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On January 16th 2012 at the Toronto International Boat Show, the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association, NMMA Canada announced  the first annual Canadian Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract for 2010 and 2011.

The data from Transport Canada and Stats Canada, reveals statistics on Canada’s recreational boating retail sales, participation and boater demographics, the overall retail market, imports/exports and economic factors which impact the industry.

Saturday, January 14 was opening day for the 2012 Toronto International Boat Show and the crowds poured in and stayed till closing with busy aisles and painfully long line ups to go aboard many of the more “aspirational” boats.

The weather was cooperative and that continued through Sunday with lower crowd levels but not by much. More importantly, several dealers told us that they were writing sales contracts. When we asked one exhibitor how his first weekend was, he answered, “Smokin! We have deals on five of our new express cruisers!”

Campion Marine Inc. of Kelowna, British Columbia is pleased to announce the introduction of two new Chase outboard models; the 16’-7” 500 and the 17’-10” 530 as well as two new Chase I/O models; the 500i and 530i.

“The four new Chase models were received well by our dealers at our 2012 Dealer Meeting and it shows with steady orders since their introduction”, said Brock Elliott, Campion Marine’s General Manager. “With these four new models, we have opened the Chase line to many more people who have always appreciated the Chase brand and features.”

The Canadian Wildlife Federation and the Canadian Yachting Association have signed a Memorandum of Understanding recognizing their shared interest in the health of lakes and oceans and the special connection sailors have to habitats and wildlife.

“This is a watershed moment for aquatic stewardship and I’m honoured to sit at the helm with the Canadian Yachting Association,” said. “By participating in sailing events, conducting public lectures, creating an online community of sailors, and supporting water education ambassadors, CWF and its partners inspire experiential learning about responsible boating and racing, marine and fresh water wildlife in distress, environmental hazards, aquatic wildlife and best practices.”

The RSVP date has passed, but there are still seats available at the Business Development Session, “Building Bench Strength – How Strong Is Yours?”
 
Also, this will be a special opportunity to meet the new President and CEO of GE Commercial Distribution Finance, Mr. Howard Shiebler. Mr. Shiebler is a former marina owner himself. Don't miss this chance to see him in person!

MarineMax Vacations is pleased to announce the addition of power catamarans to its charter fleet. Initially, 10 new and well-equipped power catamarans will be available for charter beginning on June 1, 2012, at the MarineMax Vacations charter base in the British Virgins Islands, operating from the beautiful Hodges Creek Marina. The MarineMax 382 is a customized Aquila 38 Power Cat, designed by the internationally famous naval architect team of Morelli and Melvin based out of Los Angeles and built by Sino Eagle Yachts based out of Fuyang City, China.

“We are extremely pleased to offer our customers a modern power catamaran with particular emphasis on improving comfort on board,” said Raul Bermudez, VP of Sales and Marketing at MarineMax Vacations.

Johnson Outdoors Inc., and Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc., and Navico, Inc. are pleased to announce they have resolved their dispute relating to Johnson Outdoors’ patented Humminbird® Side Imaging® sonar technology and Navico's StructureScan™ accessory to its displays. As a result of the settlement, the case has been dismissed. The companies have mutually agreed that the terms of the out-of-court settlement will remain confidential.

Sea Ray Boats is pleased to announce that it has won the Best Boat Display award at the 2012 Progressive Insurance New York Boat Show. The display was chosen from 60 boat exhibits and was judged based on use of space, appeal of display, promoting the boating lifestyle and enhancing the customer experience.

“Sea Ray was chosen for a number of reasons,” said Jon Pritko of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and manager for the boat show. “First, the display is absolutely visually stunning.

Nautic Global Group, Inc., one of the largest boat manufacturers in North America, recently announced changes in their sales operation. 

All of Nautic Global Group’s Canadian dealers will now be serviced by industry veterans Wayne Blackburn and David Dusome. Blackburn and Dusome are both newcomers to the Nautic Global Group Team.

