The March Info-Link Technologies Bellwether Report revealed that year-over-year sales for 15-foot or greater powerboats were up 5 percent. Sales for outboard and sportfishing boats improved nearly 10 percent compared to March 2011. The 15-foot and greater outboard boat market increased about 9 percent. Sales for sterndrive, personal watercraft and ski boats improved slightly since [...]

To help serve boat owners and refurbishment businesses, OMNOVA Solutions is offering an aftermarket distributor program for its Nautolex performance marine products. Customers will have easy access to products thanks to a national network of 16 distributors located in major boating hubs. Products include 10 Nautolex coated fabric designs in a variety of constructions, leather [...]

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) offers its members the 2011 Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract—the comprehensive collection of recreational boating data. The Abstract is available for immediate download for members who have renewed their membership for the 2012/2013 membership year, which began June 1. Updated with current market facts and figures, the Abstract quantifies the [...]

Schaefer Marine is a leading manufacturer and supplier of marine products to recreational and commercial accounts throughout the United States. “We are proud to form this association with Manson Anchors. Both companies are rooted in manufacturing high quality products and in servicing their customers with the highest degree of satisfaction,” said Fred Cook, President of [...]

Phifer Incorporated’s line of Designed Fabrics outdoor furniture fabric has attained GREENGUARD Select certification from the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI). The new GREENGUARD Select program meets the latest in scientific and market requirements for VOC and formaldehyde emissions, including compliance with the 2012 updates to the California section CA 01350 emissions standard. The Select certification [...]

The National Safe Boating Council is kicking off National Safe Boating Week, May 19–25, 2012. Boating safety partners across the U.S. and Canada are teaming up to promote safe and responsible boating, including voluntary wear of life jackets. As part of National Safe Boating Week, the NSBC hosted “Ready, Set, Wear It!” on May 19. [...]

The Interlux Waterfront Challenge returns in 2012 and will award a total of $50,000 to organizations that create sustainable waterfront environmental improvements in their communities. A five-judge panel of marine industry professionals—with the help of boaters voting on Facebook for their favorite projects—will select seven regional winners to be awarded $4,500 each and a grand-prize [...]

Florida collected nearly 10 times the projected sales tax revenue after new maritime provisions were signed into law, according to a study by the Florida Yacht Brokers Association and the Marine Industries Association of South Florida. The new law put an $18,000 sales-and-use tax cap on boats purchased or brought into Florida. Research indicated that [...]

Collisions between powered and non-powered personal watercraft and sail or powered craft are a serious concern for both professional mariners and recreational boaters, according to a study from the United States Coast Guard. The study ranks collisions with a recreational vessel as the leading primary marine accident type. Operator inattention and improper lookout were leading [...]

The Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA) published a comprehensive discussion of the U.S. flexible polyurethane foam industry related to production issues, solid waste management and recycling of post-consumer foam products that may contain flame retardants. The paper, “Flexible Polyurethane Foam Waste Management and Recycling,” was developed in response to an invitation from the United Nations Industrial [...]