The Reveal: AutoWake and WakeTouch!

[topaz surfer]

Very interesting will be cool to see where it goes from here.

[mls6722]

Very amazing idea. I can't wait to see it get picked up.

[IDBoating]

Thanks for the kind comments, everyone! Let me know if you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them!

[sandm]

great...
one more reason my boat is now obsolete

congrats and hope someone picks up the technology.

[SBM1234]

Great product! Does it work for wakeboarding as well? Do you add weight sensors to the ballast bags to tell when they are full? Thinking here that in order to achieve the desired wake, we usually run 100% in the front and 75% in the rear. If there is no "head room" to allow for more fill on the front, will the system continue to operate the pumps anyway?

Can you configure alarms and automated shut downs in the software? Just thinking about shallow water alarms and engine trouble codes here...

[IDBoating]

Great product! Does it work for wakeboarding as well?

Of course! The system measures and controls the hull. If you set things up for your ideal wakeboarding wake, the system can restore, and maintain, that hull orientation. Duplicate the hull and you duplicate the wake (or wave) behind the boat.

Do you add weight sensors to the ballast bags to tell when they are full?

You don't need to measure weight. And doing so leads to errors. Think about it: If you match the weight, but have different passengers, the hull sees a completely different situation and will sit differently in the water - and thus create a different wake or wave. What you have to measure, and duplicate, is what the HULL is doing. If you have more passenger weight, you will need less ballast weight to get the same hull orientation. If the passengers move around, "weight sensors" won't know anything happened but your hull, and wake/wave, sure will! That's why measuring weight doesn't solve the problem - it's not measuring what really matters.

Can you configure alarms and automated shut downs in the software? Just thinking about shallow water alarms and engine trouble codes here...

Yep. It's software, it can be written to do anything. We have access to all onboard data. We're already displaying water depth, for example... alarms are an easy add. We're already connected to the engine's CAN network, so engine codes are available too if the boat manufacturer wants to display them.

You can go farther, too. Like the WakeTouch video suggests, the software could build up a map of your lake bottom using the depth sensor and GPS module. That would allow the system to PREDICT shallow water before you get there, because it knows the lake bottom and your direction of travel and speed. You could get a warning well in advance of trouble, rather than when you're already IN shallow water.

Lots of possibilities!

[99bison]

Very cool. As an engineer this makes my night to see that someone is thinking about the future and not just stuck on "tradition". Good luck!

^^^^^ this+++

[Surf406]

Awesome I want one for sure!

[jmhatchett]

This is probably the coolest thing Ive seen happen to this industry, I know all the wake shape designs are awesome but a completely integrated way to control ALL of that and make it duplicate every time just allows those wake shapers to be used to their full potential and the possibilities are endless! Nice job WA i want one TODAY.

[dakota4ce]

I am just sad to think about NOT being able to pick one up depending on what the capital fishing ends up producing....it could get locked into the hands at Centurion and never touch my old beater! But then again....maybe not. Wait and see!

[IDBoating]

it could get locked into the hands at Centurion and never touch my old beater! But then again....maybe not. Wait and see!

Just since yesterday we've had quite a few private communications from people asking that very same thing ("Can I get one to retrofit to my..."). As the video and website point out, if a marine components manufacturer ends up buying this technology an aftermarket version could easily be made available. If a boat or instrumentation maker buys it, though, I doubt they will want to distract from new sales.

The buyer will make those choices. I suspect you won't have to wait too long to find out.

[DLafont]

Love the fact that you opted for a simple and technically elegant solution to solve many issues. I just hope no one buys the technology to kill it... Wait and see, I guess. Nice product and definitely innovative. Better mousetrap = done!!

[dreddy]

How are you sensing the depth of the hull with respect to water line?

[IDBoating]

How are you sensing the depth of the hull with respect to water line?

Standard marine draft sensor. Only one is needed. That gives us hull data on all three axes so we can put it and keep it where it belongs.

[SBM1234]

This is amazing! The software alone is revolutionary and then you guys went and put it on a platform that is readily available???? Are you kidding me!?! Can't wait for this to catch on like wild fire. Congratulations and I sincerely hope all the hard work pays off.