Category: News

The NMMA announced today a landmark partnership with Informa Markets to create the first joint production of South Florida’s preeminent winter boat shows—the Miami International Boat Show (MIBS), Miami Yacht Show (MYS) and Superyacht Miami. Set to debut Wednesday, February 16 through Sunday, February 20, 2022 over Presidents Day weekend, the joint event—which will carry the Miami International Boat Show name—will deliver enhanced value to participating marine industry businesses and a seamless and unparalleled experience for attendees.

Under the partnership, Informa Markets, with direction and guidance from NMMA, takes on management of the in-person experience, while NMMA oversees the digital experience. Additionally, NMMA retains ownership of MIBS, and Informa Markets maintains co-ownership of MYS and Superyacht Miami with the International Yacht Brokers Association. The partnership is the result of long-standing conversations between the two organizations on how best to serve the industry and cultivate a best-in-class boat show experience.

“For 80 years, the Miami International Boat Show has served as the recreational boating industry’s flagship event and a prized platform to showcase world-class products and innovations to nearly 100,000 people across the globe. With NMMA’s new partnership with Informa Markets, together, we will take the show to the next level and deliver an unforgettable experience for our members, attendees, exhibitors, and the local community for decades to come,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, NMMA president. “Our industry and organization are incredibly grateful to the City of Miami for providing a home for our show these last five years at the Miami Marine Stadium and Park, and we look forward to bringing this exciting new event to both Downtown Miami and Miami Beach.”

Bringing the events together will offer numerous benefits for exhibitors, visitors, and the greater Miami community, specifically Miami Beach and Downtown Miami. The on-land portion of the event will take place at the newly reimagined Miami Beach Convention Center, while the featured in-water activities will be offered at Sea Isle Marina, One Herald Plaza, and Island Gardens Deep Harbour on Watson Island. The combined event will include several new elements to enrich the experience for attendees, including a live concert series, an expanded educational offering, a digital component, and the return of Miami Dealer Days, February 14-15. Miami Dealer Days allow exhibitors to gather at the Miami Beach Convention Center prior to the show, providing a unique opportunity for marine manufacturers to connect and discover partnership and growth opportunities.

The joint Miami show will allow residents and visitors to streamline their trips to the signature event and participate in a unique experience with never-before-seen attractions and activities. A comprehensive traffic management plan will be developed in collaboration with the City of Miami and Miami Beach to ensure a smooth traffic flow for visitors and the surrounding areas. The MacArthur, Venetian, and Julia Tuttle causeways will offer unrivaled access for guests crossing over to the MBCC, where they will find ample parking on the grounds. Both event locations will have a variety of transportation options for exhibitors and guests, including water taxis, ride share hubs, and public transit modes.

Added Hugelmeyer, “These three events will now be combined under the Discover Boating banner to set the stage for NMMA and Informa, as the two largest boat show producers in the world, to deliver the world’s largest boat show and boating lifestyle experience in Miami, putting this event on course to be on the global leading edge of boat shows under NMMA’s new hybrid model.”

“The marine industry is a truly special community, and one we are dedicated to nurturing and growing. This year, despite innumerable challenges, our community proved its resilience, and the passion we have seen from manufacturers and buyers alike has strengthened our resolve to create even more meaningful experiences for boating and yachting professionals and enthusiasts. We are appreciative that the NMMA shares common goals, and we are honored to work with them to enhance our collective events, including an unbelievable week-long experience for recreational and luxury boating enthusiasts in Miami,” said Andrew Doole, president, U.S. Boat Shows at Informa Markets. “We could not have done this without the support of the International Yacht Brokers Association, and we thank them for their commitment to the community. We are ready to bring a safe, memorable and fun-filled event to South Florida next year and are thrilled to be entering this partnership.”

Additionally, the agreement places NMMA’s Tampa Boat Show in a similar owner and operator structure, aligning more strategically with Informa’s St. Petersburg Power and Sailboat Show and Suncoast Boat Show, creating a cohesive experience between the organizations’ three collective Central Florida events.

