New Product Boat Tracker App WE NEED YOUR INPUT!!

[JetBoatPilot]

Hey guys,

My partners and I are working on a cool new product set to launch later this year. It is a Boat Tracking Device that is hardwired into your boat much like the old Lojack systems for cars.

This device is based off of a cellular platform and uses GPS and cellular technology to allow you to check in on your boat from any smart phone, tablet or pc anywhere in the world as well as have the device notify you if the boat is stolen, moves outside a pre-determined GEO-Fence, battery gets low, outside temperature gets low, and much more.

We need your feedback as to whether or not people would be interested in such a product and if so what you'd be willing to pay for it as an initial expense and what you would be willing to pay monthly for the service.

The product does not have a name yet but we have some ideas. We are also working with insurance companies to see about premium reductions once the product is installed and activated.

Watch this video to learn more:

Once you're done watching the video please fill out the form at this link to help us with your thoughts and opinions.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1RMnfOkQzTEKSNaRBp1vybCptQcFH_oOfVo3jqdWxbk0/viewform

As always, thanks for your help! Feedback like this helps us to get great products out quickly and efficiently!

 

[Murf'n'surf]

With so many of these type of systems on the market, what sets you apart from the others?

 

[JetBoatPilot]

I'm not sure if I've seen a boat specific product. Have you seen one and if so can you send me a link?

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I have used a few.

Sea-key --- went out of business. I think they failed due to hardware/software issues that became unstable. I still have the equipment installed.

Currently using these two companies products.

Paradox Marine -- http://www.paradoxmarine.com/home.htm

GOST Marine -- http://www.gostglobal.com/

There are many more systems on the market but I have no hands on experience with them. Type 'boat security tracking' into google to find many of the others.

This might be the most economical unit on the market today. http://guarddoggps.com/

I think if you hit a low introductory cost coupled with a low monthly subscription, you will be able to enter the trailer boat market.

 

[Bruce]

EPIRB functionality would be a big plus and probably the only reason that I would buy such a product.

 

[sysinu]

Personally. I wouldn't buy this and I buy everything else you sell pretty much.

Why I wouldn't buy it is because I have my boat over insured.

If you could attract the market of people who don't have full coverage or better ... Your best option would be to impact the insurance premiums. Let's say your product is 200$/yr and it takes 80$ off an insurance premium it would be worth it. Much like Comcast does with home security that reduces home owner insurance.

Just my thoughts.

I may be jaded because I just watched my iPad drive around Oakland for 2 weeks without any help from Oakland PD

 

[Britboater]

We have these cellular systems with classic cars, where they can be bought at a reasonable cost they do have some issues.
They will only work if a cellular signal is available, and I'm not too sure with the U.S. but here in the UK if the cell number has not been used for sometime the network supplier can sometimes disconnect the number and has even been known to re-issue the number to somebody else.
If the product is at a reasonable cost, specifically manufactured for marine use and hard wired, then I'd imagine you have a market.

 

[Ronnie]

It looks and sounds like a nice product that is tailored to boat owners but it reminds me very much of the drone mobile / mobile drone system that has been around for several years now. Here is one link to it the initial hardware sells for about $500 (I've seen more basic systems / less sensors for $350) and the subscription costs are $50 to $130 per year. http://www.compustar.com/drone/index.php

Like @sysinu stated I would not buy it or a similar system now because I've had a boat, trailer and tow vehicle stolen and what they recovered I didn't want back. Given that experience I think it's better to insure/over insure the boat than outfit it with a low jack type of security system. Sorry but I just don't feel like completing a survey right now.

 

[JetBoatPilot]

Our earliest projections are to sell at retail between $299 and $349 and offer plans that max out at $10 per month. We also have had an actual insurance company approach us about this concept and express interest in seeing a product like this come into the recreational boating market. I feel that reduced premiums would surely follow if the product performs as advertised.

The units will be hardwired into the boat with a backup battery for redundancy.

 

[txav8r]

I would think this needs to be adaptable to the trailer as well, making a need for it to be waterproof. If I knew my trailer was still there when I get back to the ramp, or that is was going missing from the storage lot, would be a very big added benefit. I don't know the hardware/software used in these types of setups, but multiple devices on a family account would be a big attraction, you could protect your garden tractor, your boat, trailer, utility trailer, the golf cart, literally anything that could grow legs and walk away, so maybe needs to offer an expandable account, greater than the 4 boats. This is needed but the price point will dictate its success rate I presume. But hey, what do I know? Many of us pay $150/mo for a cell phone data plan!

 

[cane.mba]

I like Mel's (@txav8r) idea, two unit's linked to a common address (address A = Boat, address B = trailer). We keep our boat in the dock all summer, and my trailer sits in the yard. Would be nice to know they are both secure.

 

[JetBoatPilot]

That would be tough since the unit has to be hard wired to a power source. If you had two objects to monitor you'd have to have two tracking devices and two monthly bills. At least that's how it appears to me at first thought.

 

[txav8r]

After I read it, it appeared that a single monthly subscription would cover up to 4 boats...why not other items of your personal inventory? What is the draw of the device? It seems that a power source could be very small as this is merely a transmitter. If it is very much of a draw, it will drain a battery anyway! They have to be thinking about this stuff don't they?

 

[JetBoatPilot]

Bear in mind that we're in early stages of development and alot of the questions you're asking will be answered when we're nearer to a production ready product. I believe that the unit has an on board power source of its own so if there is a disconnection of battery power the unit can still report information back to the app.

 

[txav8r]

As far as feedback then, for a trailer boat market, consider a way to include the trailer in the 4 units on one account as mentioned in the video. Seems an easy thing to power, at least for a period of time. I don't see boats as a limit to this, and a portable power source will expand your market. Get it small enough and Chester can wear one too!

 

[motorboater]

Suppose this could be helpful if your boat was stored in a public facility of some kind, on or off the trailer. Or in a wet slip. Or if you were in the habit of letting someone else use your boat. None of which I do.

In my situation, not storing anywhere but my own property, I'd subscribe only if an insurance premium discount more than made up for it. Even then I'd hate feeling like all my own movements are tracked when its not necessary, and wouldnt appreciate the need to manage another monthly billed account, another app, etc.

Its cool. If done well would have some good uses. I have no idea what similar offerings already exist.

 

[JetBoatPilot]

Power sources are steadily getting smaller and more powerful. I just bought a jump pack that can jump start a car and is about the size of an old VHS cassette.

 

[txav8r]

Power sources are steadily getting smaller and more powerful. I just bought a jump pack that can jump start a car and is about the size of an old VHS cassette.

Now that is really small for that kind of output!

 

[Bruce]

We have a Siberian Huskey that will not stay home and have been through at least 6 of these http://www.pettracker.com .

They are supposed to hold a charge for a week in our area they only stay charged for a couple of days.

The tracker will certainly need to be connected to the boats battery. It is likely that a vibration sensor could be used to activate the tracker when the boat is moving which would minimize the drain while sitting.

 

[motorboater]

Thats a good idea Bruce.