Changing Scene

  • IMI LAUNCHES SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES

    The International Marina Institute (IMI), a training subsidiary of the Association of Marina Industries (AMI), is launching a summer webinar series, starting July 16, 2013. Webinars on topics related to marina operations and regulations will occur every Tuesday at 1:00pm (Eastern) until August 20.  For Canadian industry members, some subjects, like the webinar on July 16 will deal with U.S. subjects such as “Demystifying the Healthcare Act,” which will not benefit Canadian operators.

  • AMTA ANNOUNCES MARINE SERVICE TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION EXAM

    The Atlantic Marine Trades Association has announced that a Nova Scotia provincial Certificate of Qualification exam for the Marine Service Technician trade is now available to people who have substantial experience working in the occupation. Skilled tradespeople working in the industry are encouraged to write the examination. Having sufficient numbers of tradespeople certified in the occupation will allow companies to hire more Nova Scotians to participate in apprenticeship training programs.

  • ROSSITER CELEBRATES 40 YEARS WITH THREE FOLD INCREASE IN SALES

    Thanks to the dedication of New England, Mid Atlantic, and South Florida representatives, and a growing list of Dealers from the Great Lakes to Florida, the number of boaters enjoying the Rossiter experience has increased exponentially again in 2013 for the reasons best captured in the following quotes from boaters and dealers alike: “I just wanted to take a minute to thank both of you for all the help you have given us. The last few boats we sold had a significant amount of customizing. I was a little concerned that the boats would not be built the way they were ordered. That was NOT the case. The boats were built exactly as we requested by our customers, and they were delivered to us on schedule… I know as a dealer the

  • NMMA REPORTS THAT RECREATIONAL BOATING IS $121 BILLION ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR U.S.

    The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), has announced that recreational boating in the U.S. has an annual economic value of $121 billion. The industry’s rising tide supports 964,000 American jobs and 34,833 businesses, generates $40 billion in annual labor income and drives $83 billion in annual spending. The NMMA, on behalf of the U.S. boating industry, released these findings as part of its annual U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract, a collection of data and analysis on the state of the U.S. recreational boating industry. The Canadian Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract was

  • ABYC / ABBRA WEBINAR

    ABYC and ABBRA Will Co-host Webinar to Address Inventory and Profits for Maritime Companies and Individuals. The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) and the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (ABBRA) will co-host their second webinar, Optimizing  Inventory, as part of an educational series that helps any maritime company, boat builder, manufacturer, marina or yard facility, and the service technician manage their inventory while improving profitability. The webinar will be led by Stephen Bullard, Senior Sales Director, PierVantage Marine Management Solution.  Bullard has more than 20 years in the marine service management, has logged more than 15,000 miles sailing the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and is a 100 ton master captain.

  • COVERED LANDINGS BID WELCOME TO CRUISE CUSTOMERS

    Located about 400 miles northeast of Quebec City, the Gaspesie peninsula and les Iles-de-la-Madeleine present some of the most picturesque scenery in maritime Canada. Beckoning passengers aboard ships cruising the St. Lawrence River, both ports boast covered landing facilities as elegant as they are functional. Engineered by Structurmarine, they provide comfort and safety for travelers moving from ship to shore. Les Iles-de-la-Madeleine welcomes cruise passengers from August to October, and Gaspesie from May to October. Authorities at both ports sought to upgrade their docks and improve the experience for tourists who come ashore via shuttle boats to shop, view local attractions and sample legendary regional cuisine.

  • BRP REPORTS FIRST QUARTER FISCAL YEAR 2014 RESULTS

    BRP Inc. (TSX: DOO) has reported its financial results for the first quarter ended April 30, 2013. All financial information is in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. The complete financial results are available at www.sedar.com. BRP Inc., completed its initial public offering last month, and began trading on the Toronto stock exchange under the symbol 'DOO'. BRP is reporting quarterly financial results for the first time. “We are pleased to report our first results as a public company and we take this opportunity to welcome our new shareholders to BRP. Our first quarter puts us on track for a strong performance this year,” remarked President and CEO José Boisjoli. “Our revenues from our Year-Round