“We are thrilled to have Dave and Wayne on the Nautic Global Group team,” said Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Doug Sexton. “Their experience and professionalism are a perfect fit for our organization.”

Campion Marine Inc. of Kelowna, British Columbia is excited to announce that it has taken over production, marketing and distribution of the Infinyte Marine brand of electric boats. The Infinyte line consists of the 14’ i4, the 12’ i3 and the 9’ i2.

The Infinyte brand is a new category of watercraft; whisper quiet, pollution free, affordable and very easy-to-use. Best of all, you will never have to spend money on gasoline to propel your Infinyte.

All 3 Infinyte models will be on display at the Toronto Boat Show beginning January 14th through to the 22nd.

It’s wonderful family entertainment, a great way to get people thinking about boating and kids 16 or under are FREE!

Remember that you can get Show Passes to give away to key customers from the Show Management and you only pay for those tickets that get used.

Let the show build up the boating excitement that can help you close a deal.

Canadian professional ice hockey centre Brendan Morrison with the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League has announced that he will again host the Tofino Saltwater Classic Fishing Derby fundraising event to be held for the third consecutive year in Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, from July 7 – 8, 2012.

To date, the Saltwater Classic has raised more than $45,000 to support Tofino community initiatives including the Wickaninnish School Parent Advisory Council's Healthy Lunch Program, the Tofino General Hospital Foundation, The Tofino Parks and Recreation program and the Tofino Salmon Enhancement Society.

MarineMax Vacations has announced the arrival of 13 new Dufour yachts at Hodges Creek Marina in Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI). The MarineMax 413 (Dufour 405, European Boat of the Year 2010) and the MarineMax 433 (Dufour 425) are immediately available for charter in the most stunning cruising destination in the world, the BVI. Hodges Creek Marina, located a short taxi ride from the BVI airport at Beef Island, is located in crystal clear water, cooled by beautiful trade winds, ensuring a perfect start to a charter vacation.

Our readers and especially the antique boat collectors among the group will be interested to learn that Miss America VIII, Gar Wood's two-time Harmsworth Trophy winning race boat will be offered at Mecum's Kissimmee Auction as Lot S239, on Saturday Jan. 28, 2012 in Kissimmee, Fla.

A winner of the coveted Harmsworth Trophy in 1929 and 1931, Miss America VIII is fitted with its original one-off Miller V16 1113 CI engines, which were specially designed for Miss America VIII by the legendary Indy car and engine builder, Harry Miller, to break the World's Speed Record.  Regarded as the most valuable wooden boat offered by Mecum so far, Miss America VIII is a collectible of historic proportions.

CBC News has reported that Opacmare Americas has laid off all of its staff except one. The Italian marine equipment manufacturer established an office in Poole’s Corner, Prince Edward Island in 2008.

Opacmare Americas, which received more than C$3m in government aid, originally planned to employ more than 100 people at the P.E.I. location, but the news service said that about six were recently working in Poole’s Corner. The facility was making teak and stainless gangways, and hydraulic cranes for tenders.

What happens when you don’t have a strong bench?

The Indianapolis Colts just found out. Quarterback great Peyton Manning did not lead his team onto the field at the start of this season for the first time in 227 consecutive games. Apparently the coaches were caught off guard; nobody seems to have planned for that eventual likelihood. The Colts were left scrambling and had to bring 38-year-old Kerry Collins out of retirement, and were quickly onto another quarterback! The result? The Colts finished the season 2-14! Unfortunately, we see this same pattern played out every day in business.

Fred Moore & Aaron Moore, Principals Breakwater Marine, and Erik Nelson, Vice President of Sales & Marketing Carver Yachts, LLC announced today a new long term partnership agreement in the Pacific Northwest as the authorized Dealer representative servicing the premium yacht market.

“We are proud to confirm a strong partnership for a very important market for Carver Yachts,” commented Nelson.