Changing Scene

Freedom Boat Club Sets New Global Record with 640,000+ Member Boating Trips in 2025, Marking Third Consecutive Year Above 600,000

February 10, 2026 Freedom Boat Club, the world’s largest boat club and a Brunswick Corporation brand, announced a record-breaking year in 2025, with members logging more than 640,000 boating trips worldwide. The milestone represents over 5 percent year-over-year growth and marks the third consecutive year Freedom Boat Club has surpassed 600,000 member trips, underscoring the brand’s continued global…

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boot Düsseldorf 2026 Puts Global Water Sport Industry on Course

February 10, 2026 There was an excellent atmosphere in the exhibition halls when boot 2026, the world’s largest water sports trade fair, recently closed its doors in Düsseldorf, Germany, after nine days: “After the difficult past few years with sluggish sales, our exhibitors are back on track. They report very good discussions and business deals at their…

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Global Marine Industry Leaders to Gather in Washington, D.C. for ICOMIA & IFBSO Congress 2026

February 10, 2026 The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and the International Federation of Boat Show Organizers (IFBSO) will convene the ICOMIA & IFBSO Congress 2026 in Washington, D.C. from 24–28 May 2026, hosted by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Set in the United States—widely recognised as the largest market in the global recreational…

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MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. and Marine Products Corporation to Combine, Creating a Diversified Portfolio of Proven Recreational Marine Brands

February 10, 2026 MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCFT) (“MasterCraft”), a leading innovator, designer, and manufacturer of premium performance and leisure powerboats and Marine Products Corporation (NYSE: MPX) (“Marine Products”), a leading manufacturer of recreation and sport fishing powerboats, on February 5th, 2026 announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which MasterCraft will acquire Marine Products in…

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Brunswick Boat Group Brands Recognized with Three Major International and U.S. Innovation and Performance Awards

February 3, 2026 Brunswick Boat Group, a division of Brunswick Corporation, today announced that three of its boat brands have received some of the marine industry’s most respected innovation and performance awards, underscoring Brunswick’s leadership in design, engineering, and category-defining products across global markets. The honors include: • Sea Ray Boats receiving European Powerboat of the Year 2026 for the SDX…

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Smartgyro Stabilization Integration Now Available with Raymarine

February 3, 2026 Smartgyro are delighted to announce that customers can now enjoy the benefit of enhanced system display control and monitoring of their Smartgyro units on compatible Raymarine Axiom chartplotter displays. This new integration enables boat owners using Smartgyro gyroscopic stabilization to experience the latest interactive capabilities at the helm via Raymarine Axiom chartplotters. With native support for web‑based apps, Axiom’s LightHouse operating…

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Furuno USA Strengthens Leadership Team with Key Promotions

February 3, 2036 Furuno USA announced two leadership promotions that strengthen the company’s Deep Sea Product, Service, and Sales Operations. Bill Haynes has been promoted to Senior Deep Sea Product & Service Manager, effective December 1, 2025. With nearly 28 years at Furuno, Bill brings extensive technical and operational experience to the role. His marine electronics background was shaped by…

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ABYC Sets Date for Annual Marine Service Technician Week

February 3, 2026 Celebrate Your Marine Service Technicians, April 20-24, 2026 The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) announced the fifth annual International Marine Service Technician Week, scheduled for April 20-24, 2026. The week recognizes the skill, professionalism and commitment of marine service technicians across the boating industry. “Marine technicians are the pros who keep boats running, families making…

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Maritime Marine Supply Recognized by Plastimo with their Best Growth Award

February 3, 2026 Ron Savidant, President of Maritime Marine Supply announced that their company is proud to have been recognized by Plastimo with their Best Growth Award at their 2025 Distributor Meeting, an honour that highlights outstanding performance across Plastimo’s worldwide distribution network. What makes the achievement especially meaningful is where the journey began. Founded in a small coastal…

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Thoughts On Boat Show Results and the Coming Season

