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BRP will eliminate traditional model year designations for Evinrude outboard engines. Beginning in April 2012, model year designations will no longer be used. Instead, the date of manufacture will be referenced on the serial number label, located on each Evinrude outboard engine. Benefits to model year elimination include:
• Quicker Product Updates – Consumers will not have to wait for a model year transition to receive the latest product developments from Evinrude
• Simplicity – Instead of tracking two model years, one for the boat and one for the engine, Evinrude outboard owners will only have to reference the model year of their boat package.

World leading waterjet manufacturer HamiltonJet has reached a significant production milestone with the recent completion of its 10,000th HJ212 waterjet model.  This achievement cements the HJ212 as the world’s most popular individual waterjet model, and highlights the on-going popularity of shallow river boating both recreationally and commercially.

“The first HJ212 was built in February 1995, and was later fitted into a NZ-built sprint racing boat sponsored by HamiltonJet and Shell.  Serial number 10,000 HJ212 is being installed into an all new 23 foot Harbercraft 2375 V8 powered jet boat.

Zim Sailing has announced that its product line of Optimist, C420 and CFJ will expand to include the Byte CII dinghy.

“This is a very exciting time for Zim Sailing,” said company president Steve Perry, who recently acquired the Byte CII from Canada’s PS2000 and will serve as the exclusive builder and distributor for the CII. “The CII is a perfect fit to the Zim line. It provides a great transition from the Optimist into a great single-handed boat.”

Zim will be distributing the boat throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

George Bellwoar, VP of sales and marketing for Perko, has been elected to serve a second term as chairman of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC).  The position has a one-year term.

Bellwoar has more than 30 years of marine OEM and aftermarket industry experience, encompassing the recreational, commercial and military segments.  In addition to his service to ABYC, he previously served as chairman of the board for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), and sat on numerous trade committees.

Boston Whaler is proud to announce that its manufacturing facility has reached three million hours without a lost-time accident or illness. The facility has a long history of emphasizing and practicing worker safety in the production of its high-quality, “unsinkable” boats.

“Safety and quality are a part of the Boston Whaler culture, and the extraordinary achievement of three million hours is a testament to that commitment,” says Boston Whaler President, Tim Schiek. “Our employees care about what they do, and about the Whaler brand. This record is affirmation of that passion.”

Northport Systems Inc., leading producer of desktop and mobile navigation and mapping software products, and MarineFuel.com have announced that they have entered into a long-term partnership agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will provide software solutions designed to extend and enhance MarineFuel.com’s service offerings. An e-commerce data portal that centralizes vital marina and marine fueling information for the U.S., Bahamas and the Caribbean, Marinefuel.com is the active mariners preferred resource for digital and on-demand services regarding real-time Fuel Dock Prices™, marina travel logistics, and wholesale fuel brokerage.

Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire has signed Senate Bill 6171, which eases the pilotage requirements for foreign-flagged vessels. Taking effect on June 7, 2012, foreign-flagged boats up to 750 gross tons and under 200 feet can apply for a pilotage exemption. The previous legislation capped the exemption at 500 gross tons (and 200 feet).

"This legislation is one more step that we can take to making our state's world-class cruising grounds more accessible to tourists.

Nautique is excited to introduce their next generation wake boat that will forever change what the industry thought possible. The all-new Super Air Nautique G23 redefines what a wake boat can be. The Super Air Nautique G23 will kick off the wake season at the 2012 Nautique Wake Games in Orlando, FL, April 11-14.

Nautique’s designers, engineers and team of professional riders started with a clean slate and created a wake that gives every rider the opportunity to do things they only dreamed possible.

Members of the Mercury Marine family expressed sadness Friday regarding the death of television host and fishing legend Jose Wejebe, and offered condolences to the family of the longtime friend and partner of the boat engine company.

Wejebe of Summerland Key in Florida was killed Friday afternoon in a plane crash immediately after takeoff from Everglades City, Fla. He was the host of “Spanish Fly,” a popular weekly fishing show sponsored by Mercury Marine that took viewers on exciting visual fishing journeys throughout the world.

