Tag Archives: April 2016

While many government training programs have been less than successful, the government can help address the workforce shortages by advocating for and utilizing funding – specifically on the state and local level. The Rhode Island Marine Trades Association offers a pre-apprenticeship program, funded by Real Jobs Rhode Island, to help provide Rhode Island residents 18 and over earn skills needed ...

The personal watercraft segment by nature is one that breeds an atmosphere of enthusiasm. That enthusiasm is matched by personal watercraft manufacturers, as all are in agreement that the state of the segment couldn’t be more positive. According to data from Info-Link Technologies, personal watercraft sales grew 15.1 percent in 2015 overall. A combination of factors contribute to this increase, ...

There is nothing more impactful than a good first impression. A parts and accessories department’s design has a huge impact on sales – while the exact layout is ultimately dependent on the space available in the store, making it an attractive area will determine its success. “It has everything to do with any store’s ability to sell product,” said Jennifer ...

The boating industry heads to the nation’s capital This year’s American Boating Congress kicks off May 9 and offers the boating industry a chance to shape the debate in an important election year. As in the past, dozens of industry associations are supporting this year’s ABC, with 35 co-hosts, including Boating Industry, as of March. ABC 2016 will be May ...

Nobody wants unhappy customers. At the very base of any business, we’re looking for happy customers. But there’s a big difference between satisfied and thrilled, between “not unhappy” and ecstatic. Far too often, companies end up settling for the former instead of aiming for the latter. Whether you call them raving fans, promoters or brand evangelists, they are the customers ...

The Boating Industry Top 100 dealers represent some of the best boat dealers in North America. In the Top 100 Spotlight, we share some of their best practices.  It furthers the mission of the Top 100 program: to not only recognize the best dealers, but to share their knowledge and experience with the entire industry.  One of the greatest challenges ...

Safe Harbor Marinas announced its formal debut as the largest owner and operator of marinas in the U.S. at the International Marina and Boatyard Conference in Ft. Lauderdale. The company, which was formed in 2015 and backed by the American Infrastructure MLP Funds (AIM), recently completed acquisitions from four separate marina owners and operators. “With the launch of the newly ...

In 2015, Indmar, in partnership with Ford, introduced the ROUSH-charged Raptor engine to the inboard market, winning several industry awards, including being one of Boating Industry’s Top Products of the Year. In 2016, Indmar is expanding the Raptor line to new market segments. We talked to some of the Indmar product development team – vice president Scott Clack, vice president ...

Ethanol, RFS top list of concerns From tax policy to environmental regulations to the Renewable Fuel Standard, the government is making it more difficult to do business in the boating industry, say a majority of Boating Industry readers. That’s according to the latest Boating Industry reader survey of dealers, manufacturers, suppliers and others in the industry. We asked the readers of ...

What is your top challenge in your business? Tracking down more business? Acquiring the capital to grow? Finding and keeping great employees? Whatever it is, there’s a very good a chance that you can find a government or regulatory issue at its core. Sure, there are societal and economic reasons that boating has declined in popularity from its peak, but ...