Changing Scene

  • LEARNING OPPORTUNITY – ABYC ELECTRICAL CERT COURSE IN VANCOUVER

    For marine industry professionals looking to upgrade their skills, Raven Marine is hosting an ABYC Electrical Certification Course in Vancouver, BC on June 11, 2013 at Mosquito Creek Marina, 419 West Esplanade in North Vancouver.

    This electrical certification course with instructor Kevin Ritz is designed and intended for those with a minimum of 3-5 years practical experience in the field of marine electrical design, service or installation. Students new to the marine electrical field should consider our basic electrical programming options.

  • IMI POSTS CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS FOR DRYSTACK CONFERENCE

    The International Marina Institute (IMI), the training subsidiary of the Association of Marina Industries (AMI), has posted a “Call for Presentations” to its website for its Drystack Conference, October 27–28, 2013, at the B Ocean Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

    The Drystack Conference is a professional-development opportunity for those interested in the latest in drystack technology as part of their daily business responsibilities.

  • LEGEND BOATS RE-LAUNCHES ITS 16 XTERMINATOR

    Back by Popular Demand, Legend Boats' has re-introduced its 16Xterminator Aluminum Fishing Boat for 2013. Legend Boats is one of Canada's largest manufacturers of aluminum fishing and pontoon boats. 
     
    “Every year we listen to our customers’ feedback and research industry trends before designing our next year’s boat lines,” says Marc Duhamel, General Manager at Legend Boats.  “This year the 16 Xterminator brings an extremely high value in features and it is being introduced in 2013 with an additional one thousand dollar savings.”  The experts at Legend Boats feel that the 16Xterminator will be one of this year’s customer favourites because it delivers extremely high value and strong appeal while delivering everything you could want in a fishing boat. Its distinct lines, new colours

  • TAKE THE HELM OF A GRAND BANKS

    West Coast Grand Banks dealer Grand Yachts invites boaters interested in GBs in general and GB 36s in particular to “take the helm” of one of these boats Saturday, March 23 at their sales docks in Coal Harbour, Vancouver or at Port Sidney on Vancouver Island.

    The 36 was among GB’s most popular models over its history, and Grand Yachts has several of them available for sale, so is staging the event to show them off. Each sales dock will have three or four4 36s on display, and one or two of them will take interested parties for a short cruise.

  • TALL SHIPS 1812 TOUR VISITING 16 GREAT LAKES PORTS THIS SUMMER

    The TALL SHIPS® 1812 Tour presented by Redpath Sugar will sail throughout Ontario during the summer of 2013! In commemoration of the War of 1812, 16 ports will be participating and the tour is produced in partnership with the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Great Lakes. 

    The Redpath Waterfront Festival, June 20-23, 2013, will be the official launch of the tour when TORONTO welcomes the entire international fleet, occupying two kilometers along the inner harbour. The spectacular Opening Ceremonies will take place on Thursday June 20 and the entire four-day weekend is given over to festivities for all ages and interests.

  • UNCHARTED WATERS: TORONTO’S ENIGMATIC HARBOUR

    Presented with the assistance of the Toronto Port Authority, from now until June 2013, come and see the

    Some of Canada’s most talented and exciting contemporary visual artists continue to participate in a photographic exploration at Toronto’s harbour. Dianne Davis, Johan Hallberg-Campbell, Jesse Louttit, Eamon Mac Mahon, Joanne Ratajczak and Clare Samuel represent the broadest range of photographic practice, and are recognized for their photo documentary, studio and series work.

  • NORTHERN CALIFORNIA MARINE ASSOCIATION INTEGRATES WITH THE NATIONAL MARINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

    The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has announced the integration of the Northern California Marine Association (NCMA) and its members with NMMA. The integration comes in an effort to grow boating participation across the U.S. and expand the market for recreational boating.

    NCMA and its members will be part of NMMA under the recently formed NMMA West. NCMA voting members unanimously approved the integration. “NMMA continues to look for new and strategic ways to help all segments of the recreational boating industry anticipate, adapt and prosper from changes in the economic landscape,” said Thom Dammrich, NMMA president. “With NCMA’s integration, we can help devote resources to spur growth of recreational boating in Northern California.”

  • RECORD BREAKING ATTENDANCE AT THE 2013 HALIFAX INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

    Boat Dealers and marine retailers supported the the 2013 Halifax International Boat Show in a big way this year, with new boat lines, new equipment and great deals. Good weather meant that the show had a record breaking attendance day on Saturday and the other days were very steady as well with thousands flocking to Exhibition Park.
     
    “The buzz on the floor was fantastic,” said Show Manager Scott Sprague. “The excitement about the upcoming boating season coupled with the new line of boats debuting and great sales activity made this event one to remember,” said Sprague.

  • STILL A FEW SEATS FOR NSBA’S MARINE INDUSTRY CONFERENCE 2013

    There are still a few seats available for the NSBA Marine Industry Conference this week at the Lord Nelson Hotel in downtown Halifax. The sessions run on March 7th and 8th, 2013.

    Five internationally-renown speakers – all of whom were featured at the recent IBEX 2012 – will be talking on topics ranging from new and emerging marine electrical technologies to the design and construction of lightweight plywood boats.