“There remains no better place to attract and engage consumers while promoting the boating lifestyle than boat shows. At the same time, to continue doing so, boat shows must evolve,” said Hugelmeyer. “Our customers increasingly consume information and shop online, and even before COVID, they began seeking more engaging and rewarding in-person experiences. How we address these shifts as an industry is vital. With this in mind, NMMA is reshaping its boat shows across the country to better support the consumer at every turn with a hybrid approach that delivers a more interactive experience both online and in-person.”

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Say the word Bahamas and what comes to mind? Many will picture big marlin or gin-clear waters or sugary beaches, or simply sitting in the cockpit enjoying a warm trade wind while sipping an icy rum punch.

Me? My mind must work differently because I think of conch. Magnificent, tender, succulent, perfectly prepared conch. When “She Who Must Be Obeyed” and I first moved to Florida, we immediately went on our quest for the best conch. Then we went to the Bahamas. We were, quite literally, in conch heaven. Fritters, salads, burgers, no one has more ways to prepare this delicacy than Bahamian chefs.

Conch Fritters 

This is the go-to starting point for any conch quest, and one that you’ll find on the menu of every hole-in-the-wall cookery in the islands. Want to start a fight on the docks? Ask a couple of locals who makes the best conch fritters, and you’ll get enough suggestions to last a month of taste testing.

Fritters are deep-fried and battered balls of conch, but that point is where the chefs get inventive.  You can find them made with various “mystery” seasonings, onions, peppers, and cheese. Some chefs make them with hot goat pepper, different hot sauces, and sea salt.

Big D’s Conch Spot on Great Exuma is a reason that many conch lovers head directly to this island. Big D and his daughter have been creating amazing fritters for years.

Conch Chowder

This is as popular as fritters and just as easy to find because every island chef has their own recipe. First, as with anything conch, the chef has to beat the bejesus out of it to make it tender.  At that point, chowder starts with small chunks of conch, diced tomatoes, onions, minced garlic, celery, and a dash of lemon juice. From there, conch chowder goes off in all directions: carrots, bell peppers, bacon, white wine, lime juice, and, of course, salt and pepper.

Weirdly enough, a Greek restaurant is often cited as having the best conch chowder, but don’t forget Greeks came to the Bahamas a century ago to harvest sponges. Just off Bay Street in Nassau, Athena Café offers a Mediterranean take on this chowder. Not inexpensive (it’s close to the cruise ship docks), it draws yachties and casino denizens in equal measures.

Conch Salad

This tasty salad, served in a bowl to contain all the ingredients, is an explosion of citrus flavors and diced veggies along with white conch meat. A fresh bowl of conch salad is the comfort food for Bahamians. It combines as much as a pound of conch meat, lime and lemon juices, diced onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and, for a little bite, perhaps some diced habañero chile peppers.

With a Bahamas-wide reputation, Queen Conch on Bay Street in Dunmore Town on Harbour Island is the go-to for conch salad. Just off the ferry landing, they throw in chopped mango, green apple, and, upon your carefully considered request, chopped jalapeños. You’ll need at least a couple of icy Kaliks if you choose the hot alternative.

Conch Burgers

This is so far from a Big Mac that you may have to study it for a moment before you dive in. The starting point for some of these is a six- to eight-ounce slab of tender conch, while others grind up the conch just like a real burger. For those grinding the conch, you can expect celery, lime juice, garlic powder, and red peppers thrown into the mix. Either way, you can order this exactly like an American burger, adding cheese, raw onion, and lettuce, topped with a mystery sauce held sacred by the chef.

Aside from tender conch, the most important ingredient is Bahamian bread to hold it all together.  Thick and flavorful, ask the chef to lightly grill the inside of the bread for a little crunch.

Ma Ruby’s in Dunmore Town on Harbour Island is recommended by sportfishing captains and cruising skippers hands down. Chef Mike, who has been flipping conch burgers there for a quarter of a century, will come out and chat with you about how to make your burger memorable.

Cracked Conch

This is the only version of conch that you can eat at a linen-topped table in a four-star restaurant or wrapped in paper and munching on it while walking the docks.

The starting point is “cracking” the conch which, in island terms, means tenderizing it by pounding with a meat mallet or, more often, the frying pan preferred by island chefs. Then it’s seasoned, breaded, battered, and deep-fried to create a Bahamian version of the British fish-and-chips. Think long conch nuggets with either a delicious dip like a tartar sauce or fresh lime juice.

