Changing Scene

Iridium Satellite Time and Location Service activated for Europe and Asia Pacific Regions

June 25, 2024 Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications, has announced expanded commercial availability of its Satellite Time and Location (STL) service, the leading alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) solution. Driven by increased commercial demand, Iridium partners are now authorized to sell the service in parts of Europe…

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Boating Industry Magazine names Four Brunswick Leaders to its 2024 ‘Women Making Waves’ List of Honorees

June 25, 2024 Four of Brunswick’s female leaders, Jill Wrobel, Brunswick Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer; Trish Gyorey, Vice President of Supply Chain, Navico Group; Marjorie Holmquist, Program Manager, Brunswick Boat Group; and Freedom Boat Club of San Juan Islands franchisee Tracy Ottenbreit have been named by Boating Industry Magazine to their 2024 list of “Women Making Waves.” This annual designation…

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Are boaters in the USA doing better when it comes to boating safety?

Alcohol continues to be a leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, according to recent U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics. June 25, 2024 Just-released U.S. Coast Guard stats show decrease in fatalities, accidents, but problems persist. The recently released U.S. Coast Guard 2023 Recreational Boating Statistics shows some good news on the boating safety front, with…

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Avoiding embarrassment is critical

What can we do to help our best customers avoid embarrassment? I think this is a subject that we don’t contemplate very often but recently, several things have come up that cause me to pause and think about our best customers.

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Le Boat and Groupe Beneteau make waves with new 10-year partnership

June 18, 2024 The expanded relationship will see the two industry leaders launch a new model and boost Le Boat’s Boat Ownership Program. A new agreement between Le Boat and Groupe Beneteau under their Delphia brand in Poland will see Europe’s largest boat rental company invest over £100m into its international fleet over the next ten years. The…

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Andy Thompson named Aluminum Boat Group President; Dirk Hyde to retire

Brunswick Corporation, on June 14th, 2024, has named Andy Thompson president of its Aluminum Boat Group division effective immediately. Thompson will oversee all commercial and operational aspects of the Aluminum Boat Group division, which includes brands Harris, Crestliner, Lund, Lowe, Thunder Jet and Princecraft. Thompson succeeds Dirk Hyde who will be retiring later this summer after more than 30 years with the company.

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Polaris Adventures expanding its offerings to include additional boat rentals

June 18, 2024 Polaris Adventures, the experience business of global powersports leader Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII), announces the expansion of boat rentals across its ever-growing network, providing more ways for customers to enjoy the outdoors. Polaris Adventures offers boat rentals at 35 locations across Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin. As a part of Polaris’…

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Maple Leaf Marinas expands reach with acquisition of Port Sandfield Marina

June 18, 2024 Maple Leaf Marinas recently marked a significant milestone by acquiring its 20th marina location: the iconic Port Sandfield Marina located in Muskoka at the junction of Lake Joseph and Lake Rosseau. With a heritage spanning over 70 years, Port Sandfield Marina has been a vital part of Muskoka’s boating culture, known for its exceptional…

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Appointments within the Groupe Beneteau’s Boat division to lead its three market segments: Sailing, Dayboating and Real Estate on the Water

June 18, 2024 Groupe Beneteau, a global player in boating industry, is strengthening its Boat division. The division will now be organized around three business segments: Sailing (monohulls and multihulls), Dayboating (motorboats from 20 to 40 feet for day cruising) and Real Estate on the Water (motoryachts from 40 to 80 feet). This new organization will enable Groupe Beneteau to pursue its…

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BoatUS Foundation opens Grant Program for $7.5M effort to Remove Abandoned and Derelict Vessels (ADVs) from nation’s waterways

(credit: BoatUS Foundation) June 18, 2024 • From June 10-August 12, organizations are invited to apply for grant funding to clean up their local waterways WHAT:In a nationwide effort to remove abandoned and neglected boats from our nation’s waterways, the Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS) Foundation is seeking qualified, diverse and experienced organizations to…

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Axopar acquires majority in its biggest OEM Markos Sp. z.o.o.

June 18, 2024 Finnish Axopar Group has on June 4, 2024, acquired a majority shareholding in Markos Sp. z.o.o. through its newly founded subsidiary AX Composites Ltd, with the intention of becoming one of the world’s leading manufacturers of composite technology. Strengthening the foundation …

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2024 IBEX Innovation Awards now accepting entries

June 18, 2024 The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) will be hosting the prestigious IBEX Innovation Awards program during this year’s event, taking place October 1-3 in Tampa. New product entries are now being accepted through August 21. The Innovation Awards program presented at IBEX, features 14 marine trade product categories, honoring manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative…

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CANCELLED: Safety Education and Flare Disposal Program

We have just learned that The Safety Education and Flare Disposal Program from CanBoat (Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons) will no longer be offered.

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The Water is Calling: Discover Boating Canada Ramps Up Public Relations Ahead of Peak Boating Season

June 11, 2024 As part of Discover Boating Canada’s “See You Out Here” campaign, PR efforts are underway to engage with media nationwide and generate news coverage for boating this summer. Earlier this week, we issued a press release, The Water is Calling: Discover Boating Offers Expert Tips for Summer on the Water, featuring a…

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North Sails gears up for Chester Race Week

June 11, 2024 Chester Race Week is one of those events you always want to put on your calendar. With a long history and competitive classes, sailors flock to small town Chester for the four-day racing spectacle; which is of course, accompanied by lively post racing socials, in true East coast style. Over 140 boats…

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BRP reports Q1 revenue loss

June 11, 2024 BRP PRESENTS FISCAL YEAR 2025 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS BRP Inc. reported its financial results for the three-month period ended April 30, 2024. The complete financial results are available on SEDAR+ and EDGAR as well as in the section Quarterly Reports of BRP’s website. Highlights “Our first quarter results were in line with…

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Axopar acquires majority shareholding in its biggest OEM producer in Poland

June 11, 2024 Markos, located in Slupsk, Poland, specializes in building componentry for heavy industry as well as the energy, marine and leisure industries and is a manufacturer of fibreglass-reinforced composite products used in boats, motor vehicles, transport and wind power. The infrastructure at Markos is unique, and the company has over 30 years of…

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Have you ever driven an electric boat?

It’s been a rare and special time that I have had a chance to drive an electric boat but I have driven two so far and as you are reading this edition of Boating Industry Canada News Week Digest, I will be in Charleston South Carolina with Brunswick driving their new Veer boats powered by Mercury Avator electric motors. I’m excited to learn more about them and to share my experience with our readers.

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Wajax Named Primary Volvo Penta Marine Leisure Distribution Partner Across Ontario & Quebec

June 4, 2024 Wajax is thrilled to announce its expanded relationship with Volvo Penta. Wajax has been named the primary distribution partner and the main point of contact and resource for all Volvo Penta marine leisure dealerships in Ontario and Quebec. Leveraging its extensive network of branches, Wajax, a leading provider of industrial equipment and solutions, ensures close proximity to customers’ businesses, providing local…

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VoltSafe Inc. Graduates CDL-Atlantic’s Oceans Stream Initiative

June 4, 2024 VoltSafe Inc. is pleased to announce it has graduated from The Oceans Stream at CDL-Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada – the forefront of Canada’s Ocean industry. VoltSafe received an invitation to join the Oceans Stream at CDL-Atlantic last September. The program selectively invites high potential innovators to engage in the 9-month program. VoltSafe will now attend CDL’s Super Session…

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