Technology
Consumers are demanding increasing sophistication from the boats they buy, reflecting the conveniences and advances they have come to expect in modern automobiles. Marine technology companies are responding, developing smarter and more sophisticated electronics, cleaner, quieter and more powerful engines, and pod drives and joystick systems.
Suzuki Motor of America announces tech center
The Japanese outboard manufacturer is developing a 20-acre waterfront property in Panama City, Fla.
Yamaha to pause manufacturing at U.S. subsidiaries
Plants in Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Missouri, Indianapolis, Florida and Wisconsin have shut.
BRP declines to offer FY2021 expectations amid COVID-19
Marine was up for the fourth quarter and for the fiscal year.
FSU will use donated Skeeter to study Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Apalachicola Bay was the Gulf’s leading producer of oysters before the oil spill.
Mercury Marine implements virus prevention measures
An employee who have been exposed to coronavirus is not at work.
Sportsman Boats partners with Dometic Marine
The boat manufacturer will use the accessory company’s digital switching.
A rod that records where and when you caught that fish
ANGLR, Lowrance and Abu Garcia collaborate on a virtual fishing rod that connects with the boat’s plotter and fishfinder.
MAN introduces cybersecurity system
EngineVault uses software and hardware to protect engines and on-board systems from cyberattacks.
FLIR reports buyer interest in Raymarine
CEO Jim Cannon said in a call with investors that 2020 is a “year of evolution.”
Yanmar Marine International appoints new president
Taro Kitamura, who has three decades with the company, assumes the new role effective April 1.
Founding brothers leave Seven Marine
Eric and Brian Davis said they wanted to “change the outboard market” with their high-horsepower engines.
Yanmar partners with gyrostabilizer company
It acquired majority ownership of Smartgyro, an Italy-based manufacturer of gyroscopic stabilizers.
FLIR evaluates Raymarine sale
The commercial business unit, which includes marine, was down 10.6 percent in fiscal 2019.
Propspeed preps for growth in North America and Europe
The coatings company named Marcus Hamilton and Matt Forbes to sales positions.
Massachusetts yard earns environmental award from Honda
The Boat Guy received the Honda Environmental Leadership Award as part of the company’s “Green Dealer” program.
Garmin and Fusion unveil Signature Series 3
The speakers and subwoofers feature five-color LED lighting.
Inmarsat launches connectivity services in Saudi Arabia
Services extend across land, air and sea.
Garmin reports record 2019 sales
Sales in its marine division rose 22 percent for Q4 and 15 percent for the year.
Torqeedo Charges Ahead
The electric propulsion company displayed new drives and boat partners at the Miami International Boat Show.
MIAMI 2020: Siren Marine introduces Pro 3 system
The company is aiming to provide “an agnostic gateway connected to everything on the boat.”
MIAMI 2020: Suzuki displays two new outboards and a concept
The DF300B made its industry debut at IBEX last fall.
MIAMI 2020: Dometic announces global marine division
Eric Fetchko, president of Dometic Marine Americas, assumes responsibility for the company’s world marine operations.