Were they cruising sailors or asylum seekers? One sailor is dead and three are missing and presumed dead after a yacht with nine persons on board issued a distress call off the coast of Nova Scotia in what is being investigated as a case of human smuggling.

Apparently the source of the suspicion is that the yacht, SV Tabasco 2, was not registered to any country and that some of those rescued have asked for asylum.

The Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said that the boat might have been trying to smuggle people into Canada based on its actions.

On April 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved E15 (gasoline with 15 percent ethanol) as a registered fuel. This is one step closer to seeing low-cost, renewable E15 sold into the American fuels marketplace, according to a release by the Renewable Fuels Association, an American lobby group promoting the use of ethanol in fuel.

"Our nation needs E15 to reduce our dependence on foreign oil – it will keep gas prices down at the pump and help to end the extreme fluctuations in gas prices caused by our reliance on fuel from unstable parts of the world," said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy

Could this be the answer to gaining more cottage and boating time?

The Composites World Newsletter shared a story that Terrafugia (Woburn, Mass., USA) reported on April 2 that its composites-intensive Transition Street-Legal Airplane is now a significant step closer to being a commercial reality. The production prototype of the Transition Street-Legal Airplane completed its successful first flight at Plattsburgh International Airport (Plattsburgh, N.Y., USA) on March 23.

Skyline Marina is pleased to announce we have extended our already industry leading brand depth with the addition of another Brunswick Group manufacturer in Meridian Yachts. This is an ideal addition to our already stand alone brands that include Sea Ray and Hatteras Yachts.

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.

Beneteau Powerboats Division along with leaders from multiple sectors within the marine industry are preparing Beneteau’s latest Swift Trawler 34, appropriately named The Greatest Loop, for her maiden voyage around The Great Loop beginning May 15, 2012 in Annapolis, MD and returning to Annapolis in September 2012.

Laurent Fabre, vice president of sales and marketing for Beneteau’s Powerboats Division explains, “While many have taken the pilgrimage around The Great Loop,

The venture arm of the Bosch Group has invested in Torqeedo, the global leader in electric outboard motors from Starnberg, Germany.  Since its formation in 2005, Torqeedo has been known to boaters as the undisputed pioneer in electric outboards.  Its multiple award-winning motors feature record levels of efficiency, integrated lithium batteries, an ultra-light design and innovative on-board computers.

Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH has acquired a minority share in Torqeedo.  This financing round will help Torqeedo to accelerate its growth and continue to develop its range of innovative products.

BRP will assemble specialized motorized vehicles derived from its line of products in a new plant located in Sherbrooke. This facility will concentrate on assembling customized vehicles to meet the requirements of governments, municipalities, institutions and agencies, as well as individual consumers.

"This decision allows us to first assemble gasoline-powered vehicles with specific requirements from our existing products for which we already have orders from the Middle East," said José Boisjoli, president and CEO.

The number one click-through rate on Boating Industry Canada’s well-read website and in our weekly electronic newsletter, Newsweek is for the Career Opportunities column.

In the spring, many businesses need to staff up for the season. As a benefit to our readers and to the industry, Boating Industry Canada will run your Career Opportunity job postings for free!

SOS Marine, an Australian manufacturer of marine safety equipment, has appointed Rekord Marine as its dedicated distributor for North America.

Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Rekord Marine will be looking after the SOS Dan Buoy, a compact inflatable marker-buoy that can be thrown into the water as a rescue device.

Rekord Marine has over 40 years experience distributing a wide range of marine products to both the leisure and commercial sectors.

The BCMTA Board of Directors recently elected its Executive team during the first meeting of the Board since the AGM on February 10th when Alan Stovell announced his intention to step aside as President and serve his remaining elected year as a Director-at-Large.

Succeeding Alan Stovell as President is Don Prittie of Canoe Cove Marina. Michael Short of False Creek Fuels was elected First Vice President and Stewart Jones, Pro-Tech Yacht Services, Second Vice President. Chris Goulder, Volvo Penta Canada, remains Past President and Treasurer.