Where Are They Now? Chad Taylor

• Catching up with 2018 Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship recipient, Chad Taylor, President and General Manager, Taylor’s South Shore Marina and MRAA Board Member

Chad Taylor, Taylor’s South Shore Marina President, General Manager and second-generation owner, oversaw a relocation to a new, larger facility in 2018, the same year he received the MRAA Educational Foundation Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship. From the stage to the front office, Taylor’s journey over the past six years has included numerous learning experiences, leadership opportunities and consistent hard work!

Where are they now? Chad Taylor
Chad Taylor (second from left) attended the 2024 American Boating Congress in Washington with the MRAA staff (L-R: Mike Sayre, Mike Davin, Matt Gruhn and Chad Tokowicz) and fellow MRAA Board Members Jeff Strong and Joe Lewis (far right).


Q: As a second-generation owner, success doesn’t come easy, so how have you maintained your determination to succeed and carry on your family’s legacy?

Taylor: When I was in high school, one of our sports teams had T-shirts made with the slogan, “The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary.” I have never forgotten that slogan.

Q: What crosses your mind when you think about your father, Tom, starting his career as a 17-year-old?

Taylor: I think about that all the time. My father came from a very poor background and needed to work at an early age. He has always been a seven-days-a-week kind of guy. His work ethic is something myself and my brother carry on to this day.

Q: What did the big relocation to a new facility in 2018 teach you about yourself, your team and its preparedness?

Taylor: It taught me that I did not know how to prepare properly! LOL. I joined my 20 group once the expansion was already in motion. I think life might have been a little easier had I been active in my 20 group for a couple of years prior to the expansion. However, we prevailed and the team grew. That’s what really matters.

Q: You were the sixth recipient of the Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship in 2018. How did that opportunity for career growth help you and help you to help others?

Taylor: The program was pivotal in teaching me who I was and what we needed in team members. Once I really understood how to hire and interview better, our team shined. In addition, I learned what I should be managing on a day-to-day basis, and what I should not be handling. Time is the one commodity we never get back!

Q: What was the Duane Spader Leadership program time commitment, and how would you say it impacted who you are today as a person and leader?

Taylor: The time commitment was not terrible. To be honest, I was so happy to be going through the program, that I don’t even remember it being an issue. The time is the hardest thing for leaders to set aside. They should make a commitment to themselves and prioritize this time.

Where are they now? Chad Taylor
Chad Taylor

Q: You’ve witnessed growth at your dealership and significant changes, both the controllable and the uncontrollable, over the last five years, so how has your leadership style improved during that timeframe? 

Taylor: For me, it has been learning how to develop the younger staff members. The Duane Spader Leadership Development Program helped me realize that if you hire capable people, the job can get done better than you would do it.

Q: How would you rate Taylor’s South Shore Marina culture today vs. 2018 before you entered the Spader program?

Taylor: We have always had a good culture, but it is stronger today than in 2018. Our staff has more clarity now and they operate more efficiently as a team.

Q: How can these MRAA Educational Foundation scholarships help businesses retain valuable employees?

Taylor: These two scholarships will allow dealers to polish the key people in their operation. These are master’s degree-level training that many dealers do not have the funds to set aside. The LDP training will elevate not only the participants but everyone around them. I encourage everyone interested in being better to apply.

Q: The MRAA Educational Foundation scholarships honor people who have made a lasting impact on the industry and nurture our future leaders, so how can our industry help others carry the torch?

Taylor: Being a good leader requires you to give back. I believe the Educational Foundation is that vehicle that gives back to the industry. A better-educated dealer body simply means we all make more money. Dealers should focus on getting better, not bigger.

Q: You spent time on Capitol Hill at the American Boating Congress, so what messages did you want to make clear to lawmakers?

Taylor: Boating is big business! We represent a very large portion of the outdoor recreational industry. So it is important that they listen to our needs.


Meet Chad Taylor and the rest of the MRAA Board of Directors.

