Young introduces House Resolution praising hunters, anglers, boaters and industry

On Sept. 20, Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) introduced H. Res. 801 to recognize America’s hunters, anglers, trappers, recreational boaters, recreational shooters, the industry, state fish and wildlife agencies, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their leading role in restoring healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. There is one co-sponsor. A companion resolution has not been introduced in the Senate. The resolution has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

The resolution thanks the manufacturers of fishing tackle, electric trolling motors and marine electronics and users of of motorboat fuel, recognizing a spirit of cooperation between users and government. Rep Young introduced his resolution because the abundance of game and nongame wildlife can be attributed to $14,000,000,000 in spending since 1939, the first year the federal government distributed money to the states. He also said this year is the 75th anniversary of America’s greatest conservative story and the founding of current angling, hunting and boating programs.

MRAA shares concern over proposed loan restrictions for liveaboards

MRAA joined with the National Marine Bankers Association to voice strong concern about a recent proposed rulemaking by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that would adversely impact the ability of liveaboards to obtain financing on boat purchases.

In a letter responding to a Federal Register docket, MRAA President Matt Gruhn and Chairman Dave Foulkrod expressed their concern that the definition of “dwelling” would include houseboats, and other vessels and vehicles in a new rule being written to enforce the Congressionally passed Dodd-Frank Bill. This new definition would have the effect of severely reducing the availability of credit to individuals who live aboard boats.

“The problem, as we see it, is marine lenders often times do have the expertise or ability to lend on marine loans and the new definition of ‘dwelling’ complicates the issue,” said Gruhn and Foulkrod in the letter. By including liveaboard vessels as dwellings, marine loans issued to these individuals will be exposed to the disclosure requirements of Dodd-Frank intended for real property.

MRAA is concerned too few lending institutions are currently writing boat loans, and this change to established procedures will reduce further the number of organizations willing to make boat loans.

MRAA asked the CFPB to re-consider its language defining “dwelling” so as not to severely reduce the availability of credit to the group of people who choose to live aboard a boat.

BRP named MRAA Platinum Partner

MINNEAPOLIS — BRP, a world leader in the outboard engine market, has signed on as a Platinum Member of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the highest level of support for the association.

“With the recent news of BRP’s $15 million investment in its Evinrude outboard engine facility, it’s clear the company is planning a bright future in the boating business, ” says Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. “We are thrilled to be a part of that future by partnering with an industry leader that is also committed to supporting the dealer body.”

The Evinrude outboard engine division is owned and operated by BRP, which also owns several other recreational and powersports brands including Can-Am Roadster, Can-Am ATV and SSV, Sea-Doo, Ski-Doo, Lynx and Rotax engines. BRP’s newly renovated campus in Sturtevant, Wis., unites the entire Evinrude team under one roof, including those responsisble for R&D, manufacturing, procurement, sales and marketing. One hundred percent of Evinrude E-TEC outboard engine final production takes place at the Evinrude campus.

“Through constant innovation and manufacturing excellence, Evinrude is commited to providing its dealer network with the highest-performing outboard engines on the water,” says Steve Laham, North American Vice President, Evinrude Sales, Marketing and After-Sales. “Our sponsorship and partnership with the MRAA represents another way BRP is able to support our dealers and invest in their success.”

About Marine Retailers Association of the Americas

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is the only North American association dedicated to furthering the interests of boat and engine dealers and other marine-related retailers throughout North America. Under the umbrella of MRAA Rewards, the MRAA offers a host of cost-saving, revenue-generating, business-improvement, and professional-development benefits exclusively for its members. MRAA is the united voice of marine retailers. For more information, visit About BRP

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorized recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea‑Doo watercraft, Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines, Can-Am all‑terrain and side-by-side vehicles and roadsters, as well as Rotax engines. BRP products are distributed in more than 100 countries. BRP employs more than 6,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.brp.com.

