Earlier this year Ford released an automatic backup system that takes all the thinking out of backing up your boat trailer. It’s actually kind of slick. The system does all the thinking and you just back up straight as an arrow while your steering wheel automatically adjusts.
Impressed by this latest technology, I put it up on Facebook as something I felt boaters would find interesting. While a lot of people agreed it was impressive, the overwhelming response from people was if you can’t back up a trailer you shouldn’t own a boat.
Yeah, it was a little harsh, but I think the point was actually kind of valid. Technology is taking all the “feel” out of boating, driving, etc., and I think what is being lost is the real world experience of just doing something yourself.
It’s kind of like digital cameras. My parents are both professional photographers so I grew up in a house where you learned what an F-stop is at an early age. However, technology has made it possible that any schmuck with a credit card can pick up a camera and achieve professional results without ever venturing off the auto settings. I’m probably a little old fashioned in my thinking, but it would be nice if people learned the basics of photography before just letting the camera do all the thinking for them.
Back in July, Mercury introduced a very unique throttle system that automatically adjusts the trim for you. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been boating with people who have no idea how to work the trim, or in some cases I questioned if they even knew what a trim switch was. They’ll be plowing through the water and it will take every ounce of self control in my body to not jump up and trim the engine myself, yet I still refrain…most of the time.
When pitching this new throttle system from Mercury to both media and select dealers, one dealer became almost outraged when he questioned if this would really work.
“With this system it keeps the speed locked in, even in the corners, by adjusting the RPMs,” said this boat dealer to a Mercury rep. “I don’t like this because if I’m pulling my kids on a tube they could get hurt!” I give props to the rep for keeping a straight face and not cracking up. He politely and in a respectful way replied to the clueless dealer, “You can of course manually override the system at any time.” There’s no way I could have done that; I would have been too quick to just hit the guy over the head with a hammer.
When hearing the reply and realizing his own stupidity, the dealer gave the deer in the headlights look and sheepishly walked away. I guess in his mind he thought he would just set the boat to autopilot and then leave the helm and go sit in the back with his wife. Kind of scary to think there are people like this on the same waters that we boat on, sheesh!
In all seriousness, these advancements are a great tool for everyone. Not only will they take the scare factor out of boating for newbies and veterans alike, but they will also get new people into boating and that’s something I’m happy to see. Boating is the greatest hobby you can have and if automatic adjusting trim systems, joy stick docking or auto backing trucks help make it possible for others, then that works for me. And for those purists out there who disagree, take it upon yourselves to do more than just complain. Take the time to teach the next generation boater. The older we all get, the more we tend to forget that at one time we were new to boating.
