BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water President Chris Edmonston has been elected chairman of the National Safe Boating Council. Created in its current form by the Federal Boating Safety Act of 1971, the Council is the nation’s principle public-private boating safety advocacy organization with a coalition of more than 330 U.S. and international [...]

The National Marine Representatives Association (NMRA) presented the Mel Barr Award posthumously to Ted Hood, internationally heralded yachtsman, sail maker, yacht designer and builder. The award recognizes an individual who has contributed to the improvement of the industry and is named in the memory of marine rep Mel Barr, one of the founders of NMRA [...]

Safety Components Fabric Technologies recently won an Innovation Award for its Breakwater X in the Boatbuilding Methods and Materials category at the 2013 International BoatBuilders Exhibition & Conference. Breakwater X is a PVC alloy fabric with a 10-year warranty for permanent tops and enclosures that maintains a soft hand regardless of age or exposure.

In September 2013, Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, and Robert Marx, president of European Boating Industry, signed a declaration stating their mutual intention to reduce and eliminate unnecessary regulatory costs and unjustified regulatory differences between the EU and the U.S. in the boating industry. Signed during EU-U.S. trade negotiations launched in [...]

J. Ennis Fabrics and Para have decided to end their North American distribution agreement, effective the end of 2013.

My-Villages, a leader in marine mobile technology, has acquired DockMaster, an information-management program serving marine retailers, marinas and service centers. The integration of DockMaster software and My-Villages’ consumer and professional application, called The Boat Village, will create the largest and most integrated software solution for marine businesses in the industry. The new venture will serve [...]

How did your shop get started? We wanted to diversify, and market research indicated a void in marine fabrication. Omaha doesn’t come to mind as a huge boating community, but it is home to quite a few boat owners. Our research turned up limited options for either them or dealers who wanted to work with [...]

Canvas Innovations This project won an Award of Excellence in the marine exterior upholstery category of the Industrial Fabrics Association International's International Achievement Awards (IAA). This boat was due for a facelift prior to starting this project, but a raccoon helped speed it along, tearing up the boat while in storage. The client wanted the [...]

This project won an Award of Excellence in the Sailboat Exterior category of the Industrial Fabrics Association International's International Achievement Awards (IAA). The USCGC Eagle is a very active vessel. She needed protection at the Mid Deck from rain and sun while underway and while entertaining guests worldwide. The purpose is to provide rain and [...]

The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) announces the 2013 ShowStoppers awards for the best of the best new products and services at the Specialty Fabrics Expo 2013 and Advanced Textiles Conference & Trade Show, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. IFAI received a total of 97 entries from 53 companies in this [...]