Changing Scene

  • TAKU HATCH FAN IN TOP SIX INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS FOR 2013

    500 CFM Air Blast Exchange Mode exchanges stale cabin air in minutes.  The Caframo® Taku Hatch Fan has been chosen by West Marine as one of its top six most innovative products for 2013.

    The announcement was made at a press conference hosted by the USA’s largest retailer of boating equipment and accessories at the 2013 Miami International Boat Show.  Winner of a 2013 Pittman Innovation Award, the 12-volt Taku is designed to provide both powerful ventilation to remove hot, stale air from the cabin and quiet circulation to move air throughout.

  • INDUSTRY VETERANS HONOURED DURING 2013 MIAMI BOAT SHOW BREAKFAST

    West Marine’s Randy Repass and Geoff Eisenberg Receive NMMA 2013 Charles F. Chapman Award.  The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) today recognized Randy Repass whose distinguished career spans 45 years in the boating industry, and Geoff Eisenberg, a 37-year marine industry veteran,  as the recipients of this year’s Charles F. Chapman Award. Both received the award this morning during the annual Recreational Boating Industry Breakfast held at the Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail.

    First established in 1977, the Chapman Award recognizes individuals or groups that have provided consistent promotion and protection of the sport of boating and its benefits to both the recreational boating industry and the public. The award, presented each year during the Miami show, includes

  • FORTY-YEAR MARINE INDUSTRY VETERAN RECEIVES NMMA 2012 ALAN J. FREEDMAN AWARD


    The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) today honored Bob Long, Owner and CEO of Marine Concepts, with the 2013 Alan J. Freedman Memorial Leadership Award. Long received the award this morning during the Recreational Boating Industry Breakfast held at the Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail.
     
    NMMA’s Accessory Manufacturers Division (AMD) introduced the Freedman Award in 1984 to recognize individuals who, throughout the course of their careers, have made outstanding contributions to the marine accessories industry through leadership, creativity and personal motivation.

  • CMM CERTIFICATION BESTOWED UPON TWO CANADIAN OPERATORS

    Certified Marina Manager (CMM) honours were bestowed upon two Canadian marina operators at IMBC Conference in Fort Lauderdale.

    Mike McKeown, Manager of Beacon Bay Marina (Penetanguishene) and  Rob Walters of Outer Harbour Marina (Toronto) were awarded the designation of Certified Marina Manager, from the International Marina Institute, making them numbers 5 and 6 only in Canada.

    The AMI (Association of Marina Industries) is the association that regulates the training and certification process. It is a very involved process to

  • FEDS IGNORE PROTESTS, CLOSE KITS COAST GUARD BASE

    As protests of the federal plan to close Kitsilano Coast Guard Station mounted in late February, the government abruptly closed the Vancouver base without warning other levels of government, first-responder agencies or line CCG personnel. On February 19, three vessels departed the station, near the month of False Creek, 12 staff were assigned to other stations, and signage and flags were removed from the site.

    While Canada’s busiest year-round port lost its CCG station, Newfoundland made out big: two days after closing Kits base, the government announced it would spend $6.6 million to refurbish the station at Burin, a town of about 2,500 in southern Newfoundland. The closure of Kits base is expected to save the coast guard about $700,000.

  • ICOMIA ANNOUNCES 2014 WORLD MARINAS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL

    The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) together with renowned event organiser, Amsterdam RAI and ICOMIA member, the Turkish Marine Industry Association, DENTUR, are pleased to announce the much anticipated World Marinas Conference 2014 will be held in Istanbul, Turkey between 2 – 4 June 2014.

    The globally prominent travelling Conference is presented by the ICOMIA Marinas Group and, for the first time

  • MERCURY – CANADA’S FORMULA 2 POWERBOAT EXHIBITED AT THE CANADIAN MOTORSPORTS EXPO

    There’s no argument, Mercury’s Formula 2 powerboat stole the spot light at the 55th annual Toronto International Boat Show! With the success of Mercury’s highperformance display at Canada’s largest boat show, boat owner Ted Gryguc of Speedmaster Marine was sought after by Canada’s largest Motorsports Expo to have this breathtaking Formula 2 powerboat added to the exhibits at there show.
    Tammy Wolfe is the first and only Canadian to compete at the world famous 24 Heures de Rouen (24 Hours of Rouen) in France. Her all-female team finished 4th in Formula 2 and 9th overall, beating some Formula 1 teams.