You don’t have to pay the high-ticket for fine dining at the Graycliff Restaurant in Nassau because they have a casual outdoor eatery on West Hill Street called Chillin’. If you’re on Bimini, a good stop is CJ’s Deli on Queens Road, a hidden gem popular among fishing guides in a nondescript building on the oceanside down from Brown’s Marina near Radio Beach—paper plates, outdoor dining, yummy!

By Chris Caswell, Southern Boating December 2020

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C32B Tier 3 Recreational High Performance Propulsion

It’s said that more horsepower equals more speed, and Caterpillar Marine’s new Cat C32B high-performance, 2,000-hp marine engine has a five percent power increase over existing C32 ratings. Add to that just a two percent increase in weight, and the C32B delivers more muscle in the same package.

Why is that good news? Anyone, especially those like sportfishermen, who wants more power out of their engines, can now run at wide-open throttle, the full 2,000 horsepower, as much as eight percent of the time, about three percent longer than the closest competitor. Talk about getting out to the fishing grounds faster.

Drop In and Go

The C32B is designed as a drop-in replacement to make upgrading your engine from a 1,800 bhp or 1,899 bhp simple as it will fit into the same space in the engine room. It has a similar look and most of the same connection points and footprint as the current C32 engine. It also carries the same emissions certifications and high-performance ratings, including EPA Tier 3 Recreational and IMO II.

New Advances

The American-made engine is all new from the block up, but built on the reliable C32 platform and tested for more than 30,000 hours. Not only can you run longer at a higher horsepower, noise levels have been reduced so you can actually carry on a conversation on deck. Even at full throttle, the engine is 25 percent quieter than its predecessor under low-speed conditions. Similar to common rail fuel systems, the C32B’s advanced unit injection fuel system fires multiple fuel injections per power stroke to not only help reduce noise, but also to diminish vibration from combustion.

“We’re very excited to offer our customers more power with the C32B engine, while also helping to reduce engine noise and continuing to provide excellent engine performance and reliability,” says Allen Bowman, marine product strategy engineer for Caterpillar Marine. “The C32B will provide expanded opportunities for our customers for new builds and repower options, which is generating excitement about the future of the C32B and what it will bring to the market.”

Beyond the power density improvement, additional benefits include updated electronics, such as the Advanced Diesel Engine Management 6 electronic control module, and redundancy. A failed high-pressure fuel pump renders a common rail system inoperable, but with unit injection, the engine can still bring the boat home if an injector fails.

Reliable and Powerful

The company points out that as engines get more powerful, keeping the system clean becomes more important. The C32B incorporates ultra-high efficiency plus filters to keep out contamination so components last longer. With regular maintenance and fluid samples, the engine can run up to 500 hours before an oil change. More time for fishing, right? The engine also comes with an unlimited-hour protection warranty for the first two years with extended service coverage for the next three. After five years and a certified Caterpillar inspection, an additional five-year extended service coverage begins. That should give you some assurance that this is a reliable, more powerful engine. Don’t let the bragging rights go to someone else. Got horses?

Specifications

Power range: 2,000 bhp (1,491 bkW)

Speed range: 2,300 rpm

Emissions: EPA Tier 3, IMO II

Bore/Stroke: 5.71/6.38 in.

Displacement: 1,959 in³

—

By Steve Davis, Southern Boating December 2020

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Allsalt Maritime Expands in United States and Singapore

Allsalt Maritime Corporation, a leading provider of marine shock mitigation technology, recently opened two new offices to accommodate rapid growth in the commercial and recreational boating industry and deliver superior regional support to new and existing customers.

Allsalt Maritime’s United States office is located in Edgewater, Florida, and will be led by newly appointed Brand Development and US Managing Director Lisa Wood, a marketing and business development professional with more than 20 years of experience managing brands such as Stanley, Continental Tire, and ARB 4×4 Accessories.

“Shock mitigation is a growing trend in the recreational boat market as boaters seek more comfort on the water. Allsalt will be well-positioned on the US East Coast to support builders and boaters in the region,” says Ray Cao, President and CEO of Allsalt Maritime. “Our US team will also be able to provide focused and direct support to our existing customers in the US military and state maritime security agencies.”

