Android Auto comes to boats in 2027: Crest and Balise first

MasterCraft says Android Auto will come factory-installed on Crest and Balise production boats, starting with select 2027 Conquest and Caribbean models. Apple CarPlay is included too, along with on-water navigation.

Android Auto Download

The company says Crest and Balise are the first boat brands to offer factory-installed Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with marine navigation built in. The draw is pretty clear: a helm that feels a lot more familiar for navigation, music, calls, and messages, rather than the patchwork marine interfaces boaters often end up dealing with.

The navigation side runs through Savvy Navvy. That adds nautical charts, smart route planning, GPS tracking, live weather, and tidal data. Balise boats come with a one-year premium subscription, while Crest boats get one month. This is more than basic phone mirroring, and it fits boating a lot better than a straight carryover from the driving experience.

If you’re in the market for a new boat, this setup looks like something to watch. Aftermarket marine units have supported Android Auto and CarPlay for years, but having major production brands roll it out from the factory could make advanced helm systems feel a lot less intimidating. There are still some missing details, including pricing, display hardware, and how or when this will expand internationally.

It arrives on those select 2027 models as the marine electronics market is projected to grow from $6.77 billion in 2024 to more than $13 billion by 2034. Forecasts for the smart-boat market point the same way, rising from $40.6 billion in 2023 to $80.6 billion by 2033.