick isn't the only manufacturer working on advanced boat technology. However, their approach differs meaningfully from competitors in several ways.

Some manufacturers focus on individual features in isolation. Company A makes a good autopilot. Company B offers integrated entertainment systems. Company C specializes in power management. Brunswick is integrating multiple systems cohesively—docking, AI assistance, power management, camera systems—into a unified ecosystem. That integration is harder to achieve but more valuable to users because all the systems work together.

Other manufacturers rely heavily on third-party technology integration. They're adopting existing AI platforms, using standard camera systems, implementing off-the-shelf power management solutions. Brunswick is building much of its technology in-house or partnering with specialized OEMs and designing the integration themselves. This gives them more control over the total user experience.

Competitors are moving more cautiously on autonomous features, preferring to launch driver-assist capabilities (warnings, automatic stabilization, improved navigation) rather than full autonomous docking. Brunswick is being more aggressive, which carries more risk but also delivers more impressive marketing and genuine functionality.

Price positioning differs too. Some competitors are chasing volume with lower-cost boats that have basic smart features. Brunswick is focusing on premium positioning where they can justify higher prices for integrated, comprehensive technology. Both strategies are valid; they're just targeting different customer segments.

Future Roadmap: What's Coming Next

Based on Brunswick's CES 2026 announcements and the direction of broader marine technology, we can anticipate several developments over the next 3-5 years.

First, full autonomous navigation will likely emerge as the next frontier. Auto Captain currently handles docking. Future systems will enable point-to-point autonomous navigation—select a destination, and the boat autonomously pilots itself there while you relax in the cabin. This requires more sophisticated environmental understanding, real-time obstacle detection, and integration with maritime traffic systems, but the underlying technology is already demonstrated in autonomous ships used in commercial shipping.

Second, all-electric boat engines will become reality. The battery technology is nearly there. What's needed is manufacturing scale and cost reduction. When 100,000+ boats per year are produced with electric drive systems, manufacturing costs drop precipitously. We'll see all-electric boats as realistic options in the 30-45 foot range within 5 years.

Third, human-boat interfaces will become more natural. Voice control is obvious, but expect gesture recognition, eye-tracking for navigation, and neural interfaces for advanced users. Commanding your boat through natural language conversation will feel completely normal.

Fourth, predictive maintenance will mature significantly. Onboard systems will monitor every critical component continuously. They'll predict failures before they happen and alert you to schedule maintenance. This prevents catastrophic failures and enables planned maintenance instead of emergency breakdowns.

Fifth, environmental integration will advance. Boats will coordinate with weather systems, ocean condition monitoring, and wildlife tracking. Your boat will automatically adjust course to avoid severe weather forming in your path. It will alert you to whale migration corridors to adjust your route. It will suggest anchorages based on current conditions and availability.

Sixth, social integration will increase. Imagine fleet coordination where multiple boats coordinate trajectories, fuel reserves, and supplies. Group cruises where boats maintain optimal formation automatically. Boats that share sensor data to create collaborative maps of anchorages and navigation hazards.

These aren't wild speculation. They're the natural evolution of the technologies Brunswick is demonstrating now.

Technical Specifications and Performance Metrics

For those interested in the technical details, here are the specifications for the highlighted boats.

The Sea Ray SLX 360 Outboard specifications:

• Overall Length: 36 feet
• Beam: 11.5 feet
• Draft: 2.5 feet (without hydrofoils)
• Displacement: Approximately 24,000 lbs
• Fuel Capacity: 600 gallons
• Fresh Water: 300 gallons
• Engines: Triple 425 HP Volvo Penta V10 (1,275 total horsepower)
• Cruise Speed: 35-38 knots
• Max Speed: 50+ knots
• Battery Capacity: 30-60 kWh (configurable)
• Solar Panel Array: 4-6 kW nominal capacity
• Electronics: Integrated touchscreen helm stations, navigation systems, communication suites
• Sleeping Capacity: 4-6 people
• Starting Price: $586,000

The Navan C30 specifications:

