Advocacy & Boating Safety

As a dealer, customers look to you as a leader within the recreational boating community, and for that reason it is important you champion safe boating practices and compliance with all state and local laws and regulations. Ultimately, we want you to feel confident as a business owner and your customers to feel the same level of comfort out on the water. When your customers are informed, educated and familiar with their vessels and state boating laws, your dealership can feel assured that you have contributed to a safer overall recreational boating community. This in turn will keep your customers boating longer and keep more folks in your dealership and on the water. To help with that, check out the resources below.

Tips to help make your customer’s experience on the water safer

  • Host Boating Basics Course
    • Consider holding regular classes that teach your customers, both new and experienced, how to safely and properly operate their vessels. Including on the water training is a great way to add extra value to a new boaters purchase while making them feel comfortable and confident at the helm. If your dealership is short on personnel, check to see if there is a certified boating safety instruction in your area by clicking here.
  • BoatU.S. Foundation Hosting
    • BoatU.S. Foundation is also looking for partners to host on the water safety courses, and your dealership may be the perfect venue. BoatU.S. Foundation has launched an initiative to deliver On-Water training with the intent of developing a national program. They are looking for several partners to conduct events around the country and are currently seeking venues. Typically, these events draw between 40-60 students per day and are a great opportunity to market your facility or boat inventory. All you need to provide are 4–6 boats to be used for instruction, access to bathrooms, have available parking for attendees and open slips or a header pier for practice docking. BoatU.S. Foundation will provide licensed USCG instructors trained in the approved curriculum, will market the event, handle all registration and billing and provide day of support with BoatU.S. Foundation team members. It also provides all relevant materials for the course, including life jackets, promo items and is fully insured. If you are interested in bringing safety to your customers, reach out to Alan Dennison at adennison@boatus.com or call 410-972-3004.
  • Advocate for Life Jackets
    • Although most boaters choose not to, wearing a life jacket while boating is one of the easiest ways to stay safe. Be a leader in your community and encourage your customers and the boating public to wear a life jacket while on the water. The National Safe Boating Council has a variety of resources, from flyers, pamphlets, draft social media posts, videos and more, click here to check it out.
  • Put Safety on Social
    • As a dealer your customers pay attention to your social channels. Aside from advertising about the latest models and deals you have; be sure you highlight the importance of smart and safe boating. Check out this social media toolkit to help you share the importance of boating safety with your community. 

E15 Fuel – Attention Dealers!

As the boating seasons continues, it is important to remind your customers of the dangers of refueling with E15 fuel, which is available at pumps this season. Accidentally refueling with this type of fuel can spell disaster for your customers’ boats. Click here to learn more from our Blog and feel free to share this with your customers.

Mandatory Boater Education

As the boating season floats on, it’s important to keep your customers safe while they are enjoying themselves on the water. Minnesota and South Carolina recently enacted new mandatory boater education legislation. Here’s a complete breakdown by state. or simply needing a refresher on safe boating practices, the below resources will help your customers stay safer on the water and comply with state boating laws. To learn more about the new mandatory boater education requirements in Minnesota, read our blog.

Additional Resources:

Discover Boating

Discover Boating has generated resources to help new boaters understand their vessel and stay safe on the water. Share these resources with your customers to assist with boating safety, boating etiquette, operation and ownership.

National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Safe Boating Dashboard

You and your customers can use this complete guide to simplify the boating laws within each state and search for approved boater education courses.

Boat On Course

Created by the National Safe Boating Council, Boat On Course helps new owners understand the “rules of the road” as a boater. Complete with videos, graphics and various lessons, this resource is a great introduction and refresher on safe-boating tactics for your customers.

Takemefishing.org

The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) has a “Get Started Boating” section on its site that helps customers know where to boat and fish, best practices for success and boat types. This page also includes a special section on Boating and Water Safety, complete with safety tips, checklists and more, you can use to supply your customers to help them with boat operation and ownership. Its Places to Fish and Boat page is also loaded with helpful tools (interactive map) and advice to help consumers create more successful fishing adventures from their boat.

