Groupe Beneteau reports full-year financials
Boat sales were up 4.6 percent, but income from ordinary operations fell 5.8 percent for fiscal 2018-19.
Today's News
Modern Fish Act progress report
The Center for Sportfishing Policy released a ranking system to show how the government is doing on implementing the bill.
SeaVee opens new facility
The campus in Florida’s Dade County is designed as a production facility and visitor center.
The Boat House Group acquires Bald Knob Marina
The businesses merged to create a new Boat House Chicago facility.
Cleveland show rocks
With new leadership and major format changes, the show saw a 20 percent jump in attendance. Also, know the power of an apology.
Senate approves USMCA
The agreement replaces NAFTA and includes ways to promote and protect the U.S. boating industry.
Ferretti reports increased orders for new boats
The company said orders were up 20 percent in 2019 compared to the previous year.
Torqeedo and ZF announce partnership
The two companies will integrate ZF’s steerable saildrives with Torqeedo’s Deep Blue propulsion system.
Sea Pro to open new South Carolina facility
More than $3 million is being invested into a facility for Sea Pro models larger than 24 feet.
Camping World to close former Gander Mountain retail stores by end of January
The shuttering of 32 “outdoor lifestyle locations,” intended to compete with West Marine and Bass Pro Shops, marks the end of Camping World as a retail competitor in fishing and boating.
Helm of the Future
Sea Ray redefines the glass helm at the Consumer Electronics Show with an intuitive display that will eventually include speech and gesture recognition.
Features
2020 Outlook
Twenty-four experts give their views on what lies ahead for different segments of the industry.
A New Kind of Luxury Tax?
If the upcoming IMO rules on diesel emissions for large yachts take effect in 2021, they could have a negative impact not only on yacht builders’ order books, but they could also devastate their workforces.
Q&A with Chris Drees
Mercury Marine president Chris Drees discusses technology integration initiatives, why outboards will only get bigger and why game days can turn his home into a Big 10 battleground.
Sustainability Takes Center Stage at Metstrade
The world’s largest marine equipment trade show saw exhibitor and attendee records. Exhibitors reported consistent sales activity, so the three-day event ended with a positive outlook for 2020. Sustainability was Metstrade’s mantra, not only at panel discussions and exhibits, but among exhibitors and visitors.
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A New Deal for Dealers
The MRAA event had a strong first year, with a field trip to the country’s largest RV dealership, new educational pathways, 100 OEM and service provider exhibitors, and Ted-style “10 x 10” talks.
Designing Around Technology
How builders are designing around giant outboards, multiple displays and stabilizers.
Bigger, Bolder and Faster
The University of Maine makes a giant leap forward for boat manufacturing.
Q&A with Paul Ray
Ilmor Engineering president Paul Ray on IndyCars, Viper engines and how to move from go-fast engines to sterndrives.
Job Board
Columns/Blogs
The Power of Show Pricing
Research shows that it’s more effective to indicate discounting in percentage off, rather than dollars off. And if you really want to get traffic to your boat show display, try using the word “free.”
Increase in December registrations buoys dealer confidence
Almost 75 percent of respondents to the monthly Pulse Report survey thought inventory was too high.
November registrations flat year-over-year
The ski and wake segment was up 3.8 percent year-to-date, passing sterndrive sales as towboat popularity continues to grow.
Would You Like Fries with that Outboard?
Facing headwinds hiring younger workers, McDonald’s is calling on the AARP to help it recruit potential employees. Might the marine industry take the fast-food giant’s lead and look to older employees who can to fill a dealership’s tech needs?
Discover Boating shows strong results for 2019
More than 2,500 stories on the boating lifestyle were published in mainstream media last year.
Florida boaters targeted again
The manatee population has rebounded from its status as endangered, but their increasing numbers in Florida waters present a catch-22 for boaters.
Will imports continue to make gains in the U.S. market?
This month’s Pulse Report survey asks dealers to weigh in on market conditions.
Dealers: Will imports continue to make gains in the U.S. market?
New survey asks dealers to weigh in on market conditions.
New year, new show season, new overtime rules
The winter show season kicks off tomorrow in Houston. Also, will the new overtime threshold affect your business?
Inventory Weighs on Dealers Moving into the Off Season
Dealers ended 2019 focusing on excess inventory. Most expect similar-sized boat orders as last year; others say value products will be in demand.
Analyst: Favorable Weather Releases Pent-Up Demand
New-boat registrations rose in October, thanks to a late-season sales surge. Except for PWC and wake boats, however, year-to-date sales were lower than 2018.