As Hurricane Irma potentially threatens the Tampa area, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has announced that the 2017 Progressive® Insurance Tampa Boat Show®, originally scheduled for September 8-10, will be postponed until October 13-15. All exhibitor space assignments will remain the same for the October dates at the Tampa Convention Center. Updated move-in and [...]

The CAF-COMPO screw stud from SUREFAS® BV is a composite self-tapping screw stud for use in fiberglass, wood and other composites. The stud is the lower part of a snap or ring-spring press fastener system that will fit any regular ring-spring socket, no matter the material or supplier and is tested to hold 500N [...]

The big three—a dodger, bimini and enclosure combination on a Hylas 54 sailing yacht—combine a multitude of skill sets. It is one of the most challenging of all canvas projects to pull off correctly. In this article, we will examine the order of fabrication, techniques unique to this combination and pitfalls to avoid when fabricating [...]

Typically, it’s the “wow” factor of something that most impresses an audience. In the marine industry, it might be a gorgeous new canvas sail or a striking custom upholstered sofa with decorative topstitching. The clients’ reactions to the finished product are not only gratifying, but those oohs and aahs are critical to drumming up more [...]

Precision-Sew Vents are unique UV-stabilized polyurethane sew-in boat vents. They feature a large sewing flange surface area that eliminates the need for additional fabric reinforcement. This is an effective way to circulate air and keep mold from growing in boat covers. Compatible with 3/4 inch and 7/8 inch boat poles. www.rochfordsupply.com

In partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC), The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is offering a video series about exporting basics to help members tap into the world market. The series discusses how to find information about doing business in other countries, assessing business prospects abroad, ensuring proper payment, shipping across borders and [...]

Providing a high-quality and affordable option to set multiple sizes of grommets and washers, Stimpson’s versatile collection of modular hand-drive setting tools means that a single handle and bolster will accommodate a wide variety of Stimpson setting tools. Tools are available for sheet metal grommets sizes #00–#5 and rolled rim grommet sizes #0–#4. The complete [...]

Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), a public-private partnership that began at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), officially opened its headquarters in Cambridge, Mass. The $10 million center is located near MIT, which founded AFFOA after the federal government tapped Massachusetts to lead a national textile manufacturing innovation institute. AFFOA is working to develop [...]

Knight Boat Docks of Deer Park, Wash., recently acquired pontoon dock manufacturer S-K Marine of Cusick, Wash. All S-K Marine’s full-time employees will be offered employment with Knight Boat Docks, as Knight moves S-K manufacturing from Cusick to its Deer Park plant. Knight will retain the S-K Marine brand name in marketing the pontoon docks, [...]

Taylor Made Products of Gloversville, N.Y., one of the largest suppliers of marine aftermarket products, named Jeff Smith as its new director of sales and marketing–consumer products. Smith is transferring from the original equipment manufacturing (O.E.M.) division of the Taylor Made Group where he spent 11 years as the marketing manager for Taylor Made Systems [...]