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Yamaha Motor Canada is proud to welcome aboard Ken Van Noort! As the new Area Sales Manager, Boats, Ken will be accountable for sales of G3 Boats, Skeeter Boats and Yamaha’s Sport Boat line, from Ontario to BC. A genuine boating enthusiast, you can bet your dock that Ken proves quite valuable to Yamaha’s entire marine division, including outboard and WaveRunner.

For the last 10 years, Ken has specialized in retail sales and set-up for the Boat Shows; The Toronto International Boat Show, Spring Fishing Show, Toronto Sportsmen’s Show, and Cottage Life show.

Registration has begun for the NMEA 2011 International Marine Electronics Conference and Expo to be held at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Myers, FL -September 28 – October 1, 2011.
 
Should you encounter any difficulty or would prefer not to use the online registration you can contact,

They say timing is everything. Well, the June issue of Boating Industry Canada magazine arrived at Canada Post right at the start of the Postal Strike and weeks later, we understand that the first of the issues are finally arriving in mail boxes now, at the start of July.

Luckily, even if your issue has not actually arrived yet, you can go to the Boating Industry Canada website and read the full edition in digital form. Just click here:

To better serve its industrial shrink wrap customers in Canada, international premium shrink wrap supplier Dr. Shrink has chosen to work with C.C. Marine.  C.C. Marine will stock a large variety of thick mil, wide-width shrink wrap and work to promote shrink wrap and accessories in the industrial, construction, agriculture and wind energy markets.

“C.C. Marine has a strong presence in Canada and we’re glad to be working with them,” said Dr. Shrink president Mike Stenberg.  “We’re looking forward to expanding our horizons in Canada by supplying our products to even more customers and in even more industries.”

Recognizing the July 4th and Canada Day weekend as the busiest and most celebratory weekend of the summer boating season, Sea Tow is reminding people to boat responsibly. In addition to reviewing pre-departure checklists, filing float plans, fueling up, and reviewing safety procedures with guests, people who consume alcohol while boating are encouraged to do so in moderation and to always designate a sober skipper.

In an effort to get this message into the hands of boaters, Sea Tow captains across America will be handing out 30,000 koozies – foam can insulators – to boaters during the holiday weekend. The koozies are emblazoned with the message: “Booze and Boats don’t mix. Designate a Sober Skipper.” Sea Tow captains will distribute koozies between Friday, July 1 and Monday, July 4 as their schedules allow.

Raymarine has announced the acquisition of Tacktick from Suunto, a leading manufacturer of sports precision instruments. Tacktick, formed in 1996 and based in Havant, Hampshire UK, develops and manufactures wireless, solar powered instruments for the marine market.

This development presents an exciting opportunity for Raymarine and Tacktick in the global sailboat market.  Currently available through the usual channels, Tacktick equipment complements the Raymarine product range and will eventually be distributed as a product line through Raymarine subsidiaries, distributors and service dealers worldwide.  Tacktick customers will also reap the benefit of Raymarine’s superior marine service network. 

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has announced that entries are being accepted for the 2011 International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) Innovation Awards, one of the marine industry’s most prestigious honors. The Awards presentation takes place during the show’s annual Industry Breakfast on Monday, October 17 from 7:30-9:30 a.m.

IBEX Innovation Awards are judged by Boating Writers International (BWI) in recognition of exceptionally innovative new marine equipment and processes in the OEM and aftermarket sector, and will be on display throughout IBEX October 17 – 19, 2011 in Louisville, KY at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

The International Marina & Boatyard Conference (IMBC) will include a behind–the–scenes “Disney By Design” tour facilitated by Disney Institute, the nationally recognized leader in experiential training for business professionals across the globe. IMBC—produced by the Association of Marina Industries (AMI)—is scheduled for February 1–3, 2012, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

The optional tour will take place on Wednesday, February 1, from 12:30 pm–3:30 pm and costs $99. Participants will discover the techniques and “tricks of the trade” used by Disney artists, designers, and landscapers to turn resorts, theme parks, and office buildings at the Walt Disney World® Resort into masterpieces of illusion.