RBFF also has a customer retention toolkit with customizable free content for you to add your logo to get your customers on board. Choose from digital banners, social media posts, press releases, infographics and a PSA video.

Your role in Advocacy & Boating Safety

As a boat dealer and a pillar of your community, your business plays a key role in advocating for boating and fishing, and championing safe boating practices. By creating an educational environment around boating basics, successful practices for safe operation and adherence to compliance with local laws, you’re creating a better experience for your customers and helping to keep them boating safer and longer. Knowing boater education and sharing it, along with your staff’s own expertise, will contribute to your customers making informed decisions and creating lasting memories aboard their boat. These efforts help you to create long-term customer relationships and more well-versed recreational boating community.  

Image of MRAA Government Relations Manager Chad Tokowicz

I encourage you to reach out to me – chad@mraa.com – about advocacy issues or to discuss boater education and how it pertains to making your customers happier and boating longer!

Victory for Boat Dealers: Florida Amends Livery Insurance Requirements 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, on June 12, 2023, signed SB 418 repealing insurance requirements for boat liveries and absolves them from purchasing insurance to cover rental customers. This is a victory for Florida boat dealers.

During the 2022 legislative session, the 2022 Florida Boating Safety Act (HB 493) passed, requiring boat rental facilities to insure renters, which increased their operational costs. Read the previous MRAA blog, here. The 2022 Florida Boating Safety Act has made major changes to the way liveries run their businesses. It upped the cost of boat rentals because insurance to cover the renter is expensive and, with only a limited number of providers, was hard to find.

The MRAA sent a letter in May to Governor DeSantis urging him to sign SB 418 into law to provide relief to our Florida MRAA Members. Taking effect July 1, SB 418 requires businesses to offer renters the option to purchase insurance, or sign an acknowledgement denying the insurance, eliminating the need for liveries to purchase “customer insurance.” Now they simply are required to have it available for renters who want extra protection. Additionally, the bill does not undo the other important safety considerations the 2022 Florida Boating Safety Act established, maintaining a safe boating environment for renters and owners alike.

Originally, an attempted correction was introduced as HB 261, sponsored by Representative Adam Botana, which sought to remove the insurance requirement along with a variety of other changes to Florida boating law. HB 261 died in the rules committee, however, and the insurance provision portion was added into SB 418, which passed May 4.   

Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager in blue Dealer Week shirt

Representative Adam Botana and Governor DeSantis are champions of safe boating and have displayed great leadership in protecting small businesses from overly burdensome compliance costs. Their effort help dealership customers continue to get on the water and enjoy Florida’s waterways.

If you have any questions about this change to Florida’s livery insurance requirements, email me: chad@mraa.com.

Discover Boating Drops Anchor at American Century Championship

• Partnership with celebrity golf tournament and NBC Sports to generate awareness among potential boaters

This July, Discover Boating is partnering with premier celebrity golf tournament, American Century Championship, and NBC Sports to bring the action and fun on the green to the spectacular waters of Lake Tahoe.

Discover Boating

Discover Boating is sponsoring the signature waterfront off the par 3, 17th hole to capture views of the action surrounded by boaters, fans and celebrities. Additionally, a Discover Boating boat will be cruising Lake Tahoe and anchoring off Edgewater’s 17th hole for a can’t-miss, “from the helm” perspective of the on-land and on-water entertainment.

“We are thrilled to partner with American Century Championship and NBC Sports to offer unique boatside views of the top names in sports and entertainment golfing, competing and celebrating in a boater’s and golfer’s paradise,” said Ellen Bradley, chief brand officer for Discover Boating. “Teaming up with this iconic, star-studded event is a natural fit with shared affinity between boaters and golfers, and the signature 17th hole on the shoreline creates the perfect backdrop to spotlight two of America’s favorite pastimes.”

