[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":135},["ShallowReactive",2],{"allNavigations":3,"blog-2026-boating-trends-what-kiwi-boaties-need-to-know":119},{"allNavigations":4},[5,11,15,20,24,27,29,32,35,38,42,45,48,51,53,55,58,61,64,67,70,71,75,78,80,81,82,83,84,87,89,91,93,95,97,100,103,106,108,111,114],{"category":6,"label":7,"url":8,"summary":9,"primary":10,"emphasised":10},"Header customer","Make a claim","/claims/","",true,{"category":6,"label":12,"url":13,"summary":9,"primary":14,"emphasised":10},"Pay your account","/pay-your-account/",null,{"category":6,"label":16,"url":17,"summary":18,"primary":19,"emphasised":10},"Forms & documents","/forms-documents/","Access policy documents",false,{"category":6,"label":21,"url":22,"summary":23,"primary":19,"emphasised":10},"Update your details","/update-your-details/","Keep us up-to-date",{"category":6,"label":25,"url":26,"summary":9,"primary":19,"emphasised":10},"Cancel your 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Insurance",{"category":98,"label":99,"url":31,"summary":9,"primary":19,"emphasised":19},"Footer about","Contact us",{"category":98,"label":101,"url":102,"summary":9,"primary":19,"emphasised":19},"Why Mariner?","/about-us/",{"category":98,"label":104,"url":105,"summary":9,"primary":19,"emphasised":19},"Team","/team/",{"category":98,"label":107,"url":37,"summary":9,"primary":19,"emphasised":19},"Blog",{"category":98,"label":109,"url":110,"summary":9,"primary":19,"emphasised":19},"Industry Log","/industry-log/",{"category":98,"label":112,"url":113,"summary":9,"primary":19,"emphasised":19},"Careers","/careers/",{"category":115,"label":116,"url":117,"summary":118,"primary":19,"emphasised":19},"Trustpilot","Excellent","https://www.trustpilot.com/review/mariner.co.nz","96",{"blog":120},{"tags":121,"headline":125,"_firstPublishedAt":126,"publishDate":127,"coverImage":128,"article":131,"metaTags":132},[122],{"tagName":123,"url":124},"Boating NZ","boating-nz","2026 Boating Trends - What Kiwi Boaties Need to Know","2026-07-29T03:36:33+01:00","2026-07-16",{"alt":129,"url":130},"futuristic hydrofoil boat","https://www.datocms-assets.com/93388/1785288615-boating-trends-2026.jpg","\u003Cp>\u003Cgrammarly-extension data-grammarly-shadow-root=\"true\" style=\"visibility: visible !important; position: absolute; top: -1px; left: -1px; pointer-events: none; --rem: 16;\" class=\"dnXmp\">\u003C/grammarly-extension>\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>New Zealand remains one of the most boat-loving nations on earth. With \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.boatingnz.co.nz/2025/10/half-of-new-zealanders-are-on-the-water-but-theres-no-national-record-of-our-boats/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">40 percent of the population getting on the water each year and an estimated 1.6 million recreational vessels\u003C/a>\u003C/strong> across our coastlines, lakes and rivers, boating is woven into the Kiwi lifestyle. The marine industry is showing some significant shifts this year. Here are five trends worth keeping an eye on.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>Electric and hybrid propulsion\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>The global electric boat market is projected to more than double over the next decade, and major manufacturers are investing heavily. \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.torqeedo.com/us/en-us/news-and-press/press-releases/blog-2024-4-3.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yamaha's 2024 acquisition of electric specialist Torqeedo\u003C/a>\u003C/strong> signalled a clear industry direction, while Mercury and Brunswick are developing their own programmes. Battery technology continues to improve, with longer ranges and faster charging making electric boats increasingly practical. Closer to home, \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.meridianenergy.co.nz/news-and-events/new-zealands-best-commute-meridian-selects-zero-emission-hydrofoil-ferry-for-lake-manapouri\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Meridian Energy will operate a Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil ferry on Lake Manapōuri\u003C/a>\u003C/strong>, a fitting choice for a UNESCO World Heritage Area. For Kiwi boaties, electric propulsion makes particular sense for sheltered waters, harbour cruising and lake use where quieter operation and zero emissions are genuine advantages. For more on how far this technology has come, see our earlier look at \u003Ca href=\"https://www.mariner.co.nz/blog/the-rise-of-electric-boating/\">the rise of electric boating\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/D1GH9isVNV8?si=g1mlIwZeWAMtenws\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\">\u003C/iframe>\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>Hydrofoil technology\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>Hydrofoils have been around for decades in racing, but they're now appearing in production boats for everyday use. The technology lifts the hull above the water on wing-like foils, reducing drag and energy consumption by up to 80 per cent. This means longer range, a remarkably smooth ride even in moderate chop, and near-zero wake that's gentler on shorelines. Swedish company Candela has led this charge with leisure and commercial vessels, while \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.vessev.com/articles/vs-9-certified-for-service\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Auckland-based Vessev is producing the VS-9 premium tourism hydrofoil for operators like Fullers360\u003C/a>\u003C/strong>. It's a good example of Kiwi innovation meeting global trends, and we can expect more foiling vessels in New Zealand waters over the coming years.