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Message From The Editor Adjusting to the changing market?
One of my associates at OP Media Group just shared a business email about brokerage boats and the brokerage business more broadly. The author of the email said that in the marine business, we are going through some significant changes. One of the long-time yacht brokerage companies in Ontario has just closed their doors. After 50 years, Dave Harris has closed Harris and Ellis Yachts. A couple of their brokers have retired and others have moved on to other companies. A second long-time yacht dealer and broker, Pat Sturgeon Yachts, has scaled down, moving out of their office in Port Credit.
The tone of the email was pretty gloomy, but the changing demographics in the market make these changes understandable and even predictable. (READ MORE)
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Changing Scene
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Simrad Marine Electronics Unveils Simrad® AutoCaptain™ – A Breakthrough in Autonomous Boating Technology, Advancing Brunswick’s ACES Strategy
Simrad Marine Electronics, a brand within Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), has announced the launch of the Simrad® AutoCaptain™ Autonomous Boating System, a revolutionary advancement in marine technology featuring full auto-docking capabilities, including docking, undocking, and short distance maneuvering. Unlike assistance-based systems currently on the market, AutoCaptain delivers true autonomous maneuvering... READ MORE |
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Maple Leaf Marinas Expands Brand Portfolio with Groupe Beneteau Beneteau, Wellcraft and Four Winns are now available through MLM’s dealer network
Maple Leaf Marinas (MLM) is pleased to announce the expansion of its brand portfolio, now offering Beneteau, Wellcraft, and Four Winns across its dealership network. The addition of these respected Groupe Beneteau brands further broadens MLM’s lineup and provides more Canadian boaters with access to some of the world’s most recognized names in recreational boating. READ MORE |
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Shockwave Partners with Commar Sales to Drive Growth in the Recreational Marine Market
TShockwave Seats, a global manufacturer of marine suspension seating, announces a new partnership with ComMar Sales, a long-standing and respected marine manufacturer’s representative group serving the U.S. East and Gulf Coast. "Shockwave leads the way in marine suspension seating, delivering unmatched comfort, safety, and performance in the harshest conditions," said Norm MacLeod, Vice President of ComMar Sales. READ MORE |
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Changing Scene
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2025 Annapolis Sailboat Show Closes with Strong Attendance, Industry Momentum
The 2025 Annapolis Sailboat Show concluded after four days of impressive crowds, vibrant programming, and sustained industry momentum. Held Oct. 9–12 at Annapolis City Dock, the internationally recognized event once again served as a dynamic meeting ground for sailing enthusiasts, marine professionals, and new boaters. READ MORE |
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Record Turnout at the RS21 Canadian Nationals 2025
Doubling in size since its inaugural edition in 2024, the 2025 RS21 Canadian Class Nationals saw 12 boats compete for the title in Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 4-5. Hosted as part of Bedford Basin Yacht Club’s One Design Fall Regatta – one of the largest one-design keelboat regattas in Canada – the RS21 fleet was the biggest class on the water, showcasing the rapid growth of this class across the country. READ MORE |
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LOW WATER LEVEL ADVISORY - Trent-Severn National Historic Site
On October 8, 2025, Parks Canada advised that, due to prolonged dry conditions and limited precipitation across the watershed, water levels on the Trent-Severn Waterway are expected to gradually recede to the minimum or below the navigable range after the close of the 2025 navigation season on October 14, 2025. READ MORE |
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Changing Scene
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Harman Completes Sound United Acquisition to Expand Premium Audio Leadership
HARMAN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., focused on connected technologies and solutions for automotive, consumer, professional and enterprise markets, announced that it has completed the acquisition of Sound United, the former consumer audio business of Masimo Corporation (NASDAQ: MASI). READ MORE |
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Quick USA Announces Strategic Partnership with The United Marine Manufacturers Association (UMMA)
Marine equipment manufacturer and supplier Quick Group has formally entered a partnership with the United Marine Manufacturers Association, Inc (UMMA) through its Florida-based US division, Quick USA. The agreement, which was signed and came into force at the start of September 2025, marks a further step in Quick USA’s strategy to expand its presence and partnerships within the American leisure... READ MORE |
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Level Up! Career Fairs Building Momentum Across Ontario
The Ontario government is celebrating record-breaking attendance as the Level Up! career fairs gain momentum across the province, connecting thousands of students, educators, and jobseekers to exciting, in-demand careers in the skilled trades. READ MORE |
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Research
Canadian National Pleasure craft licensing statistics by province for the month of September 2025  The following charts gives the Canadian pleasure craft licensing statistics for the month of September 2025. READ MORE |
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Our friend Augusto "Kiko" Villalon passed away at 5:50 pm on Tuesday, October 8, 2025. He was our longest-standing member, having joined on December 27, 1962, at the New York Boat Show. If you knew him, you were part of his family; if you didn’t, it was only a matter of time. READ MORE
Two marine industry veterans were recognized at IBEX 2025 in Tampa last week by the National Marine Representatives Association (NMRA) as the recipients of the 2025 NMRA Mel Barr and Old Pro awards. The Mel Barr Award was created in memory of Mel Barr, an independent marine rep deeply involved in our industry, one of the founders of the NMRA and its first president. READ MORE
