Michael Verdon
Articles From This Author
Separated at Birth?
Michael Verdon on similarities and differences of RV and boating.
Q&A with Bill Watters
Syntec CEO Bill Watters talks about two passions: boats and cattle.
Group of Twelve
A dozen former association heads and industry experts in 12 countries have started the Global Marine Business Advisors as an international consulting service for the industry.
What will Brexit Mean for Boating?
U.K. boating industry carries on as a “hard Brexit” remains a possibility.
Letters from the Trade Front
Michael Verdon discusses how tariffs have changed the industry.
Q&A with Knut Frostad
Navico CEO Knut Frostad on how ocean racing and business intersect.
NMMA: Recent trade agreements positive but not enough
The USMCA and a “Phase One” tariff agreement with China are a good start, the trade association said, but much more needs to be done.
Counter Culture
Correct Craft’s two-day summit on corporate culture changed many industry leaders opinions about their own companies’ values and purposes.
Good News and Bad
Yesterday’s U.S.-China trade agreement eases tariff rates on some imported marine products, but tariffs on more than 400 boating products will not change.
A Definite Maybe?
Michael Verdon gazes into the industry’s crystal ball for 2020, noting that most experts are expecting another good year.
New powerboat sales continue to rise
Unit sales reached 261,600 through October, with 2019 projections expected to be flat with 2018.
Taking a bite from the Apple
The new Discover Boating Experience at five NMMA winter shows is designed as an educational and promotional tool with multiple open areas, similar to an Apple Store.
Dealer Week closes with Def Leppard’s ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me’
The unconventional closing by Clint Pulver, motivational speaker and drummer, reflected the new approach MRAA took toward its event.
DEALER WEEK: To Text or Not to Text
Texting is a hot topic at Dealer Week, judging from a standing-room only session on messaging etiquette.
Dealer Week launches with non-marine field trip
The field trip included visits to the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL team to learn about community engagement, Columbia Restaurant to hear about succession planning and Lazydays RV center for workforce retention strategies.
A new breed of boat club?
Inland Boat Club has not only based its fleet on high-end Nautique wake-sports boats, it offers charter flights for members to reach distant parts of Utah.
Metstrade: Another record-breaker
The marine equipment trade show reported all-time-high visitor numbers, with a record number of 1,670 exhibitors from 53 countries.
METSTRADE LIVE 2019: Bowling for Euros
Each year, Vetus rents a bowling alley across from Metstrade to hold its most important business meetings.
Metstrade 2019: U.S. ambassador hears about the impact of EU tariffs
Pete Hoekstra, a former Congressman whose district included S2 Yachts and Four Winns, learns about the economic hardships the EU tariffs have caused to some U.S. boat builders.
Metstrade prepares to launch
The setup of more than 1,000 booths is frenzied on the day before the big equipment show.
With late summer bump, new powerboat sales expected to be flat with 2018
The NMMA reported that powerboat registrations were down in September.
Taiwan plants industry flag at FLIBS
The world’s fourth-largest exporter of yachts wants to attract U.S. boat and equipment manufacturers as its domestic market opens.
Canadian distributor announces management transition plan
Western Marine promotes three executives to run daily operations while its founders step back.
Torqeedo sales double over Q3 last year
Unit sales were up to 6,832 because of stronger demand in small outboards
Safe Harbor acquires Georgia marina
The acquisition of Hideaway Bay Marina on Lake Lanier gives Safe Harbor 90 facilities in 20 states.
ASA gains preliminary injunction against Lippert
A circuit court judge in Elkhart, Ind., ruled that a former ASA employee “violated non-disclosure agreements” concerning ASA trade secrets after he went to work for Lippert.
Sunseeker outlines superyacht division
The U.K. builder went over its plans for “a new chapter and an important milestone” at the Fort Lauderdale show.
Michigan to spend $8 million on Asian carp barrier
Recent DNA tests show that the invasive species threat to the Great Lakes has risen.
Metstrade gears up for record show
The Marine Equipment Trade Show is forecasting big numbers, with 250 new exhibiting companies and a record number of speakers.
Lippert Q3 sales down 3 percent
The company is relying on aftermarket and international sales to offset declines in OEM sales in RV and marine.
Brunswick claims FLIBS records
Sea Ray sales were up 80 percent over last year, according to the company, while Mercury accounted for more than half of the engines at the in-water portion of the show.
ABYC standards accepted by Canadian government
The U.S. standards have been accepted as an alternative method for small-vessel compliance by Transport Canada.
FLIBS 2019: The Silent Treatment
Silent Yachts says its new 60-foot electric power cat represents the future of boating.
FLIBS 2019: The Honeymooners
Four months after the acquisition, MarineMax and Fraser Yachts continue to find “synergies” in their businesses.
Q&A with Andrea Frabetti
Sunseeker CEO Andrea Frabetti on his plans to reinvent the storied brand.
Lifeline of the Islands
After Dorian devastated the Bahamas, Florida’s boating industry answered the call.
FLIBS 2019: Prime RIBs
Ten years ago, Zar Formenti had zero presence in the U.S. market. After developing a line of RIB tenders for American boaters, it has become a strong brand name.
FLIBS 2019: Brunswick’s big moves
CEO David Foulkes puts the company’s wide-ranging initiatives into context for its future.
Growing recreation
State departments of outdoor recreation are growing fast, up from three to 16 states in two years. Their impact on boating could be significant.
‘We’re a 15’
When asked to rank Brunswick’s 2020 guidance between 1 and 10, CEO David Foulkes’ answer shows the company’s optimism, even in a flat market.
Closing Ranks
The Association of Bahamas Marinas said its 48 members are working together after Hurricane Dorian to assure the boating community that its marinas are open for business.
‘We lost a legend’
Olaf Harken, founder of sailing hardware manufacturer Harken Inc., will be remembered for numerous innovations.