By Courtney Chalmers, Chief Brand & Communications Officer at Boats Group, an MRAA Strategic Partner For many marine dealers, used boats have traditionally been treated as opportunistic inventory – boats that arrive through trade-ins or brokerage agreements and are sold alongside new inventory. But today’s market is changing that equation. Economic conditions, shifting buyer behavior, and […]
Author: MRAA Partner Contributions
Inventory Strategy & the Pre-Owned Boat Advantage: Turning Visibility into Profitability
By Rob Grant, Associate Director of OEM Business Development, Lightspeed, an MRAA Strategic Partner The marine industry has always required balance between optimism and discipline, growth and cash flow, new and used inventory. But in today’s environment of margin pressure, fluctuating demand, and rising carrying costs, inventory strategy has become one of the most critical […]
Spectrum Color Wins 2025 IBEX Innovation Award for Cutting-Edge Color-Matching Tool
• Expands Spectrum Gel Training Programs By James Mitchell, Managing Director Spectrum Color Spectrum Color’s journey began with a strong focus on direct marketing to boat manufacturers, which helped us build valuable industry relationships and gain access to exclusive dealer meetings and detailed color data. These early advantages laid the groundwork for our long-term success […]
Boat Show Follow-Up That Converts Interest into Sales
By Dustin Hunt, Director, Dealer Sales & Support, Rollick, an MRAA Platinum Partner Boat shows remain one of the most powerful opportunities for marine dealers to connect with in-market shoppers. Attendees arrive ready to explore new boats, ask questions and picture themselves on the water. Yet while the excitement on the show floor is undeniable, […]
Boatyard Supercharges Marine Sales with AI-Enhanced Boat Listing Photos
• New Tool Automatically Improves Boat Listing Photos to Help Dealers Attract Buyers and Sell Inventory Faster MRAA Partner Press Release FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (February 2, 2026) – Boatyard, a technology company known for modernizing marine service operations, has announced the launch of a new AI-powered photo enhancement feature as part of its Boatyard Sales […]
From the Show Floor to the Front Door: A 3-Step Strategy to Convert Boat Show Leads
By Michele Howard, Co-Owner of Pin-Up Marketing, an MRAA Platinum Partner The lights have dimmed on the convention center floor; the carpets are rolled up and your team is finally catching their breath. For many marine dealers, the post-boat show period is a mix of exhaustion and excitement. You have a stack of lead forms […]
Why Every Marine Dealership Needs a CRM
• How to Get the Most From a CRM By Tristian Penick, Account Executive at Lightspeed DMS, an MRAA Strategic Partner For marine dealerships across the U.S. and Canada, competition for customers is nothing new — but the way those customers shop has transformed. Today’s buyers research boat models online, compare financing options, browse accessories and […]
Turn Slow Months into Strategic Wins for Your Dealership
• Why Offseason Cash Flow Matters for Marine Retailers By Brenda Cline-Kereakes, Chief Operating Officer at Line\5, an MRAA Platinum Partner For many marine retailers, seasonality is a familiar rhythm. Spring and summer bring showroom traffic, strong unit sales and packed service schedules. Then the calendar turns, temperatures drop and consumer urgency softens. The offseason can […]
The Contextual Challenge: Navigate the ‘Dark Funnel’
• Using AI-Powered Lead Management Tools Proactively to Help You Own Your Digital Storefront & Generate Deliveries for Spring By Michele Howard, Co-Owner of Pin-Up Marketing, an MRAA Platinum Partner If 100 people walked into your showroom and left, would you just let them leave?January in the marine industry is a month of contradictions. While […]
Master Dealership Financials: Cash Flow, Profitability and Forecasting for 2026
By Russell Baqir, SVP – Business Development, Northpoint Commercial Finance, an MRAA Strategic Partner In today’s dealership environment, dealership cash flow and profitability is more critical than ever. Your annual financial statements tell the story of your business’s health. In our floorplan or lending world, we obtain financials annually that originate from several sources. They […]