Harris Marine Financing becomes Partner Member of the MRAA

MINNEAPOLIS — Harris Marine Financing, Inc., a Stevensville, Md.-based company specializing in boat and yacht financing, recently pledged its support of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas as a Partner Member of the association.

“We greatly appreciate Harris Marine Financing’s support of the association,” says Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. “Their high customer service standards demonstrate that they have the best interests of the boating community in mind, which makes us proud to have earned their partnership.”

Harris Marine Financing has served the greater Mid-Atlantic region for more than 10 years, working with marine retailers as their F&I outsource partner to offer their customers boat loans, quick funding, licensing and lien perfection as well as vessel documentation. Harris Marine also provides direct financing for brokerage and consignment sales and has a subsidiary to provide marine insurance. Harris is now expanding its service territory to include the entire East Coast.

“At Harris Marine Financing, we’re passionate about helping our dealer customers succeed,” says Robin Harris, CEO of Harris Marine Financing. “We became an MRAA partner because we saw evidence of that same passion in the resources the association offers to dealers.”

About Marine Retailers Association of the Americas

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is the only North American association dedicated to furthering the interests of boat and engine dealers and other marine-related retailers throughout North America. Under the umbrella of MRAA Rewards, the MRAA offers a host of cost-saving, revenue-generating, business-improvement, and professional-development benefits exclusively for its members. MRAA is the united voice of marine retailers. For more information, visit

Hear from the Experts ONLY at MDCE!

The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo is the only event at which you can access dealer-specific content, dealer-specific products and services, and dealer-specific networking. It’s the ONLY national dealer conference, and it’s designed by dealers, for dealers.

Here are a few speakers you’ll only see at MDCE:

Hear top techniques for strengthening your business from the top dealership consultants and leading dealers, ONLY AT the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo!

  • Valerie Ziebron – Your Service Department should be one of the most profitable departments in your dealership. But if you’re like most dealers, it could be much more profitable than it is. Join us at MDCE as the highly touted instructor Valerie Ziebron returns to answer the toughest service-related questions and provide insight into new service department strategies that will help you uncover hidden profits.
  • Mike Mraz – With boat show season right around the corner, you need to make sure you’re prepared to have your best events yet. Turn your show experience into the selling event you’ve always inspired to, by catching Mike Mraz’s MDCE session on the five proven tactics to get your money’s worth out of boat shows. Learn how to capitalize on pre-show outreach, the right graphics, staff preparation and ROI measurement.
  • Jennifer Robison – Is your showroom living up to its potential or are boats and other products just placed wherever they might fit? There are strategies you can use to increase showroom appeal and drive more sales, and at this year’s MDCE, merchandising expert Jennifer Robison will share display and retail solutions to help you improve your dealership and boost your sales.
  • Don Cooper – Historically, the MDCE’s most highly rated speaker, Don Cooper, returns to lead a mini-conference offering FIVE DIGITAL STRATEGIES to boost business in 2013. Learn the latest strategies for using texting to increase business, generate powerful online reviews, boost sales with geo-locational targeting and more!
  • Sam Dantzler – The most sought-after speaker in the powersports industry, Dantzler will share proven strategies to help you sell more – and make more money – with your service department. His inside view of the top Harley-Davidson dealers in North America will translate into new ideas and new opportunities for your business.
  • Best Ideas Panel – Get a great bang for your buck as you hear the very best ideas from dealers across the country. These are actionable, real-life examples that are building business today! MDCE attendees will also receive a FREE Best Ideas white paper filled with the best dealer submissions of the year.
  • Joe Verde – The premier sales trainer in the auto industry, Verde counts among his clients more than half of the Top 500 dealers in the country. He’ll give you a step-by-step plan to make 2013 your best year yet. MDCE attendees will also get a copy of his book “A Dealer’s Guide to Recovery & Growth in Today’s Market.”
  • Neal Harrell – The president of Brooks Marine Group has worked with hundreds of dealers to help them find, train and retain the best employees. Harrell will help you develop a plan to recruit the most skilled workers for your service department.
  • David Parker – One of the leading business consultants in the marine industry, Parker will be offering two seminars at MDCE helping you make the most of your finance and insurance departments AND offering tips/pricing strategies that maximize sales and margins.