Everything You Need to Know About NPA Marine Condition Reports

• Marine Webinar Series: Part Three on July 16, 2024

 POWAY, Calif. (June 17, 2024) – National Powersport Auctions (NPA), the leading provider of powersports remarketing and auction services, is taking the mystery out of condition reports in the final session of its Marine Webinar Series. The session at 10:30 a.m. PT, on Tuesday, July 16, will explain NPA’s Condition Reports in detail to provide more confidence when buying at auction. 

Everything You Need to Know About NPA Marine Condition Reports
Image courtesy of NPA, an MRAA Partner Member .

Auctions present a dynamic opportunity for dealers to efficiently manage their inventory. A vital component of the auction process is condition reports, also known as inspections, which assist in making informed decisions. This webinar will provide a comprehensive analysis of the proprietary NPA Condition Report score and evaluation process. Tom Wilkinson, NPA RV and Marine Operations Production Supervisor, will lead the session, guiding attendees through how NPA builds a condition report, understanding the overall score, and interpreting important sub-category information. This valuable session is open to all marine buyers and sellers, including NPA members, who want to improve their knowledge of condition reports. It’s a complimentary, interactive forum where dealers can ask questions and gain valuable insights. 

“The goal of the NPA Marine Webinar Series is to inspire marine dealers to view auctions as a gateway to new opportunities and solutions. Auctions can be a sustainable profit center for inventory management,” stated Matt Amata, Vice President of RV and Marine. “This event is focused on educating dealers and buyers about the benefits and details of NPA’s Condition Reports, which are critical to the buying and selling decision-making process.” 

Easy Registration 
Interested participants can register online for the free All About NPA Condition Reports webinar on the Webinar Registration page. Dealers can reach out to NPA’s dealer support at 888.292.5339 ext. 923308 for further inquiries. 

NPA Marine Webinar Series 
This informative series educates marine dealerships and businesses on the pivotal role auctions play in the pre-owned market. To view recordings from previous webinars in the series, visit NPA’s YouTube channel for valuable insights on “The Profitability of Boat Auctions,” webinar No. 1, here:

And and “How to Participate in NPA Auctions,” webinar No. 2, here:

Free Marine NPA Membership 
Marine dealers or distributors new to NPA auctions are invited to take advantage of a free annual membership. Dealers interested in participating in auctions, exploring inventory, or utilizing the various services and tools available to NPA members can apply online or contact the Dealer Registration team at 888.292.5339 ext. 923301 or via email at dealer-reg@npauctions.com

About National Powersport Auctions: 
Established in 1990, National Powersport Auctions (NPA) is one of the world’s leading providers of powersport vehicle remarketing services. NPA’s nationwide footprint serves the industry’s largest financial institutions, manufacturers, and dealers through their premier live and online selling platforms. NPA offers comprehensive data services, including the NPA Value Guide™, the industry’s most accurate wholesale valuation tool. NPA has company-owned and staffed facilities in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas. NPA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Copart, Inc (Nasdaq: CPRT). For more information about NPA, visit: www.npauctions.com

Boat Buying & Inventory Management Strategies

• Tactical solutions to help your dealership overcome key challenges and enhance your profitability
boat buying & inventory management strategies with Lightspeed

By Chris Kulaga, Product Manager, Lightspeed

As the marine industry continues to evolve, your dealership has already seen new opportunities and challenges in 2024. Along with being able to adapt, your team must maintain your primary goal to provide customers with high-quality boats while efficiently managing your inventory. This article outlines essential strategies for acquiring and managing 2024 and 2025 boat inventory, ensuring profitability and maintaining operational excellence.

In today’s competitive market, marine dealers must adopt a proactive approach in order to thrive. By addressing critical challenges in inventory management and utilizing advanced tools, dealers can enhance their operations and profitability.

With average unit margins tapering off for the industry, it is even more important to review your individual brand and even model margins using reports from your dealer management system (DMS) or Lightspeed.

4 Key Challenges and Strategic Solutions

CHALLENGE 1: Maximizing Profits When Acquiring Used Boats

Making informed decisions when buying used boats is crucial for maximizing profits. Today’s marketplace requires your trained service team technicians to do inspections of all trade-in vessels. It requires due diligence on your part and helps you better integrate trade guide valuations and customer photos and unit descriptions within your process:

  • Black Book
  • JD Power
  • NPA

Action Steps:

  1. Assess the Right Value: Use trained technician boat inspections and industry guides to determine actual cash value for pre-owned boats.
  2. Fair Trade-Ins: Ensure fair trade-in values to attract more customers.
  3. Price Competitively: Set competitive prices to move inventory efficiently. Realize some customers, in particular those who bought during the height of the Pandemic, may be upside down owing more than what their boat is worth.

