Volvo Penta has just launched two new V8 gasoline engines for their sterndrive and inboard applications; the V8-225 and the V8-380.
Claimed to be the cleanest engine ever from Volvo Penta, the V8-225 combines fuel economy of a V6 with high altitude power, durability and class leading acceleration.
With eight cylinders and 5.7 liter displacement, the V8-225 delivers torque, power and world class performance across the entire speed range.
Charles Industries, Ltd. has announced that Fred Kolacki has joined the company as National Sales Manager – Marine Group effective immediately.
Kolacki’s responsibilities include coordination and management of Charles’ worldwide marine sales representative team. In addition, he will lead and oversee implementation of strategic sales and customer development to achieve profitable growth and market share objectives with Charles’ Marine OEM, distribution, and retail customers. He will also be responsible for driving pricing strategy and marketing plan development and execution, while also providing leadership and input to new product development and design.
It is with great regret that the American Boat & Yacht Council is announcing the retirement of Judith Ramsey, ABYC’s Membership Director. Judith has a long history with ABYC creating the ultimate customer service environment. The sentiment we always hear from our members is “if you want it done, call Judith!” Judith was also the driving force behind ABYC’s popular publication “The Reference Point,” spending hours contacting authors, proofing articles and ensuring deadlines were met. It is a rare occasion to meet a member that has not at one time or another had assistance from Judith. Please join us in wishing Judith good luck as she moves on to her next challenge…she will be missed!
Wearing a Canadian Yachting logo shirt, Boating Industry Canada and Canadian Yachting Managing Editor Andy Adams had just arrived at the Sea Ray Homecoming Event in Knoxville, Tennessee when he heard, “Hey! Canadian Yachting!”
It was a couple who had come all the way from Vernon, BC (and won the Long Distance Award as well) to attend the 2012 Sea Ray Homecoming. They have a 370 Sundancer and their enthusiasm as owners was all it took to convince them to make the trip.
BRP announced on September 14th, that it will exit the sport boat business over the coming months, citing the continued global sales decline in the marine industry, particularly the drop in sales of sport boats since the financial crisis.
“This is a difficult but necessary decision for BRP,” said José Boisjoli, president and CEO. “We worked hard to grow our sport boat business through a serious sales decline that began in 2007. But now, we must focus our research and development resources and capital investments in areas of our business that offer greater growth potential.”
Mercury Marine has received 2012 Marine Industry Customer Satisfaction Index Awards in the outboard, sterndrive and inboard categories from the National Marine Manufacturers Association.
Mercury Marine is the only engine manufacturer to win awards in multiple categories.
The Marine Industry CSI Awards program honors manufacturers that actively measure customer satisfaction and emphasize continual improvement to better serve the customer.
Canadian dealers were three of the eight boat dealerships from across North America that earned Crestliner’s prestigious Million-Dollar Club Award for 2012, an increase in the number of award winners compared to the previous year. The Million-Dollar Club Award winners were awarded by Crestliner President Ben Cast, who was accompanied by Andy Graves, president of Brunswick Boat Group, and Jeff Kinsey, president of Freshwater Boat Group, during the company’s Dealer Meeting, heldrecently in Crestliner’s home state of Minnesota.
To earn Million-Dollar Club membership, a dealer’s annual sales of Crestliner products must be in excess of $1million.
Navico — a world leader in recreational marine electronics and parent company to the Lowrance, Simrad Yachting and B&G brands — announced today that it has been awarded the West Marine Vendor of the Year Award for the second year in a row. Presented at the company’s 2012 Annual VIV (Very Important Vendor) Conference, West Marine awarded Navico the top honor for consistent excellence in collaboration, product quality, sales growth and excellent customer service.
“We are truly honored that West Marine has recognized us as Vendor of the Year for the second year running,” said Louis Chemi, chief operating officer, Navico Americas.
