The IRS introduced a list of the top ten things every business owner should know about hiring people as independent contractors versus hiring them as employees. The list highlights the characteristics the IRS uses to determine the relationship between businesses and workers, as well as how to properly classify workers, avoiding higher tax bills and [...]

Products honored for innovation Products honored for innovation Ten marine manufacturers were honored for innovative achievement at the 69th annual Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail Miami. The Innovation Awards, organized by NMMA and judged by BWI, recognize products that best fit the following criteria: innovative distinction from other products currently being manufactured; benefit [...]

The January Info-Link Technologies Bellwether Report revealed that sales of all powerboat segments, except ski boats, have inched upward or remained steady since July. Unit sales of powerboats 15 feet in length and above were down about 27 percent during the past year. The outboard boat segment saw unit sales down 26 percent, while the [...]

Mobile Mariner LLC launched its specialized app for the BlackBerry smartphone. It includes the marine weather forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service, as well as tide information and live weather conditions for the coastal United States and the Great Lakes. The app displays a five-day weather forecast for all [...]

The Grip Clip from Shelter Systems is designed to lock to tarps and fabrics without puncturing the material. Covering and attaching tarps can be done quickly and without the use of tools. The clips are able to withstand a pull between 150-200 lbs., without tearing the tarp. Each clip comes with an 11-inch nylon cord [...]

Safety Components announced that Innovative Industrial Solutions Inc. (IIS) will distribute three products from the WeatherMax line. With distribution centers in Florida and Texas, IIS offers full-service distribution. IIS now carries WeatherMax 80, WeatherMax LT and the fire-retardant WeatherMax FR. The fabric offers UV-protection, stability and is guaranteed by the company to retain its color [...]

The Airlette Corp., manufacturer of specialized vents for flexible boat coverings, modified its popular Snap-In vent model, improving the aerodynamic qualities via a unique low-profile hood.  The modified vent model will be offered in black to accommodate its use with a wider variety of boat covers and colors. Original Equipment Manufactures can purchase the vent in [...]

National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Tom Fry applauded the Virginia State Senate’s passage of a Virginia State House Bill supporting energy development on the state’s coast. In a recently released statement, Fry acknowledged several public officials’ desire to see offshore energy resources developed in Virginia, making it the first area of the Atlantic outer [...]

Preserve is polyurethane foam introduced by Hickory Springs Marine Group, the manufacturer of SeaComfort custom marine mattresses, mattress toppers and other onboard seating products. The foam is made with bio-based polyols produced from soybeans. The renewable resource offers customers an eco-friendly product with the same level of comfort as more traditional products, and for the [...]

Coupler Connect from DuraSafe is an alignment device that makes hitching a trailer alone an easier task. The zinc-plated steel attachment guides the coupler over the tow ball and helps prevent damage to the tow vehicle. The device can be used with a wide range of couplers and ball mounts and allows for maximum turning [...]