I’m pleased to say that we received several responses to the Editor’s Message column in last week’s edition of Boating Industry Canada News Week Digest and all were in agreement that we need affordable new boats to keep building the business.

Chris Mills, President of SeaMasters on the East coast wrote that Stingray Boats has an excellent small boat, the 172 DC that was very popular at the Halifax Boat Show. He also mentioned the KingFisher Falcon 16 that he said was well received at their boat show. “We sold each of these at the show” and Chris commented that, “there are still people looking in this segment and, most importantly, there are options in fibreglass and aluminum.”

From the West coast, Cormac O’Kiely, Senior Yacht Broker at Thunderbird Yacht Sales wrote that, “We have taken on a line of small boats from Finland, Terhi boats, with the largest being a 16ft cabin boat. We are also the first North American dealer for TG and Silver Boats from Finland.”

So, there are small boat choices for consumers although at present, not that many. We got an email from Nuno Sousa, President of Sousa Marine Inc., in Ontario who was keen to remind us that inflatable boats were a good and safe choice in the smaller sizes and he is offering BRIG boats built in Ukraine. Almost incredibly, the BRIG team rebuilt the factory and continued working through incredibly difficult circumstances, often relying on generators to keep production going. Today they are once again building and shipping boats around the world.

From Jan Willem de Jong, Managing Director at Neptunus Yachts in St. Catherines Ontario, came one of the longer and more detailed responses and it’s one that was the most thought-provoking for me.  He wrote that just south of St. Catherines in upstate New York, you can easily buy a house for $ 250,000 US. Further, take home pay for US workers is far greater than for Canadians, with on average, a 20% difference, due to taxes being way lower.

In addition, he points out that the cost of living for groceries, utilities, automobiles, gasoline, phone and internet as examples, are some 20% less than in Canada, leaving American families with more disposable income for buying and when they buy, the sales tax they pay on the “toy” is half again what we pay.

Those taxes are limiting the disposable incomes of Canadians to buy things like boats and other recreational products. That in turn slows the economy but he raised another point. As one of Canada’s premiere boat and yacht builders, he noted that the regulations (NMMA) for small boats are not easy to meet, especially for flooding and stability for boats under 26 feet. These  are very costly to obtain.

We really appreciate these reader comments and the informed light they shed on our industry and our business environment. Let’s keep the dialogue going. [email protected]

Andy Adams – Editor

Brunswick Boat Group, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), has announced the appointment of Brad Zoelle as President of Boston Whaler. Zoelle, who most recently served as General Manager of Mercury Marine APAC, succeeds Lenn Scholz, who is pursuing new opportunities outside the Company.

Zoelle brings a proven record of strategic leadership and commercial impact across the Brunswick portfolio through a series of high-impact roles at Mercury Marine and Sea Ray. Most recently as General Manager of Mercury Marine APAC, he spearheaded international market expansion and drove significant growth across the propulsion and P&A segments. His strategic leadership extended to Sea Ray, where he drove the launch of flagship models like the SLX-R 400e earning recognition at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and played a central role in the Sea Ray rebranding strategy, including the successful market introduction of the Fathom system and the portfolio expansion with the Sundancer 370. Zoelle’s commitment to advancing the marine industry is further reflected in his participation on the board of the Outboard Engine Distributors Association (OEDA) in Australia serving as its Chairman the past two years advocating for outboard manufacturers and setting market standards.

In his new role, Zoelle will lead Boston Whaler’s strategic vision, product innovation, operations, and drive commercial execution, building on the brand’s legacy defined by relentless innovation, uncompromising quality, and deep customer loyalty.

“I am honored to lead a brand with such a strong legacy and devoted customer base,” said Zoelle. “For more than half a century, Boston Whaler has set the standard in our industry, earning its reputation through relentless innovation, uncompromising quality, and an unwavering focus on what customers love about being on the water. I look forward to collaborating with our exceptional team to build upon that foundation, accelerate growth, deliver world-class products, and shape what’s next for this iconic brand.”

