Category Archives: Marine News

The Environmental Protection Agency reversed course from its initial proposal regarding mandated ethanol volumes for 2017, acting to increase the volumes more than initially proposed. The EPA announced on Wednesday, the day prior to a long weekend for many, that it raised its corn ethanol volume mandate for 2017 to levels Congress set in theContinue reading “EPA raises expected level of ethanol for 2017”

URBANNA, Va. (AP) — Investigators have been unable to determine what caused a massive February fire that killed two people and destroyed or damaged more than 20 boats at a Middlesex County marina. Source: No cause found for marina fire that killed Urbanna couple

If marine dealers’ congressmen and women don’t know them on a first-name basis, dealers aren’t communicating enough with them. “The best thing you can really do as a dealer is have your local congressman know you by name so you can call him yourself and tell him how you feel” about issues affecting the marineContinue reading “Yamaha unveils new ‘marine advocacy’ software”

  The fishing boat sits crumpled against an approach-light pier at La Guardia on Sunday. A fishing boat smashed head on into runway approach lights at La Guardia Airport early Sunday after the vessel’s drunken captain deserted the helm for a three-way sex romp — exposing a stunning security weakness, sources told The Post. Police wereContinue reading “Crash captain left helm for ‘drunken 3-way sex romp’”

By Capt. Richard Thiel Pitch, Perfect and Otherwise Chasing the elusive sweet spot can be good for your engine. Most boaters would like to go a little faster and burn a little less fuel, but some take this desire to a whole new level. They shell out good money for the latest hull coating, fuel additive,Continue reading “How to Tweak Your Props to Make Your Boat More Efficient”

Strange Bedfellows Some Engine builders are finding they need to partner up if they’re going to meet stringent new emissions regulations. When I heard from Caterpillar that it would display its new pod drive with its newest engine, the C8.7, at the 2013 Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show, I was intrigued. Both had been outContinue reading “The New Caterpillar C8.7”

ome years ago I was invited to give a talk to a yacht club about marine engines. I decided to discuss oil analysis, and prepared what I thought was one of my better presentations.   Unfortunately, about half of the audience disagreed. Not more than five minutes into my talk, the look of boredom onContinue reading “Get a reading on the health of your engine and marine transmission—for short money.”

For the recreational boat industry, 2013 has been a tale of two seasons — the wet spring, when sales ran disappointingly behind the encouraging pace of a year earlier — and the bright summer, when the sun came out and builders and dealers shot past their 2012 marks. Americans were ready to buy once JuneContinue reading “Boat sales showed surge in 3Q”

he North Carolina Department of Transportation has closed the Bonner Bridge over the Oregon Inlet to NC-12 along the Outer Banks today due to immediate safety concerns. Sonar scanning of the bridge has identified scouring concerns, or areas where too much sand has eroded from the support structure of the bridge. NCDOT crews have beenContinue reading “Bonner Bridge to close immediately”

A Tough Way to Make a Living Although your bill reads like an odometer, your boatyard’s profits may be small. Here’s why. Maine’s Front Street Shipyard received the ABBRA’s 2013 Boatyard of the Year award. The boatyard business isn’t for sissies. Although it seems like a license to make money, running a boatyard isn’t cheap:Continue reading “How to Understand Your Boatyard Bill”

U.S. brokerage sales topped 3,000 boats for the fifth month in a row in August, finishing 9 percent ahead of the same month a year earlier. Aggregate totals from YachtWorld member brokerages reporting in SoldBoats.com, their proprietary database, were 3,066 boats sold — 256 more than in August 2012 — and $312.5 million changing hands,Continue reading “Brokerage sales continue gains in August”

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — At least one Maryland lawmaker is hoping to further lower a tax cap on boats so the state can better compete with neighboring states in sales. Delegates Speaker Michael Busch, who was honored Tuesday by the Marine Trade Association of Maryland in Annapolis, said passing Maryland’s tax cap bill on boats notContinue reading “Maryland lawmaker favors reduction in boat tax cap”

When Hurricane Sandy was forming in the Caribbean, Capt. Dan Moreland decided his square-rigged sailing ship, the Picton Castle, wasn’t going anywhere soon. Weather forecasts showed the late October storm was getting big, and it was impossible to know where it was going. Moreland postponed the Picton Castle’s scheduled departure from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, forContinue reading “Tall ship captains stunned that the Bounty left port”

A recent survey found that 35 percent of the registered sellers of E15 are not labeling the higher-ethanol gas at the pump. See Related Articles Push to stop E15 could head to Supreme Court NMMA makes case to Congress on fuel standard Coalition seeks fuel standard repeal through legislation EPA seeks input on 2013 fuelContinue reading “Some E15 sellers don’t label pump”

Banks are slightly loosening standards for many kinds of loans, and cutting into their own profit margins to try to make more loans, especially to businesses and real estate developers, the Federal Reserve says. The central bank’s quarterly survey of bank lending officers said most banks haven’t made it materially easier to get business loansContinue reading “Banks ease credit a bit as consumers seek loans”

