Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/592917
38 • November 9, 2015 • Powersports Business PWC www.PowersportsBusiness.com and a RIVA Catch Can/Engine Breather Kit, along with a RIVA "GEN-4" Power Cooler that's 25 percent larger than the stock inter- cooler. The only time journalists pouted was when they were told we could only look at the RIVA Racing RXP-X 350 and couldn't ride it. However, overall reaction for the new Sea-Doos was positive, as PWC journalists got amped up for the 300 horses driving the machines. Sea-Doo produced a video of media reaction and another of dealer reac- tion on the dealer demo days, and both can be viewed at youtube.com/seadootv. You can also catch video of me aboard the RXT-X 300 on Nashville's Cumberland River at youtube.com/powersportsbusiness1. PSB SEA-DOO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36 As boat owners begin the annual task of winterizing and dry docking their boats for the season, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports that watercraft theft continues to drop. NICB's annual report looks at watercraft theft and recoveries in the United States and examines watercraft reported stolen between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2014. The report is based on data from the National Crime Infor- mation Center (NCIC) database for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Overall, there were 5,181 watercraft thefts reported during 2014, a 6 percent decrease from 2013, when 5,537 thefts were recorded. This is the second year in a row that water- craft thefts have dropped 6 percent: the num- ber of thefts in 2012 was 5,870. On average, there were approximately 14 watercraft thefts per day, 100 per week, or 432 per month in 2014. Most thefts occurred during the spring and summer months with July recording the highest number with 667. February recorded the fewest with 223. Download the watercraft report at www.nicb.org/newsroom/news-releases. Boat owners are reminded to practice safe and smart boating. That includes personal safety while on the water, as well as theft prevention. NEW PWC SALES RISE 15 PERCENT IN SEPTEMBER The Info-Link Bellwether report, which tracks boat sales across the country based on new U.S. boat registrations, shows that sales of PWC were up nearly 15 percent year- over-year in September. Bellwether states are geographically dispersed states representing roughly half of the U.S. boat market (varies by market segment and time of year). Meanwhile, the National Marine Manu- facturers Association reports that in the second quarter of 2015, new registrations of personal watercraft were up 6.7 percent year-over-year on a rolling 12-months basis. MARINE MAT FILES PATENT APPLICATION Marine Mat, a Florida company, announced its newest patent application. Marine Mat announced that it has filed its patent application titled "Removable Foam Traction Mat," claiming the benefit of an earlier filed provisional patent. "This is a huge step forward in our strategy to change the way boat builders view EVA foam and its applications in the marine indus- try," said John Salvatore, Marine Mat general manager. "Our team has put in a tremen- dous amount of effort in designing and testing the product, as well as working with our attorneys to file the patent. We are very proud of them," added Marine Mat owner Greg Pickren. "The interest and demand for the product has so far exceeded our expectations," David McGowan, Marine Mat sales manager said. Marine Mat's Snap-it series EVA foam mats are polyester-fiber reinforced multi-layered mats that are designed to be strong enough to utilize snaps. Snap-it series mats are removable and provide boat build- ers with the option of offering a non-skid, anti-fatigue surface that can be an option to carpet at the dealer level. It can also be designed to match the adhesive backed EVA foam that is common on swim platforms. Marine Mat is a privately held company located in Oldsmar, Fla., with common ownership to the companies, SBT, Inc.; SEI Marine Products, Inc.; API Marine; Watercraft Superstore, Inc.; 4XPro and East Lake Axle. PSB DIGEST LIZ ABOARD THE RXT-X 300 PSB managing editor Liz Keener demoed the 2016 Sea-Doo RXT-X on the Cumberland River in Tennessee during a media event in mid-September. Watch a video from her ride at youtube.com/powersportsbusiness1. The 2016 GTX Limited 300 is Sea-Doo's only luxury model powered by the new Rotax 1630 ACE engine. PHOTO BY RONNY MAC Watercraft theft drops 6 percent Marine Mat, a sister company of SBT, Inc.; Watercraft Superstore, Inc.; and 4XPRO, announced a patent application for its Snap-it series EVA foam mats. Rank State Thefts Recovery Rate 1 Florida 1,290 36% 2 California 507 52% 3 Texas 386 40% 4 Washington 201 53% 5 North Carolina 169 37% Rank Watercraft Type Thefts Recovery Rate 1 Personal Watercraft 1,121 39% 2 Runabout 755 50% 3 Utility 325 45% 4 Cruiser 186 50% 5 Sailboat 49 53% Rank Manufacturer Thefts Recovery Rate 1 Yamaha 547 37% 2 Bombardier Corp. 509 39% 3 Kawasaki Motors Mfg. 138 35% 4 Alumacraft Boat Co. 116 29% 5 Bass Tracker Corp. 100 37% 2014 WATERCRAFT THEFT AND RECOVERY Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau