Steve Szenay, first vice chair of the Marine Fabricators Association, and Tom Hunter, longtime MFA board member, each released books this past fall. Szenay’s “Marine Canvas Track to Track” offers “seven secrets to installing the perfect track.” They are his insights, gained from visiting some 1,100 canvas shops across the country, into the business of [...]

In October 2014, the U.S. Coast Guard dropped its life jacket type code scheme—Type I, II, III, IV and V—that has been used for years to label and differentiate the types of life jackets and their specific use. The move is expected to lead to more comfortable and innovative life jacket designs and lower costs, [...]

An exclusive monthly report from the National Marine Manufacturers Association shows U.S. outboard engine wholesale shipments were up 5.5 percent in October (over the previous year) for the association’s control group of manufacturers (representing 95 percent of the market). Total retail sales, based on warranty card registrations were up 4.1 percent. Outboard engine sales are [...]

The Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA) has been awarded the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) Seal of Safe Boating Practices for its Personal Watercraft Renter Orientation DVD & Checklist. The citation certifies that PWIA’s boating-safety videos and other educational materials meet the highest standards in quality, accuracy and effectiveness. All materials must [...]

It’s already a popular way to watch fireworks. And San Francisco Giants baseball fans have become adept at retrieve home-run balls from the Bay. Now parking the boat outside the stadium before (or during) the big game is becoming a ritual around the country. Discover Boating reports that “boatgating—aka stern-gating or sailgating—is becoming a preferred [...]

President Obama recently signed a proclamation designating the largest marine reserve in the world and declaring it off limits to commercial resource extraction including commercial fishing. According to an announcement from the White House, the Sept. 25 proclamation expands the existing Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, one of the most pristine tropical marine environments [...]

According to a report by Reuters, a record harvest, low barge availability and a deteriorating lock-and-dam system are putting a strain on U.S. river transportation. Citing years of neglect, industry sources tell the news service the system is only one flood, drought or mechanical breakdown away from calamity. Expanding truck and rail needs of the [...]

A few spots remain open for the Oct. 11 session of the Maryland Boating Career Discovery Day being presented by the Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM), the Eastport Yacht Club Foundation and the Annapolis Boat Shows. The program is being offered as part of the Oct. 9-13 US Sailboat Show in Annapolis; an Oct. [...]

Taking note of the public’s increasing awareness to the dangerous, potentially skin-cancer causing effects of the sun, Marlen Textiles has had its entire line of products reviewed for UPF protection under the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists’ AATCC 183 testing protocol. After testing, all products were certified as having an Ultraviolet Protection Factor [...]

The Marine Fabricators Association offer dynamic learning experiences designed exclusively for marine fabricators. These regional workshops offer a variety of practical solutions that allow fabricators to focus on what’s most important to their business-exceeding expectations and generating revenue. Among the benefits of attending are: Learning new techniques and tricks of the trade from industry experts [...]