Atlanta and New England kick off the Boat Shows - MarineBusinessWorld North America newsletter
by Peter Rendle 21 Jan 08:00 PST
The Discover Boating New England Boat Show® © National Marine Manufacturers Association
The Discover Boating Atlanta and New England boat shows, in partnership with Progressive, kicked off the New Year attracting tens of thousands of boating enthusiasts shopping for new boats, accessories and the latest marine innovations.
Despite mixed economic conditions, exhibitors reported optimism around sales activity and the quality of leads generated - reinforcing NMMA's latest market outlook issued last week.
Before the holiday break, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), represented by the U.S. Department of Justice, filed a motion asking a federal judge to uphold a $15,000 fine issued for a violation of the existing North Atlantic right whale vessel speed limits - which were established in 2008. The Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) has argued that the $15,000 fine must be set aside because NOAA does not have the statutory authority to issue broad-sweeping vessel speed restrictions in the first instance. The U.S. District Judge assigned to the case has set a hearing date for April 10.
The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) announced updates to its board of directors during its annual meeting in Charleston, held in conjunction with the organization's 17th annual Standards Week. New board members include Kristina Hebert, president and CEO of Wards Marine Electric, and Heather Lougheed, president of the BoatUS Foundation.
Tartan Yachts, a leading manufacturer of luxury yachts in northeastern Ohio, announced that a definitive agreement has been reached to transition ownership and operations to a new ownership group composed of manufacturing professionals with decades of industry experience, including longtime Tartan partner, Jon Duer, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer.
B&G, the world's leading sailing electronics manufacturer, announced the latest addition to its award-winning Nemesis line: a new 7-inch sailing display. This compact option gives sailors even greater flexibility to configure their onboard systems to match their unique needs and sailing style. "We're excited to expand the versatility of the Nemesis line," said Yasser Nafei, President, Electronic Solutions for Navico Group.
Lowrance, a world-leader in fishing electronics, has introduced ActiveTarget 2 XL, the brand's most advanced live sonar system to date. Featuring surface-to-surface 180-degree views, this technology delivers unmatched clarity and coverage, giving anglers a complete picture of what's happening beneath the water in real time. "With the sharpest, most comprehensive live sonar on the market, anglers gain expanded views, intuitive control, and by adding two systems together, the ability to unlock the industry's first 360-degree live Scout view. This breakthrough technology is a powerful addition to the Ultimate Fishing System, helping anglers spend less time adjusting their transducers and more time catching," said Yasser Nafei.
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media