Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/467551
LAUNCH www.BoatingIndustry.com March 2015 | Boating Industry | 9 HOT SPOTS Detroit, MI 3.2% Anchorage, AK 5.0% Nashville, TN 4.9% Memphis, TN 6.2% Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX 3.0% Strong aluminum fishing boat sales in Little Rock, Houston Sales of aluminum hull fishing boats between 8 and 24 feet are strong in Little Rock, Ark., with a sharp increase of 19.11 percent through December 2014. Not far behind is Houston at 14.09 percent year-over-year. Most other regions are seeing modest growth for aluminum hull fishing boats, be- tween 2.95 and 8.13 percent, with much of the growth occurring in the Southeast. The only region reporting a decrease is Memphis, Tenn., coming in at negative 6.21 percent. Houston, TX 14.1% Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX 8.1% Little Rock, AR 19.1% Statistics on aluminum hull fishing boats between 8 and 24 feet do not include pontoon sales. LEGEND BOATS' OWNERS ELECTED TO NMMA HALL OF FAME Victor Duhamel and Carl Dewar, owners of Legend Boats have been inducted into the National Marine Manufacturers Association Hall of Fame. Victor and Carl's career achievements and contribution to the recreational boating industry were recognized during the NMMA Canadian Recreational Boating Industry Session at the Toronto In- ternational Boat Show at the Direct Energy Centre. The NMMA Hall of Fame is the association's highest honor. It was established in 1988 and recognizes individuals who have made, or continue to generate, substantial and lasting contributions toward the advancement of the marine industry. It honors individuals whose names and deeds are synonymous with the pursuit of quality, innova- tion, and perfection within their respective spheres of expertise. "Both Victor and Carl have contributed greatly to the recreational boating industry over the years and have provided great advancement in the industry — they are a great Canadian success story!" said Sara Anghel, NMMA Canada executive director and vice president of gov- ernment relations. "We honor them with the Hall of Fame award in recognition of their innovative thinking, leadership, and dedication to an excellent boating experience for our nation's boaters." The two men started out as two friends who opened a tire shop in 1968, before the creation of Legend Boats in 1987. Among their other accomplishments, Legend Boats provided the industry with the first aluminum boats to have a full radius windshield and the first convert- ible rear casting deck which allowed their boats to switch from a deck to rear bench seats. Today, Victor Duhamel and Carl Dewar employ more than 85 people in Whitefish and Barrie, Ontario, and have 56 independent Legend Dealers across Canada. BOSTON WHALER CELEBRATES FACILITY EXPANSION Boston Whaler has added nearly 60,000 square feet of under-roof manufacturing space to its Edgewater, Fla., facility to make room for manufacturing the 420 Outrage, its largest model ever. "This expansion gives us the capability to continue to grow our portfolio," said Boston Whaler President Huw Bower. "We are proud to have introduced more than a dozen new boats in less than three years' time, including our remarkable new 420 Outrage, and we look forward to continuing this trajectory of innovation. Expanding our facility underscores our commitment to continued growth and en- ables us to meet the high demand we have already seen for the 420." INDUSTRY NEWS Portland, OR 5.6% Seattle-Tacoma, WA 6.8%