Changing Scene

  • 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

  • WARM UP FROM WINTER AT THE HALIFAX BOAT SHOW!

    The Halifax International Boat Show returns February 21 – 24, 2013 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. “This high caliber event

  • CPYB ONLY E-SEMINAR: RESCUING THE DEAL

    Pat Sturgeon offers this February 13th seminar as the first in a series of eleven Open only to CPYB Designated Yacht Sales Professionals.

    This e-Seminar will kick-off the series by discussing tips and techniques for the best ways to rescue a client or deal that may be slipping away.  We all know how frustrating it can be when all of your efforts to bring a deal to the table start to smolder and the deal is in jeopardy of burning up and disappearing from sight.


    When: Wednesday, February 13th at 12:00 – 1:00 pm Eastern

  • 51ST VANCOUVER BOAT SHOW STARTS THURSDAY FEBRUARY 7TH, 2013

    Embracing BC’s new statutory Family Day holiday, the 2013 Vancouver International Boat Show kicks off this Thursday, February 7 and runs through Monday, February 11, showcasing the newest boats and boating products and services from more than 250 exhibitors. With new features, speakers, and attractions at both the indoor venue at BC Place and the in-water venue at Granville Island, this year’s show proves once again why VIBS truly is Western Canada’s premiere boat show.
     
    Whether you’re new to boating or a long-time seadog, this year’s show, with its brand new dates and extended hours, makes it easier than ever for guests to get their boating season started. The addition of a third seminar stage at BC Place means attendees can now enjoy triple the entertainment and educational programming from top experts in the field; find

  • MEDIATION RESULTS IN POSITIVE NEWS FOR 2013 VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

    The show organizers are very happy to report there is no longer a threat to the Vancouver Boat Show as a result of the labour mediation process between BC Place and BCGEU.
     
    While an employment agreement has not yet been reached, it has been confirmed there will be no threat of job action during the Vancouver Boat Show, or the move-in and move-out.
     
    This positive news comes following five very long days of mediation, and a decision today to break from mediation until after the event.
     
    The parties have put in a tremendous effort and have been able to come to an agreement on the non-monetary changes to the collective agreement.

  • HALIFAX INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW 2013 – WELCOME TO THE WATER!

    Chart a Course For Huge Savings! Shop for your next adventure at the Halifax International Boat Show, running from February 21 to 24, 2013 at Exhibition Place in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  This year's show is presented by the Atlantic Marine Trades Association (AMTA).

    See the latest in: 

    • Boats from 6’ to 40’
    • Runabouts
    • Sailboats
    • Cruisers
    • Kayaks
    • Personal watercraft

  • WEST MARINE ANNOUNCES “GREEN PRODUCT OF THE YEAR” WINNER AND BREAKTHROUGH NEW PRODUCTS FOR 2013 AT MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

    West Marine, the largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and accessories, is proud to announce the winner of its fourth annual Green Product of the Year Award on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in the West Marine booth at the Miami International Boat Show. An important component of West Marine’s BlueFuture® initiative to help create a sustainable future, the award hopes to encourage green product development throughout the marine industry.
    In addition to the Green Product of the Year, West Marine will feature their top picks for the most innovative new products for 2013.  Plus, show attendees can enter to win a $1000 Gift Card at the West Marine booth at the Miami International Boat Show.

  • PATTI TRAPP NAMED DIRECTOR OF QUALITY AT MERCURY MARINE

    Mercury Marine announced that Patti Trapp has been promoted to the position of Director of Quality.
     
    In her new role, Trapp is responsible for setting quality system standards and implementing them across all Mercury Marine functions.
     
    “Patti’s in-depth process expertise and engineering background are crucial for this role,” said John Pfeifer, Mercury Marine’s vice president of global operations.  “Plus, her passion for quality and building quality into the process used to make the product is key to continuous improvement in everything we do.”