Mercury Marine introduced a new line of Bravo Three propellers designed especially for higher-horsepower diesel applications. See Related Articles Mercury Marine starts repaying Wisconsin loan Mercury Racing president will step down Mercury Marine names new regional president Mercury Marine names VP of global operations Mercury Marine adds jobs at Wisconsin plant Mercury said the BravoContinue reading “Mercury Marine rolls out new propeller line”

On Monday, the National Marine Manufacturers Association will join a diverse group of stakeholders in holding a conference call to discuss the negative impacts of the Renewable Fuel Standard.   See Related Articles Appeals court rules against EPA on biofuel estimates Wall Street Journal criticizes EPA after biofuel ruling Federal court denies E15 appeal GasContinue reading “NMMA plans conference call on fuel standards”

WASHINGTON — After fierce lobbying by political leaders in states across the Northeast, the House of Representatives on Tuesday night approved a long-awaited $50.7 billion emergency bill to provide help to victims of Hurricane Sandy. The aid package passed 241 to 180, with 49 Republicans joining 192 Democrats. The Senate is expected to pass theContinue reading “House Approves $50.7 Billion in Emergency Aid for Storm Victims”

Watermen and boat builders turned out in force Monday to keep a spotlight on Oregon Inlet and urge Dare County commissioners to lead a unified effort to open the channel back up for commerce. Two of the six remaining local boat builders warned that the shallow channel is not just a problem for trawlers thatContinue reading “Blocked Oregon Inlet leaves boat builders on edge”

  Continued shoaling and low water will probably mean suspensions of ferry service between Hatteras and Ocracoke for several more weeks until a contractor can clear out the channel. Problems have persisted in the ferry channel since Hurricane Irene in 2011, especially in a tight dogleg where depths can be as little 4 feet. HurricaneContinue reading “Suspensions of Hatteras ferry runs to continue”

“On the one hand, Super Storm Sandy was absolutely horrible, a human tragedy that caused tens of billions of dollars worth of property damage. But on the other hand, Sandy could turn out to be an economic shot in the arm. Although Cramer has offered lots of thoughts on how to play the recovery, onContinue reading “Cramer: Super Storm Sandy – The Play Everyone’s Missing – Brunswick!”

Yamaha Outboard debuted its Helm Master system to the media this week at its test facility on the Tennessee River in Alabama. Much more than just joystick steering, Yamaha’s Helm Master represents the next step in boat control systems, I believe. Yamaha calls it a “fully integrated boat control system.” Remarkably, there are no cablesContinue reading “New Yamaha Helm Master”

Some boat dealers in states affected by drought and high temperatures say they’re seeing an increase in boats with ethanol damage. Kansas gas station is first to offer E15 “We’re seeing more boats affected by ethanol because the boats are sitting longer,” Jeff Seims, at Blue Springs Marine near Kansas City, Mo., told Soundings TradeContinue reading “Dealers say ethanol damage increases with drought”

  Crews have started the dredging process for Bogue Inlet. They will be making their way down to New River Inlet, New Topsail, Carolina Beach and Lockwood’s Folly Inlet in the next few weeks. Army Corp met with town leaders Monday to go over finances. The dredging process costs each inlet $500,000 per year. ComeContinue reading “Money for dredging local inlets drying up”

Contrary to numerous studies showing the detriment of fuel with more than 10 percent ethanol, the Environmental Protection Agency approved a plan submitted by the ethanol industry to address residual fuel that can be left in gas pumps that offer both E15 and other fuels, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association.   See RelatedContinue reading “EPA approves plan for E15 use”

Marine industry lenders indicate that boat sales in May and early June are up at least 7 or 8 percent, according to Wells Fargo analyst Timothy Conder. See Related Articles Sales momentum continues into spring Sea Ray adds to dealer network Spring sales season off to solid start January sales hold hope for spring seasonContinue reading “Marine industry lenders indicate that boat sales in May and early June are up at least 7 or 8 percent.”

It was only April, but marine consumers had summer fun on their minds as sales of personal watercraft, jet boats and ski boats roared upward by margins ranging from 22 to 44 percent.   See Related Articles Spring sales season off to solid start January sales hold hope for spring season Boat sales close outContinue reading “Boat sales climb in April”

  The marine industry’s opposition to the distribution of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol received a boost this week.   See Related Articles Federal appeals court hears E15 waiver challenge EPA approval moves E15 closer to marketplace Company says it’s close to producing biofuel alternative E15 study bill passes House committee EPA releases 2012 renewableContinue reading “New tests raise questions about E15”

Engine durability tests by the Coordinating Research Council, which studies the interaction of engines and petroleum products, found leaks from uneven valve seat wear and pittage in two of eight 2001-09 vehicle engines run for 500 hr on a 15% ethanol-85% gasoline fuel blend, the organization supported by the American Petroleum Institute and automobile manufacturersContinue reading “CRC tests reveal valve seat damage in some vehicles from E15”

Over the last five or six years, Pod Drive Propulsion Systems have evolved from novel engineering concepts to marine industry game changers. Though pod drives have long been used for cruise ships, ferries and tugboats, their evolution and recent impact has occurred in the pleasure boat industry. They’ve quickly replaced traditional shaft drive systems asContinue reading “Pods Are Driving Change In The Marine Industry!”

