Media Tracking
Report
08/07/2008
Article Index
Archive
National Marine
Manufacturers Association Coverage
NMMA, Sail America Restructure Their Partnership
[Boating Industry (Online), 07/13/2008]
The National Marine Manufacturers Association and Sail America
have restructured their affiliation agreement, the organizations
reported in a release yesterday...Under the new affiliation, Sail
America will continue to function as a separate legal entity and
will maintain its own dedicated staff, board of directors, and
committees. Sail America will be responsible for endorsing and
promoting sail-focused boat shows, developing outreach programs to
promote the sailing lifestyle, running seminar programs at all
Strictly Sail shows and SailFests, providing content and support for
Discover Boating, and helping to develop funding models to increase
sailing's contribution to the industry's Grow Boating
Initiative..."From NMMA's perspective, this is a win-win
situation," said NMMA President Thom Dammrich. "The new
partnership better utilizes existing resources and expertise of both
NMMA and Sail America and will serve to increase visibility of
sailing. Working in concert with Sail America and its team of resources
and experts, we can merge the strengths of both organizations to improve
the overall financial health and well-being of the industry as a
whole."...
In Dock, Or In Hock
[Chicago Sun-Times, 07/25/2008]
By Mitch Dudek
...Despite slips being at a premium at Chicago's nine harbors, gas sales
have dropped about 15 percent this year. This week, gas cost $5.19 a
gallon at Belmont Harbor. A year ago, it cost about $4.40, said Scott
Stevenson, who manages the harbors. Gas costs have made using
auxiliary crafts a trend. "It's pretty typical. Many of our boaters have
Jet Skis or dinghies they keep with their bigger boats...even though gas
is expensive, boaters are finding ways to make the best of it," said
Stevenson...Going slower and slashing long trips in favor of dropping
anchor close to home are other ways boaters are conserving fuel. Some
rarely leave the dock. "They come down and use their boats kind of like
a summer cottage," Stevenson said. The average boater uses his boat
about 33 days a year a number that has remained constant," said Thom
Dammrich, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association.
New powerboat sales are down 16 percent, he added...
Chris-Craft Lays Off 40 At Manatee Plant
[Sarasota Herald Tribune (Online), 08/02/2008]
By Tom Bayles
Luxury boatmaker Chris-Craft has laid off 40 employees here and about 55
more in its North Carolina plant, which opened just 18 months ago to
produce the company's Catalina line but now is no longer making boats...Chris-Craft's
decline mirrors what is happening in the marine industry clustered in
Southwest Florida and nationally. First-quarter sales were down 15
percent to 20 percent, said the National Marine Manufacturers
Association. "Manufacturers are offering lots of incentives to try
and move product," said association president Thomas J. Dammrich. "We
need to sell what's already out in the field before we make more, so
people are getting very lean as they wait until the boat buyer returns
to showrooms." Certain pockets of the country are still seeing robust
sales, including Texas, where the energy industry needs boats to serve
oil rigs and other production plants, Dammrich said...
U.S. Economy Capsizes Luxury
[Boston Herald (Online), 08/02/2008]
By Sanford Nax
With gas prices up, home values down and the economy tanking, people
aren't spending as much money on luxury items such as boats and
recreational vehicles. Nationwide, boat sales have declined 30 percent
over three years - with 16 percent of that this year..."All segments are
down," said Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine
Manufacturers Association in Chicago, who relayed the figures. "The
two biggest impacts have been the slump in the housing market and the
decline in consumer confidence." The biggest declines are in California
and Florida, the two areas where housing prices have slid the most.
That's because many families who bought boats during the real estate
boom in the first half of this decade used equity from their rapidly
appreciating houses, Dammrich said...
High Fuel Costs Changing River Transportation
[Florence Times Daily (Online), 07/26/2008]
By Dennis Sherer
...Fred Myers, of Florence, author of cruising guides for the Tennessee
and Cumberland rivers and a frequent speaker at boating conventions,
said high gas and diesel prices are causing some boat owners to look for
more fuel-efficient vessels...The Chicago-based National Marine
Manufacturers Association reports that while the price of fuel is
not deterring most boaters this summer, it is causing them to change
their habits..."Many people don't realize boating isn't like driving a
car, where you have to run your engine the entire time but instead turn
off your engine to anchor for swimming and fishing or socializing with
friends and fellow boaters - boating without using fuel," Thom Dammrich,
president of the association, said in a prepared statement..."The soft
economy and weakening housing market have clearly had an impact on our
industry in terms of new boat sales, but we're seeing manufacturers
adapt to changes in the economic landscape to help position the industry
for growth by creating some of the most innovative products we've seen
in decades," Dammrich said. "Hybrid boats, more efficient engines and
technology such as joystick docking, which drastically improves the ease
of maneuvering a boat, are bringing new and exciting options for boat
buyers who will be ready to make a purchase once the economy
improves."...
Boaters' Dilemma Solved
[Erie Times-News (Online), 08/03/2008]
By Mike Bleech
The Clean Boating Act problem has been resolved favorably: President
Bush signed it into law Tuesday. The result is that recreational boaters
will not be subjected to the permits nor the fines that were part of the
Clean Water Act of 1972, which was aimed at large commercial ships and
big land-based businesses...Passage was hailed by the National Marine
Manufacturers Association, the leading group representing the
recreational boating industry. It had been their top legislative
priority during the 110th Congress...
