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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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On Wednesday, December 20, David McPhail of Boatcan Computer Boat Search contacted us to say that there was a major fire in St Clair Township burning that morning.  At the time, he said a storage building containing as many as 50 boats was ablaze at Coopmans Marina on Old River Road Port Lambton.  Witnesses reported hearing some explosions and heavy black smoke filled the air.

Fire Chief Roy Dewhirst reported that St Clair Township Firefighters from Port Lambton and Becher stations had been called to the scene just after  7am.

The Anacortes, Washington-based luxury yacht builder, SanJuanYachts, have now decided to install the Niles® Intellicontrol® ICS System in every new 48-foot SanJuan48 yacht they build!

“We strive to build the exact yacht that each customer desires, so when a customer came to us and requested we put in the Niles ICS System, we happily obliged,” said co-founder Donald Campbell. “He had used the system in his home and really loved it, so he wanted that same experience in his new SanJuan48.  Our team installed the system for the first time with incredible ease, and we soon understood what the owner loved about the system.

For the first time in the 48-year history of the 24 HEURES MOTOAUTIQUES ROUEN an all-female racing team has decided to compete in Class II to conquer the River Seine.

The worlds best female in-shore pilots including Bimba Sjoholm of Sweden, Marie-Line Hericher of France and Canadian Tammy Wolf have come together to form the greatest international all-female racing team to compete at this event.

Software manufacturer Northport Systems Inc, announced that company founder Samuel Arthur Rea, Jr. died this past Sunday, December 18th following a two-year battle with cancer. Born November 10, 1944 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Sam grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and attended Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University in 1966, earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University in 1972 and joined the University of Toronto faculty in 1971.

That’s Brock Elliott!

And the reindeer are not missing; they are not required. This is Campion Boats’ new electric boat and it is the brainchild of designer Neil Gilbert. A stylized (and less practical) design variation of this boat appeared in the August 2008 issue of Boating Industry Canada, on pages 21 through 23 in an article by John Morris. Want to see that? Go to www.boatingindustry.ca and click on "Digital Archive"  – enter your name and email and then double click "August 2008".

Cruising World magazine announced the winners of its 19th annual Boat of the Year awards. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 379 was named Best Midsize Cruiser 36 to 40 feet and the best Domestic Boat of the Year.

The all-new, Marc Lombard designed Sun Odyssey 379 has been making waves all around the globe. Since its official introduction at the Sydney Boat Show in Australia, the boat has proven adaptable to the needs of every sailing area. With 3 keel versions, including a specially-designed winged shoal keel and a beachable swing keel version, along with several sail plans and interior layouts the Sun Odyssey 379 has something for every sailor.

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 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.