As the Grow Boating initiative moves closer to certifying builders and dealers, the next logical step for Grow Boating is to assess and monitor the nation’s gateways to boating — our marinas and boatyards. As has been the case with dealer and builder certification, the idea of marina certification has been bandied about for years. However, in this case, the ...

For the past 11 years, water access has been a dire issue in Fort Myers, Fla., and the surrounding area. The cost of waterfront property has been skyrocketing and marina owners have been falling into a trend of selling to condo developers. Construction of public waterfronts in the area, has been flat since 1987, despite the fact that the number ...

In early May, before leaving for a Discover Boating “dress rehearsal” at LaFayette, La.’s Crawfish Festival, Steve Tadd, Discover Boating programs director, and his team of seven, were working late hours getting ready. “I spent 34 of the last 48 hours working on getting the tour on the road. It’s going to be awesome, thanks to the hard work of ...

A mere five years ago, the Marine Aftermarket Accessory Trade Show was but a gleam in its organizer’s eyes. NMMA’s brainchild was designed to compete with the new Marine Equipment Trade Show USA, introduced the same year by Netherlands-based RAI Group and Professional BoatBuilder magazine. NMMA’s Thom Dammrich cautiously predicted that in contrast to METS USA, his association’s inaugural event ...