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Globetrotters seeking a truly off-the-beaten-path getaway filled with quiet azure waters, unspoiled forests, and stunning white sand beaches can take advantage of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ (SVG) newly upgraded mobile app. 

The free app, which was first launched in April 2011, now provides an even clearer snapshot of the “ins and outs” of this multi-faceted destination. With a more user-friendly interface, coupled with updated iPhone and iPad versions (via the Apple iTunes Store) as well as the Android and a Web app version for all handheld touch devices such as Blackberry available at discoversvg.com.

MarineMax, Inc., has signed on as a Premium Retail Member of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the highest level of retail membership within the association.

“We are proud to have earned such a high level of commitment from MarineMax,” says Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. “As a major player and innovator in our industry, the MarineMax team has a lot to contribute to the association as we move forward, and we look forward to working with them to continue to expand on our mission to be the voice of and leading resource for all marine dealers.”

If you are in the Halifax area, don’t forget the upcoming NMEA Educational Training Sessions on September 11, 12 and 13.

These will be held at the Future Inns Halifax Hotel and Conference Centre, 30 Fairfax Drive in Halifax.

The courses start with Basic Marine Electronics Installer, on Tuesday, September 11th.

RS Sailing is proud to announce and welcome Gemma Frohlich in the newly created role of Marketing and Sales Coordinator. Gemma will be responsible for a variety of areas, incorporating elements of marketing, design and sales with the view of expanding the already successful brand.

The decision to create the new role within the company forms part of the company’s growth plans both in the UK and internationally.

What makes Gemma ideal for this diverse new role is her equally varied career history.

Free and available at your convenience, the digital editions of both the national version of the August Canadian Yachting magazine and our Canadian Yachting West editions are available, both as business references and for your personal enjoyment, Canadian Yachting National, Canadian Yachting West

Canadian Yachting West is substantially different from the national edition of Canadian Yachting with a wealth of West Coast cruising, destination and regional information specialized to that audience.

On August 14th, Rec Boat Holdings presented their 2013 boat models to an audience of more than 200 dealers during their first-ever all brand dealer meeting, held at The Abbey Resort on Lake Geneva in Fontana, Wisconsin. Dealers, representing 25 countries, were captivated by the impactful and exciting news delivered by company president, Roch Lambert, which included additional new models and support programs designed to drive dealer traffic. The company has labeled this event "Re-Think" which centers on the rethinking of every aspect of the business and how it will benefit their dealers moving forward.

Chris-Craft welcomes a new member to the family. Chris-Craft introduced the new Corsair 32 at the 2012 Sales Meeting, held in July, in Sarasota, Florida, USA, to Chris-Craft Dealers from around the world. Steve Heese, Chris-Craft President, said: “The Corsair line carries the main DNA of the legendary Chris-Craft brand. We built her to fill a need in our closed-deck series of cruisers.” The Corsair 32 is the newest member of the Corsair family and is also the sister ship to the new Launch 32; which made its debut to rave reviews at the 2012 Miami International Boat Show. The Corsair 32 is well-suited to accommodate overnight excursions but is also built for day cruising and quick turns around the bay before a champagne sunset.

The MRAA Educational Foundation is seeking applicants for the 2012 Kevin Lodder Scholarship. The Kevin Lodder Scholarship Fund provides a full scholarship to attend a week-long Spader Business Management Total Management 1 Workshop to an employee of a Marine Retailers Association of the Americas retail member.

The Total Management Workshop details skills that will increase profits, stability and growth for the dealership. Attendees will leave the workshop with a clear set of principles, processes and tools to take their company to new levels of performance and profitability.

The Vancouver International Boat Show is launching a new photo contest celebrating BC’s love of boating.  The “Why BC Loves Boating Photo Contest” invites boaters to share with the world why they love boating the more than 27,000 km of ocean coastline, hundreds of lakes and countless rivers, that make the waters of BC amongst the finest boating destinations on the planet. The grand-prize winner will receive a $1,000 shopping spree at the 2013 Vancouver Boat Show and a pair of tickets to the show; plus, 10 honourable mentions will each receive a $100 shopping spree and tickets to the show. The 2013 Vancouver Boat Show will be held February 7 to 11 at BC Place and in-water at the Granville Island Maritime Market and Marina.