Advertising will run on NBC and Golf Channel, July 12-16. Stay tuned for action-packed content from the event this summer. 

Boost Customer Experience & Boater Retention by Throwing a Helpline

• How Providing a Summer Season Hotline Will Improve Your Customers’ Boat Ownership Experience

As our team was building the June MRAA Spotlight page about keeping your customers boating, Barletta, an MRAA Strategic Partner, announced that it was improving its Holiday Hotline by transitioning it into a Summer Season Helpline.

Barletta Boats logo

This initiative is an inspiring example of how marine businesses can innovate in their approach to customer support, customer experience and boater retention – one from which we all can learn.

As you and your team know well, summer has many big boating weekends. Two significant holidays in the States, the Fourth of July and Labor Day, will see millions of boaters – both experienced and first-timers – celebrating with their family and friends on the water. During these peak events for many boat owners, a customer support hotline like this becomes a valuable tool that enhances customer experience in three essential ways: consumer engagement, operational support and educational insights. Additionally, it builds trust through helpful outreach and access to technical expertise.

LEARN MORE: Watch the YouTube video with Barletta Pontoon Boats President Jeff Haradine

To improve boater happiness and customer retention, both manufacturers and dealers need customers to use their vessels, interact with other boaters and experience the boating lifestyle. Troy Becktel, VP of Customer Experience for Barletta Pontoon Boats, says, “Our job is to help get families on the water and keep them on the water.”

Jeff Haradine, President Barletta Boats

It’s about dealers being there for the customers and the manufacturer understanding the value of delivering an all-hands on deck approach to preserve the ownership experience for its extended boating family, according to Haradine.

The “everyone contributes” mentality delivers support all seven days of the week for a total of around 38 hours a week, running from Memorial Day to Labor Day in the U.S. If customers have trouble on the water during these times, and their dealer is unavailable, Barletta’s team of in-house trained Barletta technicians is available to assist.  

Dates for Barletta Summer Helpline

  • Months: Friday, May 26 to Monday, Sept. 4
  • Times: Monday-Friday, 4:01 to 9 p.m. (EST); Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (EST)
  • Phone number:  574-848-3025

Barletta’s mission is to help customers troubleshoot any issues that may arise to ensure they stay on the water and enjoy the boating experience. While the technicians will provide voice support, they won’t be able to fix the boat over the phone. That’s why the manufacturer also offers online tools like its Document Center for manuals, operating instructions and more, as well as a library of helpful resources and articles for troubleshooting. Some titles include: “How to Fix Depth and Speed Reading on a Boat,” “Why Won’t my Pontoon Boat Start? (5 Troubleshooting Tips),” and “Bilge Pump 101” to name only a few. As a dealer, you can make your customers aware of this beneficial collection of supportive products, too, and provide this helpline as another level of reassurance.

This is a great example of a boat manufacturer being a champion for its family – boat owners and the Barletta dealer network alike – because it understands the value and role customer experience plays in boater retention. Keeping your current customers engaged, well taken care of and creating on-the-water memories is crucial for continuing their ongoing voyage with the dealership and the brand while contributing to the future of boating.

So what can you and your team learn from Barletta’s example? It comes back to the three ways this hotline enhances customer experience: consumer engagement, operational support and educational insights.

There are numerous ways your dealership can amp up the engagement, operational support and education you offer customers to level up their boat ownership experience and improve customer loyalty. From sharing existing educational videos from industry partners (Discover Boating, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and SeaTow) – or making your own – to holding on-water events to rotating “tech on call” assignments to staff your own dealership hotline, you can create opportunities to connect with your customers to serve as a knowledgeable resource and guide during their ownership.

Stay tuned for more new ideas and best practices throughout the month through MRAA’s June Spotlight on how to keep your customers boating.

