Euteneier is legally blind. But don’t let that fool you. Euteneier is also the man behind the world’s first blind fishing boat. With his invention, he incorporates mainstream and assistive technologies that allow him to navigate his 12-foot fishing boat across lakes on his own.

 “I love fishing and I do a lot of camping with my family,” says Euteneier. “To have my own boat to be able to go fishing with when I feel like it – that’s the goal.

"I don’t have to drag my wife and the kids out every time I want to go fishing.”

Euteneier proudly displayed his work at the 2010 Ottawa Boat and Sportsmen Show from Feb. 25-28. The boat combines technological advancements such as GPS, sonar and a talking compass – which allows him to navigate small bodies of water on his own. One of 200 exhibitors at the show, Euteneier spoke affectionately to visitors about how fishing allows those with his disability to feel just like everyone else.

“I started fishing when I was five years old, and I was registered blind when I was eight,” says Euteneier.

“Throughout my next 40 years, my eyesight deteriorated steadily. Even though there were things I couldn’t do anymore, fishing was not one of them. I could always fish. Actually, my fishing ability has gotten better.”

Euteneier competes in tournaments throughout the year, but he doesn’t let his impairment hold him back. Although he hasn’t won any big tournaments, he often finishes in the middle of the pack – beating out half of the sighted competitors.

And to Euteneier, that’s the most important thing: not letting your disability stop you from doing the things you love.

“There’s a million Canadians with vision loss and 13 million Americans,” says Euteneier. “It’s unfortunate that a lot of those people will give up on things. But fishing is certainly not one of those things. You can continue to fish, you just need a sighted fishing buddy.”

His next goal is to start an organization called Blind Fishing Buddies, which will match fishermen who have lost sight with those who haven’t, the common thread being that everyone loves fishing.

And now, with the help of his innovative boat, Euteneier will be able to navigate the waters on his own, with only the help of his Bermese Mountain sight dog, Maestro.

E-mail Maureen Lamothe: lamo0164@algonquincollege.com