  • FUSION GAINS INDUSTRY-WIDE ACCEPTANCE OF FUSION-LINK

    Fusion, a leader in marine audio, has announced the overwhelming success and adoption of its innovative and award-winning FUSION-Link technology. Following a twelve-month effort to establish itself as the entertainment standard with boatbuilders, marine electronics developers and other third party manufacturers, FUSION products and technology have been implemented by industry leading brands in all categories. The company’s True Marine entertainment systems have been adopted by dozens of boatbuilders including Bavaria Yachts, Boston Whaler, Caribbean, Contender, Ebb-Tide, Fairline, Fontaine Pajot, Grady White, Lowe Boats, Mastercraft, Matrix, Monterey, Princess, Ranger Tugs, Regal,

  • NEW SHOW DATES FOR VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW 2014

    In collaboration with Canadian Boat Shows, Inc., BCMTA administration and Board members have participated in meetings with VIBS exhibitors to review and select the best show dates for 2014. The need for such an in-depth review was based on this year’s survey results, which identified exhibitor concern with increased costs associated with the show being open on the statutory Family Day holiday, and a growing concern that even with modifications to the show’s schedule, any overlap with Family Day long weekend is a risk to the show’s attendance – the latter of which is also confirmed by consumer survey responses.

  • KNOPF INDUSTRIAL DELIVERS HIGHLY MANEUVERABLE CONOLIFT 60-TON SELF-PROPELLED TRAILER

    Kropf Industrial has just delivered a new Conolift sixty-ton capacity self-propelled hydraulic boat trailer to Winter Harbor LLC in Brewerton, NY. Winter Harbor is a brokerage, service, and storage facility with extensive indoor storage facilities. The new trailer will allow for the safe and efficient transportation of vessels from the existing lift into the storage buildings, where they can be easily placed in close proximity on storage stands without the use of additional equipment. The trailer features an updated open-end design to minimize overall length without sacrificing stability, thereby increasing storage efficiency and maneuverability.

  • MERCURY MARINE ADDS 25 DEALERS TO NORTH AMERICAN NETWORK

    Mercury Marine new North American dealers include 11 dealers in Canada and 14 in the US. The US locations include: Antique Boat Center in Cincinnati, Ohio; AquaKnox Marine in La Follette, Tennessee; Athens Marine in Bogart, Georgia; Barrett Custom Marine in Lake Havasu City, Arizona; Calico Jacks Boat & RV in Gallatin, Tennessee; Dennis Dillon RV & Marine in Boise, Idaho; Gary's Marine Service in Winchester, Tennessee; Got Water Rentals, Sales & Service in Lake Havasu City, Arizona; Kovash Marine in Moorhead, Minnesota; Ottertail Marine & Sports in Ottertail, Minnesota;

  • TORONTO BOAT SHOW PLANNING AND RENEWALS FOR 2014 SHOW

    As your input is critical to the success of the Toronto Boat Show, thank you to all who participated in our 2013 post-show exhibitor survey.  
     Congratulations to our three draw winners:
    •    Jason Pulchinski from The Lake Distributing won a one-night stay at the Sheraton and a $200 Keg gift card
    •    Jean-Philippe Martin-Dubois from Princecraft won a $100 Canadian Tire gift card
    •    Karen Stephenson from the Grenada Board of Tourism won a $50 Tim Horton's gift card

  • TORONTO BOAT SHOW STAFF WELCOMES NEW ADDITIONS TO THEIR TEAM

    Toronto Boat Show Sales Manager Matthew (Matt) Rook and CBS Controller Jennifer Findlay join the Canadian Boat Shows team! A strong sales professional with a legacy of cultivating effective client relationships and generating creative solutions and steady business growth, most recently Matt was with Richelieu Hardware, and prior to that, Insight Sports Ltd., a leading North American sports media and entertainment company. An avid cottage boater and sports enthusiast, Matt looks forward to meeting many who share his passion for the water and the greens at tomorrow's Boating Business Charity Golf Tournament!

  • MARTYR’S SHRINE HELD FIRST BLESSING OF THE BOATS AND WATERWAYS

    The Martyrs Shrine went on board this summer as they hosted the first Blessing of the Boats and Waterways at the Parkbridge Marinas. A major celebration in many parts of the world, the blessing of Fishermen and the fleet is an ancient tradition going back hundreds of years.  For the first time in Midland, Peter Bisson the Provincial of the Jesuits of English Canada and priests from Martyrs Shrine boarded a yacht at Marker M20 at Unimim Park on Saturday, June 8th at 1:00 p.m. and offered an invocation over the waters.   Frank Morneau, a summer resident of Thunder Beach, has kindly made his 65’ Linwood Huckins “La Belle Helene” available for this special occasion.

