Changing Scene

  • 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.

  • JEFF BARNES TO JOIN OLD MILL MARINA AS DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING AND GENERAL MANAGER

    Old Mill Marina is pleased to announce today that Jeff Barnes joined Old Mill Marina as Director, Sales & Marketing and General Manager of the new Old Mill Marina sales location on Lake of Bays.

    “We are excited to have Jeff join us at this stage in our company’s growth,” says Rob Walisser, President of Old Mill Marina. “Jeff brings a wealth of boat sales and marketing expertise to Old Mill Marina, plus over ten years of experience in marina management. Jeff is the right person to take the helm at our new Lake of Bays location and guide its growth going forward. We believe Jeff is a great fit with our mission, which is to enhance the cottage experience in Dorset.”

  • STUNNING ROSTER OF SPEAKERS HIGHLIGHT NSBA MARINE INDUSTRY CONFERENCE 2013

    The Nova Scotia Boatbuilder's Association, NSBA has announced that their NSBA Marine Industry Conference will take place at the Lord Nelson Hotel in downtown Halifax, 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.

    The Conference begins on Thursday, March 7th with an Evening Industry Reception at Lord Nelson Hotel