ABYC announces entry level certification program

July 9th, 2021

The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) announced an updated year-end exam for its new entry-level Marine Service Technician Certification. The revised certification designation and exam completes ABYC’s Marine Service Technology package, designed to help secondary and post-secondary schools easily implement standards-based marine service programs and further enhance student abilities to grow their careers in […]

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2020 boat and engine exports and imports stats available

July 7th, 2021

The Boat and Engine Exports and Imports section of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) 2020 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract is now available on www.nmma.org. This report examines 24 years of historical data on the different categories of recreational boats and marine engines imported to and exported from the U.S. each year. Key insights […]

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Arkansas creates outdoor rec office

June 30th, 2021

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson recently announced that the state will create an Office of Outdoor Recreation within the state’s Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. The new office will be focused on developing new opportunities to showcase the state’s wide variety of outdoor activities, including boating, trail activities, and cycling. Arkansas is among the first […]

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2020 US Boating Statistical Abstract for cruiser, watersport and fishing boat sales trends available

June 29th, 2021

The Cruiser, Watersport, Fishing Boat & Trailer Sales Trends section of the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s (NMMA) 2020 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract is now available on www.nmma.org. This report examines retail sales trends of new boats commonly used for three top boating activities: cruising, watersports and fishing. Key insights from the report include: Retail […]

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ABYC to publish largest standards manual to date

June 9th, 2021

The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC), the nonprofit organization that develops the global voluntary safety standards for the design, construction, maintenance and repair of recreational boats, is set to publish its largest supplement ever of the Standards and Technical Information Reports for Small Craft. With more than 75 percent of revised documents included as […]

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Patrick Industries acquires SeaDek

April 21st, 2021

Patrick Industries Inc. announced that it has completed the acquisition of Hyperform Inc., a manufacturer of non-slip foam flooring, operating under the SeaDek brand name, for the marine OEM market and aftermarket. Hyperform also serves the pool and spa, powersports and utility markets under the SwimDek and EndeavorDek brands. SeaDek operates out of two manufacturing […]

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West Marine acquired by private equity firm

April 20th, 2021

West Marine, an integrated, omni-channel provider of aftermarket products and services to the boating, fishing, sailing and watersports markets in the U.S. announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by L Catterton, according to BoatingIndustry.com. L Catterton is the largest global consumer-focused private equity firm and has extensive experience building enthusiast […]

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New Trivantage distribution center triples inventory capacity

April 15th, 2021

Trivantage® has moved to a larger distribution facility in St. Louis, Mo., that will allow the company to better and more efficiently serve customers with increased capacity at more than 62,000 square feet, six loading docks for customer will-call and shipments, and improved visitor parking. The new location will house increased inventory levels, easy-access sampling […]

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Boating Industry magazine announces 2021 roster of young marine industry leaders

April 8th, 2021

Boating Industry magazine announced its “40 Under 40” for 2021, a list of the top young leaders from across the recreational boating industry. The honorees were selected from hundreds of entries for their outstanding work in the industry and their potential to continue to carry the marine industry forward. Check out the list for 2021 […]

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Marine CEOs remained optimistic in Q4 2020

March 24th, 2021

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Q4 2020 Marine CEO Sentiment Report, a quarterly survey to assess the state and needs of U.S. recreational boat, engine and marine accessory manufacturing businesses, shows marine CEO assessments of current conditions and short-term outlooks in Q4 were the most optimistic since the survey’s inception in 2018, following historic […]

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