DRSA of Riviera Beach, Florida, has once again been selected by the American Boatbuilders Association (ABA) as a Preferred ABA Supplier of Choice for marine interior lighting and Vimar electrical devices. The agreement extends the partnership between DRSA and ABA through June 30, 2015.
The American Boatbuilders Association is America’s leading buying group for independent boat builders.
The Financial Post on July 18th, wrote that TCF Inventory Finance, Inc. (“TCFIF”), a subsidiary of TCF National Bank and an indirect subsidiary of TCF Financial Corporation (“TCF”) (NYSE: TCB), had announced that it has entered into a multi-year agreement with Independent Boat Builders, Inc. (“IBBI”). TCFIF will provide wholesale floorplan financing solutions to the 22 boat manufacturers that are members of IBBI in the United States and Canada.
“We are very excited to begin this relationship with IBBI,” said Ross Perrelli, President and Chief Executive Officer of TCFIF. “I am highly confident that our dedication to our customers and strong commitment to the marine industry make TCFIF the best choice for IBBI and its members.”
For the first time in nearly three decades, American drivers can now choose a new fueling option at the pump. The nation’s first E15 (15 percent ethanol/85 percent gasoline) gallons are being sold at the Zarco 66 “Oasis” station at 1500 E. 23rd Street in Lawrence, KS. Plans to offer E15 at the nation’s second retail station, the Zarco 66 at 2518 E. Logan (intersection of I-35 & HWY 68) in Ottawa, KS, are nearly complete with an announcement coming soon.
On June 8, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave final approval for the sale and use of E15 ethanol blends in light duty vehicles made since 2001.
Mercury Marine announced the company has started the production of a second-generation 8.2L engine this past week. The engine – an improved version of the 8.2L released by MerCruiser in early 2010 – has been redesigned to enhance user experience on several fronts. The engine is scheduled to reach dealerships and to be available for consumer purchase by mid-August.
It starts with the second-generation 8.2L engine block that is MerCruiser-crafted to be available in sterndrive and inboard configurations.
The Barracuda, Beneteau’s newest powerboat range will launch in North America next month with the arrival of the Barracuda 9. The new 29-foot outboard, which features a modular design, was built to satisfy the needs of fishermen, divers and recreational boaters who value versatility and durability.
“The inspiration for the Barracuda was to build a fishing/cruising crossover which could easily be customized based on its intended use while providing more protection than ever; we believe that is the real appeal of the range.
Kevin Milne president Mars Metal Group, is proud to announce the addition of Willem Vraets to their Custom Keel Division as European Sales agent with their European Sales Division. With an extensive background in marine and offshore applications Willem brings a broad base of experience to the MarsKeel team.
Willem Vraets has a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering and business administration.
With his family, his CC Marine Distributors family and a large group of friends and business associates, Charlie Bulmer celebrated his 80th birthday on Friday, July 13.
Charlie continues to work on the business every day and puts in the same kind of effort he always has in support of his customers and the many suppliers to CC Marine Distributors. The turnout at the 80th birthday party was tremendous and predictable.
According to a July 14, 2012 release by The Canadian Press, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is acquiring roughly 75 per cent of Helly Hansen from Altor Fund II, which is keeping a quarter stake in the company. Financial terms weren’t disclosed in Friday’s announcement.
“Helly Hansen is an iconic brand with a long heritage and a strong commitment to innovation and design,” said Teachers Private Capital vice-president Jo Taylor, who heads the pension plan’s London office.
Brownell Trailers of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, manufacturer of hydraulic boat trailers and ROK Boat Stands, has chosen Woodard and Company Ltd., to represent the company’s product lines in Canada.
Woodard and Company has offices across Canada and has been representing manufacturers of marine OEM and aftermarket products since 1967.
Xantrex Technology has launched its own comprehensive internal quality testing system which it has applied to all product platforms, christened “H.A.L.T.” for Highly Accelerated Life Testing.
As an IS090001:2008 registered company, Xantrex products are all put through the rigors of independent laboratories testing. However, Xantrex has chosen to further invest heavily in its own safety, quality and reliability procedures to ensure that its products meet or exceed all required standards, with the goal to ultimately improve product reliability and performance.