Be a step ahead of your competition by attending MDCE & make 2013 your best year yet!

For more information about session and speakers, click here.

2012 Marine Dealer Conference & Expo
November 11 – 14, 2012
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, FL

MRAA supports letter encouraging passage of tax cuts

The following link will take you to a letter that 50 GOP Freshmen Congressmen signed to the Ways and Means Committee, encouraging passage of the extenders (Bush Tax Cuts). The committee is expected to be reviewing the extenders soon.

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is encouraging passage of the tax extenders and has supported this letter. Failure to pass the Bush Tax Cuts at this time may have negative consequences to the economy.

Click here to read the letter.

Larry Innis
MRAA Legislative Affairs

Marine Sales of Pickwick signs on as MRAA Premium Retail Member

MINNEAPOLIS — Marine Sales of Pickwick, a leading full service marine dealership based in Counce, Tenn., has signed on as a Premium Retail Member of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the highest level of retail membership within the association.

“We are delighted that Marine Sales of Pickwick has chosen to kick off its MRAA membership with such a strong commitment to the association ,” says Matt Gruhn, President of MRAA. “After 38 years of successfully serving the local boating community, Marine Sales of Pickwick continues to seek out new opportunities to take their business to the next level. We are honored that this leading dealer has chosen to invest in MRAA as part of this quest.”

This Cobalt, Regal, Crest, Marquis and Carver Yachts dealer surrounds its customers with a bevy of products and services to enhance their boating lifestyle, from new and pre-owned boats and yachts to brokerage services, marine finance, service, parts, boat storage, winterization, ship store and more. In fact, the dealership recently won a Cobalt CSI Award for achieving the highest score worldwide.

“At Marine Sales of Pickwick, we are always looking for ways to be more effective and profitable,” says Ron Martin, Marine Sales of Pickwick General Manager. “We became an MRAA Premium Retail Member to join together with other leading dealers and gain access to the incredible resources at their disposal.”


About Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012, the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas is the only North American association dedicated to furthering the interests of boat and engine dealers and other marine-related retailers throughout North America. Under the umbrella of MRAA Rewards, the MRAA offers a host of cost-saving, revenue-generating, business-improvement, and professional-development benefits exclusively for its members. MRAA is the united voice of marine retailers. For more information, visit

MDCE tops 80 exhibitors

The Marine Dealer Conference & Expo, the premier education event for boat dealers, has already signed up more than 80 exhibitors and sponsors. With more than 183,000 square feet of exhibit space, this year’s conference promises to be the largest yet.

MDCE is being held November 11-14 at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center and is co-produced by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and Boating Industry.

This year’s sponsors include:

Powered By Sponsors: ADP Lightspeed, ARI, Boat Trader, Forest River Marine, Manheim Specialty Auctions, Nautic Global Group, Regal Marine, Starcraft Marine & the Smoker Craft Family of Products and Volvo Penta

2012 Digital Sponsor: Global Marine Insurance

Official Sponsors: Bennington Marine, Brunswick Boat Group, GE Capital and Tigé Boats

Best Ideas Program Sponsor: Boat Trader

Service & Marina Track Sponsor: Marine Mechanics Institutes

See a full list of the event’s sponsors and exhibitors.

To reserve space or inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities contact, contact Kathy Johnson at 480-988-3658 or kathyjohnson@boatingindustry.com.

Beyond the expo hall, attendees also have an opportunity to attend more than 20 educational sessions presented by some of the biggest names in the marine industry. Three educational tracks will feature dealer-presented best practices and expert advice on every topic from sales and marketing to service department operations and leadership to growth management.

Click here for more information.