Beneteau and Peugeot create the Sea Drive concept

French giants Beneteau and Peugeot have teamed up to create a futuristic control and steering station using digital switching and a large touch-screen display to control all the boat’s functions intuitively at the helm.

The new Sea Drive Concept was launched at the recent Nautic boat show in Paris, where it was pitched as a window into of the future of motorboat driving and converging technologies.

Beneteau says while some luxury car marques are inspired by the world of yachting, boats are now starting to adopt ergonomic solutions and designs from the car industry.

Inspiration came from Peugeot’s i-Cockpit control centre for cars, which teams a compact steering wheel, with a customisable head-up instrument panel, and a large multifunction touchscreen.

The new Sea Drive Concept integrates Beneteau’s Ship Control technology, which has been trialled on its new Gran Turismo 50 sports cruiser, to access all the boat’s functions.

The nav display, or a tablet connected to the boat’s Wi-Fi network puts everything at hand. A quick tap on the icon you want and you can manage:

>> Onboard lighting (distribution, intensity);
>> Air conditioning control;
>> Navigation (speed, current, depth, route, direction, position);
>> Battery level check;
>> Fuel level check;
>> Electrical management (AC/DC);
>> Bilge pump management;
>> AV;
>> Engines (revs, speed)

The helm also includes a compact steering wheel, directly inspired by cars, whose small size is said to make for easy, agile handling.

A large 17-inch touchscreen, displaying the Ship Control interface, gives immediate access to the boat's electronic functions. Several tablets can be connected locally to the interface, so each member of the crew can access all the functions.

A folding panel displaying the main navigational information is in the skipper’s line of vision. Toggle switches on either side of the wheel give direct access to the main functions at all times.

Peugeot’s expertise is said to be reflecting in the build quality and choice of materials, which are based on the GT trim level — Nappa leather, copper top-stitching, accents of chrome and satin, etc.

Several European boat brands have been heading down this control-centre route, but Beneteau says it is the first boatyard to offer such a high-tech solution at no additional cost, adding that it’s all part of its commitment to simplify boating so that it can be enjoyed by everyone.

Luca Brancaleon, general manager of Beneteau, was clearly enthusiastic about the Sea Drive Concept.

"It is very exciting to see our two brands, both pioneers in their fields, working to further the boating experience."

"Apart from the pride we felt when Peugeot asked us to work on a common project based on connectivity, it seemed natural," Brancaleon said.

The new intuitive connected steering station is said to be at the crossroads of the car and motorboat industries.

Such things may well lead to a seamless driving experience between both types of conveyances in the future, using a one-size-fits-all approach to personal travel.

More at Beneteau.