95 Tiara Yacht Workers Set Adrift
[Grand Rapids Press, 07/25/2008]
By Greg Chandler
In a little more than a month. Tiara Yachts has slashed its work force
more than 25 percent. The company will indefinitely lay off 95 employees
from its plant at 725 E. 40th St. during the first week of August and
place 70 workers on temporary layoff next week...The latest round of
layoffs is symptomatic of an overall slowdown in the boating industry, a
national trade association said.
"The industry is doing what it can to weather the storm," said Ellen
Hopkins, director of marketing for the National Marine Manufacturers
Association, based in Chicago. "They're making adjustments where
necessary."..."Recreational boating sales follow very
closely (changes in) consumer confidence," Hopkins said. "When you see
consumer confidence go up or down, you'll see boating sales go up or
down."...
Flounder Fishery Has Impact On Boating Industry
[Columbus Dispatch,
07/14/2008]
By John Geiser
...Greg Hueth, president of the Shark River Surf Anders and a member of
the board, said participation in the fluke fishery is an important
component of New Jersey's recreation and vital to the health of the
state's boating industry...The state Department of Transportation
reports that there are 192,045 registered boats in New Jersey this year,
and most rely on marinas for launching, haul-outs, repairs, fuel and
other services. The National Marine Manufacturers Association
found that 52.3 percent of current boat owners engaged in fishing from
their boats in 2006. That same year, the federal Fish and Wildlife
Service determined that 57 percent of anglers fish from boats. A recent
economic impact analysis of recreational boating in New Jersey conducted
by the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey revealed fishing was the
primary purpose for 56 percent of boat trips taken in the state...
Outdoors Notes -- 'Secret Spot' Mile Off New Harbor Yields Record Catch
[Providence Journal Bulletin (Online), 07/26/2008]
By Elisa Jackman
...A bipartisan coalition in both houses of Congress ensured passage of
the Clean Boating Act of 2008 this week. The act will permanently
restore a long-standing exemption for 18 million recreational boats from
permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act..."This is a
significant victory for recreational boaters and anglers," said Gordon
Robertson, vice president of the American Sportfishing Association. "Our
thanks and congratulations go to the National Marine Manufacturers
Association for leading the charge to see that this Act was passed.
It just goes to show what can be done when the entire boating and
angling community comes together for a common purpose."
Discover Boating Coverage
Going Green On The Ocean Blue
[Newark Star Ledger, 08/07/2008]
"Going green" is the catch phrase of the moment, and it has special
resonance for boaters. Who better to care for the natural environment
than boaters, people who cherish their place in the great outdoors?
Energy saving is a priority nowadays for car and appliance
manufacturers, for example, but also for boat builders. One such company
is the Whittley Marine Group, with factories in Australia and Georgia.
Their model CR2800 takes a system long-known to sailboat cruisers--solar
energy--and adapts it to a power boat...Tips for helping the environment
are offered by the National Marine Manufacturers Association.
They are on the Web at discoverboating.com, but here's a
synopsis. Make sure your engine and propeller are in good shape to save
fuel. Plan your trip carefully to use less fuel...
Boat Show Coverage
Virginia In-Water Boat Expo And Sailfest
[Norfolk Virginian Pilot (Online), 08/04/2008]
The 4th annual Virginia In-Water Boat Expo and
SAILFEST returns to the Downtown Norfolk waterfront, September
12-14, 2008. As the state's largest in-water boating exhibition, this
growing event caters to every boating enthusiast, who along with their
friends and family can enjoy a wide selection of the newest boats and
cutting edge marine products and accessories, all in one place for the
best deals all year round...The Expo will also feature live
entertainment nightly, interactive exhibits and a Discover Boating
pavilion, where experts will be on-site to provide unbiased information
for novice boating enthusiasts and the most experienced of boaters...
New Notes - Long Island Sound
[Soundings (Online), 08/02/2008]
By JoAnn W. Goddard
...Organizers of the New York National Boat Show
recently announced new dates, which they hope will make the show part of
the Big Apple's holiday festivities instead of an afterthought..."The
change represents a significant development in ongoing efforts with the
city and state of New York to relocate the show to a more favorable
timeframe," says Ben Wold, the NMMA's executive vice president,
in a statement. The NMMA and exhibitors hope the earlier dates
will begin to reverse a slide in attendance that has hurt the show since
it was moved on the Javits Center calendar in 2003...
This Weekend's San Diego Yacht And Boat Show Set To Be Bigger Than Ever
[Western Outdoor News, 07/25/2008]
...The Harbor Island setting offers boat show attendees
the opportunity to feel, touch and become immersed in the environment
with hundreds of new and brokerage powerboats and sailboats, in the
water and on land. Marine accessory products are also in abundance in a
special on-land expo area immediately adjacent to the boats.
Unquestionably, the San Diego Yacht and Boat Show has established
itself as a premier event among southwest boaters...
2009 Atlanta Boat Show
[Boating Life (Online), 08/03/2008]
It's time for that boat! The 47th Annual Atlanta Boat
Show docks at the Georgia World Congress Center Jan. 14-18, 2009. At
Georgia's largest boat show, guests get to enjoy five days of nonstop
fishing and boating activities including seminars, kids' activities and
prize giveaways...
Prime Time Calendar The Week Of Aug 6, 2008
[Independent Press (Online), 08/06/2008]
...Liberty Boat Show, an in-water show at the
600-slip Liberty Landing Marina, Liberty State Park, Jersey City, is
scheduled for Sept. 25 to 28. The venue provides views of the Manhattan
skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island...In addition to
offering hundreds of boats ranging from eight feet to 65 feet, the show
will feature cutting-edge electronics, navigation and safety equipment,
apparel and accessories from leading manufacturers of boating products.
Show highlights include SailFest, boating seminars and live
entertainment...