Boat sales increased by 3 percent in May, according to the latest Info-Link Bellwether report. The Bellwether report tracks sales of powerboats across the country based on new U.S. boat registrations on a rolling 12-month basis. Bellwether states are geographically dispersed states representing roughly half of the U.S. boat market (varies by market segment and time of year). Boat sales ...

40 trendsetters who are leading the boating industry  Boating Industry’s annual profile of the best young leaders in the marine industry highlights a unique group that stands out from their boating peers.  This year’s group represents an impressive cross-section of talented industry individuals who serve associations, manufacturers, marinas, and dealers.  These individuals were selected for their numerous accomplishments so far – ...

With the unofficial tagline, “We sell everything from kayaks to cruise ships,” you know something different is happening within the Nautical Ventures Group. Despite being somewhat new to the Top 100, earning its first Top 100 accolades in 2016, Nautical Ventures has used being a little different than the traditional dealership to launch itself into success. “We believe our efforts ...

Technician shortage also addressed in survey Congress and the Trump Administration are currently exploring ways to reform the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard. There are a number of alternatives being discussed, all of which will have a significant impact on the recreational boating industry. Will E15 be expanded in the fuel supply? Will better alternatives like biobutanol be ...

Asset plan analysis is critical before times get tough. Boat and marine product sales plunged deep underwater during the recession, but the industry has roared back in recent years with consistent market growth.  It’s never too early to implement strategies for keeping ahead. Managing key asset metrics and eliminating silent drags on your business now can create maximum efficiency and ...

Over the last decade the boating industry has seen both sides of the inventory challenge.  In the 2007-09 period, we saw dealers stuck with way too many boats when the housing market – and then the rest of the economy – crashed. With dealers dropping left and right and consumers defaulting on loans, excess inventory and repossessed vessels flooded the ...

Have you ever been on the Internet and noticed ads following you around everywhere you go? Then, you remember you’d been searching for that exact thing or visited that company’s website. It happens virtually every day. What is it, you ask? The technical term is re-targeting (Facebook/Instagram) and re-marketing (Google Display Network). Imagine someone visits your website and views your ...

Products evolve to meet fishing, boating segment needs Freshwater fishing remains a critical market segment within the boating industry. Recent data from Statistical Surveys confirms that the market continues to exhibit solid growth in the single digit range.  According to SSI, sales of new retail registered outboard-powered aluminum fishing boats in the U.S. increased from 61,000 in 2016 to 62,000 ...

Marine industry keeps watch on Washington, EPA policy   Industry insiders remain hopeful that the Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act of 2018 will promote much needed public education on the proper use of E15. To combat the U.S. Environmental Agency’s current E15 labeling, the bill directs the agency to involve consumers, through focus group testing, in creating labels and pump ...

The cover of this issue takes a visual approach to presenting the best young leaders in the marine industry. The individuals who appear within this highly popular section are a unique group.  We ask each member of our 40 Under 40 group to complete a background questionnaire. One of the initial questions deals with the individual’s first job. This year’s ...