The deadline to submit projects to the Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) Fabrication Excellence Awards has been extended to Nov. 14, 2023. From design excellence to quality workmanship, the MFA Fabrication Excellence Awards program showcases projects that represent the breadth of the industry—from tops and covers to interior and exterior upholstery. Categories include: •Hybrid Enclosures: Sailboat [...]

The latest Sailboat Sales Trends report, part of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) 2022 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract, is now available. Sailboat production in North America grew an estimated 3% in 2022, reaching 2,710 units. The U.S. remained a net importer of sailboats with both imports and exports rising over the course of [...]

Here are the 2023 Show Stopper Awards recently announced at the Advanced Textiles Expo in Orlando, Fla. The Show Stopper program is designed to recognize the most popular new products each year from Advanced Textiles Expo (formerly IFAI Expo) exhibitors. The awards acknowledge the newest, most innovative, useful and exciting, effective, efficient and economical entries, [...]

The latest sales trends report for the pre-owned boat market, part of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) 2022 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract, is now available for download. Pre-owned boat sales returned to pre-pandemic levels, down nearly 13% to just below one million units in 2022 following two years of growth. The market value [...]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently denied a petition to establish a mandatory speed limit and other vessel-related mitigation measures for the protection of endangered Rice's whale in the Gulf of Mexico. According to NOAA, the decision was made based on various factors, including scientific assessments, the potential economic impact on commercial and [...]

Cedarville, Mich.-based Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS) has secured a $354,600 Rural Business Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The school applied for the support as part of its “Enhancing Education with Equipment” campaign, which provides equipment and technology for skilled trades training. According to an article in Soundings Trade Only, GLBBS [...]

The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Foundation has opened registration for its fourth Educator Training Conference set for April 2-4, 2024, in Annapolis, Md. The in-person conference caters to high school and post-secondary educators and administrators who are involved in, or thinking about starting, marine service technology programs at their school. Industry leaders interested [...]

Sea Tow, an on-water marine assistance provider, is marking its 40th anniversary in business in 2023. Sea Tow is a provider of non-emergency on-water assistance including towing, fuel delivery, battery jumps and ungroundings, as well as salvage and recovery services including response to catastrophic events and marine spill response. At the forefront of on-water assistance [...]

The deadline to submit projects to the Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) Fabrication Excellence Awards is Oct. 31, 2023. From design excellence to quality workmanship, the MFA Fabrication Excellence Awards program showcases projects that represent the breadth of the industry—from tops and covers to interior and exterior upholstery. Categories include: •Hybrid Enclosures: Sailboat & Powerboat •Marine [...]

The latest sales trends report for cruisers, watersports, fishing boats and trailers, part of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) 2022 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract, is now available. The report examines retail unit sales for each category and by application. Following two years of extraordinary record growth, sales of new cruisers, watersport and fishing [...]