Cruisers Yachts has announced that a private unveiling of the 45 Cantius will take place at its 2013 annual international dealer meeting in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., held July 30 to Aug. 1, 2012, followed by a public debut at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show this October. The stylish 45 Cantius, complete with Volvo Diesel IPS propulsion, is the sister yacht to both the 41 and the 48 Cantius; the Cantius line originally launched in 2010.
“Both the 41 and 48 really set a standard for engineering design in the Cantius family; it was up to our engineers to not only hit, but to exceed those standards with the 45.”
In a letter to the dealers on July 10th, John T. Peterson, President or Hunter Marine Corporation announced that Marlow Acquisitions has been approved to acquire Hunter Marine corporation. The letter, sent on July 10, 2012, stated that the US District Court has approved the sale of the operating assets of Hunter Marine Corporation; and selected assets of Mainship Corporation and Luhrs Corporation to Marlow Acquisitions, LLC.
Marlow Acquisitions is affiliated with other Marlow companies worldwide operating across a broad spectrum of Marine and related industries in a vertically integrated manufacturing and distribution environment.
Whether out cruising for the day or sitting at the docks, boat owners have free access to thousands of local weather reports through the WeatherLink Network. Hosted by Davis Instruments, WeatherLink Network provides detailed, current weather conditions to any boat owner with a computer or compatible mobile phone.
The community of Davis weather stations at weatherlink.com has more than 9,000 real-time reporting stations worldwide.
Cobble Beach’s award-winning links-style golf course, designed by Doug Carrick, is now accessible by boat and seaplane with the launch of a new floating day dock. The latest addition to the distinguished luxury resort community marks a new destination on Georgian Bay. As the only golf course in the area with direct water access, the 260 ft. dock has already attracted chartered aircrafts and mariners from across the region.
“This is one of the largest day docks in the area, and we are very excited to provide a new recreational and commercial destination to communities all around Georgian Bay and beyond,” says Rob McLeese, President and Owner of Cobble Beach.
The Thetford Corporation family is in mourning after Mary R. Burrows, 53, the company's long-time manager of chemical engineering and a true RV industry expert, died following a bicycle accident near her home in Dexter, Michigan.
"Mary was a wonderful friend, person and co-worker," Thetford executive vice president Kevin Phillips said. "She was liked and respected by everyone who worked at Thetford the past three decades. Mary touched so many people…to say that she will be greatly missed is an understatement."
Fortress Anchors, is keeping environmental issues in the forefront by re-purchasing a quantity of FX37 anchors from BP, that were used to hold booms in oil spill. The Fortress factory has completely refurbished these for resale through marine dealers in the marketplace.
This popular, high holding power, stronger than steel, aluminum/magnesium alloy Fortress FX37, which is adjustable for sand and mud applications, weighs about 22 lbs. and is recommended for up to 51 ft.boats.
Effective immediately, Fred Lachlan has assumed the role of Sales Director, reporting directly to Clint Moore, President, Volvo Penta of the Americas.
Fred has a long history with Volvo Penta products. In addition to his 15 years of experience as a Volvo Penta distributor, Fred has been an employee of Volvo Penta Canada since 1993, most recently serving as National Sales Manager.
After months of arduous tests and interviews, the top 10 Yamaha technicians from across Canada arrived at Yamaha Motor Canada Ltd. headquarters in Toronto for the 2012 Technician Grand Prix. Competitors were put through ten skill-testing labs that included troubleshooting mechanical issues, precision measurement and customer service interviews.
By the end of the competition, Darrin Ostapowich of Schultz Motorsports in Kamloops, BC was awarded the title of Tech GP Champion.
BRP has appointed 17-year veteran Alain Villemure as vice-president and general manager of its Outboard Engine division. As such, he will be responsible for all outboard engine-related activities including product development, manufacturing operations as well as North American sales, marketing and after-sales.
Villemure is currently leading the Vehicle Development and Manufacturing Operations division that includes all vehicle-related development,
A group of BRP employees were involved in a fatal boating mishap last week. The company released the following statement: It is with much sadness that BRP must report that two of our employees and three of Milsco employees, a BRP supplier, were involved in a serious boating accident during a trial ride in Rend Lake located in Benton Illinois yesterday (June 27) at approximately 3:30 p.m. CST.
Our first employee involved in the accident has sustained non-life threatening injuries.