January 27, 2026 Both the Vancouver and Toronto International Boat Shows wrapped up last week. These two major shows always offer guidance for the coming season and indicators of the sales levels we can expect. I was in the Toronto show almost every day and I spoke to many dealers about their results. Those selling…

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85th Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show Announces New Show Layout

January 27, 2026 World’s greatest boat show returns with three primary locations, including a return of the Yacht Collection to Collins Avenue, to create a more connected and accessible show footprint The 2026 Discover Boating® Miami International Boat Show® returns President’s Day weekend, Feb. 11–15. As one of the world’s largest showcases for boats and marine products,…

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Maple Leaf Marinas and Muskoka Wake Announce Strategic Watersports Partnership

January 27, 2026 Partnership Expands Premium Watersports Experiences Across Muskoka and Beyond and Introduces a Specialized Tow & Surf Boat Service Centre Maple Leaf Marinas (MLM), Ontario’s largest operator of freshwater marinas and a leader in premium boating experiences, is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with Muskoka Wake, the region’s premier watersports school. This…

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ENVGO NV1 Canadian Electric Foiling Boat Highlighted in Canadian Boating and at TIBS

January 27, 2026 The highlight of the 2026 Toronto International Boat Show was the world debut of the Canadian ENVGO NV1 electric foiling cruiser. Lead by Mike Peasgood, the team who created the NV1 were developers of specialized drones and they applied their knowledge and skills to the NV1. This is the first electric foiling…

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Register Now for Marine Systems Certification at Georgian College

January 27, 2026 Marine Systems Certification at Georgian College, February 24-27, 2026 There are hundreds of systems on modern day boats. The ABYC Systems certification teaches you how to design, maintain, install and repair these systems with the confidence you need to succeed in today’s marine industry. This certification is the gold standard within the industry addressing air conditioning…

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The ever-evolving concept of luxury in boating and yachting

January 20, 2026 The dictionary definition of luxury often includes “owning a yacht” as an example of luxury. It’s not surprising that TV and magazine advertisements for the Lottery show the “lucky couple” on the deck of their big sailboat, the wind in their hair and the sun shine sparkling across the water. Of course,…

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ABYC Updates Board Leadership for 2026

January 20, 2026 The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) announced updates to its board of directors during its annual meeting in Charleston, held in conjunction with the organization’s 17th annual Standards Week. New board members include Kristina Hebert, president and CEO of Wards Marine Electric, and Heather Lougheed, president of the BoatUS Foundation. “I’m honored to join…

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VETUS Maxwell Expands Team to Strengthen Customer Support and Service

January 20, 2026 Northern American team enhances service capabilities and strengthens support becoming faster, smarter, and more connected to customers VETUS Maxwell Inc. is pleased to announce a strategic expansion to its Northern American team. Over the past year, VETUS Maxwell has added new roles across Applications Engineering, Integrations Engineering, and Customer Support, along with a newly strengthened Engineering Department. These additions have boosted…

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World’s Only All-Electric Wake Boat Makes Canadian Debut at Vancouver International Boat Show

January 20, 2026 A ground-breaking electric wake boat made its Canadian boat show debut last week at the Vancouver International Boat Show at Vancouver Convention Centre West. The Arc Sport is the world’s only 100 per cent electric powered wake boat and it was on display, giving show attendees a first-hand look at the technology that’s redefining wake…

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Tourism Dollars Swing Our Way

January 13, 2026 According to the US Travel Association (USTA), inbound Canadian travel to the U.S. was down 23% year-to-date (Jan-Oct), which equates to an estimated $4bn (£3bn) loss compared to the previous year. The organization said roughly four million fewer Canadians had visited the U.S. at that point in 2025. As of December 17, 2025,…

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Transport Canada Now Charges $24 for Recreational Boat Licence

January 13, 2026 As of Dec. 31, 2025, Transport Canada has made several updates to the Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL). Beginning this year pleasure craft licences must be renewed every five years – and current lifetime licences will be gradually replaced with PCLs that must be renewed every five years. Beginning in 2028 wind-powered pleasure…

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