Companies working together often achieve far more than they can separately.  This is certainly true for Canada Metal (Pacific) Ltd. and SI-TEX Marine Electronics, who shared their specialties and strengths to launch a winning autopilot package.  By further collaborating on marketing materials, customer development and sales support, Canada Metal (Pacific) Ltd. has doubled its sales to SI-TEX this year.

As SI-TEX was introducing its newest SP110 autopilot, Canada Metal (Pacific) Ltd. worked with them to supply its unique Octopus Products drive unit.  It mounts behind the dash to replace the manual steering helm for cable-steered boats.  It turned out that the new SI-TEX autopilot also complemented a range of smaller Octopus drives with varied applications.

Ron Huibers has been appointed the new president of Volvo Penta of the Americas.  He succeeds Clint Moore who announced his plans to retire earlier this year.

Ron Huibers, currently President of Sales & Marketing North America within Volvo Trucks Americas, will assume his new position on September 1, 2012.

Marinas, dealers and suppliers alike all took the time to drop into Hutchings Marine Products in Gravenhurst, Ontario on August 8 to help owners Scott Crichton and Judy Semple at their 40th anniversary celebration.

Guests started arriving at 1 PM but the first pig went on the barbecue at 4 AM to slow roast for the guests. Hutchings is well known for their March Shirtsleeves dealer education sessions but this year, in honor of the 40th anniversary of Ralph Hutchings founding the business, Hutchings decided to honor their customers and suppliers instead.

The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and European Boatbuilder proudly present the fourth edition of Workshop on New Technologies and Manufacturing to be held at METS Trade Show on Wednesday 14 November 2012.

Workshop on New Technologies and Manufacturing is tailored for boat builders operating internationally and will feature topics such as future yacht design, natural fibres, noise reduction, pre-pregs in production building, quality assurance and boat-building regulations in China. The Workshop's primary objective is to discuss available technologies and business practices which are easy to implement in manufacturing.

There is still time for Canadian companies to enter! The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) has announced that the deadline for 2012 Innovation Award entries is Aug. 28, and named the panel of judges for the annual awards.

“IBEX is, at its heart, a technology event where exhibitors show the new products and processes that will change the face of boating in the future,” said Carl Cramer, IBEX co-director and publisher of Professional BoatBuilder magazine. “The annual Innovation Awards honor the best of the best, and have become hotly contested over the years.”

Canadian Boat Shows announced on August 13th that Adastra Media Inc., in association with Kerrwil Publications Limited, has been named the official show guide supplier for the 2013 Toronto International Boat Show, January 12 to 20, with Special Preview Night on January 11.

The group is also the official show guide supplier for the 2013 Vancouver International Boat Show, February 7 to 11, and publishes Boating Industry Canada, Canadian Yachting and Canadian Yachting West magazines. Its print platforms are available in digital format and online, and the group publishes numerous websites, all with weekly or monthly newsletters.

Carver Yachts has just announced the first model in a series of exciting new yachts currently in development and production at their Wisconsin based shipyard – the all new Carver 34 Fly.

Carver Yachts are well known for their spacious, ergonomic interiors that are logically designed to meet the demand of the avid yachtsmen, and the 34 Fly will not disappoint. Sleek new lines paired with forward thinking naval architecture and supported by fine North American design, engineering and craftsmanship define this new series of yachts from top to bottom. The Carver Systems and Design Engineers focused on developing a yacht that meets the need of today’s and tomorrow’s yachting enthusiasts.

The Port Credit In-Water Boat Show is celebrating its 22nd year from August 24-26th.  The only show of its kind on Lake Ontario, the Port Credit Boat Show is THE late summer boat show to attend.

Board over 100 new and used power and sailboats, or check out the land displays of marine accessories and services. The Speaker’s tent features seasoned boaters who talk about boat handling; boat repair; cruising and more.  And there will be lots of bargains available at the marine industry’s only consignment tent for boat stuff’ in support of Ontario Sailing and their Junior/Olympic programs.