Brunswick also announced the appointment of Jerry Newton as Vice President of Operations for Boston Whaler. Newton brings 25 years of operational expertise, including the past two years as President of Brunswick’s Venture Boat Group and 15 years in operational leadership positions at John Deere. His appointment further reinforces Boston Whaler’s commitment to quality, operational excellence, and innovation as the brand enters its next phase of growth.

“Brad’s impressive track record across multiple brands at Brunswick and his deep understanding of our industry make him the right leader for Boston Whaler’s next phase of growth,” said Brenna Preisser, Brunswick Boat Group president. “We’ve been strategically positioning Boston Whaler for success: streamlining operations at the Edgewater campus and making meaningful investments in product development. The brand has exceptional market positioning and a strong foundation to build from. Together, Brad and Jerry bring the leadership depth and experience to ensure Boston Whaler is well-positioned for continued success.”

Preisser added, “We also want to recognize Lenn Scholz for his many years of dedicated service to Brunswick. Lenn made meaningful contributions across several important roles, including VP of Product Development & Engineering for Boat Group, President of Lund Boats, and President of Boston Whaler, and leaves behind a strong foundation for this brand. We’re grateful for everything he brought to this organization and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Monterey Boats has announced the introduction of the new Elite 23, expanding its industry-leading Elite series of premium adventure boats. The addition brings the lineup of 23 to 30-feet reinforcing Monterey’s leadership across key size categories and building on the rapid retail growth of its premium bow rider offering, with the Elite 34 and Elite 38 models scheduled to follow in the summer and fall of this year.

The Elite 23 establishes a strong presence in the 23-foot class while carrying forward the performance, craftsmanship and premium standards that defined the Elite name. Together with the forthcoming Elite 34 and Elite 38, the Elite lineup continues to evolve into a broader premium range designed to compete across multiple size tiers.

Based on the full-year 2025 Statistical Surveys data, the Elite series delivered category leading year-over-year retail growth, achieving more than 20x expansion in registrations. The growth reflects consistent dealer sell-through and measurable consumer demand across key markets. Within the 25 to 30-foot outboard segment, the Elite 30 ranks #1 and the Elite 27 outboard ranks #2 for full-year 2025, reinforcing its leadership at the upper end of the premium bowrider market.

Since its debut, the Elite series has earned a three award industry trifecta, including a Boat of the Year award, Miami Innovation Award and Boating Industry’s top product honour – affirming its leader ship and design in engineering innovation and market performance.

“The Elite Series was conceived as a cohesive family of boats from the beginning”, said Charles Marshall, Co-Chairmen of Monterey Boats. “We focussed on the whole performance, handling precision, craftsmanship and long-term ownership value. The Elite 23 carries those same fundamentals into a critical size category, and that same philosophy will continue as we introduced the Elite 34 and the Elite 38. Together, these introductions reflect the deliberate expansion strategy designed to strengthen the elite series at both entry and upper premium tiers.”

Dealer turn rates in key Elite markets outperformed overall company averages in 2025, reflecting sustained retail demand and consistency across models and regions. This performance further establishes the Elite series as a primary growth driver for the company.

Monterey also confirmed continued selective expansion of its Elite-focused dealer network in 2025, while maintaining a performance driven distribution strategy across North America and key international markets.

Looking ahead, the Elite 23 marks the next phase of Monterey’s Elite series expansion with the Elite 34 scheduled to launch in summer 2026 and the Elite 38 to follow in Fall 2026. Together, these introductions broaden the series at both ends of the lineup, reinforcing Monterey’s disciplined long-term strategy for expanding one of the industry’s strongest performing premium boat families.

NMEA is inviting software developers and programmers from around the world to attend these virtual / live training sessions on NMEA interface standards.  NMEA will use GoToWebinar for delivering these courses. Please register soon as class size is limited and expected to sell out.