Sheffield Financial and Polaris Announce New Marine Financing Agreement

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., (June 12, 2023) – Sheffield Financial, a division of Truist Bank, Member FDIC, and Polaris Sales Inc., a subsidiary of Polaris Industries, Inc. and Polaris Boats, LLC a subsidiary of Polaris Industries, Inc., (NYSE PII) “Polaris,” have agreed to an amendment to the existing financing services agreement.

The amendment allows Sheffield to provide lending services to Polaris Boats, LLC customers through their dealer network. The contract covers installment financing for the Polaris Bennington, Godfrey and Hurricane boats.

“Polaris is pleased to announce the expansion of its strategic partnership with Sheffield Financial to include retail financing on our marine products. This partnership will provide our dealers and consumers with a competitive, easy, and flexible solution for their financing needs,” said Bob Mack, Polaris Inc. executive vice president and chief financial officer.

“Sheffield has provided seamless retail financing through the Polaris dealer network for more than a decade,” said Jeff McKay, Sheffield Financial chief executive officer. “We’ve been a partner in supporting many industry-leading Polaris products, including RANGER® and RZR® side-by-side off-road vehicles, Indian® motorcycles, and Slingshot® moto-roadsters. We are excited to expand our relationship with Polaris’ marine lines and bring Sheffield’s easy, simple and fast financing programs to the Bennington, Godfrey and Hurricane dealers.”

About Sheffield Financial
Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Sheffield Financial is a division of Truist Bank, which is a subsidiary of Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE: TFC). Sheffield, which has financed more than $35 billion in loans since its founding in 1992, currently services more than 15,000 outdoor power equipment, power sports and trailer dealers nationwide. The company provides retail financing options in all 50 states for 220 manufacturers representing over 335 brands of outdoor power equipment, trailers and power sports equipment, such as snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, side-by-side vehicles, motorcycles, personal watercraft and other marine products. For more information about Sheffield Financial, visit SheffieldFinancial.com.

About Truist
Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country and offers a wide range of products and services through our retail and small business banking, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, insurance, wealth management, and specialized lending businesses. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is a top 10 U.S. commercial bank with total assets of $574 billion as of March 31, 2023. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.

Integrated Dealer Systems Expands Support to MRAA as Platinum Partner Member

MINNEAPOLIS — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced today that Integrated Dealer Systems (IDS) increased its level of support to the Association by becoming a Platinum Partner Member.

Integrated Dealer Systems (IDS) logo

Through Platinum Partner Membership, IDS supports the MRAA, its programs, and the opportunities the association provides the dealer body in an effort to fuel the success of the industry. Commitments from Platinum Partners like IDS allow for the expansion of MRAA’s offerings and create a positive, long-term impact for its members.

When Steve Hawkins started IDS in 1984 – originally known as RVSoft – his goal was simple: to work closely with RV dealerships to give them all the technology, insights, and expertise they need to steer their business toward growth and success. As IDS continued to gain influence in the RV market, many marine dealers took interest because they were facing similar challenges. In 1992, IDS adapted its software and methodology to the marine industry and changed its name to Integrated Dealership Systems to account for its cross-industry reach.

“We are honored to support the MRRA as a Platinum Partner Member,” says Frank Tamburrini, General Manager of IDS. “We are committed to supporting the MRAA’s mission and working alongside its members to foster the growth and success of marine dealers. Together with the MRAA, we look forward to making a meaningful impact to drive positive and long-lasting change.”

“We happily welcome Integrated Dealer Systems on board now as a Platinum Partner Member,” says Allison Gruhn, Vice President of Business Development. “IDS creates great data and content that align with a lot of our efforts, assisting us in our mission to guide dealers, and the marine industry, to greater success.”

About Integrated Dealer Systems

IDS (Integrated Dealer Systems) is one of the leading providers of complete software solutions for marine, RV, and trailer dealerships. By actively engaging marine, RV, and trailer dealership communities, IDS delivers the technology, insights, and expertise to foster growth and profitability for over 10,000 software users in dealerships across North America. For more information on Integrated Dealer Systems, visit https://www.ids-astra.com or contact: raginee.mamgain@constellationdealer.com.

