The Canadian boating community has lost a treasured member this week. George Clavelle passed away on January 20. Amoung his many contributions to boating, upon retirement, George was also involved with the Manitoba Lodges andOutfitters Association and the Mid-Canada Marine Dealers Association. He always spent summers at the lake (Gull Lake, Bissett and Falcon Lake) with his family and friends. Below is George’s obituary
Following on the heels of some of Ontario’s worst-ever winter weather, the 56th Toronto International Boat Show reported good to strong sales for many exhibitors with some falling short of expectations.
The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) has announced that the 2015 NMEA International Marine Electronics Conference & Expo will be held September 29–October 1 in Baltimore, at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel. The NMEA Conference and Expo is the largest event in North America serving the marine electronics trade.
In 2014, Boston Whaler broke ground on a new era in its legendary history, introducing its largest model ever with the sophisticated new 420 Outrage. On Jan. 13, 2015, Whaler celebrated the significant expansion to its facility that makes production of the 420 Outrage possible: the addition of nearly 60,000 square feet of under-roof manufacturing space. At an exclusive event held on site in Edgewater, Boston Whaler President Huw Bower led a ribbon-cutting ceremony before a crowd of local and state politicians, executives from parent company Brunswick Corporation (NYSE:BC) including President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Schwabero, esteemed members of the press and the entire Boston Whaler staff.
From stand up paddleboards to superyachts and everything in between, there is a lot to take in at the Seattle Boat Show (Indoors +Afloat). The 2015 show drops anchor on Jan. 23 and runs through Feb. 1. The largest show on the West Coast, it features some 1,000 boats and yachts in two locations, more than three acres of accessories, electronics and boating gear, 430+ exhibitors, 225 free seminars and advanced training classes for a fee. There’s also tons of fun to be had at the show.
During a presentation to the industry at the Toronto International Boat Show, National Marine Manufacturers Association President, Thom Dammrich, announced key data from the forthcoming National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Canadian Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract. The data reveal an increase in boating participation and an ease in boat and engine sales across the country with the exception of an increase in British Columbia, for the period of October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014.
With the announcement of Deep Blue Hybrid, Torqeedo grows its innovative, high-powered Deep Blue product line into a comprehensive hybrid solution. More than simply propulsion, this is the first fully integrated system that acts as an energy supply for both the hybrid drive and all AC/DC electrical loads on board. This groundbreaking solution can harness solar, wind, plug-in and regenerative power in the system’s high-capacity batteries, keeping generator runtime to an absolute minimum.
The Canadian Safe Boating Awards (CASBAs) are like the Golden Globe awards of safe boating. On January 11th the Canadian Safe Boating Council hosted the annual CASBA gala to recognize the efforts of the general public, volunteers, professionals, companies, agencies and organizations that have distinguished themselves in the fields of boating safety and environmental stewardship during the 2014 boating season. The winners were selected from a host of nominations received from the public at large, covering boating safety stories from British Columbia to Quebec.
The 2015 Toronto International Boat Show opened to huge line ups of excited boaters on Saturday, January 10th. Traffic through the show for the opening weekend was healthy and while exhibitors and dealers were busy talking with customers, show goers had a huge selection of not only boats to browse through, but also seminars, activities, water shows and wares of all kinds. Come down this week and visit Boating Industry Canada magazine at booth #1720. The show runs right through until Sunday the 19th.
Due to the overwhelming market reception and solid retail demand for its new L-Class yachts, Sea Ray will increase production capacity by reactivating its Sykes Creek manufacturing facility in Merritt Island, Fla. The expanded production will commence in the summer of 2015. Hiring will begin immediately, and the company expects to create up to 100 new jobs over the next 12 months.
The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) is pleased to announce the addition of Elaine Lembo as the new IBEX Seminar Manager for the 2015 event, which is scheduled for September 15-17 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, KY. Elaine was previously with Cruising World magazine, where she worked for 16 years in the editorial department, most recently as deputy editor, of this leading North American monthly devoted to those who explore the world under sail.