Today's News
VIDEO: Sea Ray to celebrate 60 years of building boats
The milestone comes as Brunswick Corp. repositions the brand.
SailTime adds third European location
The boat-membership club announced its new base in Concarneau, France.
Canadian builder completes expansion
KingFisher says its move to bigger boats prompted it to increase production space.
Four Winns and Wellcraft sign new dealers
Hully Gully Powersports & Marine is the newest addition.
Donzi building first-ever catamaran
The Donzi 44 will be powered by four 400-hp Mercury Racing Verado 400R outboards.
Larson brand to be sold
The company plans to focus on its larger Marquis, Carver and Lexus models
West Marine names CEO
Ken Seipel, an executive from the retail industry, takes the helm at the national chain.
Features
A Year for the Record Books
Three stalwarts are retiring after a year that saw more M&A activity than any other time in the industry’s history. A look back at a dynamic 2018.
Registrations Boom for Event with Uncertain Future
December’s Marine Dealer Conference and Expo will be the last produced by MRAA and Boating Industry magazine.
Is Short-handed Sailing Leading the Market?
New short-handed sailboat designs, with foils or ballast systems that replace crew, are becoming a popular category.
A Production Perfect Storm
Strong demand for boats and an inventory shortage are squeezing dealers and alienating customers.
FLIBS Report: Trending Downward
With FLIBS in our wake, we found two emerging trends at the vast show.
FLIBS Report: Trending Upward
With FLIBS in our wake, we found two emerging trends at the vast show. This article reports that sales of imported yachts continue to grow, in both unit numbers and average lengths
Comply with Standards, then Document your Compliance
In a guest column, ABYC president John Adey discusses the best ways for marine businesses to avoid costly mishaps.
Don Gross
Groco president Don Gross comes from a family of logical thinkers who hold 23 company patents.
The New Word-of-Mouth
Social media can play a critical role in your business strategy, but it must be taken seriously to be effective.
Trade War Troubles
Tariffs continue to cost the industry millions. Plus, even with a new NAFTA, U.S. boats are still targeted by Canadian tax authorities.
Job Board
Columns/Blogs
State issues are eye-openers at ACMA meeting
State and regional marine trades associations work hard to advance the industry while protecting it from ill-conceived legislation and regulation.
Social media: contributing or confusing?
Dealers need to at least know the basics to navigate the world of online content.
Ethanol war is lost; George H.W. Bush; Handling customer complaints
Tom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, was typically measured in his response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s announced ethanol fuel-volume levels for 2019: “Consumers are an afterthought under the current RFS (Renewable Fuel Standard),” he said.
Tempers rise in the Everglades; Ohio dredging costs to rise
Two different environmental issues will impact local marinas.
ACMA to meet at MDCE; Houston show announces 2019 plans
Extreme Raptors and Build-a-Boats for kids will be featured in Houston.
Dealer Sentiment Drops Sharply Year-Over-Year
Dealers grow cautious as sentiment drops year-over-year.
Industry Tracking at Around 3.5 Percent Growth for the Year
Total boat sales were down in September but are still on track for 3.5 percent growth this year.
Economy’s Signposts Remain Strong
The Consumer Confidence index was close to an all-time high in October.
Emotion and Authenticity: The Keys to Going Viral
The smartest strategies for helping social media videos go viral.
Lessons From the Boat, Part V
The way you ask questions is as important as what you ask.