Boatguide Canada

PWC Rider Raises Proceeds for Charity

In an effort to raise awareness and proceeds for Your Life Counts, a youth suicide prevention organization, extreme rider Dale Vranckx of St. Williams, ON, set a new world record by riding a Sea-Doo RXT iS 255 PWC 1,265 kilometres in just 16 hours, 10 minutes.  His average speed for the run was 91.2 km/hr.
    Starting at 5:15 a.m. on June 19, Vranckx began riding his first eight-mile lap in Long Point Bay from Booth’s Harbour Marina, to Port Rowan Marina.  1,264 kilometres later, Vranck finished at 9:25 p.m. on the same day after completing an astonishing 98 laps.
    “Your Life Counts is a great cause and this challenge was a great opportunity to raise awareness of their work and help save young lives,” Vranckx said. Vranckx has raised more than $2,000 for Your Life Counts.  Donations can still be made at www.yourlifecounts.org.
    “I have not met anyone else who embodies the sheer grit of determination and perseverance to make it through no matter what.  Dale is a great example for our youth showing that by focusing on moving forward and working through difficulties one can accomplish great things in life.” said Rory Butler, Your Life Counts founder and CEO.
    Conditions for the event were extremely challenging as conditions consisted of fog, rain and winds up to 32 km/h, resulting in two-foot chop.  Nicknamed the “Iron Man,” Vranckx chose the RXT iS model for its combination of power, fuel economy and features, including its intelligent Suspension (iS) and cruise control systems.

Volvo Penta Delivers 10,000th IPS Unit

Since the launch of the Volvo Penta Inboard Propulsion System (IPS) in 2005, the company recently reported it has delivered its 10,000th unit.
    The marine industry’s first pod drive system, IPS is currently featured on more than 250 boat models from manufacturers across the globe and now offers nine models ranging from 260 hp to 700 hp. IPS is also available in multi-engine configurations and select gasoline-powered models.
    The system also introduced the company’s innovative IPS Joystick system, which is designed to simplify docking and maneuvering in tight confines. The latest launch in the series is the IPS 800/900 offering 600 hp (IPS 800) and 700 hp (IPS 900), which are based on the company’s D11 engine and designed for boats up to 110 feet.
    In 2008, Volvo Penta developed its Boat Engine Integration Center (BEIC) in Portsmouth, VA, which was devised to assist independent boat builders with the integration and installation of IPS (as well other Volvo Penta systems).
    “This is more than the most optimistic calculations we had at launch,” says Göran Gummeson, President and CEO of Volvo Penta. “But the advantages with the new system, particularly environmentally, are overwhelming and the industry quickly realized it.”

Rinker 210 MTX Captiva BR

 

If there’s any trend that has been developing among boat manufacturers in the past few years it’s the ability to meet consumer demand at reasonable cost and value. This hasn’t been more apparent than in the sportboat segment of the industry where the functionality to meet a series of family boating activities plays a very dominating role in the purchasing process.
    To avoid sticker shock on its series of functional sport boat models, Rinker Boats strives to maintain a reasonable price point while retaining quality and performance. The latest testament to this is its 2009 210 MTX, the latest model in its long line of Captiva Sportboats.