Archives

  • CAMERON WARDLAW, OWNER AND PRESIDENT OF SKYLINE MARINA THANKS HIS CUSTOMERS

    Industry leader and long-time owner of Skyline Marina, Cameron Wardlaw  has sent an announcement to his customers thanking them for their
    years of loyalty and support. His email read:
    To our valued customers,
    After 54 wonderful years as owner & president of Skyline Marina, it is with mixed emotions that I let you know that Skyline Marina is changing hands. Since in my twenties, Skyline Marina has been my focus and I have decided the time has come for me to enjoy life without the responsibilities of this fabulous business.

  • CANADIAN YACHTING MAGAZINE IN FLORIDA FOR 36 CORSAIR HARDTOP INTRODUCTION

    Canadian Yachting magazine just returned from a trip to Sarasota, Florida to meet the management team at Chris-Craft and to test drive their new Chris-Craft 36 Corsair Hardtop. It’s a very important boat to the company – their first new hardtop model in many years and a stunning boat. It was powered by the new Volvo Penta 430 V8s that we first ran on a trip to Volvo Penta headquarters in Sweden on June 15th. With variable valve timing and a host of other high-tech features, these Volvo Penta 430 V8s are hot performers in the new Chris-Craft 36 Corsair Hardtop.

  • TRUE NORTH YACHTS OPENS NEW OFFICE IN OUTER HARBOUR MARINA, TORONTO

    True North Yachts is movin' on up to the East Side!  True North is kicking off the grand opening of a new office, based at Outer Harbour Marina in Toronto, with an open house on Saturday, July 20th.  Same great service, same great staff, and the opportunity to find the boat of your dreams, service your existing vessel, or trade in for something from their extensive in-stock new inventory or brokerage. Food – Drinks – Boats – Music

  • TERRY CONRAD FIRST CERTIFIED MARINE SERVICE TECHNICIAN IN NOVA SCOTIA

    Terry Conrad of Conrad Marine Sales & Service Ltd. is Nova Scotia’s first Certified Marine Service Technician. The Apprenticeship Training Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education is responsible to provide relevant and responsive apprenticeship training and certification system that meets Nova Scotia’s needs for skilled trades professionals and there are currently 66 designated Trades in Nova Scotia.  A Marine Service Technician services and repairs, refits and upgrades marine vessels power and sail, including structural, cosmetic, electrical and mechanical work. In order to qualify for the Certification, a marine technician must have substantial experience working in the occupation.

  • IMCI ANNOUNCERS CERTIFICATION OF OLYMPIC CATAMARAN

    The International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI) has announced that the NACRA 17 is used as the exclusive Olympic Multihull equipment in the “mixed multihull class” running up to the Olympic Games. Every year there are several ISAF World Cups, World Championships and other continental championships where the elite sailors of the world in the catamaran are racing one another. The NACRA 17 was designed from scratch to meet the specific criteria set out by ISAF for the 2016 Olympic multihull. The NACRA 17’s new-generation hulls have about 40% greater longitudinal stability than recent conventional shaped catamarans. This increased stability comes

  • NAVICO STRENGTHENS GLOBAL MARKETING TEAM

    Navico Holding AS, parent company to leading marine electronics brands Lowrance, Simrad and B&G, is pleased to announce a new marketing team structure designed to maximize market growth opportunities. Navico has appointed Jonathon Pudney to the role of Global Marketing Director. Jonathon previously worked at a number of high-level marketing and communications agencies before taking the role of International Marketing Communications Director for the De Beers Group. During his tenure at De Beers, Jonathon’s efforts spanned more than 20 countries at the consumer and trade level. He was responsible for launching De Beers diamond marketing in China, developing and launching the world’s first diamond hallmark, the Forevermark, and running brands in multiple regions including the Americas, Asia