Allsalt Maritime Asia was established in Singapore in October 2020, and will be led by Andy Toh, Director of Sales for Asia. Toh, a marine industry veteran with business development experience at Seakeeper,

AMI Marine, and Imtech Marine, will manage the Asia office and oversee the expansion of OEM and dealer relationships in the region.

“As maritime agencies in the Asian region increasingly turn to shock mitigation technology to protect their human assets, Allsalt will be able to deliver suspension seating and software solutions proven to perform in the most demanding offshore conditions,” says Cao.

Allsalt Maritime, based in Victoria, British Columbia, had previously established a regional office in Dorset, UK in 2019 to support customers in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

“Our commitment to safer transit in the marine environment can now develop on a worldwide scale like never before,” says Cao. We intend to operate with a global mindset to ensure our clients enjoy the highest quality products as well as engage on a local level to deliver timely service and support.”

 

About Allsalt Maritime

Allsalt Maritime is a design, manufacturing and R&D firm specializing in marine shock mitigation technology. Allsalt Maritime leads the industry in human impact science and technology. Each product is intended to support a smoother, safer ride in rough seas. Allsalt Maritime is the owner of the Shoxs and Kinetix brands.

Shoxs seats feature a patented and revolutionary impact mitigation design using marinized air shock technology to reduce physical impact on the passenger when traveling through rough waters.

Kinetix is an advanced shock monitoring system that records impact exposure data on vessels, seats, and crew.

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The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation released the next phase of its plan to bring tourism back to The Bahamas.

Beginning 1st November, The Bahamas removed the mandatory “Vacation in Place” requirement for all visitors, returning citizens and residents.

Also effective Sunday 1 November, all incoming visitors must present a COVID-19 RT-PCR Negative (Swab) Test upon arrival been taken no later than five (5) days from the date of arrival in The Bahamas.

Once in possession of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test, all travelers will then be required to apply for a Bahamas Health Travel Visa at travel.gov.bs (click on the International Tab) where the required test must be uploaded. After this is completed, submit payment, which is inclusive of the Rapid Antigen Testing and await approval.

Fees for the Bahamas Health Travel Visa, inclusive of Day 5 Rapid Antigen Test and mandatory health insurance, are as follows:

$40 – Visitors staying up to four nights and five days.
$40 – Citizens and returning residents.
$60 – Visitors staying more than four nights.
Free – Children 10 years and under

An automated response will be provided upon completion, and only those who receive a green color-coded response can travel. Please submit this form at least 24-48 hours prior to arrival. It is essential that travellers present proof of confirmation upon arrival in their destination. Please also bring printed copy of negative test result.

The rapid antigen test will be conducted four days / five nights (96 hours) after arrival in The Bahamas. Visitors departing on Day Five will not be required to obtain this test. Boaters who have entered The Bahamas and are out to sea on the fifth day are required to obtain an Antigen Test at the first port of call thereafter.

Approved ABM Marina Testing Sites / Port of Entry
Nassau – Bay Street Marina and Nassau Yacht Haven (both for guests only)
Abaco – Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour and Baker’s Bay
Eleuthera / Harbour Island – Romora Bay Resort & Marina (guests only)
Exuma – Highbourne Cay (guests only) and Staniel Cay Yacht Club

Tests will also be administered at many medical centers and administration office locations on all major islands. Customs and Immigration offices on the islands will NOT be administering tests. Click here for full list: https://www.bahamas.com/day-five-covid-19-testing-sites.

Travel to and from Great Exuma and Eleuthera (not including Harbour Island or Spanish Wells) are temporarily prohibited while community Covid-10 controls are being established. More information on travel and entry protocols can be found at https://www.bahamas.com/tourism-reopening.

For more Bahamas Travel Requirements and Protocol details for boaters visit https://bahamasmarinas.com/procedures-and-protocols.

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ABACO FINN WOOD SUNGLASSES are a combination of four natural, sustainable woods—maple, zebra, walnut, and ebony—that fuse your love of the sea with the beauty of the land. These limited-edition shades feature HDR, polarized, UV400 lenses. There are only 100 in this first, and possibly last, run. Buy any Abaco Sunglasses, get one free! Code: BogoSB. MSRP $150; abacopolarized.com

Regal Boats Unveils All-New Flagship Model

Regal 42 FXO

Regal has once again raised the bar to new heights – The Regal 42 FXO celebrated its world premiere at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. This adrenaline-charged 42’ flybridge is an unrivaled overnighter, ultimate sandbar hopper, unparalleled entertainer, and the only one in its class.

