Moose Landing Marina Selected as Ranger Tugs Dealer

Moose Landing Marina, the largest on-water facility in the Lakes Region area, has been appointed as the dealer for Ranger Tugs in Maine. Built for strength and durability, Ranger Tugs offer maneuverability and seaworthiness in a well-equipped design.

Built in the U.S. at the company’s factories in Kent and Monroe, Washington, Ranger Tugs offer eight models, ranging in length from 21 to 31 feet. The solid construction of these pocket trawlers is optimized to provide fuel efficiency at an affordable price. They come standard with a full suite of Garmin electronic controls and are equipped with a Volvo diesel engine, hydraulic steering, and bow and stern thrusters for ease of operation. All models are trailerable, making them ideal for exploring the many lakes and coastal regions of Maine.

“We are excited to be able to offer these truly unique boats to our customers,” said Steve Arnold, owner of Moose Landing Marina. “Ranger Tugs are a great vessel to explore Maine waterways. In fact, Will Monson, our General Sales Manager at Moose Landing Marina is so passionate about Ranger Tugs that he owns one himself,” noted Arnold. “As the state’s only dealer of Ranger Tugs, we look forward to increasing awareness of these versatile boats and growing their presence in Maine.”

All Ranger Tugs come turnkey with standard features and equipment intended to make the boat easy to handle and the owner’s experience comfortable and hassle-free when underway. Moose Landing Marina will work with buyers on additional equipment options so their Ranger Tug is built to fit their specific cruising needs and styles.

Ranger Tugs will be available to view and board by mid-June. Stop in and see why Ranger Tugs makes a difference in the industry and makes a perfect fit with Moose Landing Marina. 

SkipperBud’s Expands Service Center in Lake Country

SkipperBud’s has responded to the growing needs of the boaters in Lake Country! SkipperBud’s is excited to announce the purchase an addi onal 10,000 sq. . service center located at 851 Silvernail Road, just a block south of the Pewaukee dealership. The new service center features six service bays, parts department, customer wai ng lounge and ample parking for customer walk‐ins or boat drop‐offs.

The new service center will allow SkipperBud’s to meet the growing demand from Lake Country boaters. SkipperBud’s con nues to play a major role in the Midwest boa ng community because of the dynamic array of products offered. The move to add addi onal space and staff allows boaters more flexibility and faster turn‐around with upgrades, maintenance and repair.

Boaters can feel confident with SkipperBud’s cer fied service technicians. Specialists for all product segments are engaged for each specific boat type including run‐abouts, tow boats, jet boats and pontoon boats. Customers are welcome to bring all boat brands and all engine types in for repair.

Due to dealership turn over in the Lake Country area over the past several years, many boaters are looking for stability with their sales or service providers. Our proven record of award winning customer service, has driven many new customers through our doors. We simply out grew our service facility because of the increased the number of boats we are servicing and storing. With a shorter season in the Midwest, boaters don’t want to lose a weekend due to a repair, it just made sense to expand our footprint and technician base significantly, explains Mike Pretasky, Jr., President.

SkipperBud’s is a family owned marine company, specializing in boat sales, brokerage, service, storage, and marinas opera on since 1959. With loca ons in seven states, Arizona, California, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Washington and Wisconsin, SkipperBud’s mission is to Deliver the Boa ng Dream. SkipperBud’s – Experience is the Difference. www.skipperbuds.com 

Captain Jack Stewart Earns Certified Yacht Broker Credential

Captain Jack Stewart, sales manager for Yarmouth Boat Yard, recently earned the esteemed status of Certified Professional Yacht Broker (CPYB). The CPYB Certification is the mark of excellence for yacht sales professionals throughout North America.

To earn this designation, CPYB brokers must meet professional qualifications and successfully pass a stringent three-hour examination, testing their skills and knowledge as yacht sales professionals. Brokers must be well informed of current market conditions, ascertain all pertinent facts concerning listed vessels, and protect against fraud, misrepresentation, and unethical practices.

To date, only 10 individuals have earned this prestigious distinction in Maine and approximately 600 in the United States.

