Boatguide Canada

Toronto International Boat Show Sold

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced the completion of an agreement to sell the Toronto International Boat Show to Canadian Boat Shows, Inc. (CBSI). The sale is expected to be finalized on March 31, 2010.

The 52 year-old Toronto International Boat Show has been owned by Chicago-based NMMA since 1992, when it was purchased from the Canadian National Sportsmen’s Shows. With its world-renowned indoor lake, it is one of the largest consumer boat shows in North America, and one of the pre-eminent selling venues for the recreational boating industry.

Newly-formed Canadian Boat Shows, Inc. will be led by Linda Waddell, NMMA’s Vice President of Northern Shows. Formed for the purpose of the acquisition, CBSI consists of Waddell, the Ontario Marine Operators Association (OMOA), long-time Canadian show producer Peter Kiddell of Canwest Shows, and a group of investors. Waddell will remain with NMMA until the transaction is finalized. Specific terms of the sale are undisclosed.

The majority of NMMA’s Canadian boat show staff will join Waddell at Canadian Boat Shows, Inc. including Show Manager, Cynthia Hare; Sales Manager, Scott Macinnes; Operations Manager, Kim Blair; and Administrative Manager, Ruth Krentz.

“Bringing ownership of the show back to Canada is a great opportunity for our industry,” says Waddell. “Many of our shareholders, including the OMOA, have long been key stakeholders in the recreational boating industry in Canada. Successful and innovative business leaders, they are keenly interested in the sustained success and positive economic impact of the show.”

A strong advocate for boat show exhibitors and recreational boating, Waddell is a 23-year industry veteran whose career spans both Canada and the United States, most recently as NMMA’s Vice President, Northern Shows. Waddell’s commitment and roots with the show run deep – she was TIBS show manager prior to NMMA’s acquisition in 1992. She will serve as CBSI President.

“TIBS is a world-class show, produced by a world-class team,” says Al Donaldson, executive director of the OMOA, the largest recreational marine trade association in Canada. “Our board of directors is delighted that the OMOA has been able to acquire an ownership position in this new venture.” Donaldson will chair the CBSI Board of Directors.

On the heels of its recent acquisition of the New England Boat Show in January, the sale of the Toronto International Boat Show comes as the NMMA continues to reposition its boat show portfolio. The repositioning is part of a larger long-term strategy, enabling the association to continue to best serve the industry’s advocacy, marketing, and research and statistics needs while producing quality boat shows in key markets throughout the United States.

“Selling the Toronto show is a strategic decision that allows us to expand our reach in other markets and better position NMMA to best serve the industry for the long term,” notes NMMA President, Thom Dammrich. “There are a lot of opportunities for NMMA and the recreational boating industry as the economy rebounds and we make changes to better align with shifts in the economic climate.”

Adds Dammrich, “Toronto is a strong market and with Linda Waddell remaining at the helm of the show, we are confident it will be in excellent hands and continue to offer incredible value for the industry.”

NMMA will maintain its presence in Canada to serve the needs of marine manufacturers doing business in Canada, with its team dedicated to government relations, member communications, research and statistics and the Canadian Discover Boating campaign. The Canadian team is led by Sara Anghel, Vice President for NMMA Canada, and will remain in its Ontario headquarters in Bolton, ON.

“It’s business as usual for the 2011 Toronto International Boat Show, scheduled to run January 8 to 16 at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place,” confirms Waddell. “Working together with the TIBS show committee will continue; this relationship has been a key factor in the show’s long time success. In addition, our staff will remain intact and in touch, based out of the same TIBS offices in Bolton.” Waddell acknowledged the synergies inherent in the close proximity of the CBSI and NMMA groups, as both “are committed to growing boating and making it the number one recreational pursuit of Canadians.”

Recreational boating annually represents more than $26 billion in economic impact to Canada, with more than 52 percent of all Canadian boaters living in Ontario. Each year generating more than $354 million in economic impact to the region, during the last five years the Toronto International Boat Show has annually attracted more than 550 exhibitors and an average attendance of 90,000 visitors.

Volvo Penta Launches IPS Owners Community

Got a boat powered by a Volvo Penta IPS?