    She finished second in the American Powerboat Racing Superleague Formula 3 Series points race in 2012.

  • BRP CELEBRATES EVINRUDE E-NATION BIRTHDAY WITH UPGRADES AND NEW FEATURES

     
    What a year it has been! BRP celebrates the first birthday of E-NATION, the socially-driven online community.

    Visitors to www.evinrudenation.com will experience new features like an enhanced navigation bar, and special sections for both Evinrude product reviews and professional teams.  

    “Whether you’re into fishing or just hanging out with friends and family on the water, visitors will find there’s something for everyone on E-NATION,” said Christopher Berg, Director of Marketing and Strategic Planning for Evinrude. “With a new look, new features and constantly updated content, the website brings all of us together to share our passion for the water.”

  • VANCOUVER SHOW SEES STEADY TRAFFIC, STRONG SALES

    The 51st Vancouver International Boat Show drew steady visitor traffic throughout its five days, including BC’s first Family Day, Monday, February 11.

    Strong boat and retail sales at the show bolstered confidence in the local recreational boating industry heading into the 2013 season.  To take advantage of Family Day, organizers switched from the show’s usual Wednesday-Sunday slot to open the show on Thursday, which may have been the show’s single best day. Field and concourse exhibits at BC Place were busy from the opening and exhibitors began reporting strong sales almost immediately. One dealer made 20 major sales of boats or motors on Thursday alone.

  • INNOVATION AWARDS AT 2013 MIAMI BOAT SHOW

    Eight products took home 2013 Innovation Awards and two were recognized as Honorable Mentions during NMMA’s State of the Recreational Boating Industry Breakfast, held Thursday February 14th at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
     
    The Innovation Awards, organized by NMMA and judged by BWI, recognize products that best meet the following criteria: innovative distinction from other products currently being manufactured; benefit to the marine industry and/or consumer; practicality; cost-effectiveness; and, availability to the consumer within 60 days of award receipt.

  • SEA RAY INTRODUCES NEXT WAVE INITIATIVE

    Sea Ray announced the launch of its Next Wave initiative during a media event on Thursday evening, February 14 at the 2013 Miami International Boat Show. The event was hosted by Dustan McCoy, President and CEO of Brunswick Corporation and Andy Graves, President of the Brunswick Boat Group and Interim President of Sea Ray.

    Opening the event, McCoy was emphatic about Brunswick's commitment to the marine industry and particularly to Sea Ray as its flagship brand. He cited several Innovation Awards received by Brunswick's Sea Ray, Boston Whaler and Harris FloteBote brands earlier in the day as evidence of

  • DAVID MARLOW AND JOHN PETERSON INTRODUCE THE NEW MAINSHIP 32

    David Marlow of Marlow Yachts Ltd., and John Peterson, president of Marlow-Hunter proudly introduced the brand new Marlow Mainship 32. Calling this America’s Trawler, the very first boat was on display at the Sea Isle Marina section of the 2013 Miami International Boat Show along with an impressive display of larger Marlow Yachts.

    Peterson explained to a group of dealers and journalists that the new Marlow Mainship 32 brings back a familiar brand name, Mainship, but with totally new levels of design and construction quality of the type that Marlow Yachts has become famous for.

    The first of what is planned to be a more extensive line fast trawlers,

  • THE HALIFAX INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW RETURNS THURSDAY FEB 21, 2013

    The Halifax International Boat Show returns this Thursday thru Sunday at Exhibition Park in Halifax. This event encompasses the largest and most sought after brands of boats and boating equipment in Eastern Canada and it’s all under one roof.
     
