June 18, 2019
Sunbrella® Horizon is the company’s first non-woven marine seating fabric crafted to withstand life on the water, including consequences from the notorious pinking effect. It is backed by a three-year warranty against bacterial staining, a first for marine vinyl products. In addition, Sunbrella Horizon carries a five-year limited warranty against loss of strength and color, …
June 11, 2019
Registration is now open for the 29th International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), being held October 1-3 at the Tampa Convention Center. IBEX is North America’s largest trade event for recreational marine industry professionals, with three exhibit halls, outdoor displays and demos on the IBEX docks. It also offers training and education from industry experts …
June 6, 2019
Unit sales of new powerboats in the U.S. reached 276,000 in 2018, an increase of 4 percent from 2017, the highest levels the U.S. recreational boating industry has seen in 11 years, according to data from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Marine expenditures, spending on boats, engines, trailers, accessories and related services, were at …
June 4, 2019
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formally approved a rule allowing the year-round sale of fuel with 15 percent ethanol (E15) one day before the start of summer blend rules that would have blocked the fuel from most vehicles until September. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and its coalition partners repeatedly voiced opposition to the …
May 30, 2019
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) launched a new Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee to ensure that emerging companies have a voice in SEC decision-making. One of the founding members of the Advisory Committee will be Terry McNew, president and CEO of MasterCraft Boat Holdings–an 882-employee boat manufacturer based in Vonore, Tenn. The Advisory …
May 28, 2019
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced it will launch a 16-stop road tour connecting entrepreneurs working on advanced technology to the country’s largest source of early stage funding—the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Also known as America’s Seed Fund, the SBIR/STTR programs focus on next generation …
May 23, 2019
Scout Boats has started generating renewable energy to power its manufacturing facility in Summerville, S.C. with a 592-kilowatt solar energy system. A second solar energy system will be built by Hannah Solar Government Services at the Scout facility. In the first year, the roof-mounted solar array is expected to generate 775,752 kilowatt hours of energy, …
May 22, 2019
The Outdoor Fabric Products Association of New Zealand (OFPANZ) will hold its 2019 Annual Conference at the Napier War Memorial Conference Center in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, on July 25-27. The conference will bring together a diverse range of speakers and workshops, offering a variety of educational, social and professional networking opportunities, including the annual …
May 21, 2019
A measure in Valley County, Idaho, that would have placed punitive restrictions on wake boats was defeated after opposition by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and other stakeholders. The proposal would have disallowed waves greater than 24 inches within 1,000 feet from shore on seven popular lakes in southern Idaho including Payette Lake near …
May 16, 2019
The Foundation for Recreational Boating Safety, Education and Environmental Awareness awarded Bill Yeargin, president and CEO of Correct Craft, the 2019 Hammond Marine Industry Leadership Award for his extraordinary service and commitment to advocacy on behalf of the recreational boating industry. The annual award recognizes individuals who have helped grow and protect the industry through …