Changing Scene

  • ABBRA AWARDS HONOURS BILL MUNGER WITH PRESIDENTS AWARD

    ABBRA Honours William “Bill” Munger, Founder/Owner of Rhode Island’s Conanicut Marine Services With Prestigious
    Dennis Snow President’s Award at the Association’s 2013 Boatyard Business Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL

    At the just concluded Boatyard Business Conference Awards Dinner & 70th Anniversary Celebration, the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (ABBRA) named William “Bill” Munger the 2013 recipient of the prestigious Dennis Snow President’s Award.  The Award is given for significant and lasting contributions to the boatyard and marine service/repair industry, and Bill Munger joins a distinguished group of industry leaders to have received this honour.

  • RAYMARINE RAYCONTROL AND RAYREMOTE APPS REMAIN FREE UNTIL APRIL 7TH

    Raymarine has announced that its apps for RayControl and RayRemote are to remain FREE for users to download until April 7th, 2013.
     
    The RayRemote and RayControl apps, which enable users to control e and c-Series multifunction displays wirelessly from any smartphone or tablet, are available for Apple iOS, Android and Kindle Fire, and can be located via the Apple iTunes App store, Google Play Store for Android, and through the Amazon Android Marketplace. The applications have been incredibly successful and popular both by users and the marine industry. The RayControl app was shortlisted at this year’s Dame Award, a worldwide award for design excellence in the marine industry.

  • WAVECRAFT USA WELCOMES NEW CEO

    Wavecraft USA, maker of the Waveblade handheld marine power tool, appointed Steve Smith as the company's new CEO.  Wendy Benge, Wavecraft USA's director of marketing and sales, made the announcement.  Smith's role will be global but will focus on the USA.
    Smith brings over 30 years of business background in sales and marketing to Wavecraft USA, including serving as Vice President, Europe for Polaroid Corporation, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  He also offers a wealth of experience gained from living and working around the globe.  "Steve's expert direction and guidance will enable us to utilize our full resources as we plan for growth in additional markets," said Benge.

  • ABBRA/ABYC WEBINAR: MARINE INDUSTRY BUSINESSES AND THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT


    There are many questions and concerns surrounding health care reform and the Affordable Care Act. Our next webinar will address its impacts on small, medium and large marine industry businesses with the aim of going beyond the –hype, hyperbole and misinformation. In a 90 minute session presented by Mark Abba, General Manager, Employee Benefits Division of MHG Insurance Brokers we will outline what the new law actually says, or does not say and offer useful tips on how to best capitalize or cope with the changes.

    This 90 minute webinar is scheduled for Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 1:00pm. Add this upcoming event to your calendar today. Webinar registration is $89 for members of either ABYC or ABBRA. Visit ABYC to sign up and use the promo code ABBRA.

  • COMPOSITES INNOVATION CENTRE TO ESTABLISH FIRERCITY

    Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal support for the Composites Innovation Centre (CIC) to establish a centre for the innovative use of agricultural products.

    "Our Government is helping ensure that Canada remains at the cutting edge of the composites industry," said MP Bruinooge. "Through this investment we are helping Canadian manufacturers gain a competitive advantage in this growing sector."

  • GRADY-WHITE-NAMES NEW VPS OF MARKETING AND SALES

    Grady-White boat’s president Kris Carroll has announced role changes in the company’s executive team. Shelley Tubaugh is named Vice President–Marketing and now adds responsibilities for media and all integrated communications to existing duties in market research and customer relations. Joey Weller, Vice President Sales will center
    his energies on sales support team for the Grady-White dealer network, including external network development plans and programs as well as internal sales support systems.

    Both Tubaugh and Weller have been with Grady White since 1988 and have extensive experience within the organization. Carroll states

  • CANADIAN SAFE BOATING COUNCIL PRESENTS CANADIAN SAFE BOATING AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING EFFORTS

    Across Canada, seven individuals and four organizations stand out for their efforts in 2012 in support of recreational boating safety and environmental stewardship. And now the Canadian Safe Boating Council has recognized these individuals and organizations with awards for their heroism and outstanding accomplishments.

