Crest and Balise Pontoons Partner with Savvy Navvy to Deliver Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Marine Navigation Experience
Crest and Balise Pontoons, the flagship pontoon brands under MasterCraft Boat Holdings, have announced a strategic partnership with Savvy Navvy, one of the world’s leading marine navigation platforms. The collaboration introduces Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility featuring Savvy Navvy’s advanced navigation technology, bringing a familiar automotive-style infotainment experience to recreational boating. The new integration allows boaters to enjoy intuitive, connected navigation directly from the helm, enhancing safety, convenience, and confidence while on the water.
The Crest announcement was made during Crest Marine’s annual dealer meeting held on Lake Lansing in Michigan, where dealers were given the opportunity to experience the new technology through live on-water demonstrations. The demonstrations showcased how the integrated navigation platform works seamlessly with compatible onboard displays, allowing users to access navigation tools, weather information, and route planning without relying solely on handheld mobile devices.
Bringing Automotive Convenience to Boating
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have transformed the driving experience by allowing users to connect their smartphones directly to vehicle infotainment systems. Crest and Balise are now bringing that same level of convenience to recreational boating by integrating Savvy Navvy’s intelligent navigation software into their latest pontoon models.
With this integration, boaters can connect their smartphones to compatible helm displays and instantly access a wide range of navigation features. These include interactive nautical charts, intelligent route planning, real-time GPS tracking, weather forecasts, tidal information, and satellite mapping. The interface enables users to switch between day, night, and satellite viewing modes while displaying navigation alongside other CarPlay or Android Auto applications, creating a clean and familiar digital cockpit experience.
The system is designed to make boating easier for both experienced captains and newcomers by reducing the complexity traditionally associated with marine navigation systems.
A Seamless Navigation Experience
One of the biggest advantages of the new integration is its simplicity. Users can plan their boating trips at home using the Savvy Navvy mobile application and have the same route automatically available once they board their boat. There is no need for manual file transfers or complicated synchronization processes.
According to Savvy Navvy Founder and Chief Executive Officer Jelte Liebrand, this ease of use has long been a priority for the company.
Liebrand explained that recreational boaters have wanted a modern infotainment experience similar to what they already enjoy in their vehicles. With the new CarPlay and Android Auto integration, users can prepare their routes before leaving home, step aboard their boat, and immediately access navigation on the helm display without additional setup. The entire process is designed to work effortlessly, allowing boaters to focus on enjoying their time on the water.
He also noted that the technology is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and works with any supported display, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Advanced Navigation Features
Savvy Navvy has built a reputation for simplifying marine navigation by combining multiple navigation tools into a single platform. Rather than relying on separate applications for charts, weather, tides, and route planning, users can access everything through one intuitive interface.
The platform provides official marine charts with a clean layout designed to reduce screen clutter while maintaining essential navigational information. Intelligent route planning automatically considers chart data, boat characteristics, weather forecasts, tidal conditions, and other environmental factors to recommend optimal routes.
Additional capabilities include:
- Real-time GPS positioning
- Live weather updates
- Tidal forecasts
- Dynamic estimated arrival times
- Satellite map viewing
- Day and night navigation modes
- Route synchronization across devices
These features help boaters make more informed decisions before and during their journeys, improving both safety and efficiency.
Demonstrating Innovation at the Dealer Meeting
During Crest Marine’s annual dealer conference, attendees were able to experience the system in real-world boating conditions. Live demonstrations highlighted how quickly smartphones could connect to onboard displays and how easily users could access navigation information while underway.
The demonstrations also showcased the intuitive user interface and the benefits of having all essential navigation data displayed on a single screen. Dealers observed how the technology eliminates many of the challenges associated with traditional marine electronics while providing an experience similar to modern automotive infotainment systems.
The company believes that hands-on demonstrations helped illustrate the value the new technology will provide to future customers.
Enhancing the Boating Experience
Rob Nye, Director of Portfolio and Product Lifecycle for Crest and Balise, emphasized that innovation remains central to both brands’ product strategy.
He explained that the partnership with Savvy Navvy reflects the company’s commitment to improving the overall ownership experience through practical technological advancements. By integrating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with Savvy Navvy’s navigation platform, Crest and Balise aim to deliver greater convenience, increased confidence, and a more enjoyable experience every time customers head onto the water.
The collaboration aligns with the growing demand among recreational boaters for connected technologies that simplify navigation while maintaining high standards of safety and usability.
A Legacy of Boatbuilding Excellence
Crest Marine has been manufacturing pontoon boats since 1957 and has established itself as one of the industry’s most respected brands. Building upon decades of expertise, the company expanded its premium offerings in 2024 with the introduction of Balise, an independent luxury and high-performance pontoon brand developed in collaboration with the MasterCraft engineering team.
Together, Crest and Balise benefit from more than 120 years of combined boatbuilding knowledge, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to deliver premium recreational boating experiences.
The addition of advanced infotainment and navigation capabilities represents another milestone in the brands’ continued evolution.
Standard on 2027 Models
Beginning with the 2027 model year, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto featuring Savvy Navvy compatibility will become standard equipment on all new Balise models as well as Crest Conquest and Crest Caribbean pontoons scheduled to launch next month.
As part of the partnership, customers purchasing eligible 2027 boats will also receive complimentary access to Savvy Navvy Premium. The premium subscription unlocks the application’s complete feature set, including advanced navigation tools, intelligent routing, enhanced weather information, and additional planning capabilities designed to improve the boating experience.
This bundled offering provides customers with immediate access to professional-grade navigation technology without requiring an additional purchase.
About Savvy Navvy
Founded in 2017 by lifelong boater and former Google software engineer Jelte Liebrand, Savvy Navvy was created to simplify marine navigation by replacing the multiple disconnected tools traditionally required for boating. Instead of switching between separate applications for charts, weather forecasts, and tidal information, users can access all essential navigation resources within a single platform.
Today, the application serves recreational boaters in more than 100 countries and has surpassed three million downloads worldwide. Its intelligent navigation engine combines official-source marine charts with integrated weather data, tidal information, vessel-specific routing, and dynamic estimated arrival times based on changing conditions.
In 2024, the company expanded its offerings with the introduction of Savvy Integrated, a platform developed specifically for marine manufacturers, suppliers, and original equipment manufacturers seeking to embed advanced navigation capabilities into their products.
Savvy Navvy is available across Android, iOS, Windows PCs, and Mac computers, providing users with a consistent navigation experience across multiple devices.
About MasterCraft Boat Holdings
MasterCraft Boat Holdings, headquartered in Vonore, Tennessee, is one of the leading manufacturers of recreational powerboats in North America. The company designs, manufactures, and markets boats through five established brands: MasterCraft, Crest, Balise, Chaparral, and Robalo.
Its portfolio spans a wide range of recreational boating categories, including luxury pontoons, wake boats, sport boats, fishing boats, and offshore vessels. By combining engineering expertise, product innovation, and customer-focused design, MasterCraft continues to expand its leadership position within the recreational marine industry.
The partnership between Crest, Balise, and Savvy Navvy represents another significant step toward integrating advanced digital technologies into recreational boating. By bringing Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and intelligent marine navigation together in a single platform, the companies are delivering a more connected, intuitive, and enjoyable experience that reflects the evolving expectations of today’s boat owners.
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