There is still time to register for the 5th Annual Boating Ontario Dealer’s David de Eyre Classic Golf Tournament being held on Thursday September 13th, 2012 at the Nottawasaga Inn & Resort in Alliston. Registration and the Driving Range will be open at 11:00am, with shot gun start at 12:30pm. Cost per player is $135.00 plus HST which includes: driving range, golf, power cart, bbq lunch & steak dinner. What a great way to meet some new people in the industry and network out of the office.
The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and the North Central Marine Association announced today that the MRAA has been selected to assume the management of the NCMA.
The NCMA, based in Minneapolis, is a nearly 60-year-old marine trades association that serves the state of Minnesota and businesses from neighboring states. The award-winning trade association was managed for years by a local management firm, but when the recession hit, it narrowed its offerings to the services of a full-time lobbyist. Now, the NCMA is officially back up and running at full capacity, thanks to a working relationship between the two associations.
Baja Marine, Inc. (bajamarine.com) has resumed production on new boats, as well as offering Elite Service for customers' existing boats, at its facility in Washington, North Carolina. The company announced it will re-introduce three popular offshore models for 2013: the Baja 278 Performance, 30 Outlaw and 35 Outlaw, with exciting new graphics and a full range of Mercury power options. Baja's family-friendly performance boat line also includes the 23 and 26 Outlaw, 247 and 277 Islander models.
"Baja is back in production after a few months' shutdown," said Baja Marine CEO Johnny Walker.
The following notice was released on September 5, 2012 by Mustang Survival. In keeping with Mustang Survival’s commitment to the highest levels of quality and safety, we are notifying the public of an urgent advisory for specific Hydrostatic inflatable PFDs manufactured during April and May of 2012. A portion of these PFDs may be subject to delayed or non-inflations. To determine if you are impacted by this precautionary advisory please reference the instructions below.
Skyline Marina has announced that they have already sold both a 391 and a 441 Meridian 2013 model.
These represent great value in a flying bridge boat. Meridian Yachts is the industry leader in the growing Sedan Bridge segment of the marine market. The lineup consists of four models, 341 Sedan, 391 Sedan, 441 Sedan and the Flagship 541 Sedan.
STATS™ which stands for "Sierra Touch And Test System" is an innovative new handheld engine diagnostic tool from Teleflex Marine. Now a marine technician can plug into a marine engine’s Electronic Control Module (ECM) and diagnose engine problems without needing a laptop or PC. Technicians will save time – and dealers will save money – moving directly to the job, instead of having to maneuver a boat trailer or motor on a stand to the computer bay, or roll around an ungainly computer cart. Engine diagnostics can even be performed on boats while they’re still in the water.
Mercury Marine has launched two important construction projects to support growth and the company’s commitment to provide the most advanced products, and to increase manufacturing capacity within its Fond du Lac facilities.
The areas under expansion include product development and engineering, component manufacturing and fabrication.
The enhanced capacity and operations will be fully operational by the end of 2013. The total cost will near $20 million.
The Moorings, the world’s leading yacht charter company, announced today it will now offer Power Yacht Charters aboard the Moorings 393 Powercat in the Pacific Northwest with their Preferred Partner, Anacortes Yacht Charters.
The expansive cruising range offered by this power catamaran will allow charter guests to enjoy the natural splendor and lively cosmopolitan atmosphere offered by a two-country itinerary throughout U.S. and Canadian waters.
Rec Boat Holdings presented the top retailer awards for Four Winns and Glastron dealers at their recent dealer meeting, held at Lake Geneva in Fontana, Wisconsin. Each brand presented the awards during a presentation of the 2013 model year programs.
Glastron award winners, presented by company Vice-President, Bruce Sargent, were honored for Outstanding CSI as well as Top Volume. The Four Winns sales achievement awards were presented by company Vice-President, Jeff Brunson, in the categories of Outstanding CSI, Best Market Growth, Largest Volume and the prestigious Admiral Awards. And finally, International awards were presented by Vice-President, Bruce Baron, to those dealers ranking best in Top Volume and Admiral Award for both brands.
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.”
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.