Wisconsin

Brunswick Appoints Arbuckle as Marine Autonomy Technology Lead

Brunswick Corporation, in a move to to build on its ACES (Autonomy, Connectivity, Electrification & Shared Access) strategy to develop solutions to further improve boater experiences, named Jason Arbuckle to a newly formed role of Marine Autonomy Technology Lead. Arbuckle joined Mercury Marine in 1997 and has since advanced through the company, working to lead some of the company’s many award-winning innovative technology solutions. Throughout his career, Arbuckle has been instrumental…

Brunswick Expands Capability in Electrification Technologies

Brunswick Corporation continues to develop solutions to further improve boater experiences both by advancing the efficiency and capabilities of its core product lines and through its ACES (Autonomy, Connectivity, Electrification & Shared Access) strategy.In order to advance this strategy, Brunswick is establishing new leaders with strong technology experience and strengthening its development capability and investments in electrification technology and programs, in addition to autonomy and connectivity.In support of this effort…

Mercury Marine Celebrates 80th Anniversary in 2019

Mercury Marine will celebrate its 80th anniversary throughout 2019, reflecting on its strong heritage of innovation and leadership in the marine industry.On January 22, 1939, E. Carl Kiekhaefer purchased a bankrupt engine manufacturing plant in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Now, 80 years later, the business that emerged from those modest beginnings, Mercury Marine, is a company with 7,000 global employees that is heralded as the world’s leading manufacturer of marine propulsion systems…

Burger 48 Cruiser is a Custom Yacht Alternative for Production Boat Buyers

Burger Yachts is organically growing its own megayacht clientele. Wooing would-be production boat buyers into small yacht owners with their new 48 power cruiser, the legendary shipbuilder’s custom yacht alternative for production line buyers provides megayacht elegance and quality, albeit in a smaller vessel.The iconic Wisconsin builder identified a market for a midsize, luxury power cruiser with a custom interior and two cabin configuration. Built especially for a high-end, hands-on…

AMI Welcomes Affiliate Partnership with WMA

The Association of Marina Industries (AMI) has welcomed the Wisconsin Marine Association (WMA) as its newest membership partner. Now all WMA marina members will receive the additional benefit of being members of AMI in conjunction with their WMA membership. This means WMA members will now have access to all AMI services, products and benefits in addition to those they already receive from WMA. The WMA was launched in March 2009 with the planning and support of several WI marina operators, the Wisconsin Harbor Towns Association, and funding support from the Wisconsin Department of Administration's Wisconsin Coastal Management Program.

A Female Mechanic Makes her Mark

Mercury Marine has long partnered with the Marine Mechanics Institute in Orlando to produce some of its finest marine mechanics, such as Kaitlyn Schneider, who’s been thriving for the past two years at Lakeside Marina in Oshkosh, Wis. Joe Honsa, president of Lakeside Marina says he’s been in the marine business for more than 30 years and Schneider is the first female to apply for the true technician position at his store. “At times it’s intimidating in an all-male environment working as their equal,” said Honsa.

Mercury Marine Expands Manufacturing Capacity

Mercury Marine is adding a 53,000 square foot manufacturing capacity expansion to its global headquarters in Fond du Lac, Wisc. The expansion will consist of 45,000 square feet of manufacturing capacity and an additional 8,000 square feet of office space. In addition, Mercury is investing in state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment to better streamline the manufacturing process and meet the growing demands in the marketplace. The new space will be completed in January, 2017. “This is an exciting time for Mercury Marine,” said John Pfeifer, Mercury Marine president.

BRP to Unveil New Outboards at Club Evinrude

BRP announced that its next Club Evinrude event will be held on Sunday, June 26, 2016, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “We wowed the Milwaukee crowd at our last Club in 2014 when we unveiled a new era of outboard engine technology, Evinrude E-TEC G2. In a similar fashion, we plan another announcement at this year’s Club that promises to send even more waves through the marine industry,” said Chris Berg, global director of marketing and strategic planning for Evinrude. “All BRP Club events mark pivotal points in the history of all the industries that we call home.

Burger Boat Starts Build of Explorer Yacht

Burger Boat Company announced the start of construction on Hull 510, a custom 103'-06" (31.55m) full displacement steel and aluminum Explorer Motor Yacht. The Owner and Designer, Luiz De Basto of Miami, Florida, USA, recently visited the shipyard in Manitowoc, Wisconsin to formally kickoff construction with an "Owner's First Weld" which positions a commemorative plaque aboard the yacht. Launch is scheduled for the spring of 2017 with delivery shortly thereafter. The vessel's modern…

M2000 Marine Forklift to Debut at Miami Boat Show

Marine Travelift Inc. has announced that it will officially introduce its new M2000 marine forklift featuring hydrostatic drive at the 2016 Miami International Boat Show, scheduled for February 11-15. The forklift will be on display at the show’s new venue on Virginia Key. According to Jason Johnson, Marine Travelift’s North American Director of Sales, the new M2000 will showcase innovative technology that the Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin-based manufacturer is incorporating it into its Marine Travelift forklift product line. “The M2000 featuring hydrostatic drive is unique to Marine Travelift,” Johnson said.

