Tag Archives: Q&A

By Adam Quandt Canadian-based Taiga Motors Corporation launched into a journey to bring electric vehicles (EVs) to the outdoor recreational world at the end of 2015. In early July 2022, Taiga began deliveries for its Orca electric personal watercraft. Shortly after, Boating Industry was invited to Vermont to get some seat time on the all-new Orca Carbon, as well as ...

By Wanda Kenton Smith When you talk to American Sportfishing Association president Glenn Hughes about his illustrious 34-year boating industry career and ask what he’s enjoyed most, it’s all about the boating life and all the great people he’s met along the way. The boating gene is in his DNA. He recalls endless, carefree summer days throughout childhood spent with ...

By David Gee Wells Fargo Distribution Finance, part of Wells Fargo & Company, recently announced the retirement of marine industry leader Bruce Van Wagoner after 45 years in the industry and 33 years with Distribution Finance (DF). Chad Lyon has been selected to lead DF’s Marine group, and we had the chance to chat over Zoom just before this magazine ...

By Adam Quandt Boating Industry was recently invited down to Mercury Marine’s famous Lake X, for an exclusive look at Mercury’s new 600hp V12 Verado outboard. Between test runs of the new engine on various boats, Boating Industry had the chance to catch up with Mercury Marine president Chris Drees. BI: You’re two years in at the helm at Mercury ...

Odin Sletten recently retired after 41 years of service with Navico, parent company of global brands like B&G, C-MAP, Lowrance and Simrad. Over his many years, Sletten contributed to some of Navico’s biggest developments and saw marine electronics change immensely. Boating Industry had the opportunity to ask Sletten about his time in the marine industry. Boating Industry: What first drew ...

Earlier this year, Yamaha Marine announced it was dedicating substantial resources to Yamaha Marine University initiatives, including a much-anticipated apprenticeship program for developing skilled dealer technicians. Through a combination of technical training materials and hands-on training at Yamaha’s marine training headquarters in Pleasant Prairie, Wisc., as well as Yamaha Marine’s headquarters in Kennesaw, Ga., marine technicians will be empowered to ...

It’s been a little over a year since Brad Gates took over as the CEO of Nautic Global Group, manufacturer of several boat brands including Hurricane, Rinker, Sweetwater, Polar Kraft and more. In March 2014, Gates succeeded Jim Malone, who had filled the role on an interim basis for several months after the 2013 departure of Mike Kitson. Before joining ...

Warrior boats was one of the brands that didn’t make it through the recession, but four Midwest businessmen have decided to revive the company. The principals behind the re-launch are Chuck Barth, owner of Tamarack Kennels; Dave Anderson, a pro walleye angler; Joe Hellerman, former owner of Melrose Marine and Sports and a former Warrior dealer; and Al Leinen, co-owner ...