Today's News
Volvo Penta Reports Q4, FY22 Results
Net sales of $470 million for the quarter were a 33% increase compared to the prior year period.
NMRA Sets Scholarship Deadline
Students pursuing education in the marine trades can apply for the National Marine Representatives Association awards until April 1.
DEALERS: Are You Improving the Service Experience?
Our monthly Pulse Report survey asks this and other questions about your dealership. Take the survey here.
Features
ICOMIA President Darren Vaux sees common pressures facing worldwide boating industry
Founded in 1966, the International Council of Marine Industry Associations is a global organization composed of national boating federations and other bodies involved in the recreational marine industry. ICOMIA works on such issues as breaking down trade barriers, improving boating safety and promoting recreational boating worldwide.
Clearing the Waterways
In Florida, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, it was estimated that there were 6,000 derelict boats in southwest part of the state. In most cases, boat owners don’t know resources are available to remove them because until recently there weren’t many.
A Window on the World
Inflation, supply-chain kinks and the continuing war in Ukraine continue to be serious concerns, but numerous companies with a global presence for exports are reporting optimism at the start of 2023.
Year Three of Five
Fear of an impending exodus, especially with concerns about a looming economic recession, has leaders at the MRAA, the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation urging the industry to start focusing immediately on improving customer service as the primary way to retain these boaters.
Time for Transformation
The Discover Boating team, powered by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and the National Marine Manufacturers Association, is looking ahead to continued industry momentum this year.
Q&A with Gavin Wesson
Soundings Trade Only recently caught up with Gavin Wesson, CEO of Cox Powertrain, which makes a 300-hp diesel outboard, the CXO300
New Year, New Congress
Many Americans have experienced the unique sense of joy and freedom that comes with spending time in the great outdoors, and as more and more Americans flock to our nation’s waterways, Congress must focus on protecting boating access across the nation.
Q&A With Roger Moore
In a conversation with Soundings Trade Only days before Thanksgiving, Moore, 77, described how he and Garcia grew Nautical Ventures to one of the biggest dealerships in Florida and where the company is headed.
Where Technology Meets Art
At the 45,000-square-foot Brunswick Boat Group Technology Center located at the Boston Whaler campus in Edgewater, Fla., the creative process transitions to the production line.
Marinas of the Future
With all the talk of electric and hybrid propulsion these days, attendees preparing for the annual Association of Marina Industries Conference & Expo are discussing whether marinas will be ready to host boats of the future.
Job Board
Columns/Blogs
An Oft-Overlooked Sales Opportunity
A recent report from the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation showed that women comprise 37% of all anglers. If you haven’t tapped this segment, you’re missing out.
Too Many High-Priced Boats
To wrap up 2022, marine retailers reported lower demand, expressed more negative sentiment and voiced concerns about rising inventory. Boat prices and the economy remained top of mind for dealers in December.
New-Boat Registrations Continue to Slide
As the gaudy sales figures from the pandemic continue to return to more realistic numbers, the main segments of the recreational boating industry saw new-model registrations of 4,421 in November, a 30.3% drop from 6,340 during the same time in 2021. .
A Window on the World
Inflation, supply-chain kinks and the continuing war in Ukraine continue to be serious concerns, but numerous companies with a global presence for exports are reporting optimism at the start of 2023.
Consumers Feel a Bit Better
A key measure of U.S. consumer confidence rose in December as the economy added 223,000 jobs, the smallest gain in two years. The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index rose to 108.3 from 101.4 in November.
How the ABYC Creates Standards
Standards are a full-time mission for the ABYC that goes beyond simply putting out a new supplement every July. As an organization built on a tradition of common-sense and real-world experiences, the ABYC works on standards development year-round with its Project Technical Committees.
Tax Season Is Approaching
Every year, marine business owners should take inventory of their companies to ensure that their tax planning is up to date. Multiple tax-law changes will affect the filing of 2022 tax returns.
Florida Has To Face the Music
Every year, the state is confronted with red tides, algae blooms and other water-quality issues, but there doesn’t seem to be a will to confront who and what causes them.
Secrets to Avoiding Disaster
Every leader wants to be successful, but those who embrace humility and adaptability significantly improve their odds of leading a healthy company for a long time.
Self-Docking Boats Are Nearing Reality
No matter how skilled a skipper is, the elements eventually will conspire to make the docking experience miserable. But help is on the way in the form of autonomous docking systems that are intended to help average operators look like pros no matter how large the vessel.
Service With a Smile
At the end of last year, I began to hear dealers, boatbuilders, component producers, engine manufacturers, association leaders and other industry leaders start to ask the same question: How do we keep the windfall of new boaters we gained during the Covid bubble?