Palmer Johnson Yatchs Shuts Sturgeon Bay, Moves to Europe

Luxury yacht manufacturer Palmer Johnson Yachts is closing its production facilities in Sturgeon Bay because of dwindling sales and competition from overseas. In a plant closing notice filed Wednesday with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, the company said sales had fallen and offshore competition had escalated. The closures will result in the loss of about 100 jobs. Palmer Johnson said it will cooperate with the Department of Workforce Development to help employees find other jobs. The shutdown will take place in phases starting about Oct. 31.

Mercury Marine's New Engine has Power to Spare

Mercury MerCruiser’s new 6.2-liter V-8 300hp and 350hp sterndrive engines, which are purpose-built specifically for marine use, deliver increased power and torque while providing a remarkably quiet and smooth ride. “With the introduction of our new 6.2-liter V-8 sterndrive engines, Mercury continues to build on its success of designing and manufacturing propulsion systems that deliver the most intuitive, powerful, worry-free, smooth and quiet boating experience,” said John Pfeifer, president of Mercury Marine.

Mercury Marine Begins HQ Expansion

Mercury Marine will add a 45,000 square foot expansion to its electro-deposition paint (EDP) system that will double its current processing capabilities. The current project will be complete by January 2016 and the new system will be operational by Q4, 2016. “We are developing a new state of the art coating system that gives our engines superior corrosion and warranty protection,” said John Pfeifer, Mercury Marine president. “This process enforces our ability to make a better product for our customers who expect extreme reliability in their Mercury engines.

USCG Rescues 4 after Vessel Hits Breakwall

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) rescued four men after the 30-foot vessel they were aboard struck the breakwall on the north side of the Milwaukee Harbor entrance late Thursday evening. Just after 9:30 p.m., local time, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan in Milwaukee received notification from the Milwaukee Police Dispatch of a 30-foot vessel that had hit the Milwaukee Harbor outer breakwall with three possible injuries reported. Sector Lake Michigan directed the launch of a crew from Coast Guard Station Milwaukee, aboard a 45-foot response boat.

More Coverage Expected from New Federal Regs

Legislation passed on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 by the U.S. House of Representatives will bring a benefit to improve insurance coverage at lower cost to companies and their workers in the recreational boating industry, said the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), a trade organization dedicated to promoting, protecting and growing marine business jobs. H.R. 3896 achieved this by amending the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act to provide a simplified definition of recreational vessels for purposes of the Act. The legislation was spearheaded and introduced last January by U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz of Florida.

American Boating Congress Draws 36 Co-hosts

Partnerships showcase growing industry-wide commitment advocacy, unity on Capitol Hill. In 2013, the American Boating Congress (ABC) was co-hosted by 31 industry organizations who worked together to create a dynamic and engaging program, that met the needs of the entire recreational boating industry. This year, driven by 2013’s success, 36 industry partners have agreed to co-host ABC, answering the call to strengthen the industry’s collective advocacy impact. ABC will be held in Washington, DC on May 5-7, 2014.

C&C Yachts Adds New Dealer

C&C Yachts announced that Karma Yacht Sales (KYS), based in Chicago, will be the newest addition to their growing dealer network. KYS will cover the Western Great Lakes region including the states of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri and Tennessee. "C&C Yachts chose Karma to represent their boats due to their outstanding success and reputation as a dealer together with their ability to develop and grow One Design classes" said Barry Carroll of C&C Yachts. C&C garnered much attention in their recent launch of the C&C 30.

U.S. Recreational Boating Industry Gathers in Washington, D.C.

Employees from across all sectors of the U.S. recreational boating industry are gathering on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC today and tomorrow for the annual American Boating Congress (ABC) to advocate on behalf of the industry’s 350,000 workers and 82 million boaters. With the unofficial start to boating season just under a month away on Memorial Day weekend, ABC gives members of the U.S. recreational boating industry a timely platform to  meet with legislators and other decision makers on Capitol Hill, hear from prominent economic and political speakers and participate all while meeting with colleagues from around the country.

North Sails Still Make Iceboating Sails

Detroit and New Jersey lofts keep North at the top of iceboating fleets in North America and abroad. Iceboat sails are built heavy and flat, like a foil. The flatness of an airfoil is the most important characteristic of a fast iceboat sail and the ability to achieve that shape and maintain it at high speeds has gotten better over time. While DN class rules specify a 6.5oz resin coated Dacron, other classes like the Skeeter use various Kevlar and Carbon materials to increase their speed by limiting stretch.