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.

Oversight Hearing on NOAA’s Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule

A significant Oversight Hearing was held today by the Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee of the House Committee on Natural Resources regarding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) proposed Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule. The hearing addressed the potential impact of the proposed rule on both marine wildlife and the recreational marine industry.

Image of MRAA Government Relations Manager Chad Tokowicz
Author Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager

The proposed Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule aims to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale population by reducing the risk of vessel collisions. The rule would require all vessels 35 feet and above to reduce their speed to 10 knots along the East Coast, up to 90 miles offshore, from November through June. To learn more, read this MRAA blog.

In Congress, an Oversight Hearing is conducted when Members of Congress (MOC) — hosted by either a full committee or subcommittee — seek to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a law, proposed regulation, or Federal program. The Oversight Hearing, conducted in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, allowed stakeholders, including recreational marine industry representatives, to share their concerns and feedback on the proposed Right Whale Vessel Speed rule. Watch the hearing here.

Chairman Cliff Bentz (R-OR) and Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA) opened the hearing, providing background on the issue and proposed regulation. After the opening statements, each witness was given 5 minutes to remark, after which MOC asked witnesses questions.

Hearing witnesses included:

  • The Honorable Janet Coit, Deputy Administrator for the National Oceanic and
    Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Washington, D.C.
  • Mr. Clayton L. Diamond, Executive Director, American Pilots’ Association,
    Washington, D.C.
  • Mr. Fred Gamboa, Captain, Andreas’ Toy Charters, Princeton, N.J.
  • Mr. Frank Hugelmeyer, President and CEO, National Marine Manufacturers
    Association (NMMA), Washington, D.C.
  • Dr. Jessica Redfern, Associate Vice President of Ocean Conservation Science,
    Anderson Cabout, Center for Ocean Life at New England Aquarium, Boston, Mass.

During the hearing, the recreational marine industry expressed strong opposition to the proposed Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule, and acknowledged the importance of protecting endangered species. The marine industry representatives argued that the proposed rule would disproportionately impact boating, related businesses and recreational activities without effectively addressing the core issue of right whale conservation.

They also highlighted the potential adverse economic impact, safety issues and advocated for alternative tracking technologies.

  • Economic Impact: Reduced vessel speeds would lead to longer travel times, increased fuel consumption and operational inefficiencies, resulting in higher costs for businesses and consumers. All along the Eastern Seaboard this could lead to the shuddering of related small businesses in coastal communities.
  • Safety Concerns: Slower vessel speeds for smaller boats actually make them less safe, as they are most stable when on plane.
  • Alternative Solutions: The significant objective is right whale conservation AND minimizing the negative impact on businesses. Suggested measures included improving whale detection technologies so real-time monitoring data can be used to inform management decisions instead of a coast-wide blanket speed regulation. This would also locate whales with more accuracy.

Members of Congress questioned witnesses to better understand the impact the proposed rule would have on the recreational boating industry and NOAA’s process in gathering input on the proposed rule. They also inquired about similar restrictions being implemented in other United States coastal waterways.

Representative Peltola (D-AK) asked both Janet Coit and Frank Huglemeyer to “explain how marine businesses and particularly shipping companies and charter fishing operators have been consulted on the proposed rules, and how they will be included in any further regulatory developments.” Deputy Administrator Coit said multiple opportunities were allowed for the public to provide input and comment on the proposed rule. Mr. Hugelmeyer said the recreational marine industry was not made aware of this proposed regulation and that there was little dialog with NOAA regarding the development of the rule. Mr. Hugelmeyer shared that various attempts were made, on behalf of the recreational marine industry, to work collaboratively with NOAA, but those attempts were denied.