The company has launched a new consumer website called the Volvo Penta IPS Owners Community. Created for Volvo Penta IPS owners of US and Canadian built-boats, the online community keeps owners in the loop with exclusive updates, information forums and a fun place to share their experiences with Volvo Penta and other owners. The site URL is www.volvopentaips.com.

 

"The IPS owner is passionate about their boat, and the unique advantages provided by Volvo Penta IPS.  We created this exclusive site just for them.  Here, they can learn about the latest engineering and design trends, get operating and service tips from Volvo Penta professionals and participate in owner-only forums.  The Volvo Penta IPS Owners Community is an incredibly valuable source of information for some of our most important customers," says Volvo Penta of the Americas President and CEO, Clint Moore. "Plus, the forum is a direct way for Volvo Penta to take advantage of real-time feedback from customers who are using and enjoying our system."

Membership to the site is currently only available to owners of North American built boats powered by Volvo Penta IPS. 

Montreal Boat Show Opens Tomorrow

The Montreal Boat and Water Sports Show runs from January 28 to February 1 at Place Bonaventure, Montreal, Quebec. With more than 400 different boats, 150 exhibitors and about 30,000 visitors expected, this 11th annual boating extravaganza has all sorts of boats from cruisers to kayaks, fishing boats, sailboats, parts, accessories, clothing and more. For more info, see the show website by clicking here.

Mercury Announces New Bravo Three Propellers

Mercury Marine has introduced new versions of the 20-, 21- and 22.5-inch pitch front propellers in Mercury's Bravo Three propeller lineup. The three new propellers provide improved performance, including a significant reduction in time to plane. The three-blade rear propeller continues in production unchanged.

“The lower-pitch front propellers in the Bravo Three lineup have been redesigned from top to bottom,” says Mercury Product Manager, Dirk Bjornstad. “These changes result in better acceleration across the board with light and heavy loads.
The differences are most pronounced on boats with slower acceleration times. We've seen up to eight percent faster acceleration with the new four-blade front propeller in heavier applications."

A Bravo Three propeller set consists of two counter-rotating propellers mounted in tandem on the same drive. The Generation II Bravo Three propellers feature a four-blade front and a three-blade rear while the Generation I Bravo Three propellers used a three-blade front and rear.  

“Our engineers have made refinements to the rake profile to provide the kind of holding customers expect with a four-blade front propeller,” said Bjornstad. “The new low pitch propellers ensure the complete line of Generation II models will accelerate and hold better than their predecessors.”

Production of the latest revision of the 20, 21 and 22.5 Brave Three series began on January 22.

Campion Sells First 'Bio-Boat'

Campion Marine, Kelowna, BC, broke new ground at  the Toronto International Boat Show last week with the sale of its first bio-resin, bio-diesel-powered boat.

Campion General Manger Brock Elliott announced “we have just contracted the first-ever Envirez boat to be run on bio-diesel. The Campion Allante 645i bowrider will be powered by new Volvo Penta D3 200 horsepower engine, and will be built using resin from renewable resources.”

Campion Allante 645i

The boat was purchased by an Ontario boater named Mr. Mark Hayhoe, on the heels of Campion's announcement at the start of the Toronto International Boat Show that the company will build all its boats going forward using Ashland’s environmentally-friendly Envirez product.

“I have wanted an ecologically-friendly boat for some time, but the right combination has not been available until now,” says Hayhoe. “I have spent a lot of summers on the Muskoka lakes and I am impressed with Campion's vision towards a more ecologically responsible boating experience. This will be an exciting project and I look forward to picking up my Campion bio-boat and getting out on Lake Muskoka.”

Brock Elliott announced that Campion will become the first boat builder in the world to manufacture all of its product with Envirez, a renewably-sourced bio-derived resin from Ashland Performance Materials, at the beginning of the Toronto show. Envirez resin is descried as using a substantial amount of soybean oil and corn-derived ethanol in its formulation.

