The New Era of Vessel Control
Docking … the very mention of the word conjures fear in some and hubris in others. It’s not the amount and size of the fish caught that defines a seasoned captain but rather the steady hand required to back a 50-foot sportfisher into a narrow slip during a cross-tide.
Many of us, myself included, take pride in the “muscle memory” of docking with the throttles. However, in 2026 the marine industry has reached a tipping point where artificial intelligence is working its way into boats and onto helms in ways we never thought possible. We are entering the era of the autonomous first mate with boats that can literally dock the boat for you. (Tying lines not included!)
Currently, there are two leading commercial solutions in the space: Simrad’s AutoCaptain and the Avikus NeuBoat system. These systems provide autonomous docking and vessel control. While they both aim to solve the “last 50 feet” of your journey, they represent two different technological philosophies to how they actually achieve getting you safely in the slip.
THE INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM: SIMRAD AUTOCAPTAIN
Simrad’s approach is a master class in closed-loop integration. Their AutoCaptain system is designed to work as a seamless extension of the vessel’s propulsion system, most notably through integration with Mercury and a Simrad multifunction display.
Instead of relying on a human to operate a joystick or throttles, Simrad AutoCaptain “uses six integrated, depth-perceiving cameras to give your vessel 360-degree awareness, letting it assess and respond to its surroundings in real time,” according to Simrad’s literature. “The system continuously scans the environment, making intelligent adjustments to counter wind, current, and nearby above-water obstacles.”
When engaged, the system takes over the multi-axis movement of the engines. It’s not just “power steering”, it’s a predictive algorithm that calculates wind-drift and current vectors, ensuring the boat arrives at the dock with zero impact. Due to its complexity, Simrad AutoCaptain is currently only available as an original equipment manufacturer option and not an aftermarket add-on.
THE COMPUTER VISIONARY: AVIKUS NEUBOAT
The Avikus NeuBoat is the marine equivalent of the “self-driving” car. It uses a suite of six high-resolution cameras and creates a 360-degree “digital twin” of the water surrounding the vessel.
The breakthrough here is computer vision. Unlike traditional sensors that just measure distance, the Avikus AI can distinguish between actual targets in the water around the dock and the dock itself. Through its partnership with Raymarine, the NeuBoat system provides a bird’s-eye view that allows the boat to “see” its way into a slip. This system truly understands the geometry of the marina.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR YOU … THE SKEPTIC (I WAS TOO!)
Do you truly need a computer to dock the boat? Likely not, but this is the way technology is moving. I, for one, have gotten quite used to all those cameras and sensors in my truck and to using them smartly as tools to safely park and navigate.
The same applies to a boat. The answer isn’t about laziness; it’s about safety, convenience and endurance. A day offshore is a marathon of cognitive load. By the time you get back to the dock at 5 p.m. your reaction times are diminished and you’re likely overwhelmed with the thought of the cleanup and drive home ahead.
Plus, consider those shorthanded days or an emergency haul-out where you may have to dock the boat yourself with nobody to help grab lines. This tech may allow you to take your family, who may not be as “nautical” as your fishing crew, out on the boat more.
If you have the tools, they work well, and you understand how to use them smartly … why not use them? Gelcoat repairs are not cheap!
The introduction of autonomous docking to the sportfishing fleet isn’t the end of seamanship. It is the evolution of it. Let’s be real, in 2026 the best captains aren’t just the ones with the best skills, the best spots, and the most knowledge. They are also the ones using the technology onboard their boats to the fullest.
Ryan Taffet of Stuart, Florida, grew up fishing at the Jersey Shore. When he is not busy as product manager for NAVICO Group, a division of Brunswick Corporation, he’s fishing and boating on his Everglades 240CC Feelin Crabby. The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are only those of Ryan Taffet and do not reflect the views or positions of Brunswick Corporation or its affiliates.