    Program outline:
    Thursday, March 7th from 7pm – 10pm    Evening Industry Reception at Lord Nelson Hotel and Suites

  • STRONG SALES AT THE 2013 CENTRAL ONTARIO BOAT SHOW AND SALE

    The Central Ontario Boat Show & Sale just concluded its third successful boat show. The show ran Family Day Weekend, February 15-18 at the Careport Centre in Hamilton. Overall attendance was 23,191, a slight 3% dip from 2012, however, crowds were still very strong.

    Figures showed that while Saturday’s attendance was down slightly, Friday, Sunday and particularly Monday were very strong show days as compared to the 2012 recorded attendance.  Dealers reported to show management that a combined total of 118 boats were sold on the show floor which is an increase of 12% from 2012 show floor sales, with many dealers confident in after show sales expected to close in the near future from the show.

  • TROJAN BATTERY RECEIVES FROST AND SULLIVAN 2013 INNOVATIVE ENTERPRISE AWARD

    Frost & Sullivan (a research and consulting firm) has and awarded Trojan Battery its 2013 Manufacturing Leadership 100 Award (ML100) in the category of “Innovative Enterprise.”

    Trojan Battery was recognized for its innovative use of technology and equipment at its Lithonia, Ga. manufacturing facility.  Since the manufacture of deep-cycle batteries takes precision, accuracy and succinct methods to ensure the proper assembly of the delicate internal components, Trojan implemented specially designed Cast-On-Strap (COS) equipment to ensure the proper placement and connectivity of deep-cycle battery features

  • ADD CONVENIENT STORAGE WITH REMOVABLE POUCHES

    Many boat owners and their passengers need extra places to store small items so they don't get lost or thrown off the vessel during higher speed.  Accon Marine's Quick Store System lets users attach small, mesh storage pockets to their Accon Quick Release Drink Holders, creating convenient storage space on deck.

    Durable and breathable, these pockets are constructed from water repellant, vinyl-coated polyester mesh fabric.  Antimicrobial properties make the Quick Store System resistant to mold and mildew.  The pouches also feature Sunbrella™ acrylic binding and UV-resistant thread, while the straps

  • MARITIME MARINE FUNDRAISER GARAGE SALE

    The Maritime Museum of BC in Victoria hosts the 10th annual Massive Marine Garage Sale, as a fundraiser for the Museum.

    Participants may rent tables inside the customs building or sell from their vehicles along the cruise ship dock. Small boats may be brought in on trailers. Set up is from 3pm to 6pm on Friday April 19th or 7am to 8.30am Saturday. Early birds $25 before April 15th $35 after that date.

  • DISCOUNTED EARLY BIRD BOOKING FOR METS UNTIL MARCH 1, 2013

    Companies wishing to book stand space at METS 2013 should reserve space by 1st March 2013 in order to qualify for the early bird discount and save up to 15%.
     
    “Exhibitor bookings are up 20% compared to the same time last year,” confirms METS Domain Manager, Irene Dros. “We really urge companies to book space as early as possible as after March 1st, we start final allocation of stands and last year’s stand may no longer be available.”
     
    Interested parties can check out the application procedure on metstrade.com including stand packages. Package deals are available including catering and deluxe furniture.

  • BENETEAU POWERBOATS PREPARES FOR GROWTH IN NORTH AMERICA

    Beneteau America announced the appointment of Powerboat Sales Manager Justin Joyner during the Miami boat show. Joyner previously worked for Beneteau’s preferred finance partner, SGB North America, and therefore brings his expertise of retail and wholesale financing to the Beneteau America team.
    The expansion of the sales organization will also improve support for theexpanding dealer network. “Supplementing our established team with Justin’s marine financing background will strengthen Beneteau America’s ability to help our dealer network get more deals closed,” commented Laurent Fabre, President of Beneteau America. “We expect 2013 will be an important year for Beneteau Powerboats as we continue to build our

  • CMP REPORTS RECORD SPRING BOOKING PROGRAM

    CMP just completed its most successful booking program ever. The company reported a 108% increase in orders over its 2012 booking season. 
    President John Mitchell made the announcement. New products, year-end promotions and marketing strategies contributed to the increased customer demand. In the past year, CMP expanded its offerings of Martyr anodes and Octopus drives, while adding dock lines, anchor rodes, fender lines and shackles to its Titan product range. A global PR program, updated website, increased boat show presence worldwide and collaborative marketing also played a role in the success.

  • MONTREAL BOAT SHOW BEATS BAD WEATHER WITH INCREASED ATTENDANCE

    Despite the terrible weather on February 9th, the Montreal Boat and Water Sports Show, held from February 7th to 10th at Place Bonaventure, ended on a high note with 2.5 – 5% increase in attendance compared to the previous year. This attendance rate reinforces last years which had a remarkable increase of 25% (nearly 30,000 visitors).
     
    Presented by the Quebec Marine Association, the Montreal Boat and Water Sports Show is the largest event of its kind in Quebec with more than 400 models of boats and over 275 exhibitors (10% more than in previous years). The 2013 Show has been diversified in order to fully satisfy all