CHALLENGE 2: Enhancing New Inventory Management
Managing new inventory requires strategic ordering, effective selling strategies and a deep understanding of the market:

  • New Model Year Ordering: Analyze inventory turns year-over-year to make informed decisions.
  • Industry Benchmarks & Reporting: Utilize comprehensive monthly reports from Industry Partners & Benchmark Reports. These reports provide insights into national competitor pricing and performance data, helping you make informed decisions for better performance and profitability. Keep in mind to cross check your data to understand where you can accept lower margins on certain vessels.
  • Custom Reports: Utilize tailored reports to evaluate the true cost of makes and models sold, considering factors like invoice price, transportation, freight, PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) and age.
  • Inventory Aging: Track inventory aging using reports. Re-evaluate units that hit 90-day increments in aging to adjust selling prices and incorporate more comprehensive marketing strategies.

Action Steps:

  1. Estimate Demand: Order the right quantities based on demand forecast estimates.
  2. Utilize Custom Reports and Benchmark Data: Cross-check your data. Balance low-margin models with high sales against high-margin models with fewer sales for informed decisions.
  3. Track Inventory Aging: Identify trends and adjust strategies accordingly.
  4. Re-evaluate Aging Units: Adjust prices and marketing efforts for units at 90-day increments.
  5. Balance Availability and Cost-Efficiency: Find the optimal balance to ensure profitability.

CHALLENGE 3: Effective Floor Plan Management
Effective floor plan management minimizes costs and maximizes turnover:

  • Free Flooring Programs: Take advantage of programs that offer free flooring for a limited time.
  • Interest and Curtailment Management: Monitor and manage interest rates and curtailment schedules to avoid unnecessary expenses.
  • Sell the Right Unit First: Prioritize selling units with higher flooring costs or longer age to maintain profitability.

Action Steps:

  1. Utilize Free Flooring Programs. Reduce costs with available programs and consider transferring units nearing the end of the free floorplan to lower-interest lenders.
  2. Monitor Financial Terms. Have your sales staff closely manage all aspects of the sale to avoid high interest rates and penalties.
  3. Strategically Sell Units. Prioritize selling higher-cost and older units first.

CHALLENGE 4: Enhancing Operational Efficiency with a DMS
A Dealer Management Solution (DMS) is indispensable for consolidating all inventory and financial information. By ensuring you have a strong DMS, this enhanced reporting capability enables dealers to track trade-ins, new inventory orders, floor plan details and cost analysis with precision. One of the other benefits of having a DMS is that all transactions can flow seamlessly to your financial statements. And at the end of the day, it’s what your P&L has to say that can really help you determine how to measure your profitability.

With industry unit margins declining, it’s vital to review individual brand and model margins using DMS reports or tools like Lightspeed. Below is market data we’ve pulled that illustrates these trends:

YearSegmentUnit Margin %
2020Boat20%
2021Boat25%
2022Boat25%
2023Boat21%
2024Boat18%
2020PWC14%
2021PWC19%
2022PWC20%
2023PWC16%
2024PWC13%

Action Steps:

  1. Implement a Robust DMS: Centralize all operational data.
  2. Generate Detailed Reports: Use the DMS to create detailed reports for informed decision-making.
  3. Leverage Historical Data: Predict trends and optimize inventory management using historical data.

Current inflation rates are driving up the cost of new boats, making strategic planning and inventory management critical. Adapting to these market dynamics is essential for profitability in 2025. Accurately forecast demand, use custom reports and benchmark data for informed decisions, and track inventory aging to adjust prices and marketing efforts promptly. Additionally, take advantage of free flooring programs and prioritize selling higher-cost and older units to manage finances effectively.

By focusing on these strategies, you can thrive in this economic environment. Embrace available tools and insights to guide your dealership toward sustained profitability and operational excellence.

