Powerboating Gear
New Mobilarm VPIRB device making waves
Submitted by admin on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 15:25.Powerboat-World.com-- The unique V100 VPIRB (VHF Position
Indicating Radio Beacon) turns conventional MOB technology on its head
through the simple concept that lives can be saved if vessels in the
local area are immediately notified of a MOB incident and automatically
provided with the casualty’s GPS coordinates. As the VPIRB sends its
distress signal by VHF DSC, no expensive, additional onboard equipment
is required, and because of this, any mariner can choose to carry a
V100 and increase their own chances of rescue in a MOB incident. The
Mobilarm V100 is a fully automated, maritime survivor locating device
that transmits a MOB distress call via VHF DSC and VHF voice to all VHF
radio equipped vessels and land based receivers within range, including
the distressed mariner’s vessel. The pocket-sized VPIRB is attached to
clothing or lifejackets and will automatically activate if the wearer
goes overboard, sending out a distress call and real time GPS
coordinates of the casualty’s current position. Read More
Travelers Introduces First Electric Boat Discount
Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/22/2008 - 13:22.MarketWire.com-- Travelers, a leading provider of boat and other personal insurance products, is launching a first in the industry insurance premium discount* of up to 10 percent for those owning electrically powered boats. Whether boaters are interested in a quieter boating experience, or if they are seeking environmentally friendly boating solutions that help save money on annual fuel costs, electric boats can provide the right alternative for this segment of boaters. As a result, the number of electric boat manufacturers has grown and there continues to be a demand for electric boats in the current economy.
"There has always been a segment of boaters who prefer a quieter electric boat and with the rising cost of marine fuel and a growing focus on the environment there is no doubt that more boaters will consider this option," said Chantal Cyr, vice president of the Boat and Yacht Division for Travelers. "As habits are changing and more people are using electric boats, Travelers is offering an innovative insurance solution that fits the evolving lifestyle of our customers."
Dolphin-inspired personal watercraft!?
Submitted by admin on Mon, 07/14/2008 - 19:27.Read about this crazy new PWC here
Got an Idea? Pitch your product to West Marine
Submitted by admin on Thu, 07/03/2008 - 15:27.
On Friday, July 11, West Marine will host a New Product Review Day at its Watsonville, Calif., support center. This is the opportunity for prospective vendors — from large to start-ups — to pitch their products to West Marine's retail management team for an opportunity to sell at the company's 369 retail stores and through its Web site, catalogs and wholesale distribution company. To set up an appointment for New Product Review Day, e-mail West Marine at vendorinfo@westmarine.com.
Zodiac offers $1,000 of free gas with RIB purchase
Submitted by admin on Thu, 06/26/2008 - 16:44.IBI News--
Mimicking several large US automakers, Zodiac is offering US$1,000 in
free fuel with the purchase of two of its rigid hulled inflatable boats
(RIBS). The company said in a statement that North American dealers
would have the promotion in conjunction with the Zodiac Pro 20-Man and
Pro Open 850. "By
pairing this $1,000 free gas offer with two of our most popular,
fuel-efficient center console RIB models, we're delivering a one-two
punch to high fuel prices that will really resonate with boaters," said
Howard French, vice president and general manager, Zodiac of North
America, Recreational Sector, in the statement.According to NMMA
data, the inflatable segment was one of the few boat categories that
showed growth in 2007. New boat sales increased by 17 per cent last
year, according to its 2007 Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract.
Zodiac said that the RIB segment accounts for about 46 per cent of
market share.