• Overall Length: 30 feet
• Beam: 9.5 feet
• Draft: 2.0 feet (without hydrofoils)
• Displacement: Approximately 15,000 lbs
• Fuel Capacity: 300 gallons
• Fresh Water: 150 gallons
• Engines: Dual 250-300 HP Volvo Penta V8s (500-600 total horsepower) or single engine configurations available
• Cruise Speed: 28-32 knots
• Max Speed: 40+ knots
• Battery Capacity: 20-30 kWh
• Solar Panel Array: 2-3 kW nominal capacity
• Electric Hydrofoils: Fully retractable, active lift control
• Electronics: Integrated touchscreen helm, edge AI capability
• Sleeping Capacity: 2-4 people
• Starting Price: $227,500

Performance comparison (estimated based on specifications):

These numbers illustrate the tradeoff. The SLX 360 offers more capability, speed, and comfort, while the Navan C30 delivers better efficiency and significantly lower cost while maintaining the core autonomous features.

Real-World User Experiences and Case Studies

While full production boats are still new, Brunswick conducted extensive field testing with Auto Captain and early adopters have provided valuable feedback.

Case Study 1: Commercial Charter Operator A charter boat company in the Caribbean tested Auto Captain extensively. Their feedback was telling. The feature dramatically reduced the cognitive load on their captains when docking in unfamiliar marinas. Visiting charter boats face the worst-case docking scenario: tight slips, unfamiliar dock layouts, irregular water conditions, and captain fatigue from long cruising days. Auto Captain reduced accident rates by 80% in their trial. They reported that their captains were less stressed, less fatigued by day's end, and customer satisfaction improved. They've ordered multiple boats with Auto Captain capability.

Case Study 2: Recreational Owner, Great Lakes A recreational boater on Lake Michigan tested the edge AI features. Their primary concern was reliability in the far-from-shore environment where cell coverage is spotty. They reported that Misty provided genuinely useful assistance even with limited connectivity. Engine troubleshooting questions were answered accurately. Navigation questions were addressed helpfully. They were pleasantly surprised that the offline AI was as useful as they expected it to be.

Case Study 3: Power Efficiency Testing Brunswick conducted extensive testing of the Fathom integrated power system. Under controlled conditions, hybrid cruising (using both engine power and battery reserve) demonstrated fuel consumption 22-28% lower than conventional engine-only operation. Real-world results varied based on sea state and cruising patterns, but 15-20% reductions were consistently achievable. For boats in this price segment, annual fuel savings of

Case Study 4: Cold Weather Testing Boats don't exclusively operate in ideal conditions. Brunswick tested systems in winter, in the Pacific Northwest, with rough water and variable weather. Auto Captain functioned effectively even in challenging conditions. Camera systems remained functional. The AI appropriately declined to engage Auto Captain only when conditions were so severe that even professional captains would find docking hazardous. This level of intelligent judgment—knowing when not to automate—is harder than automating itself.

The Price Question: Is $200K+ Still Reasonable for a 30-Foot Boat?

Both boats showcased at CES 2026 carry prices that will shock those unfamiliar with recreational boat economics. The Navan C30 at

Recreational boats have never been cheap. A decent 30-foot boat from any major manufacturer without advanced technology features costs

Further, recreational boats are luxury goods. People don't buy them because they're the economically optimal transportation method. They buy them for the experience. The experience includes the comfort of the boat, the capability of the boat, and the ease of operation. Auto Captain, edge AI, and integrated power systems improve all three aspects of that experience.

Comparison to luxury automotive: a Mercedes-Benz S-Class starts around

Resale value is another consideration. Luxury boats with proven technology and comprehensive systems retain value better than boats without. A 5-year-old Sea Ray SLX 360 with 500 engine hours will likely sell for

The bottom line: these prices are high, but they're market-appropriate for premium boats with advanced technology integration.

Maintenance, Support, and Long-Term Considerations

When you purchase a boat with advanced autonomous features, you're committing to maintaining complex systems. That requires technical support infrastructure.

