States cutting boat taxes
February 25th, 2016
Noting that a handful of states have cut taxes on boat purchases in recent years, Crain’s New York Business says yacht buyers and sellers should be buoyant. Last year, lawmakers passed a state budget that includes a boat sales tax cap that has purchasers paying tax on only the first $230,000 of a yacht’s purchase […]
Sanctuary expansion under review
February 23rd, 2016
Following several years of scientific and archaeological assessment and public input, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently announced plans to consider expanding the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary off the North Carolina coast. The proposed expansion would protect a collection of historically significant shipwrecks including vessels sunk during World War II's Battle of the […]
Carbon Marine launches new carbon fiber tender
February 18th, 2016
Canadian tender builder Carbon Marine of Stouffville, Ontario, was to launch its Paragon Super Sport 28, featuring the world's first fully exposed, carbon fiber production hull, at the 2016 Miami International Boat Show in February. Partnered with a high efficiency Seven Marine 627 HP supercharged V8 outboard, capable of producing a top speed approaching 90 […]
Great Lakes program would get $300M under budget compromise
February 15th, 2016
The Associated Press reports a wide-ranging Great Lakes cleanup program would escape a presidential funding cut under a compromise federal spending plan. President Obama established the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in 2009 to make progress on some of the freshwater seas' biggest environmental problems, including invasive species, industrial pollution, loss of wildlife habitat and nutrient […]
Trade officials sign landmark Trans-Pacific Partnership
February 10th, 2016
Trade officials representing the United States and 11 other Pacific Rim nations joined in signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement Feb. 3, 2016, according to a press release from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). In what has been called “the largest regional trade accord in history,” Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Peru, Malaysia, Mexico, […]
SBA revises size standards for wholesale trade and retail trade industries
February 10th, 2016
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) increased small business size standards affecting businesses in 46 industries in North American Classification System (NAICS) sector 42, wholesale trade, and in one industry in sector 44-45, retail trade. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 25 and will be effective Feb. 26. SBA reviewed […]
Marine fabrication: Working with rigid enclosures
February 9th, 2016
Canvas Designers CEO Mike Erickson, MFC, gives IFAI Expo attendees training and tips on crafting a quality enclosure for customers. “Working with Rigid Enclosures,” presented Oct. 7th at IFAI Expo 2015 in Anaheim, gave attendees an opportunity to learn some tips from the owner of Canvas Designers Inc., Riviera Beach, Fla., the largest custom marine […]
Know your market, make your sale
February 8th, 2016
Social media is a tool that can directly tie conversions to the efforts you set aside to utilize its potential. There are two main sectors of social media that businesses of all sizes can utilize to market their products and services: organic and paid. “Organic social” is the free, content side of social media. The […]
Get that Business Loan Approved: What lenders look for in a borrower?
February 4th, 2016
Most companies run on credit to sustain their initial business expenses. They file for a business loan to cover liabilities for the following: purchasing inventory and equipment or credit to support expansion. Previously, we have highlighted various places where businesses can get a loan, including banks and federal programs. But, what if you have been […]
CRM programs run the gamut
February 1st, 2016
There are dozens and dozens—maybe hundreds—of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software programs on the market. And it seems that most are difficult to use. In terms of navigating the programs, many CRM packages seem to be rated along an arc of complexity, from user-unfriendly to totally impossible to use. One well-known program, Salesforce, is often […]