  • NEW NAVIONICS PRODUCTS MAKE GLOBAL DEBUT

    Navionics just announced the availability of Navionics+ and Navionics Updates through resellers worldwide. Navionics’ new products improve the way customers access cartography and boating information by providing easy online updates to ensure their charts reflect the most current data available for their GPS chartplotters. Navionics+ is a powerful electronic chart solution for new customers that provides unparalleled marine and lakes content and coverage on a single card. Customers can select charts from one of seven global regions, such as US & Canada, which enables download of saltwater and freshwater

  • CHARLESBANK CAPITAL PARTNERS MAKES INVESTMENT IN TROJAN BATTERY COMPANY

    Charlesbank Capital Partners announced that it has made an investment in Trojan Battery Company, a leading global manufacturer of deep-cycle lead acid batteries.  Headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., Trojan has been owned by the Godber family since its founding in 1925. The transaction, which was funded with both equity and debt, introduces the first outside equity for the company, with the management team making a notable co-investment and the Godber family maintaining a significant ownership position. GE Antares Capital provided the debt portion of the financing. 

  • NEVER SWIM IN A MARINA – LAKE FATALITIES HIGHLIGHT NEED FOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY

    Thankfully, we have not heard any reports of fatalities in Canada, but last weekend’s accident involving a dockside electrocution at Lake Cumberland in Kentucky, along with swimming fatalities over the Fourth of July holiday last year, underscore the dangers when water and electricity mix. The common element in these unfortunate accidents was electrical current entering the water from boats or docks.  “Wet environments are particularly dangerous when it comes to electricity. It’s vital to ensure electrical connections on or near the water are properly installed with appropriate safety equipment,” explains Molly Hall, executive director of the American Safe Electricity program. “Your loved ones’ lives just might depend on it.”

  • IMPORTANT CHILD SAFETY REMINDER

    We were contacted by Jeff Rhodes, President of BC’s Coastal Craft Boats who was moved by a U.S. news story about a 5-year-old being killed when he fell off the bow of the boat he was riding in and was struck by the propeller.

    This sort of senseless tragedy should never happen. Rhodes contacted us to say, “I will sponsor a friendly safety notice reminding/urging people NOT to allow their children, passengers and pets to ride on the bow of boats while underway. I've personally seen this scenario too many times in BC waters and it sickens me every time, including an incident two weeks ago coming out of Horseshoe Bay. If I had of been in a boat and not on the

  • BOATER ASSIST CANADA HAS CEASED OPERATIONS

    Boating Industry Canada spoke to Al Donaldson, executive director of Boating Ontario who confirmed that notification has been sent to the Boater Assist Canada members stating that the Board of Directors of Boater Assist Canada have elected to cease operations of the program effective immediately. All Boater Assist Members who have paid membership fees in 2013 will have their money refunded to them in the very near future.
    The program officially ceased operation on July 4th but stayed open through the weekend of July 6 and 7 for emergency calls.

  • BOATING INDUSTRY CANADA ATTENDS VOLVO PENTA PRESS EVENT IN GOTHENBERG SWEDEN

    Volvo Penta recently hosted a major press event in Gothenberg, Sweden and invited approximately 50 marine journalists from 14 different countries including Argentina and Brazil from South America and three journalists from North America, Christopher Landry from Soundings Trade Only, Randy Vance from the Bonnier Corporation and Andy Adams from Boating Industry Canada and Canadian Yachting magazines. Unfortunately Andy had a prior commitment and asked me, John Armstrong to stand in. Of course I jumped at the chance to be associated with such esteemed journalists and of course with Volvo Penta, one of the most innovative companies for marine engines and drive trains.

  • IMTRA NAMES NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Imtra has announced today the hire of Jeff Vancura to be the company’s next Chief Financial Officer (CFO). A finance veteran with twenty years of experience as a top executive, Mr. Vancura has held similar roles for Double E Company, TPI Composites and Mettler-Toledo Thornton. In addition to his financial duties, Mr. Vancura is also a member of Imtra’s strategic planning team. "Jeff will utilize both his financial management and strategic planning skills to help lead Imtra into the future,” said Eric Braitmayer, COO, Imtra. “His experience gives him the tools to perform his responsibilities exceedingly well, and his personality and positive attitude will allow him to seamlessly fit within the Imtra team."

