Boating Innovations to Watch in 2011

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Innovation: Forward gunwale stowage

How It Came to Be: Sometimes innovations can appear seemingly out of thin air. Intrepid engineers were presented with a unique opportunity when designing the 245CC. The smallest boat in the company’s fleet — and its only open-style boat equipped with standard wraparound forward seating — had inwale gunwales that angled inward to create padded backrests. Recognizing the opportunity, Intrepid capitalized, incorporating lockable, hinged compartments into these areas. They open easily from atop and are large enough to hold three 30-pound trolling outfits per side when equipped with optional rod holders and tubes. The starboard and port compartments are 46 inches long by 18 inches high, and 7 inches deep at the bottom and 4 inches deep at the top. It was found space and made possible the further transformation of the boat into a serious fishing rig.

Why It’s Unique: The compartments make excellent use of space that would have otherwise gone unused. Not a Herculean advancement in boat design, but representative of the nimble and quick-thinking builder.