For more insights and tools to enhance your marine dealership operations, visit Lightspeed, an MRAA Strategic Partner.

Boat Buying & Inventory Management Strategies with Chris Kulaga
Chris Kulaga, Project Manager, Lightspeed

About the Author
As a Lightspeed Product Manager, Chris Kulaga is dedicated to understanding and addressing the product roadmap needs of marine dealerships. With more than five years of experience at Lightspeed, he has held various roles, demonstrating his deep expertise with the Lightspeed solution and his commitment to helping customers achieve their business objectives.

Before joining the tech sector, Kulaga served in the Air Force, where he developed strong leadership and technical skills. These skills are now applied in his current role, where he is responsible for defining the product vision, strategy and roadmap, particularly for the marine industry.

His passion for all things marine drives his continuous learning and enthusiasm for the industry. Kulaga resides in Tri-Cities, Wash., with his wife and two pets. Outside of work, he is an avid cook, weightlifter and explorer of new places.

Master Boat Trailering Video

• Discover Boating, in collaboration with Progressive Insurance®, launches new video in Top Safe Boating Tips series to help your customers become a pro at trailering

“Trailering trailering might seem like a chore but when it’s done right it’s all smooth sailing from the driveway to the docks,” says Monica Fuentes, Discover Boating Ambassador, in the latest installment of the Discover Boating, powered by NMMA and MRAA, “Top Safe Boating Tips” series.

Recently launched, the fourth video —  Master Boat Trailering Like a Pro — in the five-video series, in collaboration with Progressive Insurance®, helps boaters improve at trailering. From essential trailering safety tips to trailer maintenance to loading and retrieving a boat, the video serves a great safety reminder for boat owners.


The five-part Top Safe Boating Tips series teaches boaters good safety habits and best practices for success on and off the water, helping them to create a more worry-free day on the water. Here are the 2024 topics:

The short-form videos (in addition to longer versions) were created by Discover Boating and Progressive Insurance to engage boaters and the next generation of boating enthusiasts and owners. Discover Boating will share the new videos socially, via consumer email distributions and on its websites in the U.S. and Canada. Discover Boating will also promote the video(s) on the Discover Boating blog, DB TV section, and b2b.discoverboating.com.

Master Boat Trailering like a pro video
Image courtesy of Discover Boating

Marine retailers and other industry stakeholders are encouraged to share them. Here are six places to share the safety videos to engage your customers and prospects:

  1. Website
  2. Social media feeds
  3. Newsletter
  4. Emails
  5. Text (w/permission)
  6. Showroom screens

Looking for different topics? Check out the 2023 Top Safe Boating Tips here. Learn more about Discover Boating.

Discover Boating Content Highlights Boater Safety Ahead of Summer

Heading into peak summer boating season, Discover Boating website content is focused on providing a variety of safety and lifestyle-related resources, engaging current and new boaters in the U.S. and Canada with timely tips and reminders. 

To mark National Safe Boating Week last month, Discover Boating shared essential safety tips for boaters in a blog post and through daily updates on all social media channels. To provide further safety information, Discover Boating also shared an updated guide on the importance of using the engine cut-off switch properly.

Throughout the month of May, Discover Boating also covered a variety of topics relevant to boaters, including ways to celebrate Mother’s Day on a boat, that provided tips on how boaters can plan their own on-water celebrations and highlighted why boating is a fun family bonding activity.

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Discover Boating published an updated article showcasing individuals in the AAPI community who are making significant contributions to boating and related industries. Check out their inspiring stories here.

Discover Boating Content Highlights Boater Safety Ahead of Summer -Boat insurance
Photo courtesy of Discover Boating

Articles published to the Discover Boating website in May included:

  1. Boating Responsibly: Practical Tips for Keeping Our Waterways Clean
  2. South Carolina Boating Guide: 6 Spots to Boat in South Carolina
  3. 8 Reasons Why Boat Insurance is Important
  4. 6 Tips for Going on a Fishing Charter
  5. Why Every Boater Needs On-Water Towing Coverage

Articles that saw increased page views in May included:

  1. How to Water Ski
  2. Learning the Basics of Sailing
  3. Anchoring a Boat: Step by Step Guide
  4. How to Charge a Boat Battery in 5 Simple
  5. Night Fishing: 10 Tips & Gear for First Timers

Marine retailers and other industry stakeholders are encouraged to share these articles with their customers via social, e-newsletters and other communication channels.