  • WEBASTO PROVIDES CHRIS-CRAFT WITH ITS FIRST EVER MARINE SUNROOF

    Not only is Chris-Craft launching a new boat model, the Corsair 36 Hard Top, but it's the boatbuilder's first model with a sunroof. For such a monumental first, Chris-Craft chose Webasto Thermo & Comfort North America's Series 60 Marine Roof. "Developing the new hard top for our Corsair 36 with the Webasto team was a rewarding experience," said Chris Collier, VP of engineering, Chris-Craft Corporation. "Their series 60 skylight performed as promised and has so far, met all expectations. We plan to continue with this partnership as we further develop and expand our product line. We chose Webasto over competitor products because of ease of installation, larger overall daylight opening and the customer service relationship."

  • MOTORGUIDE DEBUTS ALL-NEW X3 TROLLING MOTOR FOR 2014

    MotorGuide announces its new X3 trolling motor designed to deliver better performance and durability for anglers looking for the best value in the 40- to 70-pound thrust range. “The new X3 cable-steer trolling motor delivers performance and stability that rivals more expensive motors,” said Ben Curtis, category director for MotorGuide.  “Designed from the ground up, these five-speed motors are both affordable and reliable.” The X3 offers best-in-class steering performance. A dual cable pull-pull steering system eliminates slack, while the innovative patent-pending Variable Ratio Technology (VRT) reduces torque steer feedback and improves responsiveness.  The oversized shafts are rugged and corrosion

  • IMTECH MARINE AND FARUNO MARK HISTORIC 50TH ANNIVERSARY

    Recently, Imtech Marine and Furuno Electric Co. announced the 50th Anniversary of their strategic partnership. To mark the occasion the two companies signed a three-year extension of most of their exclusive contracts and they agreed to explore to extend their cooperation to new opportunities worldwide. Furuno, which was established in Japan in 1948, represents Imtech Marine’s oldest partner relationship. With the 50th Anniversary celebrations taking place in Japan, Imtech Marine’s senior management met with the President of Furuno, Mr Yukio Furuno and Furuno’s senior management.

  • GRANDE SOLEIL IN SALE NEGOTIATIONS

    BAVARIA has recently decided to separate from Grand Soleil, after two successful years. Grand Soleil was purchased in October 2011 out of a “Concordato Preventivo” procedure, a consensual composition with creditors which started almost a year before.The acquisition was executed on the backdrop of a recovering market after the 2008-09 recession and an ambitious development plan in terms of new products and markets.  
    Grand Soleil added a strategic complementary product range to the Bavaria Group. Over €40 million were invested to restructure and re-launch the company through the course of two years. These massive capital investments resulted in a far better and more efficient business: new products, improved market presence, improved dealer network and more efficient production.

  • ASA ELECTRONICS PARTNERS WITH INDEPENDENT BOAT BUILDERS, INC

    ASA Electronics, an international manufacturer of premium audio and video electronics and appliances has partnered with the Independent Boat Builders, Inc. to be the video supplier of choice. Independent Boat Builders, Inc. (IBBI) is the leading marine buying group, with a reputation for financial stability, innovation, and integrity from their membership. IBBI currently has 20 members, located in the United States and Canada. Cumulatively, IBBI manufacturers sell more boats in the U.S. than any other entity. “Our new partnership with ASA will be a good addition for our members.  Their team is very enthusiastic about their products and their video product

  • CHAPARRAL BOATS AWARDED INDUSTRY OF THE YEAR BY BERRIEN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

    At the Berrien County Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet Chaparral Boats, Inc. was awarded Industry of the Year. “We were honored to win the Industry of the Year award for our employees, dealers and suppliers” said Chaparral President, Jim Lane.

    “The Industry of the Year award recognizes local businesses large and small that have made a significant impact on our community either by expanding or improving their business, therefore improving the economy and quality of life for all in the community” said Chrissy Staley, Executive Director of the Berrien County Chamber of Commerce.