SureShade teamed with Great Lakes Boat Top to expand production of its retractable marine sunshade systems. Great Lakes Boat Top Company will produce all new canvas pieces for SureShade factory installations, as well as handle canvas production for select aftermarket and dealer-installed sunshade systems. SureShade is currently featured as a factory-install option on eight different [...]

Retail sales for recreational boats, accessories and marine services in the U.S. increased 6 percent to $32.3 billion in 2011, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Annual Statistical Report. This marks the first increase in retail sales for the recreational boating industry since 2006. Leading the recovery was aluminum powerboats (primarily fishing and [...]

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Foreign and Commercial Service joined together to create the New Market Exporter Initiative (NMEI). The initiative assists manufacturers as they expand their export sales of manufactured goods. Through the NMEI, NMMA’s members receive help developing contacts for business in foreign markets including [...]

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 [...]

OMNOVA Solutions introduces five new designs to the Nautolex upholstery line for exterior and interior marine applications. Facet combines a 3-D grid design and is available in nine colors. Free Spirit features a subtle, metallic glitter and comes in 14 bold and neutral shades. Pebbletex’s raised stipple texture mimics the look and feel of pebbles. [...]

Vicar International introduces Coats Star Ultra Dee thread to complement its existing Aqualon thread line. The size 92 polyester thread is available in 36 colors in 4-ounce cones. Suitable for numerous marine applications, the thread features a bonded finish and is resistant to UV rays, micro-organisms and mildew. Sample cards are available. SOURCE Vicar International

Unlike painted boat stands, ROK® Boat Stands from Brownell Trailers are rustproof and corrosion resistant. The stands feature fully hot dipped galvanized bases and cast steel hot dipped galvanized handles. Stackable with other major brands, ROK stands are built with five degrees more pitch, adjustable screw tops and solid steel roll threaded rods. Stands are [...]

Interview by Sigrid Tornquist How have the increased gas prices affected your business? If it costs a client too much to take the boat out, they’re not going to do it as often, which means they won’t need as much work done. Gas prices also impact the cost of materials. But because we’ve oriented ourselves [...]

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 [...]