    The Canadian Safe Boating Awards (CASBAs) are like the Golden Globe awards of safe boating. On January 13th the Canadian Safe Boating Council hosted the annual CASBA ceremony to recognize the efforts of the general public, volunteers, professionals, companies, agencies and organizations that have distinguished themselves in the fields of boating safety and environmental

  • STRONG UPWARD TREND CONTINUES FOR TORONTO INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

    Barometer for Canadian industry sets positive tone for 2013.  The 55th annual Toronto International Boat Show closed on January 20 amid extremely positive feedback from exhibitors. With more than 550 manufacturers and dealers across the sold-out Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, many reported the ten day show exceeded their expectations, establishing the groundwork for what is shaping up to be a strong year for the boating industry in Canada. Overall attendance was 81,010 — up six percent from 2012, and more than nine percent above the average attendance of the last three years. “We continue to take a very focused approach with our marketing

  • BEACON BAY MARINA ANNOUNCES CMM GRADUATE ON STAFF

    Congratulations to Mike McKeown General Manager of Beacon Bay Marina (Parkbridge Marinas) who graduated in January 2013 from the CMM (Certified Marina Manager) program offered by the Association of Marina Industries.

    CMMs are marina professionals who have completed an extensive training and certification process through the globally recognized International Marina Institute and ensures the continuance of education for themselves and those who work within the Marine Industry. Mike is one of six Canadians that have achieved the CMM designation – within Canada he also joins Ken MacDonald – Director Of Marinas Parkbridge and Scott Cain – General Manager of Bay Port Yachting Centre (Parkbridge Marinas). Currently there are 307 Certified Marina Managers in the World.

  • AWLGRIP ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF FOUNDING MEMBER DAVID HALCOMB

    David, or “Dr. Grip” as he is affectionately known in the industry, has finally decided that, after a career spanning 40 years in leading the way in topsides systems, it is time to hang up his spray gun and indulge his other passion in life, traveling in his motorhome with his wife Christi. David will, however, remain as a consultant with Awlgrip passing on his extensive knowledge and skills to the next generation of Dr. Grips.

    From humble beginnings in 1973 when an as yet un-named topside paint was used on David’s father’s boat, interest steadily grew until the following summer when David somehow got America’s Cup Winner ‘Courageous’ and her tender painted completely with Awlgrip. During that summer Awlgrip became the buzzword in Newport and the phrase “get your boat Awlgripped” was coined. As the brand grew, with David and other Awlgrip colleagues leading the way, Awlgrip launched even

  • US SAILING TO FOCUS ON NEW SAILORS NOT TV AUDIENCES

    The President of US Sailing, Thomas Hubbell, believes the sport should focus on gaining new participants, rather than adding television viewers.

    Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, Hubbell added that the “strategic” nature of sailboat racing makes it difficult to broadcast effectively on television. Hubbell said: “Sailboat racing is an athletic and strategic chess game, played on an ever changing field that is too big to fit on a television screen, has no time-outs and has an uncertain duration of 30 minutes to several weeks. I would rather we spend all our energy putting new participants on the water than creating spectators sitting in front of TV sets.”

    However, the President did add that documentaries can help to recruit new participants and commented on future television opportunities.

  • SALUS MARINE WEAR RECOGNIZED WITH AQUANAUTE’S PRESTIGIOUS SPONSORSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD

    At the 2013 Toronto International Boat Show, Salus Marine Wear was recognized by the Aquanaute Training Centre (ATC) with the most prestigious “Sponsorship Excellence Award” for their outstanding contribution and leadership to responsible and Safe Boating, presented by ATC President Vahe T. Vassilian to Steve Wagner, President of Salus Marine Wear.

     

  • NEW ENTITY PILOT BOATS FEATURE MARK ELLIS DESIGNS

    Tom Johnson, owner of RothBiltBoats has announced that his new company, Pilot Boats, LLC has purchased the assets of Holby Marine, formally headquartered in Bristol, RI.  The Holby Marine molds and tooling have been transported to Maine where production will begin soon.  Tom is also pleased to announce a concurrent production agreement with Front Street Shipyard (FSS).  FSS (www.frontstreetshipyard.com) will be the builders of the full line of Pilot Boats for the newly created entity, Pilot Boats, LLC.  The boats will be manufactured in Belfast, Maine at the main FSS facility.

    The Pilot Boat product line includes three sizes, Pilot 18, Pilot 20 and the Pilot 24, these three sizes will continue to be produced. 