Be sure to check back on the Discover Boatingblog for more relevant content throughout the boating season. 
Discover Boating is powered by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the MRAA.

BoatUS Foundation Opens Grant Program for $7.5M Effort to Remove Abandoned and Derelict Vessels (ADVs) from Nation’s Waterways

From June 10-August 12, organizations are invited to apply for grant funding to clean up their local waterways

WHAT:
In a nationwide effort to remove abandoned and neglected boats from our nation’s waterways, the Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS) Foundation is seeking qualified, diverse and experienced organizations to submit projects for funding. The massive cleanup effort to remove abandoned and derelict vessels (ADV) in U.S. coastal waterways and the Great Lakes is fueled by a four-year, $10 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

BoatUS Foundation Opens Grant Program
for $7.5M Effort to Remove Abandoned and Derelict Vessels (ADVs)
 from Nation’s Waterways
An overturned fishing trawler lays on its side while TowBoatUS and the US Coast Guard oversee salvage operations. (BoatUS Foundation)

Applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of intent between June 10 and August 12.  

ADVs litter ports, waterways and estuaries all over the country and can cause major problems. These boats can crush or smother sensitive plants and corals, sink or move during coastal storms, threaten safe navigation and contribute to economic losses. Removing ADVs is a costly effort, often averaging more than $24,000 to remove a single boat. For many communities, there may be no local funding for removal of vessels, and navigating complicated funding programs can be challenging for communities with limited time or resources. This is why the BoatUS Foundation grant program is so important.

“We’re excited about building upon our years of experience with ADV removals,” said BoatUS Foundation Director of Outreach and Grant Program Director, Alanna Keating. “This is a unique program that is open to any organization, nonprofit or for-profit, as well as local, state, territorial, tribal, and regional government agencies. Some of our focus will be seeking underserved or marginalized communities that don’t have the local resources to rid their shores of abandoned and derelict vessels.”

“Abandoned and derelict vessels are a widespread problem across the United States,” said Nancy Wallace, Director of the NOAA Marine Debris Program. “We are pleased to partner with the BoatUS Foundation to maximize our impact, while reducing the accumulation of costly and damaging debris in our ports, waterways, and coasts.”

WHY:
The goal of the BoatUS Foundation program is to improve U.S. coastal and Great Lakes waters affected by ADVs and create a first-of-its-kind national online database to track ADV location and removal efforts. By removing the associated pollution, navigation and safety hazards ADVs can cause in waters for years, the 20-75 awardees of this grant program will have a lasting, positive impact on the environment and our waters locally and nationally for years to come.

HOW:
Organizations are invited to apply for ADV removal funds by submitting a letter of intent that answers the following questions:

  • Body of water from which the debris will be removed
  • The purpose of the project and the planned steps to complete it
  • Anticipated outcomes of the project on the environment and the community
  • How diversity, equity, justice and inclusion will be part of the project
  • Project budget and expenses to be covered by the grant funding
  • Authorizations and/or permits needed to complete the work

Priority will be given to projects that include input from and benefit tribal, underserved, or low-income communities; demonstrate strong community support; benefit marine animals and their habitats, local coastal communities, and/or local economies; and include local outreach and education activities directed toward the boating community and general public to prevent abandoned and derelict vessels. View past large scale debris marine removal video.

More information on how to apply and grant guidelines can be found here. Additional non-press calls regarding grant applications: Email: cleanwater@boatus.com; Phone: 800-245-2628.

“We’re thrilled to see this first-of-its-kind national online database to track ADV location and removal efforts and applaud the BoatUS Foundation’s effort to address ADVs,” said Mike Sayre, MRAA Director of Government Relations. “Removing these safety hazards along with their associated pollution improves the environment and makes boating safer for all boaters.”

