Changing Scene

  • ABBRA MARINE SERVICE MANAGER COURSE REACHES A NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MARKET

    ABBRA, the American Boat Builders and Repairers Association in partnership with the Rhode Island Marine Trade Association (RIMTA) recently held an intensive and successful three-day Marine Service Manager course from April 9th- April 11th in Portsmouth, Rhode Island at the Hinckley Yachts Portsmouth Service Yard.

    The course had 20 boatyard professionals registered from over nine states and international locations including: Vancouver, Canada, Grenada, Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Florida.

  • KCS LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE FEATURING CRUISERS YACHTS AND CRUISERS SPORT SERIES

    KCS International Inc. (KCS), parent company of Cruisers Yachts, Cruisers Sport Series and Rampage Sport Fishing Yachts, have announced that they launched a new combined website featuring both the Cruisers Yachts and Cruisers Sport Series model lineups. The site demonstrates the Cruisers name now offers a full product line of vessels from 20-54'.

    "We learned, after conferring with consumers, dealers and media observers that the new sport boats, being produced at our Oconto plant, possess all of the quality craftsmanship that Cruisers Yachts are known for, which is why we had to step back and say 'the name needs to fit the quality', hence the Cruisers Sport Series" said Mark Pedersen, president of KCS International Inc.

  • NAVIONICS SURPASSES ONE MILLION APP DOWNLOADS

    Navionics, a leader in electronic charting and navigation data, has announced that downloads of its popular mobile applications for boaters and outdoor enthusiasts have crossed into the millions.

    Navionics apps include valuable features such as planning and real time routing, access to shared community data and updates, geo-referenced articles, points of interest (POIs), social media links, weather, optional overlays, and more.   As a complement to onboard chartplotters, Navionics marine apps provide the same high-quality detailed cartography boaters have relied on for decades, with the advantages of portability, instant
    community updates, and easy-to-download add-ons such as NavModule.

  • NORTHPORT SYSTEMS EXCLUSIVE CANADIAN DISTRIBUTOR FOR LIFE JACKET PRODUCT LINE

    Northport Systems Inc., producer of desktop and mobile navigation and mapping software products, has announced that it has been selected by Global Navigation Authority as the exclusive Canadian distributor for the LifeJacket product line. Effective immediately, the manufacturer of popular Fugawi desktop and mobile software, as well as the online chart subscription service X-Traverse.com, will sell and support LifeJacket’s innovative mountable waterproof iPad cases and accessories.

  • “SHOW US THE LOVE” TORONTO BOAT SHOW CHALLENGES

    In 2nd Annual "I Love Boating" photo contest, boaters enter their best digital images vying for top honours, Pentax cameras and shopping sprees The Toronto International Boat Show has announced a nationwide photo contest, calling for entries from Canadians coast to coast who are taking to the water in droves this summer. The 2nd annual I Love Boating photo contest begins on the May long weekend v coinciding with the official launch of the 2013 boating season.
     
    Boating enthusiasts are invited to upload up to 10 of their favourite digital photographs to be considered for three grand prizes, each including a

  • BILTMORE MARINE INDUSTRIES INTRODUCES THE WORLDS FIRST 100% COMPOSITE FIBERTOON

    Biltmore Marine Industries, in conjunction with Campion Marine, will proudly introduce the world’s first all fibreglass pontoon boat at the Kelowna Boat Show, April 27th and 28th in Kelowna, British Columbia.  The Biltmore Fibertoon® is an industry first, with patented innovative features that are unavailable in your typical aluminum pontoon boat.
     
    “After three years in development, we are proud to introduce the Biltmore Fibertoon®”, states Anthony Kalil, Biltmore’s President and Designer. “The Biltmore marks a new niche in the boating industry, by being the first 100% composite pontoon boat ever offered. The benefits of this composite

  • SABRE YACHTS AND BAVARIA POWERBOATS COME TO ONTARIO

    The owners of True North Yachts in Port Credit, Ontario, dealers for Bavaria, Marlow Hunter, Dufour, C&C and Tartan sailboats since 2008, have announced that True North Yachts will now be representing a selection of powerboat lines.

    Effective immediately, True North Yachts will feature Sabre, Back Cove and Bavaria powerboats in the Ontario market.