Regal’s North American Sales Manager Jake Kuck said, “We’ve never had a flagship model with this much versatility, storage, performance, or comfort, and the list of standard features is exciting. The triple Yamaha 425s move this 42’ flybridge at nearly 50 mph, and because it doesn’t have IPS power, we’ve been able to utilize that space to create an unmatched storage area that’s full-beam wide, 42” tall, and nearly 6’ deep. That’s enough room for your beach cruiser bicycles and more. There are different cabin layouts for even more versatility, and with the standard Seakeeper, this new model ensures that everyone’s boxes are checked. And,  saving the best for last, here’s my favorite part of the 42 FXO. Thanks to the outboards and hull design, you can stern-in only steps away from your favorite beach or sandbar.”

From the transom to the flybridge to the bow, the 42 FXO exceeds expectations. The flybridge is appointed with a full-service helm, including a 22” Glass Cockpit display or optional 16” displays, and a joystick for docking ease. The L-shaped lounge, multi-position UltraLounge, and unlimited storage under almost every seat complete the list of reasons the 42 FXO’s flybridge is unmatched.

Like the 2021 Regal 42 Fly, the 42 FXO upper salon boasts a feature-rich upper galley, full-service lower helm, and a layout that’s designed for ultimate entertaining. Simply slide open the glass doors to combine the aft patio seating, salon seating, galley, and outdoor grilling area into one seamless entertainment space. And the large single-piece glass windows surround the upper salon for an abundance of natural light and 360* views.

Below, in the open-air atrium, you will immerse yourself in a cabin with copious amounts of handcrafted cabinetry, beautiful countertops, and accent lighting that sets a comforting ambiance. To port of the stairs, you can choose to have a second head or a lower refreshment center. To starboard is a luxurious head with modern finishes and a spacious walk-in shower.

The forward stateroom features a queen island berth with walk-around space to both sides and bountiful storage. Last but not least is the aft stateroom, featuring an actual king size bed. To accommodate extra guests or the need for additional beds, slide apart the king bed and lock two true-size twins in place. Across from the convertible king bed, you’ll find a comfortable settee, more storage lockers, and drawers.

When it comes to versatility, Regal’s all-new 42 FXO sets a new industry standard for day yachting and overnight boating. For more information on these models, visit your local Regal Dealer or cruise on over to regalboats.com.

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Volvo Penta, as part of the Volvo Group, is making a commitment to be a net-zero emissions company no later than 2050. As a result, sales and marketing of Seven Marine engines will cease beginning January 1, 2021, and production will phase out once current customer demand is met.

Ambitious targets to reduce CO₂ emissions has been a goal for Volvo for many years, but is now taking the next step to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and committing to the Science Based Targets initiative. The initiative is designed to “help companies establish science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transform business operations to fit the future low-carbon economy.” The Paris Agreement goal is to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels with an effort to limit warming to 1.5°C.

“Volvo Penta welcomes this increased focus across the Volvo Group. We will support these objectives by intensifying our ongoing efforts and resources towards continued development of sustainable solutions,” states President of Volvo Penta Heléne Mellquist in the company’s press release. “This focus includes advancements of innovative solutions such as our unique Volvo Penta IPS and sterndrive ranges.”

Therefore, Volvo Penta is putting its outboard development on hold. The company will, however, continue to support the current outboard customer base by taking full warranty and parts responsibility for the products that are in the field.

“We want to send a clear message,” says Mellquist. “Volvo Penta does foresee that the outboard segment will continue to be relevant for the marine leisure market, but we believe that the indisputable need to drive advancements in sustainable technology must be our main focus. This is why, for the time being, the exploration of new technology together with the development of our core business, such as Volvo Penta IPS and sterndrives, will be the center of our efforts.”

Volvo Penta will continue to focus on its “Easy Boating” philosophy to provide a unique boating experience, but will transform that experience through the benefits of sustainable technology.

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