The New York National Boat Show changed its show dates to Dec. 13-21 this year, nearly two weeks earlier than originally scheduled. The earlier date opens new marketing opportunities for the longstanding show, and ensures an increase in consumer attendance. Contact Michael Duffy at +1 212 984 7016 or mduffy@nmma.org.

A two-year economic study on recreational boating in New Jersey indicates that in 2006, the state’s boaters spent about $2.1 billion on in-state recreational boating activities. Trip-related expenditures account for $1.1 billion and annual boating purchases, such as registration fees and maintenance, account for $938 million. The industry also provides about 18,000 jobs to N.J. [...]

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule in the Federal Register that is designed to reduce exhaust emissions from diesel-powered recreational boats and simultaneously help the industry avoid a series of aftertreatment catalyst-based standards. The rule would have required U.S.-flagged recreational marine diesel powered vessels with engines greater than 2000 kW to install [...]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has set the last two buoys in the U.S. tsunami warning system. The network of 39 stations allows faster and more accurate tsunami warnings between coastal communities in the Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Since the Indonesian tsunami of 2004, the NOAA expanded the network [...]

The “Discover Boating” advertising campaign, sponsored by the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA), now includes cell phone advertising and TiVo advertising messages. The NMMA designed the new campaign to simplify the ordering process for the Discover Boating DVD, which encourages people to visit manufacturers and dealers. The 15-week campaign started in February and ends in [...]

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) introduced the bill, S. 2766, The Clean Boating Act of 2008. If enacted into law before the Sept. 2008 deadline, the bill would permanently restore a long-standing regulation that excludes recreational boaters and anglers from federal and state permit requirements under the Clean Water Act, which [...]

Bainbridge International announced James Hudson as export sales manager for their sailcloth and technical fabrics division. Hudson has held various positions in the marine industry, including skipper for private and charter yachts, and after-sales manager for Ancasta, Sealine and Fairline. Hudson follows the recent departure of Kane Watkinson.

At the 2008 Miami Boat Show, nine marine manufacturers were honored for innovative achievement. The Innovation Awards were organized by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and judged by Boating Writers International. More than 50 products were entered into eight categories and judged on their innovative distinction from other products, the benefits to the marine industry [...]

Production of Chris-Craft’s Lancer 20 (formerly named “Speedster”) has moved from Sarasota, Fla., to Cleveland County, N.C. Production of Chris-Craft’s smallest and most popular boat began in its new Kings Mountain facility in March. Chris-Craft also plans to start an upholstery operation at the new facility. In the next two or three months the company [...]

The American Boating Congress (ABC) recently cited threats to recreational boating in the U.S., including national federal permitting of recreational boats, assaults on boating and fishing access, proposed tax reforms, and a stalling economy and spiking energy processes. According to Boating Industry magazine, the number of legislative and regulatory threats facing the boating industry is [...]