Boating Industry is now accepting submissions for its 2020 Top Products. The submission process will close Friday, March 6, 2020. Any product that has been introduced or significantly updated since Jan. 1, 2019, is eligible. Many of you have released exciting new products at recent boat shows  – all of which are applicable. These Top Products, selected by the editorial staff at Boating ...

Sponsored Content By Robert Grant, CDK Global Lightspeed It’s no secret that texting has become the preferred way to communicate. In fact, 78 percent of U.S. consumers say that receiving a text message is the fastest way to reach them for important service updates and purchases. That’s why your dealership needs a texting solution. But what do you need to ...

By Jonathan Sweet The most important question on the Top 100 application is what dealers have done to get better over the previous years. It’s a recognition that no matter how good a dealership is, it can get better. We’re looking for that constant effort that shows a dedication to continual improvement. At the same time, it’s important that we ...

By Matt Sellhorst If you’re looking for a new marketing avenue to include in your 2020 game plan, Facebook Live video should be at the top of your list.  Let me start with a few facts about the Facebook platform you may not be aware. From there, we’ll dive into a few pointers to help you avoid the major mistakes ...

By Adam Quandt Industry leaders across the recreation marine sector regularly preach the importance of selling the experience of boating, rather than just simply selling the product. With generous room aboard and the ever-increasing versatility of both pontoons and deck boats, manufacturers within these segments of the industry are consistently striving to provide the experience of boating to the many ...

By Adam Quandt Family owned and operated for over 43 years and now in its second generation of ownership, Essex, Maryland’s Riverside Marine defines family-owned and focused business. And with that mindset, the dealership and marina has consistently powered to success. “Riverside is operating a successful profitable business with staying power for a major downturn like it was before the ...

By David Gee The word hurricane is derived from “juracán,” which according to Taíno natives in the Caribbean and Central America, were storms spawned and controlled by the goddess Guabancex, also known as the “one whose fury destroys everything.” The scientific name for a hurricane is tropical cyclone. In general, a cyclone is a large system of spinning air that ...

By David Gee Start a marina by following these nine steps. 1) Plan your business. 2) Determine your costs. 3) Figure out your ongoing expenses. 4) Figure out your target market. 5) Figure out all the different ways to make money. 6) Figure out how much to charge. 7) Figure what your profit might be. 8) Figure out how you ...

By David Gee Take a look at that photo. It’s me standing underneath the SE 17th Street Causeway Bridge in Fort Lauderdale, just across the street from Pier 66. As this particular image was taken, the spot where I was standing also served as the entrance to the Superyacht Village at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Behind me at ...

Personal watercraft manufacturers strive to keep users on the water, longer By Adam Quandt Now in its eighth consecutive year of growth, the personal watercraft (PWC) of today continuously shatter expectations of who they’re for and what they’re designed for. Manufacturers all around speak of consistent growth between both current users moving up or trying new platforms and first-time buyers ...