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We have learned that a bill that recently passed in the US Senate,  includes a provision that will allow Customs and Border Protection to charge Canadians who travel into the United States a new $5.50 fee.

Senator Charles E. Schumer is not happy about it, so the New York Democrat introduced a bill Tuesday that would stop Customs and Border Protection officials from collecting the fees. These new fees were authorized, without explanation or widespread notice, in recently passed legislation approving a free-trade deal with Colombia.

The highlight of the 2011 Boating Ontario Conference and Trade Show was the keynote presentation by Roch Lambert, Group President at Rec Boat Holdings.

Roch Lambert was previously with Bombardier and BRP, holding a series of  increasingly important positions in that corporation, working on BRP Sea Doo and most recently Evinrude outboard engines before joining Rec Boat Holdings, now builders of Four Winns, Glastron and Wellcraft Boats.

Show organizers have announced that in 2012, the Vancouver International Boat Show's Show Guide will be produced by Kerrwil Publications / Canadian Yachting West.
 
An ad in the official Show Guide allows you to promote your company's products or services during and long after the 2012 show.
 
Mark Collett, the publisher of Canadian Yachting West, will be the Show Guide's Project Manager.

The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) has been granted a trademark renewal for NMEA 2000®, the standard that facilitates networking of marine electronics on recreational and commercial vessels.

A certificate issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office says that the trademark covers software, instructional materials, and the development of standards for promoting the interests of the marine electronics industry, as well as accreditation services, including the developing and administering of standards for certifying professionals in the field.

A recently released report from GE Capital Commercial Distribution Finance Canada (CDF) shares some positive information about product movement and inventory levels across Canada.

Following a broad decline in 2009, the industry rebounded in 2010 due to restocking, returning to normal levels then rising 7% in 2011 for a slight year over year increase.

Association President Dick Peever and Al Donaldson, Executive Director opened the Boating Ontario Conference and Tradeshow on Sunday, December 4 at Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville Ontario.

They addressed the largest group of conference attendees in the past 5 years. Al Donaldson announced with pride that there were 35 new marina attendees to the conference this year.

The American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (ABBA) is collaborating with the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) to bring ABYC’s new webinar training format to ABBRA members. The first ABBRA/ABYC webinar, entitled “Environmental, Health, and Safety Compliance, an Investment in your Company,” is scheduled for Wednesday, December 7, at 1:00 p.m.

The initial live, interactive online ABBRA/ABYC session, presented by Kellie Crete, president and CEO of Ink, Inc., will review new Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) fines and instruct participants on how to remain compliant at their own facilities.

The latest ICOMIA Statistics Book for the worldwide recreational marine industry is now available for purchase. The new edition represents information from 23 major marine leisure markets in the world, estimated to represent over 90% of the global business in the sector.

This annual publication from ICOMIA’s Marine Industry Associations also includes specific detailed national reports, trade data for 35 countries, Super Yacht Statistics reproduced courtesy of Show Boats International/Boat International Media and engine sales statistics.

Mercury Marine and Cummins will transition from their Cummins MerCruiser Diesel Marine (CMD) joint venture to a strategic supply arrangement between the two companies to more effectively and efficiently serve customers in the global diesel marine market.

All business activities will move from CMD to the parent companies, with completion of the transition anticipated by mid-2012. CMD will conduct business as usual through the transition. 

Lowe Boats of Lebanon, Missouri has announced The Boat Warehouse of Kingston Ontario as the world’s largest independent Lowe Boats dealer.

Company president Huw Bower said, “I’m very pleased to inform you that for the model year 2011 The Boat Warehouse was our number-one ranked dealer for gross sales. We are extremely pleased with our strong partnership and look forward to supporting your continued growth and success.”

Rec Boat Holdings has named Kingston, Ontario-based The Boat Warehouse as their largest Four Winns retailer for the 2011 model year.

The Boat Warehouse, a Four Winns dealer for 18 years, has been awarded the coveted top dealer award multiple times.

“We’re extremely proud to have a prestigious dealership such as The Boat Warehouse in the Four Winns retail network,” stated Roch Lambert, Group President, Rec Boat Holdings.

The Victoria Times Colonist newspaper has reported that the developers of a proposed luxury marina in Victoria's harbour are hoping the federal government will make a decision on the project by year's end.

The story explained that Transport Canada originally approved a navigable waters permit in May 2010, and received green lights from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada for a 52-slip marina.

In an effort to recognize the great history of sailing in this province, Ontario Sailing is proud to present the Legends of Ontario Sailing award, sponsored by Canadian Yachting magazine.

Do you know someone who is a Legend to the world of sailing in Ontario? Then nominate them now for the 2012 Legends of Ontario Sailing Award!

But hurry, nominations close November 30th.

The Scotia 44, a true expedition yacht, has been on seatrails since early 2011.  She is a cutter rigged, twin prop, dual helm yacht with a deck salon and pilot house.  Designed by the Maple Marine Design Group in Canada, she will premier to the public at the Miami Strictly Sail in February 2012.  Printed information will also be available in Toronto and Montreal boat shows in the NSBA (Nova Scotia Boat builders Association) booths.  She is semi-custom built with two suggested interior layouts and high class fit and finish.  She is built to CE Cat A (Unlimited Ocean), ABYC, and Canadian Coast Guard class standards.

True North Yachts is pleased to announce that it has added  C&C Tartan to its product portfolio. C&C Tartan has undergone recent ownership change and injections of new capital are reinventing the company from the ground up. Renewed focus starts at the employee level and continues on up the line through the dealer network and ultimately with the customer.  Both brands are refreshing the model lineups and innovative new boats are on the horizon. Custom and semi-custom work allows the owner to get the boat to suit his or her specific needs.

The Financial Post newspaper has reported that Ski-Doo maker BRP Inc. is quietly reviving plans to go public, benefitting from double-digit growth in new motorsport markets such as Russia and capitalizing from a retreat by Asian rivals.

The American owners of the Quebec company, formerly known as Bombardier Recreational Products, have a “horizon of two to five years” from now to monetize their investment — likely through an initial public offering, BRP chief executive José Boisjoli said during an interview at the manufacturer’s headquarters in the Eastern Townships.

Glenn Butt formerly of Jeppesen Marine will join CMC Electronics as the Business Unit Manager for Navico Products.  Glenn’s last position in his successful career with Jeppesen, was Sales and Marketing Manager for North America.

Glenn will work out of CMC’s St. John’s office and will be responsible for Simrad, Simrad Pro, B&G and Lowrance brands across Canada.