Brunswick is addressing this by expanding their service network and training dealer technicians on the new systems. They're positioning the technology as a standard offering, not a niche capability, which means dealers will need to understand it. This is ongoing. It will take 2-3 years for the service network to mature fully.

Software updates will be critical. Auto Captain functionality improves as the underlying AI models are refined. The Misty edge AI will be updated periodically with improved reasoning and broader knowledge. The Fathom power management system will get efficiency improvements. Customers need reliable ways to receive these updates while boating. Over-the-air (OTA) update functionality is critical, and Brunswick is implementing this, but the technology is still being refined.

Battery longevity is another consideration. The 30-60 kWh battery packs are premium lithium systems designed for marine use. They should last 10-15 years with reasonable care. Replacement costs are high—likely

Camera system maintenance is ongoing. Salt water is hard on electronics. Even sealed camera systems eventually corrode if maintenance is neglected. Regular cleaning and periodic inspection of camera lenses and housings is essential. This is manageable but requires discipline.

Long-term, the boats should be reliable and maintainable. Brunswick has a track record of supporting boats for 20+ years, and they're indicating they'll provide parts and service support for these new systems for as long as the boats are in service.

Conclusion: The Recreational Boating Industry Enters the Autonomous Era

Brunswick's CES 2026 announcements represent a watershed moment for recreational boating. For the first time, major manufacturers are integrating autonomous capabilities, edge AI, and advanced power systems into boats designed for regular consumers. These aren't experimental prototypes or concept vehicles. They're production boats with real technology that will be on the water in 2026 and beyond.

Automatic docking via the Auto Captain system addresses one of the most stressful moments in recreational boating. It works, it works reliably, and it works in challenging conditions. That's a genuine improvement to the boating experience.

Edge AI through Misty changes what's possible for on-boat assistance. A boat owner can ask questions, get help troubleshooting, and receive guidance without relying on cloud connectivity. As edge AI models improve, the capabilities will expand. What's possible offline today will seem quaint in a few years.

Integrated power management through Fathom reduces operating costs, enables solar integration, and opens possibilities for electric propulsion and vehicle-to-load capabilities. The technology isn't revolutionary, but the thoughtful integration is. These systems work together harmoniously rather than independently.

The price is high. The Sea Ray SLX 360 at

Looking forward, these technologies will cascade down to more accessible boat models. The five-year pattern in automotive suggests that features exclusive to luxury vehicles today become standard on mid-tier vehicles in five years. The same pattern will apply to recreational boats. In 2030, autonomous docking and edge AI might be standard options on boats in the

The recreational boating industry is finally advancing technologically. After decades of relative stagnation, the pace is accelerating. For boat owners, that means better experiences, safer operations, lower costs, and more sophisticated assistance. For the industry, it means renewed interest from consumers who've been waiting for boats to catch up technologically. That's genuinely exciting, even if the upfront investment remains substantial.

FAQ

What is Auto Captain and how does it work?

Auto Captain is Brunswick's autonomous docking system that uses multiple fisheye cameras and onboard AI to automatically guide boats into docks. The system processes real-time video from the camera array, identifies the dock position and available space, models wind and current conditions, and controls the boat's engines and steering to smoothly maneuver into position. When you approach a dock, you simply tap a button to engage Auto Captain, and the system handles the entire docking procedure while you monitor from the helm.

How does edge AI differ from cloud-based AI on boats?

Edge AI runs locally on the boat's onboard computer hardware using pre-trained AI models stored in the boat's system. This allows the boat's AI assistant, Misty, to provide help without requiring internet connectivity. When offline, Misty can answer questions about boat systems, help with navigation, and provide technical assistance using knowledge embedded in its local model. Cloud-based AI requires constant internet connectivity and can access real-time information but isn't available when you're far offshore without cellular coverage. Brunswick's approach combines both: local edge AI for reliability, and cloud connectivity when available for enhanced capabilities.

What are the benefits of the Fathom integrated power system?

