Feb 20, 2024 Following a struggle with cancer, adventurer, sailmaker and world champion, John Clark, passed away peacefully with assistance at the age of 59 with his family by his side at his home, just as he wished on January 17, 2024. Born in 1964, John learned to sail at Frenchman’s Bay Yacht Club and…
Feb 6, 2024 The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announces that Nichole Wishart has joined the MRAA team as MRAA Business Development Specialist. “We are delighted to add Nichole’s unique talents and entrepreneurial acumen to the MRAA team,” says Allison Gruhn, Vice President of Business Development. “She possesses great leadership abilities and a business mindset that will help the MRAA deliver on its…
Feb 6, 2024 IMTRA has announced the retirement of Ed Dickson, who is stepping back after 37 years in sales with the company. In addition, Hernan Garcia has joined the team and will represent IMTRA and their brands in the territory that Dickson served for so many years. Dickson, who was based out of northeast Florida during his…
Feb 6, 2024 Samantha Batson (left); Megan Davisson (right) The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) has announced the addition of two new members to its management team: Samantha Batson as Marketing Manager and Megan Davisson as Sales and Projects Manager. The expanded IBEX team will add more horsepower to take on new initiatives and focus on…
Jan 30, 2024 Fluid Motion, the builder of Ranger Tugs, Cutwater, and Solara Boats, has announced the promotion of Sam Bisset to Vice President of Marketing effective January 15th. Sam has been with Fluid Motion for over 9 years, most recently as Marketing Director. In his new role, Sam will be based out of the company’s Arlington…
Jan 16, 2024 Northpoint Commercial Finance is pleased to announce that Matt Michelson has joined the company as Vice President of Operations in Canada. Matt joins the seasoned Burlington team to spearhead and direct operational initiatives for suppliers and dealers to foster stronger customer-forced synergy. Based in Ontario, Matt will oversee the operations team at…
Jan 16, 2024 C-Tow Marine Assistance Ltd., a Canadian boating assistance program that has been in operation for 40 years and has the largest on-water towing fleet that serves waterways across Canada, has announced the appointment of Kristy Madracki to Manager of Promotion and Partnerships, effective January 1, 2024. In her new role, Kristy will manage a…
Jan 16, 2024 Beneteau Groupe Americas recently announced the appointment of Don Smith as Brand Director of the company’s Scarab brand, effective January 1, 2024. Smith has over 35-plus years of marine industry experience, working for companies such as Cabo-Hatteras, Regal Marine, Chris-Craft, MarineMax and Galati Yacht Sales. Smith joined Beneteau America in November 2018 as the…
Jan 2, 2024 Edward Charles (Ted) Quinn passed away peacefully at Uxbridge Hospital with his family at his side, on Monday, December 18, 2023 at the age of 89 years. Ted Quinn of Pefferlaw, beloved husband of 65 years to Suzanne (nee McKelvey). Dear father of Terry, Tim and his wife Lynda, Diana Fairty and her husband…
Dec 19, 2023 Scanstrut, a leading provider of innovative marine and outdoor technology, is excited to announce the appointment of Chris Wachowski as the newest addition to its team. With nearly 40 years of extensive product management experience, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise gained from prominent roles with industry giants such as Mercury, Cummins, Brunswick, Freeman Boats, and most recently,…
Dec 19, 2023 IMTRA Corporation and its employee-owners are saddened by the passing of William “Bill” Farnham, former owner and longtime leader within IMTRA. After starting his professional career at the Digital Equipment Co., Farnham began his 28-year tenure as CEO with IMTRA, taking over from his father who started the firm. There, his passion for boating…
Dec 12, 2023 Michele Goldsmith, Vice President and General Manager of the Soundings Trade Only group, has been named the 2023 Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year, announced the MRAA Educational Foundation. The award was presented to Goldsmith, the 37th recipient, as part of the Dealer Week Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at Dealer Week in…
Dec 12, 2023 Highfield Boats, the world’s largest builder of aluminum-hull rigid inflatable boats (RIBS) and the leading supplier of RIBs in North America, is delighted to announce two new additions to its growing North American sales and marketing team: Emma Rigby and Jean-Côme Mazière. Emma RigbyEmma Rigby, Regional Sales Manager, brings over seven years of experience from…
Dec 12, 2023 Canada was lucky to have a visionary businessman and big-hearted humanitarian adopt our country and accomplish so much here. in the past few days after his sad passing on November 24, you’ve read a lot about George – his founding of McDonalds, his establishing the brand in Russia and his long dedication…
Dec 5, 2023 Michael Müller is once again taking the helm at BAVARIA YACHTS and has been appointed new CEO by the shipyard’s advisory board. Together with Managing Directors Norbert Leifeld (COO) and Thorsten Gatz (CFO), Michael Müller (CEO) will lead the successful shipyard near Würzburg and keep it on course for success with its almost 700 experienced employees. …
Nov 28, 2023 BoatUS Foundation president and BoatUS vice president Heather Lougheed ANNAPOLIS, Md, Nov. 21, 2023 – Heather Lougheed, vice president of the nearly 800,000-member boating advocacy, services and safety group, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), is taking on a second organizational role with the appointment to president of the BoatUS Foundation for…
BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water program supervisor Alan Dennison has been elected chairman of the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC).
There’s a scene in one of my favorite sailing movies, Wind, where one of the America’s Cup commentators says: ‘The big boats may get the glory, but it’s the small boats that make the sailor’. That statement could not be more accurate when we follow the various crews of regatta fleets around the world.
After a valiant four-year battle with throat and stomach cancer, Jim passed away peacefully the afternoon of September 26, surrounded by his family.
In a September 11, 2023 announcement from Auckland, New Zealand, Brunswick Corporation today named Dean Harris president, Rayglass Boats. Harris will officially begin his role on October 1, 2023.