NMEA 2000 Developer Course (Click to register https://web.nmea.org/atlas/events/252/details )
Tuesday June 9 beginning at 0900 USA EDT (UTC-4)
The NMEA 2000 developer course is a 6-to-8-hour workshop geared towards programmers and technical product managers. Dave Morschauser, CEO of Mystic Valley Communications and Chris Quigley, CEO of Warwick Control are both NMEA 2000 implementation experts and will go into detail on how to implement the NMEA 2000 standard into your products. Morschauser and Quigley specialize in helping companies implement and certify products to the NMEA 2000 Standard.  Manufacturers who already have NMEA 2000 Certified products are highly encouraged to send new hire engineers to learn from the pros.

The topics covered during the day long class include the following subjects: General Requirements vs Parameter Group Requirements, Communication requirements vs application requirements. How to understand a PGN definition. What are request requirements, what are command requirements, and what do the Request/Command requirements flags mean. How to use the NMEA Command / Request / Acknowledgement group function. What is a NMEA 2000 stack and why do manufacturers need these? Hardware Requirements, and the NMEA 2000 Certification Process and hardware tool. Development and certification cycle, White labeling, Staff/Support changes that may happen after the first NMEA 2000 product. Individual Modules including Alerts/Entertainment/Waypoints. The importance of NMEA 2000 Appendix D- Application notes.

NMEA OneNet Developer Course (Click to register https://web.nmea.org/atlas/events/254/details )
Wednesday June 10 beginning at 0900 USA EDT (UTC-4)

The NMEA OneNet developer course is a 6-to-8-hour workshop geared towards programmers and technical product managers.  Alex Polmans, primary developer of the OneNet certification tool will give an overview of the OneNet certification process and explain in detail specific sections of the tool as it relates to the standard.

The day delivers an overview of the implementation and custom requirements a OneNet application and device should consider. The workshop covers implementation for a OneNet application, and the resources needed. The Workshop also provides examples of OneNet on platforms such as Windows, MacOs, Linux. NMEA will show an example of a Java Script containing the necessary technology mix of solutions required for certification and interoperability (IPv6, UDP, TLS, DTLS, crypto, mDNS, HTTP).   Developers will meet venders providing early market penetration opportunities demonstrating pre built OneNet solutions.

Attendees will gain access to NMEAs new developers sandbox repository containing source code to help implement your first OneNet application. Access to source code is available to manufacturers with NMEA membership in good standing.

The registration cost for this day long workshop is $520 USD for NMEA member companies and $1040 USD for non-members.

If you have questions, please call or email 410-975-9425 or email [email protected]

Hefring Marine, a leader in marine artificial intelligence solutions, recently announced that its Intelligent Marine Assistance System (IMAS) is now available as an approved integration on Raymarine’s LightHouse operating system. This collaboration enables Raymarine Axiom display users to access IMAS’s advanced AI-powered digital assistant directly from their helm, delivering real-time guidance for safer, more efficient voyages.

The IMAS Helm serves as an intelligent co-pilot for vessel operators, providing continuous monitoring and analysis of vessel performance, weather conditions, and operational parameters. The system delivers actionable insights and recommendations that help mariners optimize fuel consumption, enhance safety, and make more informed decisions on the water.

“We’re excited to bring IMAS to Raymarine’s extensive user base,” said Karl Birgir Björnsson, CEO of Hefring Marine. “This collaboration represents an important milestone in making advanced marine AI technology more accessible to mariners worldwide. By integrating with Raymarine’s trusted LightHouse OS, we’re able to deliver our intelligent automation capabilities directly to the helm, where they can have the most immediate impact on vessel operations and safety.”

Through seamless integration with Raymarine’s LightHouse OS, Axiom users can now access IMAS’s comprehensive suite of features without switching between systems or devices. The integration brings together Raymarine’s industry-leading marine electronics with Hefring Marine’s cutting-edge AI technology to create a more intuitive and responsive boating experience.

