Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring technology – which brings key phone functions onto a touchscreen – could be coming to the world of Jet Skis, if a recent development for Can-Am is adopted by sister brand Sea-Doo for its watercraft range.
Apple CarPlay is standard on most new cars on sale today and enables easy access to apps such as music, maps, and messages.
Apple CarPlay users can set-up favourite functions on their phone, ready to use when the device is connected to the car.
For now, the technology is not available in the Jet Ski world.
Yamaha FX WaveRunners have had touchscreens since 2019 – but lack Apple CarPlay.
The latest Sea-Doo and Kawasaki Jet Skis have large infotainment displays, but they are not touchscreens and must be activated via buttons or a dial.
But that could be about to change if market leader Sea-Doo adopts the Apple CarPlay system developed for its sister brand Can-Am.
Can-Am last year introduced Apple CarPlay touchscreen technology on the flagship model of its three-wheeled motorcycle range (pictured above and below).
Apple CarPlay functionality on the Can-Am Spyder was delayed in Australia due to a technical glitch, but it has just been rectified.
Can-Am dealers in Australia have been advised a wifi update is available to owners of 2024 Can-Am Spyder models equipped with the technology.
Sea-Doo remains tight-lipped on the possible roll-out of Apple CarPlay on its 2025 watercraft range, which is due to be unveiled in the US next month.
It may be the case that further development is required to apply touchscreen technology to Sea-Doo watercraft, which must contend with water splash and salt spray.
However, Yamaha has managed to make touchscreens work on the water.
Given Sea-Doo’s reputation for innovation – and the fact that the 10.25-inch infotainment screen in the latest Can-Am Maverick R off-road buggy also needs to withstand bumps, dirt, and dust – the company should be able to make an Apple CarPlay set-up work on the water.
While the Can-Am Maverick R off-road buggy (pictured above) has the same 10.25-inch screen as the latest Can-Am Spyder three-wheeled motorcycle, for now only the Spyder has Apple CarPlay functionality.
It is unclear which 2025 Sea-Doo models might adopt Apple CarPlay – if the technology gets the green light – but, as a guide, the following models are currently fitted with Sea-Doo’s widescreen ‘VIP’ dash.
- Sea-Doo RXP-X 325
- Sea-Doo RXT-X 325
- Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300
- Sea-Doo Fish Pro Trophy
- Sea-Doo Explorer Pro
- Sea-Doo Wake Pro
If Apple CarPlay does make it onto Sea-Doo models, we suspect the technology would initially only apply to these flagship variants.
The question now is whether Sea-Doo introduces Apple CarPlay on 2025 watercraft, or whether we will need to wait for new-generation models introduced within the next few years.
Here’s hoping Yamaha WaveRunner and Kawasaki Jet Ski are watching this development and are already working on Apple CarPlay systems of their own.
The technology would make it easier for Jet Ski riders to stream and select music, send and receive messages, and use phone maps for navigation.
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