“Ashland's bio-based resin delivers the performance characteristics we want for our boats and it reduces our reliance on petroleum-based counterparts,” says Elliott. “We are putting Envirez resin in all our boats, not only because of its superior performance relating to strength and elongation, but because it's the right thing to do for our world. We have tested the Envirez resin hulls in our Chase 550 and 600 on Lake Okanagan for the past two years, and it has proven itself. We will now use the product to form all of our hulls, liners and decks.”

Elliott notes that Campion's adoption of Envirez resin will eliminate more than 100,000 pounds of carbon monoxide from entering the atmosphere.

BRP Introduces Evinrude E-TEC 15 hp HO

Bombardier Recreation products (BRP) has introduced an all-new 15 horsepower engine in its popular Evinrude E-TEC line.

The E-TEC 15 HO is built on a 35.3 cubic inch, two-cylinder design that is CARB 3-Star, EPA and EU compliant. Both versions are available with an adjustable tiller handle or as a remote control model, each incorporating a high-speed tilt component supported by a heavy-duty bracket system that deploys at a speed said to be three times that of standard systems. The unit includes the company’s exclusive Touch-Troll feature that provides accurate electronic RPM speed control for improved fishability, while a 15-amp alternator delivers best-in-class charging power. The unit requires no scheduled dealer maintenance for three years or 300 hours.

“We’re delivering on our commitment to expand our Evinrude E-TEC line-up,” stated Yves Leduc, Vice President and General Manager for BRP’s North America division. “The new 15 horsepower HO model gives the consumer the best of both worlds – the largest displacement, which delivers the maximum get-home speed, and the direct-injection fuel system which offers the optimum ability for slow trolling.”

The Evinrude E-TEC 15 HO engine boasts many of the same features and benefits found on its bigger brothers in the Evinrude E-TEC line-up. Low maintenance, cleaner and quieter performance, durability and reliability through design and components including NASA-developed alloy pistons, a high-thrust reversing exhaust propeller, and fast rise inductive ignition (IDI) for sure starts and longer spark plug life.

BRP will highlight the Evinrude E-TEC 15 HO engine will be highlighted at select boat shows in key markets across Canada and the US, including the Toronto International Boat Show, the Houston International Boat Show, the Seattle Boat Show, the Minneapolis Boat Show and the Miami International Boat Show.

The new 15 HO model will be available as a limited release production to authorized Evinrude dealers beginning in May 2010. BRP's Evinrude E-TEC engine line-up now includes 98 engine models from 15 to 300 horsepower.

 

 

Volvo Penta Introduces Two New IPS Packages

Volvo Penta is expanding its popular IPS propulsion system with a further two power classes, IPS1050 and IPS1200.

Based on the Volvo Group’s 13-litre engines, the two new IPS drive packages generate the equivalent of 1,050 and 1,200 horsepower respectively. This means that Volvo Penta can now offer the IPS system for boats in excess of 100 feet LOA.

 Larger engines with higher power output and higher torque make large demands on the drive units. With this in mind, the underwater body and propellers have been developed with the help of advanced computerised models together with extensive cavitation tunnel tests as well as tests in boats. The IPS1050 and IPS1200 offer improved performance over traditional shaft drives, quieter operation, lower vibratiuion levels, lower fuel consumption and lower total emissions.

The engine for the new power classes is Volvo Penta’s D13, a 13-liter diesel with dual-stage turbo technology developing 800 and 900 horsepower, respectively. The first stage in its sophisticated dual-stage turbo design is a twin-entry turbo that enables pulse charging – the power in each exhaust pulse is used to provide pulse pressure – which results in a very high torque from low rpm. At higher rpm, a second turbo kicks in so that the engine retains its power even at high rpm.

EMS 2, the new engine control system developed by Volvo Penta, regulates fuel injection 100 times per second. The system controls the unit injectors, one per cylinder, which operate at a pressure of as much as 2000 bar and atomize the fuel for optimum combustion. Total emissions satisfy the EU RCD and US EPA Tier 2 regulations and are also in line with the stringent EPA Tier 3 regulations that will come into force in 2012.

The new IPS1050 and IPS1200 will be available on the market from autumn 2010.

Volvo Penta launched its IPS system in 2005, with units based on the company’s four- and six-litre diesel engines. Last year, the company added two new power classes with larger drive units based on 11-liter engines.