As a valued member of the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA), your participation in the 2011 Member Survey is extremely important to the NMEA.  The information you supply will enable us to draw a composite picture of member attitudes about what should be the NMEA’s highest priorities in coming years.  It will help the NMEA Board of Directors in its decision-making and help the NMEA National Office provide you with the best possible member services and benefits.

Ottawa Tourism has launched a fresh new consumer advertising campaign targeting Toronto and Montreal with TV, radio and subway ads that dispel the myth that the Capital is a sleepy town where not much happens.

The key messages of the campaign: We don’t roll up our sidewalks at 5 o’clock; Not all of our parties are political; and – thanks to the free Mosaika Sound & Light Show – Parliament Hill is even more entertaining after the politicians have left for the day.

“We wanted to send a signal to our key markets that while they know Ottawa for its national sites, great museums and natural beauty,

Boaters have blown away another world record for inflatable lifejacket wear.  On May 21st, 2011 the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC), in partnership with the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) set an unprecedented “Inflatable Lifejacket World Record” with SmartBoater.ca`s “Ready, Set, Inflate!” event.  Through a coordinated effort across North America, England, Brazil, Japan and Australia an estimated 1,685 participants gathered at more than 99 events held around the world and inflated their lifejackets or wore their inherently buoyant lifejackets to break last year’s record.  This second annual event ushered in North American Safe Boating Awareness Week which ran May 21 – 27, 2011.

The previous world record was set during last year’s “Ready, Set, Inflate!” event, which tallied 1,154 participants.

Recognized for its innovation and growth, SmartPlug Systems has won the Emerging Manufacturer of the Year award.  Part of the second annual Washington Manufacturing Awards, winners were chosen from dozens of nominations by judges convened by Seattle Business magazine.  The awards were recently presented at a dinner with 230 fellow manufacturers present.

“We are so honored to have been selected from approximately 150 entries,” said Ken Smith, founder of SmartPlug.  “We have worked hard to revolutionize shore power systems and we’re very grateful to be recognized for our achievements.

The first-ever Hagerty Classic Marine Hobby Survey was recently completed by classic boat owners representing over 3,000 vintage vessels with a combined value of more than $94 million.  The questionnaire was developed to discover what owners enjoy most about the classic boating lifestyle, as well as what concerns, motivates and keeps them on board. 

“This study proves that classic boat owners are an energetic and enthusiastic group with a true passion for the hobby,” said Carla Gernhofer, Vice President of Hagerty Marine.

The “Power Boating Academy” introduces for Ontario marine dealers, the “Customer Driving Certification Program”.

Dealers can now reduce liability and increase their customer’s boating enjoyment, through a certified customer driver training program. Every dealer wants to know that his customers have the ability to drive a boat properly and safely. There may be a new boater who lacks experience, or the customer could be an old boating pro that simply wants to upgrade techniques. Whatever your customer’s situation, a fun filled Power Boating Academy course is something that benefits everyone.

All boaters are welcome at Aquapalooza 2011, Ontario’s Premier Boating Event.

Hosted by Skyline Marina, their Aquapalooza 2011 event is fast approaching. Aquapalooza 2011 takes place on Saturday, July 23, from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM. This is a major, annual On-Water party and all are invited to join the Skyline Team at Papoose Bay, located on the southern end of Beausoleil Island, Georgian Bay. The Aquapalooza 2011 event is water access only and the coordinates are  44.847563N 79.858332W

Roch Lambert, Group President for Rec Boat Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Platinum Equity Affiliates’ PBH Marine Group, LLC in Michigan, will be the keynote speaker at the 2011 Boating Ontario Conference.  Mr. Lambert is the President of the recreational boat division, which includes the Four Winns, Glastron, and Wellcraft brands.

Roch Lambert’s keynote address will be extremely interesting as he has been one of the key strategists in the revitalization of the brands Four Winns, Glastron and Wellcraft after they were acquired out of bankruptcy in early 2010, along with the fishing boat brands, Ranger, Stratos, and Champion.