Exhibitions, new Pontoon Boats and relocations - MarineBusinessWorld North America newsletter
by Peter Rendle 30 Aug 2023 20:00 BST
IBEX 2023 Education Conference © IBEX
The International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), North America's largest trade event for marine industry professionals, announced this week the schedule of world-class technical education included in the IBEX Education Conference to be held during the Show, October 3-5, at the Tampa Convention Center.
The pinnacle of the Conference, the technical Seminar Series, is designed and produced in collaboration with the Show's education partners Professional BoatBuilder magazine, ABYC, NMEA, and IBEX co-owner NMMA. These partnerships give the education conference a well-rounded industry perspective, offering expert training and education to IBEX attendees.
The seminars, presented by world-renowned experts in their fields, will be offered in nine tracks. A few seminars of note this year include Appendage Design and Drag Considerations, Advances in Infusion Technology, and Engineering a 3D Printed Vessel: Why The Numbers Stack Up Better Than You Would Expect. The full schedule is available on the IBEX website and education packages can be purchased with event registration.
An announcement by Vision Marine Technologies at the iconic Lake of the Ozarks yesterday was amidst an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement. Their cutting-edge electric powerboats shattered the existing speed records not once, but twice, solidifying their commitment to pushing the boundaries of maritime innovation. In an awe-inspiring display of performance and engineering excellence, their team managed to achieve a record-breaking speed of 111 mph during the first attempt.
But they didn't stop there. Demonstrating the sheer power and capabilities of electric propulsion technology, they went on to set an even higher bar with an astonishing 116 mph during the second attempt. These accomplishments underscore their dedication to revolutionizing the boating industry while staying true to their core values of sustainability and eco-consciousness.
Polaris Marine today unveiled two new concept electric pontoon boats under its Bennington and Godfrey Pontoons brands. North America's leading manufacturer of pontoon boats previewed these high-horsepower electric propulsion demonstrators at its annual dealer meetings in Syracuse, Ind., this month. Acting as the testbed capability demonstrations for future development of watercraft optimized for electric propulsion, the concept vessels were built on the 26-foot, 6-inch 2024 Bennington L-Series Bowrider and the 23-foot, 11-inch 2023 Godfrey Monaco 235 platforms.
Bennington also announced this week the complete redesign of its popular, family-friendly S and SV Series pontoon models as a part of its 2024 model launch. Ideal for new boaters looking for the uncompromising luxury Bennington is known for in an affordable and feature-rich package, the 2024 S and SV arrive with a restyled interior and exterior, as well as new colors and options. Bennington also announced refreshing updates and new color options for the rest of its 2024 series lineup.
Hinckley Yachts, a renowned leader in the luxury yacht industry, is thrilled to announce a transformative alliance with Sweetwater Landing Marina located in Fort Myers, Florida. Effective immediately, Hinckley Yachts will be assuming operation of the Sweetwater Landing Marina, marking a pivotal moment in both companies' histories. Strategically located in a prime coastal setting, the Sweetwater Landing Marina presents an exceptional opportunity for Hinckley Yachts to further enhance its services and sales offerings. This alliance opens doors to an expanded range of possibilities, enabling Hinckley to provide superior yacht care and sales solutions to an even broader clientele.
The NMMA announced this week the relocation of its headquarters to Washington D.C. as the association continues to expand its advocacy work. The NMMA's previous headquarters were in Chicago, which will continue to serve as a strategic hub for key departments including membership and market expansion.
Sealegs Amphibious Marine Craft USA is pleased to announce the appointment of Greg Ewen as its new Chief Executive Officer. With five previous years of experience at Sealegs in New Zealand, Greg was responsible for the sales of the first 500 Sealegs sold. This experience coupled with his sense of adventure made him the perfect candidate to lead the Sealegs USA team into its next phase. Having made the move from Auckland New Zealand to Bristol Rhode Island. Greg is looking forward to introducing Sealegs and the joy it brings to North America: "I'm excited to join our exceptional USA team and contribute to the great work they continue to do in support of our customers."
More marine industry news at www.marinebusinessworld.com/NorthAmerica
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com