    The Halifax International Boat Show is the largest boat show in Eastern Canada. Exhibited boats range in size from 6' to over 30' and include runabouts, cruisers, motor yachts, sail boats, sailing dinghies, pontoon boats, bass boats, inflatables, RIBS and personal water craft.
     
    “For nearly four decades this show has not disappointed,” says Show Manager Scott Sprague.

  • TV DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES NOVA SCOTIA’S MOST FASCINATING ISLANDS

    Nova Scotia Islands documentary airs Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 12 Noon. With intriguing pasts and mysterious happenings, the islands of Nova Scotia have been the setting of stories that stir the senses and rouse the imagination. Abandoned settlements and homesteads, lighthouses and keepers, fisherman and fishing grounds, pirates and treasure, contagious diseases and mass burials, ghostly apparitions and lost cemeteries are all highlighted in this homage to Nova Scotia's colourful island history.

    Islands are part of the geography and history of the Maritimes, nowhere more so

  • MERCURY MARINE ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN FINANCE ORGANIZATION

    Mercury Marine has announced several appointments within its global finance organization.
     
    Bob Flesch has been named director of global operations – Finance. In this role, Flesch has financial responsibility for manufacturing, distribution, procurement, capital expenditures, product development and engineering, Mercury Racing and Mercury Marine’s manufacturing operations in Asia.
     
    Flesch has been with Mercury Marine for 26 years, and has held a number of finance and strategy positions of increasing responsibility. He was most recently Mercury’s division controller for commercial operations. Flesch holds a bachelor’s of science and a master’s of business administration degree from the University of Wisconsin –Oshkosh.

  • NORTHERN LIGHTS INTRODUCES UNIQUE DIESEL EXHAUST CLEANING SYSTEM

    Northern Lights, specializing in marine power generation, propulsion and HVACR, will feature its unique Diesel Exhaust Cleaning System (DECS) at the 2013 Miami International Boat Show, February 14-18 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

    Based on DCL International’s MARINE-X™ system, DECS removes soot and particulate matter as it is emitted from the diesel engine. The air and water quality on and around the vessel is vastly improved, offering a clean, enjoyable environment for everyone on board.

    When equipped with DECS, exhaust gas is routed through a

  • SEAKEEPER TO SUPPLY STABILIZERS TO BRUNSWICK BOAT GROUP

    Seakeeper has been named Brunswick Boat Group's preferred supplier for stabilization systems.  Seakeeper's actively controlled gyros will be offered as options, with projects already underway on the Hatteras 77, and several new Sea Ray and Meridian Sport Yacht, Yacht and Sedan Bridge models in development.

    In making this commitment to Seakeeper, Brunswick Boat Group can now offer enhanced comfort and safety to its boat customers.  After

  • SEA RAY ADDS NEW DEALER GROUP IN QUEBEC

    Sea Ray Boats is pleased to announce the appointment of Groupe Thomas Marine to its leading network of more than 400 marine dealers operating on six continents. The company joins Marina Fortin in serving customers throughout the province of Quebec.

    Marina Fortin has been a top Sea Ray dealer for over 20 years and remains an important part of the Sea Ray dealer network.

    “The addition of Groupe Thomas Marine strengthens our already considerable presence in the Quebec market,” said Andy Graves, president of Brunswick Boat Group. “I am delighted to welcome the dealership’s 29 years of experience to the Sea Ray team. Groupe Thomas Marine is committed to offering first-class service to its customers and will undoubtedly maintain the standards of excellence that our boat owners expect and deserve.”

  • NMEA RELEASES NMEA 2000 EDITION 3.00

    The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) has just released an extensively upgraded version of NMEA 2000®, the industry's open architecture network standard. New Edition 3.00 replaces version 2.20 and includes updates and additions to the NMEA Network Message Database, NMEA 2000® Main Document, and NMEA 2000® Appendices A and D.
     
    "While the NMEA Standards Committee created many improvements in the overall standard, significant changes occurred in the NMEA

    Network Messages Appendix B, which contains the Network