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/9of4oMnBWgY?si=YECIxQKox43bElJo\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" spellcheck=\"false\">\u003C/iframe>\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>Smart boating technology\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>The boats of 2026 are getting smarter. Marine telematics systems now allow owners to check battery status, fuel levels, bilge conditions and GPS location from their smartphone, whether at home or across the country. \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.brunswick.com/news/press-releases/detail/888/brunswick-corporation-adds-boating-intelligence-to\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">At CES 2025, Brunswick Corporation showcased AI-powered \"co-captain\" technology\u003C/a>\u003C/strong> offering assisted navigation, safety monitoring and autonomous docking. While fully self-driving boats remain some way off, these assisted features are making boating more accessible for newcomers. For Kiwi boaties, connected technology is particularly valuable for monitoring boats at remote moorings, with geofencing alerts, anchor alarms and movement detection providing peace of mind when you can't be there in person. For a rundown of apps already doing some of this, see our guide to \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.mariner.co.nz/blog/best-apps-for-boaties-in-2025/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">must-have boating apps for Kiwi boaties in 2025\u003C/a>\u003C/strong>.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/KDcDFzAkIDY?si=DgjWvUg1AIU69pUk\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\">\u003C/iframe>\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>Fish-finding technology\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>Forward-facing sonar has been the biggest development in fishing electronics recently. Systems like Garmin's LiveScope, Lowrance's ActiveTarget and Humminbird's MEGA Live provide real-time underwater imagery showing fish, structure and lure presentation as it happens. The technology has proven so effective that \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.hookandbarrel.com/news/bass-changes-rules-on-forward-facing-sonar-for-2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">several professional fishing leagues have implemented new rules\u003C/a>\u003C/strong>, some standardising equipment, others banning it altogether. New releases include \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https://humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/news/mega-live-2-forward-facing-sonar-xplore-fish-finders-revolutionize-angling-experience\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Humminbird's XPLORE system\u003C/a>\u003C/strong> and \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.garmin.com/en-AU/blog/garmin-expands-echomap-ultra-2-series-with-larger-16-inch-chartplotter/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Garmin's ECHOMAP Ultra 2 with 16-inch displays\u003C/a>\u003C/strong>. For recreational anglers, these tools are becoming more accessible and easier to use.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>Sustainable boating\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>Eco-friendly boating is becoming more practical. Non-toxic antifouling alternatives are gaining traction, including vinyl wrap systems and microfibre products that prevent growth through physical rather than chemical means, offering five-year lifespans compared to the typical two years for traditional paints. New Zealand's \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.propspeed.com/news/propspeed-celebrates-25-years-of-protecting-the-industrys-running-gear\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Propspeed\u003C/a>\u003C/strong> continues to lead in foul-release coatings that protect propellers without leaching toxins. Combined with stricter biofouling management, such as \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.nrc.govt.nz/news/2025/october/hull-checks-to-resume-soon/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Northland Regional Council's hull inspection programme running November 2025 to May 2026\u003C/a>\u003C/strong>, there's a growing incentive to think carefully about what goes on your hull.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3>Looking forward\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>The boating landscape is shifting, but the fundamentals remain the same. Kiwis love getting out on the water.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Sources: \u003Ca href=\"https://www.boatingnz.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Boating New Zealand\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.torqeedo.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Torqeedo\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.meridianenergy.co.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Meridian Energy\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.vessev.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vessev\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.brunswick.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brunswick Corporation\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.hookandbarrel.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hook & Barrel Magazine\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"https://humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Humminbird\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.garmin.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Garmin\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.propspeed.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Propspeed\u003C/a>, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.nrc.govt.nz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Northland Regional Council\u003C/a>\u003C/em>\u003C/p>",{"title":125,"description":133,"image":134},"From electric propulsion to smart technology, here are five boating trends shaping 2026 for New Zealand's recreational fleet.",{"url":130},1785296371984]