About the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water:
BoatUS Foundation is leading a nationally competitive grant program for the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels throughout coastal and marine areas of the United States, including the Great Lakes, U.S. territories, and Freely Associated States. This project is supported by the NOAA Marine Debris Program with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In an effort to help educate and prevent future ADVs, the Foundation will also create a national ADV database to track the scope of the challenge and measure success, document ADV prevention and removal activities to share with the public, and support a national dialogue and education efforts on boating-related debris removal, with an added focus on how ADVs impact waters in underserved communities. Learn more about the Marine Debris Program by visiting marinedebris.noaa.gov.  

8 Steps for Improving at Boat Buying

There’s no doubt you want your customers to buy more boats. First, it will improve your dealership’s inventory levels and, in turn, help you gain more space in your showroom. Secondly, it will help you hone your boat-buying plan for 2025 vessels. But it can feel downright nerve wracking to focus on your dealership’s strategic boat-buying when you’re faced with an inventory surplus in a soft market highlighted by indecisive customers who sit on the fence awaiting more favorable times to make a purchase.

You must maintain your objective and that is to optimize your inventory and ensure your profitability. Perhaps you need to consider Plan B in your scenario plan and make some adjustments.

Here are eight steps to help you improve at boat buying.

1. Build Your Sales Forecast
To help you make sound purchasing and stocking decisions, begin with a realistic sales forecast that includes categories and months. This will give you a better understanding of category demands and slow-moving inventory and help you align your buying to meet market demands. Tip: Remember to include any discounts provided to you by the manufacturers that may have contributed this year vs. previous years.

MRAA Members can revisit the MRAA Ask the Expert webinar “The Dynamics of Evolving Inventory Conditions” with Chad Lyon, Managing Director – Marine & RV Wells Fargo Distribution Finance, on MRAATraining.com.

2. Know Your Inventory Costs
Managing your budget effectively and reducing avoidable costs is critical to your success. Work closely with your sales team to create projected inventory level estimates and floorplan interest expenses. Ideally, compare this to your similar selling seasons — not the Pandemic period — and the marine industry averages to gain perspective of where you currently stand. 

3. Get Good at Inventory Management
It seems obvious, but you must track your inventory’s age and turnover rates. You do this by buttoning up your inventory management efforts and creating a clear system for your team to use and understand. It helps you know and identify the age of units, your average inventory weeks on hand and your inventory turns by make and model. Knowing when boats sell week-to-week or month by month helps you identify peaks, valleys and a misaligned trajectory. Tip: Focus on sales not your close to avoid boosting the wrong month(s). This critical data can help guide your decision-making efforts. 

4. Analyze Past Performance
Point No. 2 mentioned this, but your team needs to compare your current inventory levels with your dealership’s prior performance. You need to dig into all your previous years and certain periods to comprehend your inventory levels, seeking comparable data. Knowing your numbers here will help you gain insight into current inventory levels and help you adjust your planning. Remember to look for equivalent seasons/months and not necessarily the outliers when the market sees drastic changes (e.g.: 2008-2009, 2020-2021).

5. Incentivize Your Sales Team
Providing your sales team with incentives has proven to help move inventory. Be sure to include performance incentives for moving certain boats or when units move within a shorter time frame. Reinvesting in sales training can also help brush off any dust, encourage growth and offer motivation.

6. Be Able to Identify Your Customers
Marine industry expert David Parker identified four types of buyers in his blog, “4 Tips to Help Your Dealership Manage Inventory.” They are Bargain Buyers, Early Adopters, Smart Buyers and Impulse Buyers. Dissecting your CRM will help you better understand your customers by flagging their buyer types and preferences. Having this information in hand will influence your purchasing strategies.

7. Manage Aging Inventory
Some dealers have commented that they feel they are giving away everything to get a sale. But for your aging units, you need to set a comfortable margin (or range) and grant your sales team the ability to work down. Leverage your marketing efforts by exploring nontraditional methods to help move aging vessels. Ideally, you want to engage your existing customers and attract new ones. Inventory management includes approaching lenders about the potential for reducing aging unit costs while you’re working tirelessly to move them. Tip: Place your aging boats up front (potentially mixed with newest models), clearly identifying them and their featured deep discount prices to draw attention!

