June 10, 2025 Ben Gartside, owner of Gartside Marine Engines in Sidney and Oakbay, BC has recently retired from his instructor position with Quadrant Marine Institute after more than 30 years of engagement. Despite growing up sailing and racing, Ben’s original path started in a UK university studying geology and exploring various related occupations. When his van…
June 3, 2025 In Loving Memory of Kenneth Lorne Blodgett, May 17th 1946 – November 29th 2024 On Friday, November 29th, 2024, Ken was taken from us suddenly in Gore Bay in his 78th year after a near half century battling complications of Type 1 Diabetes. While we process this incredible loss and sadness, we are…
June 3, 2025 PLOEGER, Jan Paul – Peacefully at Lakeridge Health Oshawa – Hospice Care on Friday, May 23, 2025 at the age of 50. Beloved son of Barbara (née Prentice) and John Ploeger. Loving father of Chase Ploeger of Keswick and good friend to Tammy Holwell (Chase’s mom). Jan attended St. John the Evangelist Catholic School…
Pat Healy head coach for the Canadian yachting team at the 1988 Olympic games in Seoul. May 27, 2025 Sail Canada shares with the Canadian sailing community the passing of International Sailing Official, Coach, Mentor and Sailor Pat Healy on May 17. Pat Healy had been an International Judge since 1990 and an International Umpire….
Yacht Designer Mark Ellis May 20, 2025 By Rob Mazza We are sad to report the recent passing of yacht designer Mark Ellis in Essex, Connecticut. Mark had moved to Essex many years ago after a long and successful design career in Oakville, Ontario, where he built his company Mark Ellis Design and established his…
May 13, 2025 Gulf Craft announces the appointment of Erwin Bamps as its new CEO to support its next phase of development across key international markets. Bamps, who played a pivotal role in Gulf Craft’s global rise in the early 2000s, brings extensive leadership experience and keen market insights across Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas—key regions shaping the industry, where the Group is…
May 6, 2025 Bryton Marine Group is pleased to announce the appointment of James Irwin as President/COO of AlumaCraft Boats Inc., effective May 1, 2025. The expected closing date for the transaction with BRP Inc. is April 30, 2025. This announcement comes as part of Bryton Marine Group’s upcoming acquisition of Alumacraft. James’s deep passion for the marine industry has brought him back to…
May 6, 2025 AIRMAR® Technology Corporation, a world leader in ultrasonic transducers and Chirp technology is proud to announce the promotion of Brandon Wollard to Gemeco Sales Manager. Since joining Gemeco in 2024 as an Outside Sales Representative, Wollard has brought an energetic and strategic approach to sales, quickly proving himself a vital asset to the team. “Brandon’s deep…
Apr 29, 2025 We all knew John. And by ‘we’ I mean pretty much anyone who raced around Toronto or Georgian Bay or the Caribbean or Florida or in a special needs regattas anywhere. Ask anyone in the J24 or Melges fleet, at ABYC, RCYC, PCYC, etc etc and they could identify him as a…
Apr 29, 2025 We learned from the IBEX Show website that Carl Cramer, 78, of South Portland, Maine, died at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, on April 10, 2025 with his wife Melissa Wood and dog Muttley at his side. Carl was born on July 14, 1946, in Hollywood, California, to Elizabeth (Norris) and Ambrose…
Apr 29, 2025 Mike Burns, president of North South Nautical Group is pleased to announce that Adnan Khan has joined the brokerage team. Adnan brings a wealth of experience to the NSYS team. He holds a Master’s degree complimented with a strong background in banking and business. For the past two decades, Adnan has been a successful entrepreneur…
Apr 22, 2025 Ah, Elizabeth, Liz, Goozie. How we all shall miss you. On Wednesday, April 16, with family and friends wishing her fair winds and following seas, Elizabeth Ann Kerr, 68 and five months, set sail on a final solo voyage. As with almost everything in her life, she did it on her own…
Apr 15, 2025 Aquila Power Catamarans has announced the appointment of Benoit Moreau as its Regional Sales Director for Asia-Pacific to support the company’s growing dealer network and strengthen its presence across the region. Benoit brings over 15 years of marine industry expertise throughout Asia. As co-founder of CAPE-10 in China, he managed Beneteau Group yacht brands…
Mar 25, 2025 The family announces with profound sadness, the passing of Allan John Donaldson, affectionately known as “Al, Pops, Big Al, or Mr. D”, on March 19, 2025, at the age of 83. Al passed away peacefully at Southlake Residential Care Village in Newmarket, marking a poignant end to a remarkable life; he died…
Mar 18, 2025 Marine industry marketing and communications veteran Kate Holden has been named Show Manager for the 2025 Maine Boat & Home Show, which returns to the Rockland, Maine waterfront August 8 to 10. Holden brings more than 25 years of experience working for a range of companies, from small Maine-based businesses to large international associations and companies, including…
Mar 18, 2025 1936-2025 While growing up on the Skagerrak in Aalborg, Denmark, Bent Jespersen fell in love with boats, so at age 15, he started his four-year apprenticeship at the local shipyard—the largest business in town—where his dad, older brother and uncle were already employed. But in 1955, at age 19 and liking travel,…
Mar 4, 2025 With profound sadness, we announce the passing of William (Bill) Alexander Milne on February 23, 2025, at the age of 86, at Wellbrook Place in Mississauga. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 34 years, Elaine, and his beloved children, Alexandra and Thomas. He is also survived by his brother, Glen, and many…
Feb 25, 2025 Nearing 70 years in operation, the Maritime Museum of BC is ready to set sail towards the next 70 years. For its fifth year, the Float the Boat campaign aims to raise $25,000 for museum operations. From 17 February to 18 March, museum supporters, staff, volunteers, and board members will share exactly what goes in to operating the…
Richard the boardroom guy Feb 25, 2025 Richard ‘D’ Mitchele has two passions – sailing and marketing. Now he brings his double life together in a creative agency and consultancy aimed at solving everything in the ad/marketing/sponsorship for boating clients. Based in Oakville, ON but equally at home on the dock in Mallorca, or at…
Jan 14, 2025 Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Company (YMMC) is pleased to announce that Robert (Bob) Brown has been appointed President, effective December 30, 2024. Bob succeeds Takahiro (Taka) Imanishi, who has returned to Japan to assume a new position after serving as President of YMMC since 2020. Bob’s extensive background in manufacturing, his strong relationships within Yamaha, both globally and within the U.S.,…