50 SEAMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2017

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Just when moms everywhere are limiting their

kids’ “screen time” and salty wisdom tells us

to keep our eyes outside of the boat for safety,

what’s happening on the dash inside the multi-

function display (MFD) is just too cool to resist.

He who owns the glass owns the boat. That’s

why innovation is centering on the MFD, the

focal point of all that happens aboard a modern

vessel. Electronics manufacturers have been

upping the ante, each racing to make better,

faster, prettier and overall more compelling

displays. As chairperson of the NMMA

Innovation Awards at the Miami International

Boat Show, I get a fi rsthand look at what’s hot in

electronics — and this year it was all about clear

screens, comprehensive feature packs and a

specifi c size of MFD that has become a magnet

for boats both new and used.

Garmin glass cockpit

Garmin GPSMAP 8622

Raymarine AXIOM 12