Marina Industry proves resilient - Australian MarineBusinessWorld.com newsletter
by Peter Rendle 28 Aug 2020 08:00 AEST
Two Rocks Marina, Western Australia © Poralu Marine
While the world continues to look for an answer to the global pandemic, business continues to adjust to the 'new norm'. The marina industry plays a pivotal role in providing berths, maintenance and service for a wide range of boat ownership. Their latest survey report from 2019 underlines the stability of the marina industry, despite fluctuating financial circumstances.
The Marina Industry Association (MIA) has launched the 2019 Club Marine Health of the Australian Marina Industry Survey (HAMIS); the fourth of a series of such reports that track the economic, social and environmental health of the Australian industry. MIA President Andrew Chapman said, "This unique and increasingly valuable industry research is underpinned by the exceptionally high level of participation by Australian marinas."
Based on a sample size of 47% of Australia's 309 club and commercial marinas the survey report provides comprehensive insights into what is proving to be a very resilient industry sector. This was demonstrated during the 2008 financial crisis and is evident in the data collected over last eight years of HAMIS surveys.
The trailer boat sector of our industry is a major component and involves the largest number of boat owners and users across the sector. It is pleasing to note that despite the current circumstances the sector is expanding. Australia's leading trailerable fiberglass boat builder, Whittley Marine Group, announces that it has established Whittley New South Wales (NSW) Sales as the Group's new boat retail sales and service facility in Sydney. The new facility is conveniently located in Rozelle, in the heart of Sydney within The Sydney Boathouse mega on water boating facility. The site boasts an extensive range of new Whittley Boats, a boutique sales office, dry stack storage options, café lounge, nearby restaurants and off-street parking suitable for vehicles towing large boats. The new business will sell the complete range of Australian made Whittley turn key boat-motor-trailer (BMT) packages.
Assisting this segment, Mercury Marine has unveiled its Bravo Four S forward-facing drive with Smart Tow controls - a new drive system for MerCruiser engines that elevates the art of crafting perfect wakes for wakesurfing, wakeboarding and other tow sports. Digital controls that coordinate ballast, surf tabs and propulsion settings under a single and intuitive user interface make it easier than ever before.
And for fishos, Lowrance® have announced that the new Active Imaging™ 3-in-1 Nosecone transducer for the Ghost freshwater trolling motor is now shipping. Perfect for pinpointing fish-holding areas like rockpiles, standing timber, weedbeds, ditches and drop-offs, the Active Imaging 3-in-1 Nosecone transducer delivers superior clarity and the highest resolution images of fish and structure at a longer range than any other structure imaging technology. The optional accessory adds Lowrance CHIRP Sonar, SideScan and DownScan Imaging™ sonar technology to the already feature-packed Ghost freshwater trolling motor.
Always good to hear of industry members receiving awards and Cumberland Charter Yachts have announced it has been recognized as a 2020 Travellers' Choice award-winner for Self-guided tours and rentals and boat hire. Based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews, prior to any changes caused by the pandemic, award winners are known for consistently receiving great traveller feedback, placing them in the top 10% of hospitality businesses around the globe. Cumberland Charter Yachts' General Manager Sharon McNally is ecstatic to be receiving this prestigious award for the sixth year in a row. "We are so proud of what we do and how we provide an exceptional holiday experience for our guests" said Sharon. "The 5-star reviews prove that our customers leave their bareboat holiday in the Whitsundays with a lifetime of memories and their expectations have been exceeded from the moment they arrived."
Just in today is the news that November's METSTRADE, the Marine Equipment Trade Show in Amsterdam, has been cancelled for 2020. Niels Klarenbeek, Director Maritime METSTRADE, is naturally disappointed, but also optimistic: "We have worked towards a safe and successful METSTRADE with great dedication. The cancellation of the METSTRADE 2020 show has been a tough blow for my team and I, but listening to the multiple voices in the industry including the Exhibition Committee, ICOMIA, partners and the stakeholders this is the only right decision we could make. Our team is working together with our partners on different virtual ways to connect the leisure marine industry in these tough times."
Not forgetting yachties this week, don't miss out on the Sail Exchange Yearly Spinnaker Sale! This sale is for a limited time and includes their entire range of New & Used Spinnakers - Asymmetrical, Symmetrical, Code Zeros, Bloopers & Spinnaker Staysals. 10% discount will be automatically calculated at checkout. Offer ends 31st August. Watch Sail Exchange's Carl Crafoord load a spinnaker sock. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=XQqF8JIjEak&feature=emb_logo.
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle, peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com