The Fathom system combines solar panels, rechargeable batteries, engine-based charging, and intelligent power distribution to reduce fuel consumption by 15-30% in typical use, depending on operating conditions and boat configuration. Solar panels charge the battery during daytime cruising. Onboard engines continuously recharge the battery while operating. Shore power charges the battery when docked. The system intelligently allocates available power to climate control, navigation, lighting, and other systems, preventing power waste. This integration reduces annual fuel costs, decreases engine wear, and enables features like preconditioned cabins before arrival.

What price ranges do these boats occupy, and who can actually afford them?

The Navan C30 starts at

How long do batteries last in these integrated power systems, and what are replacement costs?

The lithium battery packs are engineered for 10-15 years of typical use before significant capacity degradation occurs. Complete battery replacement costs range from

Can Misty the AI assistant work completely offline, and what can it actually help with?

Yes, Misty operates fully offline when cellular connectivity is unavailable. In local mode, Misty can answer questions about boat systems, explain how to use equipment and features, help with navigation using onboard GPS, troubleshoot common operational issues, and provide guidance on procedures you might need clarification on. It cannot browse the internet, access real-time weather, make reservations, or pull information from online sources. The edge AI model is trained on boat documentation, technical manuals, and operational best practices, making it genuinely useful for common boating questions without requiring cloud connectivity.

How reliable is Auto Captain in difficult docking conditions like high wind or tight slips?

Brunswick's testing indicates Auto Captain functions reliably in wind speeds up to 25+ knots and successfully navigates tight slips between adjacent boats. The system demonstrates intelligent judgment about when conditions are too severe to safely automate docking, appropriately declining to engage Auto Captain when environmental conditions exceed safe operational parameters. Real-world feedback from field testing shows the system reduced docking-related accidents by 80% in commercial charter operations, suggesting strong reliability and effectiveness in challenging scenarios.

Will these autonomous and AI features eventually make their way to more affordable boat models?

Historically, boat manufacturers follow an automotive pattern where premium features debut on flagship models, then gradually cascade down to mid-tier and accessible models over 5-10 years as manufacturing scales and component costs decline. Brunswick has indicated this is their strategy—proving reliability and functionality on premium boats before introducing these features to their broader product lineup. Industry experts expect autonomous docking and edge AI capabilities will appear on boats in the

What happens if Auto Captain software fails while you're docking?

The systems have manual override capability, allowing operators to immediately disengage Auto Captain and take manual control if any malfunction occurs. The boat maintains all standard manual docking functionality. The AI system is designed with redundancy—multiple cameras monitor the process, and the system will decline to engage Auto Captain if it detects sensor issues or hardware problems. Like automotive autopilot systems, Auto Captain is designed as an assist feature that requires the boat operator remain alert and ready to intervene if needed, not as a replacement for operator judgment and oversight.

How does solar integration actually improve efficiency on boats that are frequently moving through varying weather?

While dramatic weather changes reduce solar generation temporarily, recreational boating patterns actually align well with solar generation. Boats typically cruise during daytime when solar output is maximum. During anchor periods or marina time—often overnight and early morning—the battery can be charged from shore power when docked. The integrated approach means solar contributes supplementary capacity rather than serving as the sole power source. Field testing shows that hybrid operation (solar + engine charging + shore power) reduces overall fuel consumption by 15-20% annually, which provides real cost savings over the boat's operational life.

Key Takeaways

• Brunswick's AutoCaptain system uses fisheye cameras and onboard AI to autonomously dock boats, reducing accidents by 80% in field testing
• Edge AI running locally on boats enables the Misty assistant to provide help without cloud connectivity when boating offshore
• The integrated Fathom power system combining solar panels, batteries, and engines reduces fuel consumption by 15-30% annually
• The Sea Ray SLX 360 (
  $586,000) and Navan C30 ($
  227,500) represent premium boats integrating autonomous, AI, and power management technologies
• Advanced maritime technology features are expected to cascade down to mid-tier boat models by 2030 as costs decline and manufacturing scales

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