“At Raymarine, we are committed to delivering solutions that elevate mariners’ awareness and make their time on the water safer and more enjoyable,” said Michelle Hildyard, VP of Operations at Raymarine. “Our collaboration with Hefring Marine aligns with our mission to deliver seamless integration of our LightHouse OS with the best marine innovators. With Hefring Marine’s advanced IMAS Helm integration, Axiom users can now take advantage of this powerful AI-powered digital assistant directly from their Axiom display, making their time on the water more fuel efficient and safer.”

The IMAS integration with Raymarine’s LightHouse OS marks the latest expansion of Hefring Marine’s mission to make advanced marine AI technology accessible across multiple platforms and vessel types. As the maritime industry continues to embrace digital transformation, collaborations like this demonstrate the growing role of intelligent automation in modern vessel operations.

For more information about IMAS and its integration with Raymarine systems, visit Hefring Marine.

The Association of Marina Industries (AMI) has announced the release of a new Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking qualified organizations and subject‑matter experts to develop a comprehensive Marina Resiliency Curriculum – Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Long‑term Planning. This new training module will be integrated into AMI’s established Clean and Resilient Marina Program (CRMP) to help marina professionals nationwide strengthen their operational resilience amid increasing climate‑related risks.

As extreme weather events and environmental disruptions continue to impact coastal infrastructure, AMI is expanding its educational offerings to ensure marina operators have the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to prepare, respond, recover, and plan effectively. The selected partner will develop approximately four hours of instructional material, including lecture content, case studies, visual aids, handouts, and instructor guidance.

Key RFP Dates

              • RFP Release: March 2, 2026

              • Deadline for Questions: March 16, 2026

              • Proposal Due Date: April 13, 2026

              • Award Notification: May 15, 2026

Please find the RFP linked here. All proposals must be submitted in PDF format to [email protected].

Questions regarding the RFP may be directed to [email protected]. All submitted questions will be publicly posted, along with official responses, by March 16, 2026, via the public Google document linked in the RFP.

AMI encourages interested and qualified parties to review the full RFP and submit a proposal. The resulting curriculum will play a critical role in supporting marinas across the country as they work to adapt to evolving environmental challenges and improve long-term resilience.

March 17, 2026

Last week, Dragonfly Energy, an industry leader in energy storage and battery technology and maker of Battle Born Batteries, was recognized as the Clean Energy Impact Brand of the Year at CHARGE North America 2026, a premier industry platform celebrating excellence in energy branding, strategic communication, and leadership. The awards highlight organizations demonstrating measurable environmental impact, innovation, and brand-driven value creation.

As the category award winner through the company’s flagship consumer brand, Battle Born, the award recognizes Dragonfly Energy’s acceleration of practical electrification across demanding mobile and distributed energy markets. These include RV, marine, off-grid residential, industrial, and heavy-duty transportation applications, helping drive the transition from legacy lead-acid solutions to long-lasting and efficient lithium energy systems.

With more than 400,000 lithium batteries deployed across North America, Battle Born has played a pivotal role in bringing advanced lithium power through premium technology, American assembly, and a deep commitment to education-driven market development.

ePropulsion Americas, the global leader in marine electric propulsion systems and services, announced that its latest electric outboard, Spirit 2, has won the prestigious Innovation Award in the Alternative Propulsion category at the Discover Boating® Miami International Boat Show.
 
Presented during one of the marine industry’s most influential global events, the award recognizes outstanding achievement in advancing sustainable propulsion technologies. The judges highlighted Spirit 2 for its intelligent engineering, practical innovation and its meaningful contribution to accelerating electric mobility on the water.
 
The recognition marks a significant milestone in ePropulsion’s 12-year journey of driving electric transformation across the marine sector. As regulatory pressures increase and boaters seek cleaner and quieter alternatives, the Alternative Propulsion category has become one of the most closely watched areas of marine innovation.
 
Spirit 2 represents the next evolution of ePropulsion’s compact electric outboard technology. Powered by a 2kW motor and featuring a newly introduced 3kW Boost Mode, the system delivers enhanced thrust when required while maintaining the quiet and efficient performance electric propulsion is known for. A 1539Wh quick connect battery, the largest in its class, provides extended range in a highly portable format.
 
