ChatGPT, the latest major iteration of Artificial Intelligence, has been getting a lot of attention recently, becoming the subject of front-page articles in leading newspapers, on blogs, even in casual conversations at the Palm Beach show.
Founded by a Stanford dropout and funded by hundreds of millions of dollars from Microsoft, ChatGPT was launched just last November as an AI chatbot. Its parent company, OpenAI, was then valued at $29 billion.
ChatGPT is nothing of not versatile: It can write computer programs, compose music, create short stories in the voice of Ernest Hemingway or F. Scott Fitzgerald, do your kid’s term papers (my two daughters who are teachers are already seeing the results of this, and it’s startling; the term papers are good), and help busy corporate executives take notes at C-Suite meetings and then distribute to-do lists to the relevant underlings.
At first, a lot of people thought ChatGPT was just Wikipedia on steroids. But it’s much more than that. It collates known knowledge from around the world (and the cloud), it thinks, and it creates. Its social implications are so vast that it’s already been banned in Italy.
To see if ChatGPT could be applied to boating, last weekend I signed up for a free account at OpenAI. The entire process took about three minutes. Then I had to ask a question, so I took one that’s been talked about a lot in boating owners’ forums and other chat areas: “What’s the best boat for the Great Loop?”
In the real world, people’s answers to that range from “the one you have” to more sophisticated discussions of single vs. twin engines, planing vs. displacement hulls, gas vs. diesel, and the issues of draft (a major concern for many of the marinas and anchorages along the Loop) and air draft (boats have to fit under a 19′ 6″ fixed bridge at mile 300.6 on the Illinois River).
ChatGPT is nothing if not fast. I literally had just finished typing the question and pushed “enter,” when ChatGPT started writing its answer. Here’s what it said:
“The best boat for the Great Loop depends on various factors such as your budget, personal preferences, and boating experience. The Great Loop is a 6,000-mile journey that takes you through various waterways including the Great Lakes, the inland rivers, and the Gulf of Mexico, so you’ll need a boat that is seaworthy, comfortable, and can handle various water conditions.
“Some popular boat types for the Great Loop include trawlers, motor yachts, and sailboats. Trawlers are often preferred due to their fuel efficiency and ability to navigate shallow waterways. Motor yachts are also popular due to their size and luxurious amenities. Sailboats are another option for those who prefer quieter and more environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
“When selecting a boat for the Great Loop, it’s essential to consider factors such as size, draft, fuel consumption, and storage capacity. You should also factor in the cost of maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. Consulting with a professional boat dealer or a knowledgeable boater can help you make an informed decision on the best boat for your needs.”
Well, that was a disappointment. Not only did ChatGPT not tell me anything that even the most casual potential Looper wouldn’t already know, but it also made a considerable factual error. Trawlers are known for their ability to navigate shallow waterways? Maybe some trawlers that I’m not familiar with, but I usually (always) tried to stay from shallow waterways on my Grand Banks 36 when cruising everywhere from the Gulf of Mexico to the shoals of Nantucket.
I wanted to give ChatGPT another chance. So I refined the question, this time asking “What is the best powerboat for the Great Loop.” This time the results were more on target.
The reply started with the same general information about the Loop and then said:
“There are many factors to consider when choosing a powerboat for this journey, such as size, fuel efficiency, handling, and comfort. Some popular options for the Great Loop include trawlers, motor yachts, and expedition-style yachts.
“Trawlers are a popular choice because they are efficient, comfortable, and typically have a long range. They are also well-suited to the slower pace of travel required for the Great Loop. Popular trawler brands or the Great Loop include Nordhavn, Kadey-Krogen, and Grand Banks.
“Motor yachts are another popular option for the Great Loop, offering a luxurious and spacious living space for extended cruising. Popular motor yacht brands for the Great Loop include Hatteras, Viking, and Azimut.
“Expedition-style boats are designed for long-range cruising in remote areas and can be a good choice for those who want to explore the more off-the-beaten-path areas of the Great Loop. Popular expedition yacht brands for the Great Loop include Outer Reef, Selene, and Fleming.”
This second chance was certainly more on-target than the first, although we may have been surprised by some of the boat brands included here. To see if we could do better, I selected a “regenerate response” button at the bottom of the ChatGPT response.
Here’s the third answer, after the same general opening paragraph:
“Typically, a boat that is suitable for the Great Loop should have a few key features, such as:
“1.Comfortable accommodations: Since the Great Loop is a long journey, having a boat with comfortable sleeping quarters, a galley, and a bathroom is important.
“2.Shallow draft: The Great Loop has many shallow areas, so a boat with a shallow draft will allow you to navigate through these areas without running aground.
“3.Fuel-efficient: The journey around the Great Loop can be costly, so a boat with a fuel-efficient engine will help save money on fuel costs.
“4.Seaworthy: The Great Loop can have unpredictable weather conditions, so a boat that is seaworthy and capable of handling rough seas is ideal.
“Some popular powerboat models for the Great Loop include trawlers, cruisers, and motor yachts. A few examples of popular models include the Ranger Tugs R-29, the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34, and the Sea Ray 400 Sundancer.”
Now we’re getting somewhere, particularly since I actually cruised on part of the Great Loop on a Beneteau Swift Trawler 34, which turned out to be a very good choice, for all the reasons that ChatGPT mentioned. It took three tries to get there, but at least the third effort had, at least to my mind, some relevant information. Read more: http://openai.com