The Oversight Hearing created an open dialogue between NOAA and the recreational marine industry. Both parties agreed on the importance of right whale conservation, but opinions varied for the most effective way to achieve this goal. Further discussions and collaboration are necessary to strike a balance between conservation, access and the recreational marine industry viability. Notably, the proposed rule is still within the rule making process, meaning NOAA is reviewing comments submitted during the public comment period. Click here to see comments submitted by the MRAA. After analyzing these comments, and potentially making changes to the proposed rule, it will be sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs which will further review the proposed regulation.

The hearing offered valuable insights into the ongoing debate surrounding marine mammal protection and the recreational marine industry’s concerns, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to address conservation and economic considerations. As the dialogue continues, it is crucial for stakeholders to cooperate to find common ground and develop sustainability solutions of marine ecosystems and the recreational marine industry.

Currently, NOAA is considering similar restrictions in the Gulf of Mexico for the Rice’s whale. The MRAA wants to know how this will impact you and your business, so please take a survey and provide important data.

If you have any questions, or are interested in sharing how the proposed regulation will impact you and your business, please contact me (Chad@mraa.com), as we have plenty of media opportunities for impacted stakeholders.

RBFF Launches Fearless Fishing Line in Celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week 2023

• Partnership with Berkley Celebrates the Transformative Benefits of Fishing and Boating for Women

ALEXANDRIA, VA (June 5, 2023) – To celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week (NFBW), the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) announced a new product partnership with Berkley, a Pure Fishing brand: the Fearless Fishing Line. As part of the national Take Me Fishing™ campaign, this limited-edition fishing line was inspired by research conducted by RBFF and Ipsos showing women who fish are happier and healthier than those who do not.

A box of Fearless Fishing Line, created (Takemefishign.org and Berkley) to encourage more women to get out on the water, landing in water.

In addition to spotlighting the life-changing benefits of fishing and boating, Fearless Fishing Line was created to encourage more women to get out on the water. It will be available for a limited period through an online sweepstakes that begins on June 5, 2023, at www.fearlessfishingline.com. Select winners will also receive a $25 debit card to purchase a fishing license.

“The research is clear. Fishing and boating can have significant positive impacts on women,” said Rachel Piacenza, Senior Director of Marketing at RBFF. “We created this fishing line as a physical reminder of those benefits, and we hope it inspires more women to try fishing.”

“When RBFF and Take Me Fishing™ approached us with the opportunity to partner on Fearless Fishing Line, we knew it was something we wanted to tackle,” said Kimberly Hoffman, Director of Marketing and Communications for Pure Fishing. “Creating this line and the campaign around it is another important step toward increasing women’s participation in fishing and creating a more diverse, inclusive angling environment.”

Fearless Fishing Line is an extension of Take Me Fishing’s Find Your Best Self on the Water campaign, which launched on May 1, 2023. The campaign highlights research that shows fishing and boating can positively impact women. It also informs the public of the benefits of fishing, inspiring more women to try the activity.

The week-long celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week, June 3-11, 2023, also features free fishing days throughout the United States and is designed to increase access to fishing and boating and recruit the next generation of anglers and boaters.

For additional information on the campaign, including the research that inspired it and Fearless Fishing Line, visit here.

For more information and to enter the Fearless Fishing Line Sweepstakes, visit here.

Northpoint Taps Kenton Smith Marketing in New Marine Consulting Capacity

May 31, 2023, Alpharetta, Georgia – Northpoint Commercial Finance has retained established marketing expert Wanda Kenton Smith of Kenton Smith Marketing as its official marine division marketing consultant. 

Kenton Smith brings 40 years of proven marine experience and award-winning performance across multiple industry sectors to assist Northpoint in undertaking a variety of initiatives including marketing strategy, branding, external communications and outreach, media/advertising, events and public relations.

“Our goal is to continually improve and to develop an even stronger customer-focused synergy and we believe Wanda is especially well equipped to assist us in developing marketing strategies to better serve our customers,” said Russell Baqir, Senior VP of Northpoint Commercial Finance. 

