Page 8 - Mid America Boating - March 2024 issue

Boat Smart

As I see it: Keeping up and choose. Other challenges are choosing the Electronics change almost daily; television and
MARCH 2024 [ MID-AMERICA BOATING ] 8
video equipment is near impossible to keep
power supply and options which can number
in the high double digits.
abreast of. At one time, rabbit ear antennas
coping with constant changes transmissions were only available on a few cars were replaced with roof-top antenna. They soon
When I bought my first car automatic

went from a few tubular arms to what looked
and they were not very popular because they like a monster on the roof that could turn in
required a lot of maintenance. The floor shift any direction and changed reception from 3 or

By Capt. Fred Davis how to push a button. or manual shift on the column plus an extra 4 channels to dozens.
Another change took place on the next pedal for a clutch didn’t seem to be a problem Today, changes are hard to describe
Captain Fred Davis, who dedicated himself step after completion of a car on the line; once one became accustomed to using entirely because they keep morphing into
to decades of continously promoting boating transport to the dealers. them. In those days a manual transmission something else.
safety, wrote hundreds of boating columns for This operation was once handled by car was standard and the automatic drive was Roof top antennas have been totally

Mid-America Boating and other publications carrier trucks moving up to five cars or small an option that often had to be ordered. The discontinued. Those in remote areas must
on the subject that were published during his trucks at one time. With smaller cars being change; today most drivers can’t drive without subscribe to a signal supplier to receive any
lifetime. Captain Fred passed away in 2019, but produced and car carrier transports getting an automatic shift transmission and manual image at all. The same applies to standard
many of his discussions about boating safety larger, many more cars can be handled by one shifts are special order. radio reception although there are still airways
remain timeless. Here is one of his many columns hauler. Shipment by rail has not been changed Today, power windows, seat positions, that carry radio waves without extra charges.
pertaining to the universal message about and is still utilized. seat heaters (even on back seats), radios, CD Look for that to change in the future.
outfitting a boat for safety before you launch it Once a dealer puts the new models on players, and speakers all around are standard, Large screen TV’s that just a short time ago
for another season. display, the toughest objective facing a when once they were all options. And how took up half a room can now be hung on a wall
perspective buyer is what color and style to about a car that can stop in time to avoid an and only stick out 5 or 6 inches. Additional
I often write about changes that affect our lives accident without the driver touching the brakes electronics; computers, telephones – cell and
and stand out. I also often wonder how we are and there is the car that can park itself. I like the hard wire, printers, copiers, I-pods, blackberry’s
expected to keep up with them. feature of pushing a button inside one’s house and a host of other devices also change almost
Many changes occur in the automobile to start your car to warm it up or cool it off. daily.
industry. They begin right on the assembly It’s amazing that a car can be programmed Many of the changes that bring new devices
line. The first change noticeable is electronically by a global positioning are helpful; some even life saving but how can

the number of employees it takes system to guide you on a trip – of a we be expected to keep up with them when
to construct a vehicle. It appears mile or clear across the country with a those we acquire today will be obsolete before
to be about half or less single setting. Here is a new feature; we can pay for them?
employees to complete the a sensor that knows when you had Note: Capt. Fred wrote this in 2011 and it’s still
running of the line. With all the an accident. It unlocks your doors, very relevant. MAB
spot welding machinery and shuts off the engine and turns
lifting equipment used the job on the flashers, even if you are Perils of the Freshwater Seas, an anthology of

requires a lot less brawn. Less incapacitated. stories and experiences written by Captain Fred
intelligence is required since all The auto industry is not the Davis is available for $22.30 (includes shipping)
ones needs to know is when and only one experiencing changes. E-Mail: padavis2006@comcast.net