Today's News
Yamaha supply shortages should ease with engine debut
Yamaha anticipates that demand for its new 425-hp XTO Offshore outboard will help ease the supply shortages it has faced with its 2.8-liter, 4.2-liter V6 and 5.3-liter V8 outboards.
Tariff uncertainty weighs on business
At the beginning of the week the Trump administration said it would suspend tariffs on China, only to reverse course once again on Tuesday with the announcement that it would move forward on steel and aluminum tariffs on China.
FLW, Walmart and Take Me Fishing kick off National Fishing and Boating Week
Fishing League Worldwide has teamed with Walmart, the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, Jack Link’s, Pringles and Zip Firestarters for National Fishing and Boating Week June 2-10.
More than 100,000 visit Volvo Ocean Race Newport
The Volvo Ocean Race’s Newport stopover from May 8-20 drew over 100,000 visitors to glimpse the seven VO65 race boats and visit race village at Fort Adams State Park.
San Diego International Boat Show returns in June
The San Diego International Boat Show will open at Harbor Island in San Diego Bay June 7 and run through June 10.
Seasucker retains Martin Flory Group
Seasucker, which makes vacuum-mounted marine accessories, has hired Martin Flory Group to promote the company’s products and corporate news in North America.
HCB names Staten Island Yacht Sales annex partner
HCB Center Console Yachts has signed Staten Island Yacht Sales in the manufacturer’s annex partner program.
BoatUS released most popular boat names of 2017
Boat Owners Association of The United States issued its 2017 Top Ten Boat Names list, with Serenity being the No. 1 name people gave their boats last year.
Mercury introduces new V-8 outboards
After introducing naturally aspirated V-6 outboards at the Progressive Miami International Boat Show in February, Mercury Marine today is pulling the sheet off new V-8 outboards that are also not supercharged.
West Marine CEO discusses the company’s refocus on core customers
West Marine is refocusing on its core customers in an effort to regain market share lost in recent years.
Cobalt-Sea Ray patent dispute continues
Cobalt Boats LLC filed another lawsuit against Sea Ray parent company Brunswick Corp., charging the company is continuing to infringe on Cobalt’s patented retractable swim step.
Hidden, Deadly Danger in Marina Waters
When a transient boat pulls into one of the two Irish Boat Shop locations in Charlevoix and Harbor Springs, Mich., one of the first things that happens is an employee handing the boat owner a piece of paper.
Features
Scott Porter
In many ways, Scott Porter, president of Formula Boats, is the quintessential marine executive.
Inside the changes at West Marine
West Marine has undergone numerous changes in recent months, having been sold to private equity firm Monomoy Capital Partners, and taken from public to private last fall.
Jeff Napier, first president of NMMA, dies at age 78
Jeff Napier, the first president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, died at his home in Italy after suffering from Parkinson’s disease. He was 78.
A full slate at ABC 2018
The boating and fishing industries converged on Capitol Hill from May 9-11 for the American Boating Congress and the Center Focus on Washington, concurrent events that were packed with high-profile speakers and workshops as well as meetings on Capitol Hill.
Setting the hook
Lou Martinez isn’t giving up fishing from his kayak, but he realized last summer that kayak angling didn’t always afford him the experience he wanted.
Sound System
When a load of journalists took a ride on a Grady-White Freedom 325 with Fusion Entertainment’s new Apollo stereo system, marketing manager Marcus Hamilton played a song that was considered a “good challenge” for its components.
Job Board
Columns/Blogs
New European Regs will hit US dealers/brokers
U.S.-based businesses who communicate with European customers need to know about this.
Customer Retention
When it comes to marketing, the ancient Greek adage “Know thyself” which was inscribed on the front of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi for all seekers of insight to see, may be less important than “Know thy customer.”
Lessons from the boat, Part 2
Captains in boating and in business alike often gain a reputation for cajoling, complaining and yelling at their crews on a regular basis.
Help Wanted
The takeaway from the American Boating Congress, my first official appearance as editor of Soundings Trade Only, is that we’re facing some of the most urgent challenges our industry has seen.
Are bans on wakesurfing coming?
“If they’d ban these wake boats on our lake, it couldn’t come too soon,” said a well-dressed couple standing behind a new surf model, “because the wake they throw is a homeowner’s nightmare.”