Retail expenditures for new boat, motor, trailer and accessory purchases in Michigan exceeded $1 billion in 2018, an increase of almost 11 percent over 2017 and the ninth consecutive year of growth in the state. That’s according to the Michigan Boating Industry Association (MBIA), citing new data from the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “We’re the [...]

Personal watercraft (PWC) owners won and lost in the National Park Service decision announced in August regarding access to the Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS). GUIS comprises sections of shoreline near Pensacola, Fla. and Pascagoula, Miss., offering pristine beaches and shorelines. The final decision on these regulations ends a nearly 20-year history of opposition to [...]

The annual call for listings in the Marine Fabricator 2020 Buyer’s Guide opens August 26. Thousands of companies turn to this annual guide to purchase products and services for their businesses. This comprehensive resource lists suppliers of fabric, film and foam; hardware and findings; end products and services; and equipment and tools. We need to [...]

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker formally approved the state’s budget with continued funding for the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association’s (MMTA) Workforce Development and Career Technical Education program. MMTA’s workforce program will receive $100,000 in Fiscal Year 2020. The MMTA has made strong progress on delivering workforce solutions for Massachusetts’ recreational boating industry. Part of the funding [...]

In the latest Forecast on U.S. Boat Building Production from ITR Economics, growth in boat building production is expected to decline slightly throughout 2020 and rebound strongly in 2021. According to ITR's forecast, at its lowest (summer 2020), production is expected to be on par with levels seen in spring 2019. The strong rebound in [...]

The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) Women in Textiles Summit 2020 will be held Feb. 19-21, 2020, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. The goal of the summit is to strengthen the advancement of women and men through an interactive forum that provides education, networking and dialogue about important issues affecting women in [...]

Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, makers of Sunbrella®, announced the hiring of Steve Pawl as its first chief marketing officer. Pawl has a track record of developing growth strategies and strengthening brands for global companies including Husqvarna Group, Fruit of the Loom, Newell Brands and Pfizer. He will direct the global brand strategy, positioning and activation [...]

The Total Industry Sales by Category and State, 2006 - 2018 section of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) 2018 Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract is now available. Total new recreational boat sales (powerboats and sailboats) increased 4 percent in 2018 to an 11-year high of 281,800 units–an increase of 5 percent over 2008 levels. Total [...]

The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) recently published its 59th supplement of Standards and Technical Information Reports for Small Craft, which covers all major boat systems and provides the industry with the latest in boat building and repair standards. ABYC standards are continuously researched, developed and revised by more than 400 volunteer technical experts [...]

Hydrofend™, a solution-dyed polyester designed to balance high water resistance with breathability, is now available from Trivantage, a one-stop shop for fabrics, hardware, and accessories. “Our goal was to create a fabric that lets little water in and water vapor out,” says Dan Fouratt, director of business development for Trivantage. “Hydrofend achieves this balance.” Applications [...]