Boat Shows, AI and the Industry Shift from Brunswick’s View | Yachting Unplugged

Boat shows are no longer just places to display products.

They are where artificial intelligence, autonomy, connectivity, electrification, and ownership models intersect with real commercial decision-making.

In this episode of Yachting Unplugged, Kim Sweers “The Boat Boss” is joined by David Foulkes, Chairman and CEO of Brunswick Corporation, for a grounded, executive-level discussion on how the global marine industry is being reshaped.

Drawing on insights from CES (Consumer Electronics Show), Boot Düsseldorf, and the Miami International Boat Show, this conversation clearly distinguishes between where innovation originates, where it is refined, and where it ultimately converts into market impact.

This is not a promotional conversation.
 It is a strategic one.

Key Themes Explored
• Why Brunswick is the only recreational marine company consistently exhibiting at CES
• How AI is moving from concept into embedded, operational marine systems
• What autonomy actually means in boating beyond headlines
• Why not all boat shows serve the same role in industry progress
• What European markets get right about engagement, scale, and participation
• Why Miami remains the industry’s most important commercial validation platform
• How technology, regulation, and access will shape the next phase of growth

Why This Episode Matters
The marine industry is no longer operating in isolation.

AI is no longer theoretical.
Autonomy is no longer experimental.
And global technology ecosystems are now directly influencing how boats are designed, built, sold, and operated.

This episode provides rare CEO-level insight into how innovation, scale, and execution intersect and what that means for manufacturers, dealers, brokers, and investors navigating the next cycle of industry change.

About the Guest
David Foulkes is Chairman and CEO of Brunswick Corporation, a global leader in recreational marine products, propulsion systems, marine electronics, and shared-access services. Brunswick’s portfolio spans propulsion, boats, advanced marine technology, and digital platforms, positioning the company at the center of industry transformation.
🔗 Brunswick Corporation: https://www.brunswick.com

🎙️ Host: Kim Sweers “The Boat Boss” | Managing Partner and Licensed Luxury Yacht Broker, FB Marine Group
🎧 Series: Yachting Unplugged
📡 Network: Yachting Channel