Cobra Transforms Marine Communication With the Addition of Bluetooth(R) Technology
Submitted by admin on Tue, 06/17/2008 - 12:53.CNN Money-- Cobra Electronics
(Nasdaq: COBR) today announced the launch of a new marine product that will
revolutionize the way boaters communicate. The patent-pending MR F300 BT
handset uses Cobra’s exclusive MicroBlue(TM) technology that enables boaters
to have loud and clear non-emergency phone conversations while underway. Set to debut at the 2008 Marine Aftermarket Accessories Trade Show, July
16-18 in Las Vegas, the MR F300 BT pairs Bluetooth(R) wireless technology with
a combination microphone/speaker handset. Incoming phone call audio is routed
through the speaker, and outgoing voice audio is relayed through the
noise-canceling microphone. The unique ability to make and receive phone calls
over even the noisiest engine allows boaters to keep their mobile phones
tucked away from the threat of water damage. "The MR F300 BT is the first-of-its-kind in the marine category and
addresses a significant on-the-water need," said Tony Mirabelli, senior vice
president of marketing and sales for Cobra. "The product helps boaters tackle
the communication challenges posed by the noisy marine environment, without
The 2000hp uncatchable RIB
Submitted by admin on Mon, 06/16/2008 - 18:10.Gizmag.com-- There’s something about a bespoke piece of high-ticket kit that resonates with congruity of purpose and this Rigid Inflatable Boat is a case in point. Apparently at some time the property of a company which purpose-built boats and marketed them as “uncatchable”, it got caught up in a drug case with large amounts of cocaine allegedly found aboard. Being a lighweight RIB with no less than eight
250 horsepower outboards, it has 2000 horses on tap and a low radar
signature, and making it very suitable for long-range, high-speed,
high-stealth, medium-payload operations. Read More
Fountain Powerboats Acquires Baja Marine Assets From Brunswick
Submitted by admin on Wed, 06/04/2008 - 17:45.CNN Money, June 3 2008-- Fountain Powerboat Industries, Inc. (AMEX: FPB), a leading manufacturer of high performance sport boats, fish boats
and express cruisers, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary,
Baja by Fountain, Inc., has acquired certain assets of Baja Marine
Corporation, a subsidiary of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC). Baja
produces high performance sport boats in lengths from 19 feet to 40 feet. Fountain expects to begin manufacturing the Baja by Fountain boat product
line for the 2009 model year, according to Fountain Powerboat founder and
CEO Reggie M. Fountain, Jr. "We are pleased to complete this transaction,
and are very happy with the progress being made in bringing Baja and its
popular portfolio into the fold. This action unites two of the leading
brands within the powerboat segment, adding several popular models to our
product portfolio, including the Outlaw, Performance and Islander model
line-ups. Likewise, we are excited to deepen our long-standing
relationship with Mercury Marine, which will continue to provide marine
engines and certain other power components for Baja boats manufactured by
Dutch build the first solar-powered speedboat
Submitted by admin on Tue, 06/03/2008 - 14:52.uberreview.com-- It is not too often that we associate solar powered
with anything fast and or furious, but perhaps it is time that we
start. The Czeers MK1 is a 10-meter vessel covered in photovoltaic
cells that is capable of hitting speeds of up to 30 knots (55.5 km/ph
to you non-nautical folks out there). While there are certainly faster
boats on the water, those tend to use obscene amounts of fuel. The solar-powered Czeers MK1 is naturally going to be a lot quieter
than its gas guzzling cousins, which would make it great for sneaking
up over fish (though there is limited space to put them if you catch
them. I would like to see a similar model with little bit more space
for passengers, even if it did mean sacrificing some speed. Speedboats
are so limited in what they are able to do, but if this had a little
extra space, it could do so much more. Read More
Duroboat: a solution to high gas prices
Submitted by admin on Fri, 05/23/2008 - 12:44.Eastside Business Journal (WA), May 22 2008-- Amidst
rising gas prices and uncertain economic times, many businesses in the
boating industry are operating in survival mode. The ability to
differentiate a business from other industry competitors is always a
central element of success, but now it may be the key to a company’s
continued existence. Duroboat,
a family owned boat manufacturer located just north of Woodinville, is
hopeful that the unique design of their gas efficient and eco-friendly
boat, coupled with the boat’s oversea shipping capabilities, will set
them apart from the competition and carry the company through these
tough times.
Duroboat’s lightweight 10’-16’ aluminum skiffs allow boaters to enjoy the sport in an economical and environmentally friendly way. Unlike other light weight aluminum boats, Duroboat is constructed without rivets. Their patented interlocking joint system, allow Duroboat to achieve the same strength and quality as heavier welded boats without the “heavy.” Lightweight boats require