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will propose amendments to House Bill 1307 to substantially reduce the proposed cost of registering a boat in Maryland, the department announced. The department introduced the legislation to address the state’s boating infrastructure needs. The original proposal would have replaced the flat $24 boat registration fee paid every twoContinue reading “Plan calls for smaller hike in Maryland boater fees”

A spike to $5 a gallon for the national average by the summer would mean that the rise in gas prices over the next few months would have to exceed the 8 percent climb we’ve seen over the past four weeks. Is it possible? Perhaps. Inevitable? Not really. “There’s nothing inevitable about it,” says IHSContinue reading “Why Gas Prices Aren’t Likely to Hit $5 This Summer”

Here comes the Viking 55     Veteran rock star Sammy Hagar had a hit some years back “I Can’t Drive 55” but in a few months you can. That is, aboard the latest Viking, our new 55 Convertible, launching in late spring.   Viking first launched a 55 Convertible in the fall of 1997.Continue reading “Here comes the NEW VIKING 55”

Garmin signed an agreement to acquire Interphase Technologies Inc., a privately held creator and manufacturer of phased array scanning sonar technology based in Soquel, Calif.   See Related Articles Garmin buys its distributor in Chile Garmin reports 3Q results   Financial terms of the agreement will not be released. This transaction is expected to beContinue reading “Garmin signs deal to buy Interphase Technologies”

Members of the Virginia Marine Trades Association gathered last week in Richmond as part of the association’s inaugural Lobby Day event.   See Related Articles Virginia trade group names 2012 officers   Fourteen General Assembly members, or their legislative aides, met with constituents to discuss legislation of concern to the industry. “With more than 253,500Continue reading “Trade group urges Virginia to keep boat-tax cap”

Signs of an improving economy generate optimism for the big show among organizers and exhibitors   See Related Articles Groups announce Miami show events NMMA seeks Innovation Awards entries for Miami NMMA dealer program returns to Miami show Miami boat show signs diving exhibit producer   The thousands of boats, engines, electronics and accessories onContinue reading “Will tide turn in Miami?”

FLIR Systems, the parent company of Raymarine, today announced a drop in revenue for the fourth quarter, but an increase in revenue for the full fiscal year.   See Related Articles FLIR division moves to New Hampshire VIDEO: FLIR unveils handheld marine scope FLIR Systems reports 3Q results   Revenue for the quarter, which endedContinue reading “FLIR Systems reports 4Q, year-end results”

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A report from IBISWorld anticipates an annual rate of decline of 8.6 percent in luxury and megayacht revenue during the last five years, but a boost in dollars through 2017. See Related Articles Proposed yacht crew rules eased Report sees increase in marine insurers’ profits “The decline is largely attributable to a significant downturn inContinue reading “Report expects rebound in megayacht revenue”

Here are some pictures of the 76 before she heads down to the Florida Viking Service Center for a the tower install. The 76 will be on display at the Miami Boat Show. Link to Viking 76 Convertible: http://www.vikingyachts.com/models2/overview.asp?numIdVal=76C

A pensioner has escaped uninjured after he spent 11 hours pinned to his bed after his ceiling collapsed under the weight of 7,000 yachting magazines. Richard Phillips, 77, was discovered trapped yesterday under chunks of the ceiling and 150 boxes filled with the magazines at his home in Goldhanger, Essex. Firefighters spent 45 minutes removingContinue reading “Pensioner spends 11 HOURS pinned to his bed after ceiling collapsed under weight of 7,000 yachting magazines”

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index rose again in December and now stands at 64.5, up from 55.2 in November and the highest since April. Economists and other financial experts closely watch the index because consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of U.S. economic activity. “After two months of considerable gains, the Consumer ConfidenceContinue reading “Consumer confidence reaches eight-month high”

Regulator Marine recently held its 2011 Regulator Marine University.     The event was held Dec. 5-6 at the Regulator plant in Edenton, N.C. It provides domestic and international sales staff with valuable tools and product knowledge. After being awarded a “Bachelor of Science in Regulator Product Knowledge,” “the newly minted graduate understands the intricaciesContinue reading “Regulator Marine holds annual meeting”

Two people were burned in a blaze that destroyed four yachts in a private Coconut Grove marina early Saturday morning, officials said. The fire, which erupted before dawn, caused more the $7 million in damages. About 40 firefighters worked on the blaze, which took more than two and half hours to bring under control. TwoContinue reading “Four multimillion-dollar yachts were destroyed and two people hurt during a fire at a Coconut Grove Marina”