8. Leverage Industry Insights
Immersing yourself in industry trends and data is critical for your success. Reach out to your floor plan lenders to better understand inventory levels throughout the industry and for a historical perspective. Communicate early and often with your manufacturer reps, too, sharing your concerns and desires to potentially adjust your orders downward from previous years. That way you can meet each other’s expectations and find common ground. Trust your data and industry numbers more than you do opinion. You want to make sound decisions and avoid being influenced by the wrong inputs.

8 steps to improve at boat buying -MRAA Spotlight blog
MRAA Spotlight Series

A Proactive Approach to Boat Buying
Ultimately, you want to set up your dealership for success and to outlast a softer market. Installing inventory management tactics and strategies will help you align your product purchases with the current conditions. Your proactive effort combined with scenario planning can help you remain flexible in your boat-buying approach.


Need more strategies, visit the MRAA Spotlight page: Boat Buying Strategies for 2025.


[AIMIE, MRAA’s AI for Marine Industry Education and content delivery system, was a resource in this content production. Learn more.]

MRAA Adds 4 New Partner Members in May

MINNEAPOLIS, June 3, 2024 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announces the addition of Blue Ocean Media House, Burnewiin, Chubb, and XO Boats Oy as new Partner Members.

MRAA Welcomes New Partner Members

Marine manufacturers, suppliers and service providers, through Partner Membership, commit to aligning their brands with the programs and opportunities that MRAA offers in its efforts to fuel the success of the marine industry. Support from Partners allows the Association to expand its offerings and create a positive, long-term impact on MRAA members’ business.

  • Blue Ocean Media House (Winter Garden, Fla.) is a leading progressive digital advertising firm dedicated to creating your opportunity with ever-evolving marketing plans custom made to fit your objectives.
  • Burnewiin (White Salmon, Wash.) manufactures premium marine mounts and accessories that allow you to maximize the usability of your boat.
  • Chubb (Jersey City, N.J.) provides exceptional boat insurance with tailored protection, competitive rates and valuable features to protect both boat owners and their vessels.
  • XO Boats (Helsinki, Finland) uses military-grade aluminum from the rough north to design its durable aluminum boats featuring a deep V-shape hull.

“These four new collaborations will bring cutting-edge expertise and innovative solutions, significantly boosting our capacity to support and advance the marine industry,” says Allison Gruhn, MRAA Vice President of Business Development. “It’s exciting to welcome aboard our new Partners Members that respectively represent Finland and three U.S. regions in the Pacific Northwest, the Mid-Atlantic and the Southeast.”

Dealer members are encouraged to explore the list of companies that actively support the MRAA across four partnership levels. View the complete list.

About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.

Centurion & Supreme to Host 2025 Dealer Meeting at Dealer Week

MINNEAPOLIS, June 3, 2024 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announced today that Centurion & Supreme Boats will co-locate their dealer meeting at the 2024 Dealer Week Conference and Expo in Orlando, Fla. This is the second year in a row the brands will be hosting their dealer meeting with Dealer Week, after a successful model-year 2024 meeting in Tampa in 2023.

Centurion and Supreme to Host 2025 Dealer Meeting at Dealer Week

“Having Centurion & Supreme host their model-year 2025 dealer meetings at our annual conference is a big win for both boat brands and their dealers,” said Liz Keener, Director of Dealer Development, MRAA. “By selecting Dealer Week, their dealers learn about new models, address business tactics and receive world-class education and best practices at one location.”

Centurion & Supreme will introduce marine retailers to its 2025 lineup at its private event, December 6-8, before the start of the MRAA conference, which runs December 8-11. Attending dealers are invited to remain in Orlando to participate in all Dealer Week activities and learning.

“We are looking forward to hosting our annual dealer meeting in conjunction with MRAA’s Dealer Week again this year,” explained Daniel Indelicato, Centurion & Supreme Boats President.  “The positive benefits for our dealers are invaluable. They not only learn firsthand about our products, they also have access to top-notch industry focused education, the opportunity to visit over 100 exhibitors, and the ability to network with industry professionals. They get two educational trips in one, maximizing their time and effectiveness.”