“Winning the Innovation Award for Alternative Propulsion at Miami is an exceptional honor for our team,” said Tom Watson, president of ePropulsion Americas. “It reflects not only the performance of Spirit 2, but our long-term commitment to delivering practical and high-impact electric solutions that move the marine industry forward.”
 
“ePropulsion’s Spirit 2 is a significant improvement from earlier iterations of small electric outboards, with enough power and battery capacity to feasibly propel a small sailboat or large dinghy without range paranoia,” said judge Kelsey Bailey. “The robust, field-serviceable connection between battery and unit is a highlight for off-grid adventurers.”
 
Designed with real world usability in mind, Spirit 2 combines a 23.5-pound motor with a 23-pound battery, alongside features such as a detachable clamp, foldable tiller and quick connect battery system for ease of transport and installation. Functional upgrades including shallow water trimming, 90-degree tilt, integrated steering lock and a safety kill switch further enhance everyday operation.
 
Hydrogeneration capability allows the system to produce electricity while sailing between 3 and 16 knots, generating up to 380W at 10 knots and extending usable range during longer passages. Additional features include a 45W USB C output for device charging and an optional inverter accessory that transforms the battery into a portable power station.
 
Compatible with ePropulsion’s 48V platform and E Series batteries, Spirit 2 supports solar charging and integration with third party energy systems, including Victron Energy, reinforcing its role within a broader electric ecosystem.
 
For more information on ePropulsion or its revolutionary electric motors and accessories, please visit www.ePropulsion.com.

Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), celebrated the expansion of its Plant 7 manufacturing facility in St. Cloud, Florida, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The expansion adds 25,000 square feet of new manufacturing space enabling the installation of four additional Surface Mount Technology (SMT) lines and will create nearly 30 jobs over the next several years in Central Florida to support this growth. 
 
This investment strengthens Mercury’s vertical integration capabilities, specifically in the production of control modules and other critical electronic systems that support current and future product innovations. 
 
 “This expansion reflects Mercury Marine’s continued leadership in innovation and our commitment to advancing marine technology. Our long-term investment in vertically integrated capabilities strengthens quality, accelerates innovation, and ensures we deliver the next generation of integrated propulsion systems our customers expect,” said Jim Purcell, Mercury Marine Plant 7 General Manager. 
 
For more than a decade, Mercury’s St. Cloud team has delivered high-quality, high performance printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies for key products. Bringing more PCB production in-house supports Mercury’s commitment to innovation, quality improvement, cost efficiency, and protection of intellectual property.  
 
The expanded facility will play an essential role in several upcoming product initiatives, supporting Mercury’s long-term product plan.  
 
“Our team is incredibly proud of what this expansion means for Mercury Marine, our customers, and the St. Cloud community. The added capacity and advanced technology positions us to support some of the most sophisticated electronics in marine propulsion today,” said Ernie Anderson, Vice President of Global Operations. 

Annapolis, MD or Virtual; April 1–2, 2026

The Marine Law Symposium is fast approaching! This is your chance to get an in-depth and firsthand review of some of the biggest legal cases and verdicts impacting our industry.
 
Join this small group of diverse and knowledgeable professionals, earn up to 10 CEUs, and take advantage of this rare opportunity to speak directly with our expert panelists onsite! The symposium will be held both at ABYC headquarters in Annapolis, MD, and online. Only a few spots remain for in-person registration, so don’t wait!

Case Studies:

              • Death from Prop Strike

              • High Speed Accident

              • Pre-Purchase Surveyor’s Nightmare

              • Liability in a Double Fatality

              • Marina and Boatyard Fires

Other Sessions:

              • The Anatomy of a Complex Marine Fire Investigation

              • Next Level Accident Reconstruction

View session details on the Marine Law Symposium website. https://abycinc.org/mls2026/