  • THERE IS NO SHOW LIKE IT ON THE LAKE

    Now celebrating its 23rd year, the Port Credit In-Water Boat Show continues to attract an ever increasing enthusiastic audience of seasoned and novice boaters.   Hosted at Port Credit Harbour Marina in Mississauga, ON, the Port Credit In-Water Boat Show is strategically located in the heart of Lake Ontario boat country.  Within 20 minutes from downtown Toronto, 10 minutes from Oakville, 2 hours of South Western Ontario; Muskoka; Georgian Bay and the South Eastern Ontario, the Port Credit In-Water Boat Show is easily accessible by highway; public transit and water. Not just a ‘new’ boats show, the Port Credit In-Water Boat Show has always featured a healthy percentage of used power and sail boats.   Well

  • CUSTOMER APPRECIATION WEEKEND AT SPRAY LAKE

    In case you haven't already heard, Pride and Nautique have partnered up with Spray Lake and The Ranch Wakepark to help grow the watersports industry in Ontario.  Located at 18205 Keele St in Newmarket, just 20 minutes north of Toronto!  For more info on the lake, check out www.spraylake.ca.  Today we are pleased to invite you to some big events coming up soon at Spray Lake. Appreciation Day – Friday June 14th
    11am – 7pm  You are invited to Spray Lake for a day of fun.  We will be offering a watersports show between 2pm and 4pm, complimentary food, great music and the opportunity to ski and wakeboard at discounted rates.

  • NMEA 2013 CONFERENCE AND EXPO WILL BE HELD IN SAN DIEGO

    The National Marine Electronics Association has announced that the 2013 NMEA International Marine Electronics Conference & Expo will be held September 25–28 in San Diego, California, at the Sheraton Hotel and Marina. The event follows a highly successful NMEA International Marine Electronics Conference & Expo in Orlando last fall.  “Our upcoming NMEA Conference & Expo in San Diego will be the first in many years held adjacent to a large marina,” said Bruce Angus, executive director of the NMEA. “We haven’t held the event in San Diego since 2008. That, combined with this great setting, makes us believe we will see very strong participation.”

  • ORACLE TEAM USA SELECTS BENETEAU AS OFFICIAL HOSPITALITY VESSEL SUPPLIER

    Oracle Team USA announced that it has selected Beneteau America as the team’s official hospitality vessel supplier. Beneteau will provide its Swift Trawler 34, 44 and 50 for Oracle Team USA’s hospitality use leading up to and during the 34th America’s Cup. “It is an honor to support Oracle Team USA in their campaign to bring home another victory in the 34th America’s Cup. This is a unique opportunity for a select few organizations, all leaders committed to the highest level of excellence, to unite behind an iconic racing team, and Beneteau is proud to be among them,” says Beneteau America President Laurent Fabre.

  • NAVICO WINS 2013 NEW ZEALAND HI-TECH AWARD

    Navico, a world leader in recreational marine electronics and parent company to the Lowrance, Simrad Yachting and B&G brands — announced that it has won the 2013 New Zealand Hi-Tech Award in the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Best Contribution to the New Zealand Hi-Tech Sector from a Multinational Company category. Judged by a panel of local and international high-profile business luminaries including Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, the award celebrates Navico’s contribution to the country’s landscape in terms of its investment in the industry’s continued growth and success. The awards seek to provide a premier showcase and networking opportunities for the producers of high technology. Navico took the top honor in its category over finalists Microsoft and Sprint International.

  • SABRE 42 SALON EXPRESS

    The advent of pod drives for recreational motor yachts has taken place over a relatively short period in time. Sabre offers six models in the current motor yacht range and all models are available with pod drives; in fact only two of the six, the Sabre 54 Salon Express and Fly Bridge, can be offered with straight shafts. Our transition from shaft driven to pod driven models is almost complete. For those who are still not convinced here's an explanation of the benefits. Commercial vessels such as tugs and cruise ships have been using pods for some time. For the tug boat operator, the ability to direct thrust in any direction as required, is a huge benefit. Pods are far more efficient than conventional drives when operating in close quarters. For the cruise ship