Added Senior VP John Durnien, “Wanda brings decades of marine marketing expertise to Northpoint and shares our strong corporate commitment to enhancing the customer experience. This combination, coupled with her strategic mindset, deep industry knowledge and valuable connections, will not only help enhance our dealer and OEM programs, but also allow us to analyze and find new opportunities to contribute more fully to the marine industry overall, which is aligned with our long-term mission.” 

image of smiling Wanda Kenton Smith in white shirt wearing hoop earrings
Wanda Kenton Smith

“I’ve been a fan of Northpoint since its founding and have observed and admired the organization’s tremendous success and growth within the recreational marine industry,” added Kenton Smith. “I’m thrilled by the opportunity to work with this exceptional, customer-centric organization and look forward to collaborating on many exciting new customer-service and marketing initiatives.”

For more information regarding Kenton Smith Marketing, visit www.KentonSmithMarketing.com

About Northpoint Commercial Finance Northpoint Commercial Finance, with offices in Alpharetta, GA, and Burlington, ON, is owned by LBC Capital, a subsidiary of Laurentian Bank of Canada. Northpoint combines experience with advanced technologies, fresh ideas, streamlined processes, and a customer focus formed specifically for the varied needs and goals of each business. Northpoint’s inventory finance offerings drive sales, enhance cash flow, and improve profitability for both manufacturer and dealers. More information about Northpoint and their offerings is available at www.northpointcf.com.

Minnesota Passes Landmark Mandatory Boater Education Legislation

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, May, 31 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) celebrates the successful passage of Mandatory Boater Education Legislation in its home state of Minnesota. This landmark legislation marks a significant step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of boaters and all who enjoy aquatic recreation throughout the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

The new law, signed May 24, 2023, by Governor Walz, uses a phase-in approach to eventually require nearly every boater in Minnesota to complete a boater-education course and obtain a boater-education card before operating a motorized watercraft. The legislation is the result of collaborative efforts between the recreational boating industry, boating safety advocates and lawmakers who recognized the importance of promoting safe boating practices throughout Minnesota. The MRAA aligned with the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the Water Sports Industry Association and local Minnesota stakeholders to successfully pass the bill.

“It is important to recognize the leadership of Senators Hawj, Morrison and Hoffman and Representatives Koegel, Brand and Myers for being champions of this important legislation, fighting for its inclusion in this year’s Environment Omnibus Bill, and ultimately getting it passed” said Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager. “These elected officials put boating safety first and prioritized keeping all Minnesotans safe while on the water.”

Boater education courses provide beneficial instruction on navigation rules, safe boating practices, emergency procedures and environmental responsibility. Minnesota, through this mandated education, is taking proactive measures to reduce accidents and fatalities on its waterways, ensuring a safer recreational boating experience for everyone. Boater education is required in 36 U.S. states and passage of this legislation in Minnesota is long overdue.

Head shot of MRAA President Matt Gruhn in a blue collared shirt in front of wood backdrop
Matt Gruhn, MRAA President

“In a state with more than 800,000 registered boats and a strong on-the-water heritage, mandatory boater education is a logical step in ensuring the safety of the boating public while creating an overall safer boating community,” said Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “It was crucial for the future of recreational boating and fishing in Minnesota to get this across the finish line. We will now work with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in overseeing the rollout of the program to ensure it is not overly burdensome for dealers.”

Mandatory boater education in Minnesota will use a phased-in approach, and by 2028 will require anyone born on or after July 1, 1987 to pass a course and receive a boater education certificate. The program will go into effect beginning on July 1, 2025, requiring anyone born on or after July 1, 2004, to take the course. The program must be approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), meaning out-of-state boaters who have passed an NASBLA-approved course can legally operate a boat in Minnesota. The Minnesota course, available online and in-person, will be offered by a variety of providers.

To learn the specifics of the legislation, read our blog or contact MRAA Government Relations Manager, Chad Tokowicz at chad@mraa.com.

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.