Along with the new IPS units, Volvo Penta also announced its new Dynamic Positioning System, which helps the driver to maintain the boat’s position by just pressing a button. The Dynamic Positioning System is controlled by special software integrated in Volvo Penta’s electronic platform. An antenna with twin GPS receivers supplies the system with exact information on the boat’s position and with the help of this information the software controls engine revs, shift positions and the drive units.  The system is ideal for situations where boats must maintain a static position, such as when waiting to enter a lock, or for a bridge to open.

 

 

 

Campion Marine To Build All New Boats With Ashland's Envirez Bio-Based Resin

Campion Marine Inc., Kelowna, BC, announced Monday that it will become the first boat builder in the world to manufacture all of its boats with Envirez, a renewably sourced bio-derived resin from Ashland Performance Materials. Envirez resin is descried as the first resin that uses a substantial amount of soybean oil and corn derived ethanol in its formulation.

Campion Chase 600

“Ashland's bio-based resin delivers the performance characteristics we want for our boats and it reduces our reliance on petroleum-based counterparts,” said Brock Elliott, General Manager of Campion Marine. “We are putting Envirez resin in all our boats, not only because of its superior performance relating to strength and elongation, but because it's the right thing to do for our world.”

Elliott made the announcement Monday morning at the NMMA Canada annual general meeting, held in conjunction with the Toronto International Boat Show. Elliott noted that Campion was selected as the world's first builder of bio resin boats in 2008. “We have tested the Envirez resin hulls in our Chase 550 and 600 on Lake Okanagan for the past two years, and it has proven itself. We will now use the product to form all of our hulls, liners and decks.”

Elliott notes that the move to Envirez resin by Campion will eliminate over 100,000 pounds of C0 from entering the atmosphere.

“We are pleased to be working with a great company like Campion to bring this technology to the boating public,” said Mike Wallenhorst, Director of Product Management, Ashland Performance Materials. “Envirez is a fantastic product that offers outstanding toughness and is a big step towards a totally renewable resin. It's exciting to realize that hundreds of boats made from Envirez resin will soon be navigating the world's waterways thanks to Campion.”

Lund Offers Spring Promotions

Lund's 2010 Spring Catch promotion offers consumers up to $1,500 in cash rebates plus a complete 17-volume Angling Edge DVD collection featuring legendary angler Al Lindner, valued at $300.

The Spring Catch promotion involves more than 17 models, with a tiered rebate structure that provides greater incentive for buying earlier in the year. For example, buy a 2010 model year Pro V 197 GL in January and you're eligible for a $1,200 rebate. Wait till February and the amount drops to $700, and $600 if you don't buy till March.

What's more, 2009 model year product also qualifies for the Spring Catch rebate, with higher rebate amounts than 2010 product.

Buy a Rebel XL model before April 15, 2010 will you'll also receive a custom Lund / Angling Edge / Angler-Young Angler hat, plus access to the all-new Faculty of Fishing online education program, valued at $149. Lund has announced national retail pricing of $12,995 USD for the 1625 Rebel XL SS packaged with a 50 two-stroke (plus freight and PDI). The program is available to Canadian consumers, but is administered in US dollars, with currency conversion made during purchase through the participating dealer.

LORAN-C Signal To Be Terminated February 8

The U.S. Coast Guard has announced it will cease broadcasting the North American LORAN-C navigation signal on February 8, 2010.

The LORAN (LOng RAnge Navigation) system was an American development of the British GEE radio navigation system used early in World War II. While GEE had a range of about 640 km, initial LORAN systems had a range of more than 1,900 km. LORAN was used by the US Navy, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force during the later stages of World War II, then came into widespread commercial and civilian use in the 1950s and 60s. The system was updated through the years to the current C-version standard.

Satellite navigation systems began replacing LORAN systems in commercial vessels in the early ‘90s. With the subsequent development of affordable, accurate and easy-to-use consumer GPS receivers, sales of LORAN units – once a staple in recreational boats – virtually evaporated.

An oldie, and a goodie, but no competition to GPS.