Florida-based Correct Craft, which operates globally and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025, is the parent company of Centurion & Supreme. Correct Craft, a Dealer Week 2024 Exhibitor, is one of 12 MRAA Strategic Partners committed to fueling the MRAA’s mission to strengthen dealers and contribute to both dealer success and the success of the marine industry.

“The first co-located dealer meeting was at Dealer Week 2022 in Austin, Texas,” explained Keener. “For the first time in history last year, two dealer events were hosted in conjunction with our conference, including the Centurion & Supreme meeting. Their commitment to return confirms that Dealer Week offers an unmatched experience, highlighted by its valuable education programming and business opportunities.”

In 2023, 80 Centurion & Supreme dealership personnel stayed beyond their dealer meeting for Dealer Week, introducing 18 dealerships to the world-class education at the event for the first time. To learn more about co-hosting your dealer meeting at Dealer Week, email Liz Keener. See the current list of Dealer Week 2024 exhibitors.

About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.

MRAA Unveils New Legislative Tracker Made Possible by Diamond Ambassador Members

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 17, 2024 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas unveils a new legislative tracker, made possible by the support of MRAA’s Diamond Ambassadors. This innovative tool highlights legislation the MRAA is tracking and advocating for or against on behalf of the marine industry. This new addition to the website provides MRAA members the ability to take a deep dive into the legislative priorities of the MRAA and see, firsthand, how the MRAA is working to support their businesses and the overall recreational boating industry.

MRAA Unveils Legislative Tracker with Diamond Ambassador Support

The legislative tracker, located at mraa.com/bill-tracking, is powered by public affairs software Quorum. The tracker is divided into state and federal legislation, with the state tracker featuring a map to allow members to view what the MRAA is tracking in their state. The tool also allows members to filter and sort state and federal legislation by topic, position and status. The MRAA made the investment in this new software with the support of our Diamond Ambassador Members, including MarineMax who was both an inaugural Diamond Member in 2023 and has signed on again for 2024. Diamond Ambassador Members at MRAA fuel advocacy work and the Government Relations team. (Learn more about becoming a Diamond Ambassador Member here.)

“We’re thrilled to be able to give MRAA members a clearer view into the day-to-day work that MRAA’s advocacy team does to support our members and the industry overall,” says Mike Sayre, MRAA Director of Government Relations. “In addition to this new resource, Quorum allows us to find, review, and take positions on more legislation and regulatory actions around the country and at the federal level faster and more efficiently than before, helping to keep our members informed on the issues that matter to them.”

Since integrating Quorum into the the Government Relations Team workflow, MRAA has honed its ability to track and analyze legislation and regulations that may negatively impact marine retailers. This proactive approach allows the team to engage with lawmakers early in the process, addressing potential impacts on marine retailers before they become critical issues. Additionally, Quorum’s ability to monitor social media, news and other relevant sources provides the team with a thorough understanding of the political landscape.

“Quorum has made it easier to identify and track legislation, allowing MRAA to proactively protect marine retailers from harmful policies at both state and federal levels. Each day, we use Quorum alerts to stay ahead of any legislative or regulatory proposals that could negatively impact our members,” says Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager. “Every morning is spent checking alerts generated by Quorum to ensure that we are on top of any and all legislative or regulatory proposals that may negatively impact your business.”

The MRAA’s Government Relations Team adoption of Quorum was only made possible through our Diamond Ambassador Members, whose dues directly support our organizations government relations work. We cannot thank our Diamond Ambassador Members enough for their support. Without them we would not have the ability to take our advocacy work to next level. It is no secret that our Diamond Ambassador Members believe in the importance of advocacy for marine retailers, and the MRAA Government Relations Team is dedicated to fighting for the health of your business day in and day out. If you are interested in becoming a Diamond Ambassador Member and want to help fuel the MRAA’s advocacy please reach out to Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager or click here to learn more.

About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.

About Quorum
Quorum is public affairs software that helps users work smarter and move faster. Thousands of public affairs professionals use Quorum for their work in Congress, all 50 state legislatures, major U.S. cities, the European Union, and several additional countries. Quorum works with corporations, trade associations, and nonprofits such as Toyota, Walmart, Uber, the Sierra Club, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Air Force. Founded in 2014, Quorum is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with an international office in Brussels.