  • OCEANS 2050: FUTURE OCEAN – FUTURE BUSINESS

    In 2050, what will the state of the ocean and the ocean business community be – and what must be done between now and then to ensure that both are healthy and productive?  The Sustainable Ocean Summit Workshop to Explore the Drivers, Trends and Scenarios Shaping the Shared Future of Ocean Industries explores these issues on 17 January 2013.

    Join other senior ocean industry representatives in tackling these overriding questions at the agenda-setting “Oceans 2050” workshop preceding the Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS), 22-24 April 2013, Washington, D.C.
    Space is limited at this unique, business-only, agenda-setting global ocean workshop on 22 April, 2013. Members of the ocean business community are

  • ABYC EDUCATION COURSES OFFERED IN GREAT LAKES REGION

    Boating Industry Canada wanted to share information about these ABYC courses with our readers because they may be held in areas convenient to you. The winter is always a great time to upgrade skills and increase your personal value in the industry.

    ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) Education Courses Offered in the Great Lakes Region:

    Marine Systems Certification
    Date: February 26 – March 1, 2013
    Time: 8:30 AM
    Location: Pier 33, Anchors Way, Saint Joseph, MI 49085

    Course Details and Registration:  abyc.site-ym.com

  • NEW NORTH ARM MARINA AIMS FOR SUMMER OPENING

    The Lower Mainland’s newest marina, Milltown Marina and Boatyard on the Fraser River’s North Arm, aims to be in full operation by early summer. Dredging and construction began late in 2012 at the Richmond Island site.

    Milltown is the Lower Mainland’s first new marina in more than a decade, and that’s welcome news for boaters in this moorage-starved region. It will add 227 wet berths and about 200 dry-stack spaces to the local moorage inventory.

  • GREG BRATKIW OF EVOLOUTION SAILS TAKES THE HELM AT NAUTILUS PROPELLER CANADA


    Nautilus Propeller and SPW GmbH in Bremerhaven, Germany are pleased to announce the appointment of Greg Bratkiw as the new owner of Nautilus Propeller Canada.

    Past owner Jesco Afheldt has been the exclusive importer and distributor for the SPW line of Variprop and Variprofile feathering propellers along with Varifold for the past twelve years. “I am very pleased that I can now retire and hand over the helm to Greg. With his 30 years of Sailmaking experience, currently with Evolution Sails Canada, Greg can now provide customers with expertise to enhance performance while sailing and under power. They are now specialists both above the water and below. With over 1,000 propellers sold and serviced in Canada I wanted to make sure we left the company in good hands.”

  • PRE-REGISTRATION FOR IMBC INCREASED MORE THAN 50% FOR 2013

    Early registration for the International Marina & Boatyard Conference (IMBC) at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center from January 30–February 1, 2013, has increased over 50% compared to last year’s numbers. IMBC’s producers—the Association of Marina Industries (AMI)—predict overall conference attendee numbers will continue to increase. Pre- registration for IMBC is available until Friday, January 25, 2013, after which attendees may purchase their tickets at the show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

    “We are pleased with registration numbers, thus far,” Jim Frye, CMM, AMI’s president, says. “We’ve added value to IMBC with more networking events and a revamped seminar series. We’re definitely seeing the effects of that already.”

  • STATE OF THE RECREATIONAL BOATING INDUSTRY PRESENTATION JANUARY 15TH

    The NMMA Breakfast sponsored by Boating Industry Canada Magazine and GE Capital took place Tuesday, January 15th at the 2013 Toronto International Boat Show.

    The event attracted a capacity crowd of about 200. 

    The presentations were opened by Andy Adams of Boating Industry Canada talking about two major demographic shifts that will greatly impact future planning for marine industry professionals.

  • OLD MILL MARINA ADDS TIGE AND RINKER BOATS

    Old Mill Marina is pleased to announce two additions to their boat sale offerings. Old Mill Marina is now a proud dealer for Tigé inboard tow boats and Rinker family bow riders. In addition to the existing Princecraft presence, both brands are considered to be key acquisitions to facilitate the successful launch of the new Old Mill Marina sales centre located at 1092 Main Street in Dorset, on Lake of Bays.

    “We have always envisioned our property in downtown Dorset as one of the premier waterfront sales facilities in cottage country. We are now entering Phase II of the Site Development Plan so the timing is great. Adding Tigé and Rinker to our stable, along with the addition of Jeff Barnes as General Manager of the Lake of Bays location is going to be a winning combination,” states Rob Walisser, President of Old Mill Marina.