July 31, 2018
The MFA Southeast Regional Workshop is being held Sept. 28-29 at Lakeside Marine Canvas Inc. in Buford, Ga. The two-day workshop features marine education on Pontoon boat patterning and fabrication, efficient cushion patterning techniques and sewing machine maintenance. It also offers opportunities to discuss technology and other concerns with fellow fabricators, which is something Lakeside …
July 26, 2018
Soundings Trade Only has launched a new awards program for the recreational boating industry called the Most Innovative Marine Companies Awards. The awards will acknowledge innovative initiatives companies are using to advance their businesses including innovative materials, new manufacturing processes, fresh marketing approaches, workforce solutions, supply chain, export programs and others. The awards are open …
July 24, 2018
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to prioritize and expand workforce development, which seeks to create and fill American jobs with American workers. The order establishes the National Council for the American Worker with the goals of developing a national strategy for training and retraining workers, and utilizing data to connect American businesses, workers …
July 19, 2018
The States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA) will hold its 2018 Annual Boating Access Conference from Sept. 24-27 in Duluth, Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is the conference host and the theme for this year’s conference is, “Access is the Bridge to Superior Water Recreation Experiences.” Lake Superior, one of the world’s largest …
July 17, 2018
A variety of short training videos are now available for marine fabricators who are new to the industry or are looking for a techniques refresher. The Marine Fabrication Association (MFA) how-to member videos include a six-part series on bimini tops and a three-part series on frame bending, among others. The videos were produced by the …
July 12, 2018
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is redoubling its efforts in the fight against Asian carp infiltrating the Great Lakes – an aquatic invasive species (AIS) that can damage native ecosystems. Last week, NMMA held meetings with Congressional officials and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regarding the status of the Brandon Road Study, …
July 10, 2018
After a blockbuster year, industry sources say a trade war could put the brakes on the U.S. boating industry. Several boat dealers in Minnesota have already reported higher prices on 2019 orders and wonder if more increases are on the way, according to an article in the Minneapolis StarTribune newspaper. U.S. boat sales were at …
July 5, 2018
Tim James, co-owner of digiShapes™ LLC in Kent, Wash., is a software developer with an interest in marine canvas. His company takes 3-D measurements of entire boats, which are then converted into automatic boat covers. Its SwiftShield™ system consists of a hydraulic mechanism and a tight-fitting fabric cover that is lifted up and over the …
July 3, 2018
Care and maintenance of clear vinyl products, especially those like Strataglass® that are coated to be scratch-resistant, requires cleaning methods using specific cleaning and protection products, according to Craig R. Zola, vice president for marketing and distribution at Herculite® Products Inc., parent company of Strataglass, based in Emigsville, Pa. In the harsh marine environment, it’s …
July 1, 2018
Fabricators play an important role in teaching customers to keep their boats in shape. It’s pretty simple. People buy boats because they want to have fun. The reality, however, is that work—the opposite of fun—is required to keep any watercraft in tip-top condition. Therein lies the rub. “A lot of boaters don’t want to do …