    Peter Solty, Director of the new True North Yachts Power Boat Division is pleased to announce that Paul Loach has joined True North Yachts as Sales Associate to represent the Bavaria and Sabre brands.

  • NORTH AMERICAN SAFE BOATING AWARENESS WEEK, MAY 18TH TO 24TH, 2013

    Since 1995,North American Safe Boating Awareness Week (NASBAW) has been a key tool reminding boaters of important safe boating-related behaviors at the start of the season.  As owners of boat dealerships, marinas or chandleries, NASBAW provides you an opportunity to show your customers that you care about their safety and enjoyment on the water.  The event organizers, the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) have great campaign materials that will allow you to reach out to your fellow Canadian boaters both directly through your customer communications and through the media.

  • CANADIAN POWER SQUADRON CELEBRATES NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK-APRIL 21 TO 27, 2013

    Richard Bee, AP, Chief Commander of the Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons (CPS-ECP) recently sent out a special communication recognizing that the work of the many CPS-ECP volunteers is sometimes taken for granted and those doing the work on the front lines do not always receive the accolades they deserve.

    So, in recognition of National Volunteer Week, April 21st to 27th, Chief Commander Richard Bee, would like to personally thank all of those Volunteering for Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons for the commitment of time and energy so freely and graciously given to CPS.

  • BAVARIA YACHTBAU ANNOUNCES CONSTANTIN VON BULOW AS CEO

    At the shareholder’s meeting on 17th April 2013 Bavaria Yachtbau announced Constantin von Bülow as CEO (Chief Executive Officer) to correspond even better to the changed requirements of Bavaria Yachtbau within this challenging environment. Constantin von Bülow has got extensive experience: he started his career at McKinsey and subsequently held various management positions in the automotive and packaging industry. Today he is Senior Vice President of Oaktree Capital.

  • JEPPESEN HONORS PAYNES MARINE AS TOP NORTH AMERICAN DEALER

    Jeppesen recently honoUred both its 2012 Dealer of the Year and 2012 Distributor of the Year, recognizing the vital role these partners played in sales of   C-MAP 4D, C-MAP NT+, C-MAP MAX, PC-Planner, and other Jeppesen electronic charting products in the North American boating market.

    This marks the second year Jeppesen has honored its Dealer of the Year — and the second consecutive year that Stamford, Connecticut-based Landfall has taken the honor. Landfall, one of the largest chart dealers in North America, received the distinction because of its dedicated service to marine electronics consumers through its brick-and-mortar storefront and active online/catalog mail order business. Jeppesen Channel Manager Jim

  • SALES AND SERVICE PARTNERSHIP WITH HURST MARINA AND ED HUCK MARINE

    For many years now Hurst Marina has built up a significant presence in the 1000 Islands and Lake Ontario with an “At Your Dock Service” featuring well equipped service vans and expert technicians. Through this Hurst has developed a successful service relationship with the historic third generation marina Ed Huck Marine (EHM).

    EHM is located in Rockport, the hub of the 1000 Islands and provides full marina services to the populations that reside along the 401 corridor that connects Montreal and Toronto. It’s thought the culture in this area requires Hurst to make a commitment to maintaining a greater presence in order to sell more boats there. Hurst wants to capture the loyalty of the boaters that enjoy the waterways to the south of Ottawa.

  • EFOY COM-FORT FUEL CELL GENERATORS LAUNCHED IN CANADA AND U.S.

    SFC Energy launches popular EFOY COMFORT fuel cell generators in the U.S. and Canada
    •    15 percent performance increase over previous generations
    •    Weather independent, reliable, silent off-grid power for boats, motor homes and cabins

    The reliable EFOY COM-FORT fuel cell generators of SFC Energy, technology and market leader for portable, mobile, and off-grid power generation and distribution, are coming to North America. SFC Energy launches the popular EFOY COMFORT series for recreational applications now also for

  • STINGRAY NAMES NEW SALES REP

    Ian Cummer will handle sales in Western Canada and in North and South Dakota in the US Stingray Boats has chosen Ian Cummer as the group’s new sales representative for the Western Canada region, including Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, as well as North and South Dakota in the US.