“At Yarmouth Boat Yard, we are committed to excellence and professionalism,” stated Steve Arnold, owner of Yarmouth Boat Yard. “The CPYB standards and code of ethics parallels our beliefs of focusing on the customer,” Arnold explained. “Having Captain Jack CPYB certified backs up this dedication, as it sets standards for training and performance, and promotes impeccable customer service.”

Josh Linkner Named MDCE 2016 Opening Keynote Speaker

Marine retailers’ premier educational conference to share strategies from one of America’s most successful entrepreneurs 

 

Organizers of the 2016 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo have announced New York Times best-selling author and serial entrepreneur Josh Linkner will deliver the Opening Keynote, titled The Gravity-Defying Leader: Innovative Approaches to Hyper-Growth Leadership. 

 

Linkner, who has invested in and mentored over 100 startups, will speak to more than 1,000 marine dealers, manufacturers and service providers from throughout North America and beyond at 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6, during the 2016 MDCE in Orlando.

 

“We’re packing more education and networking into this year’s event than ever before, and that will kick off with this Opening Keynote presentation,” said MRAA Vice President Liz Walz. “Not only are we moving it to earlier in the day so that we can fit all our new offerings into the schedule, but we’ve also chosen a speaker who is uniquely qualified to give marine retailers the tools to innovate and grow in today’s market. This keynote, with its focus on retail innovation, will be like none we offered before at MDCE.”

 

Linkner has founded four different tech companes, which sold for a combined $200 million, and has twice been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Linkner also received the Barack Obama Champion of Change Award, which honors entrepreneurs winning the future by starting U.S. businesses that create jobs, wealth and opportunities.

 

“Having a chance to speak to the marine retail community will be a real treat for me,” Linkner said. “The boating sector plays an important role in driving economic success, and I’m looking forward to sharing strategies for innovation that these business owners can use to adapt to the fast changing market and lead their team to hyper-growth.”

 

MDCE, hosted jointly by Boating Industry magazine and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, attracted a total of 1,147 marine industry professionals in 2015 – one of its largest audiences to date. Building on that momentum, early retail registrations for the 2016 conference have already set a new record. This, coupled with its December 5-8 date range, which is three weeks later than the event’s traditional time frame, puts MDCE 2016 on track to see the highest attendance to date.

 

“MDCE sponsorships and exhibitor space are also moving at a record pace,” said Jonathan Sweet, editor-in-chief of Boating Industry. “In today’s business environment, manufacturers and suppliers who develop a genuine connection with the marine retail community have a real advantage over the competition, and MDCE is an ideal environment for building those relationships.”

 

Dealers who register for MDCE 2016 before the September Early Bird Deadline save $25 off standard rates; MRAA members save an additional $75. Learn more and register at MarineDealerConference.com. 

Glidecoat Signs New MRAA Partnership

Buying a boat is an investment in family fun for years to come. Guarantee your experience is a pleasurable and rewarding one by buying a boat from a dealer you can trust—a Marine Industry Certified Dealership.

Find the Certified Dealer Nearest You 

Certified Dealers are committed to ensuring your satisfaction before, during and long after the sale. Certified Dealers have been asked to meet a set of the industry’s most stringent standards, ensuring they meet and exceed the expectations you have for your boating lifestyle. 

Why Buy From A Certified Dealer?

  • Friendly, knowledgeable employees
  • Quality products
  • Reliable service
  • Follow-up before, during and after the sale
  • Clean, neat and orderly facility and well-maintained inventory
  • A Marine Industry Consumer Commitment that guarantees your satisfaction


A New Wave of Income for MRAA Members

Both MRAA and IDSI understand the pressures of dealership profitability in the wake of increasingly competitive margins. To combat this industry reality, MRAA is proud to bring dealerships a new source of income development: Platinum Protection Systems, IDSI’s groundbreaking product that tackles boat purchase worries head-on.

Customers demand the peace of mind IDSI’s five-year warranty provides, and dealerships relish in the backend profitability it affords. Hundreds of marine dealers across the US and Canada now offer Platinum Protection to their customers.

As an MRAA Premier Partner, IDSI is a full-service F&I product provider working to secure a strong and healthy boating industry through dealership growth opportunities. Those who share this goal are urged to learn more about the income opportunities that a partnership with IDSI provides.

Find a full menu of partner benefits here.