Future-Proofing the Fleet
An IBEX 2024 Industry Panel Discussion on How to Avoid Contradictions in Onboard Technologies.
By Aaron Porter
In 2024 you can expect a new car to serve for about 12 years, the average personal computer around five, and most phones less than three. Recreational boats stand out as admirable exceptions when it comes to the longevity of manufactured goods. Their 30-to-40-year projected use lives have traditionally been a comfort to buyers looking forward to years on the water and solid resale value for well-maintained boats. But as increasingly short-lived computer and electronic-control modules common in automotive and consumer electronics make their way into the marine sector, boat designers, builders, and service technicians are faced with the dilemma of spec’ing or installing components and onboard systems they know cannot match the longevity of conventionally robust hull, deck, and propulsion structures.
Our panel of industry veterans gathered on the IBEX Main Stage to explore the problem, its diverse contributing causes, and some possible solutions. Naval architect Winn Willard (Ray Hunt Design), engine manufacturer Jens Bering (Volvo Penta), marine electronics supplier Philip Sweeny (Furuno), and electronics service specialist Max Stein (Max Marine Electronics) shared their perspectives on how to meet evolving expectations for simplified boat operation, energy efficiency, and broad functionality while maintaining the traditions of longevity and reliability boat owners count on.