    Cummer has worked in the Canadian marine industry for over 35 years.  "Stingray has seen tremendous success from the Canadian market and having Ian as part of our team will be instrumental in continuing that momentum,” says Mark Skeen, vice president of global sales.

  • UNIVERSITE LAVAL REGAINS SHELL ECO-MARATHON AMERICAS FUEL EFFICIENCY TITLE WITH 3,587 MPG

    The Canadian university's vehicle beat out 131 others fielded by participants in the 7th Annual challenge.logging the highest mileage ever achieved from a single gallon of gas in this competition.

    The Universite Laval entry in the Prototype category broke its previous Eco-marathon record at this year's competition. Source: Shell Eco-marathon
    At the 7th annual Shell Ecomarathon Americas 2013 competition, held in Houston, Texas and completed April 8, a vehicle designed by a team of students from Universite Laval (Quebec, Canada) achieved a mindboggling 3,587 miles on a single gallon of gasoline, It was the highest mileage ever achieved for both Universite Laval and the Shell Ecomarathon Americas challenge.

  • LASER DESIGNER TAKES BUILDER, CLASS ASSOCIATION AND ISAF TO COURT

    The most successful sailing boat in history is the single handed Laser, designed in 1969 by Bruce Kirby, launched in 1970 and more than 210,000 Lasers later, it is THE dinghy success story.

    But there has been a long running dispute between the designer of the Laser dinghy Bruce Kirby and one of the Laser builders LaserPerformance, the builder and supplier of Lasers into UK, Europe and North America, because of non-payment of design royalties.

  • SABRE 38 BENEFITS FROM YANMAR 8LV ENGINES & ZF POD DRIVES

    Combining the fine craftsmanship of a Maine-built, Downeast style yacht with lightweight and efficient diesel engines, the Sabre 38 Salon Express offers power in an elegant package. Twin Yanmar 370 mhp 8LV engines and ZF2800 pleasure-duty rated Pod Drives deliver performance and precision handling as an option on the Sabre 38.
     
    "Yanmar engines provide an excellent fit for our motor yachts," said Bentley Collins, Sabre Yachts VP of sales and marketing. "Their V-8 engines are extremely smooth running and offer the fast acceleration Sabre customers expect. Yanmar 8LV engines also have an optimum power/weight ratio."  In recent performance tests, the Yanmar diesels and ZF Pod Drives pushed the Sabre 38 from idle to plane in 5 seconds.

  • THE MOORINGS ANNOUNCES NEW CREWED YACHT CHARTERS FROM THE TUAMOTU ISLANDS, TAHITI

    The Moorings has announced that all-inclusive Crewed Yacht Charters are now available in the Tuamotu Islands in Tahiti from April to August 2013.  Offering a one-of-a-kind vacation experience, a Crewed Yacht Charter within the Tuamotu Archipelago offers both adventure and relaxation in an exotic, less travelled destination.

    Cheryl Powell, COO of The Moorings, commented, “The Tuamotus is an excellent addition to The Moorings portfolio of charter locations. We are pleased to offer a Crewed Yacht vacation option that opens up an area of the world which many never thought was reachable.”

  • THETFORD CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

    On May 1, Thetford marks its 50th year a a leading supplier of sanitation products for the marine and RV industries. Continuing to set the standard for reliable and recognizable sanitation products, the company was founded by Frank Sargent and his two sons in 1963 after they recognized the need to improve the recreational lifestyle.

    "I'm pleased to say that Thetford products have helped make the recreational experience what it is today," said Kevin Phillips, Thetford executive vice president. "We hold close to family values, treat people fairly and look for long-term relationships with our customers. I think these have been consistent threads through the company's history."

  • PRINCE EDWARD YACHT CLUB 75th ANNIVERSARY

    As part of the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Prince Edward Yacht Club, the club is hosting the Eastern Yacht Circuit 3 day regatta.
    The club emphasizes that this year's event offers more than just racing. Prince Edward County holds something for everyone. So, the Prince Edward Yacht Club members invite other yacht club members to plan your vacation around the week ending July 11th, 12th and 13lh, the regatta days.
    Before the races, take a leisurely sail with your family to Picton with or without your racing crew; they can drive down later. Visitors can sample produce from world class wineries and restaurants, and view products from local artisans in the days leading up to the race.