Minnesota Passes Mandatory Boater Education Legislation

Program to equip boaters with the knowledge and skills to create safer waterways

A bill, establishing a new Mandatory Boater Education Program, has been passed in Minnesota. The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) is delighted to celebrate the passage because a similar effort failed in the final hours in Minnesota’s 2022 legislative session.

This landmark legislation emphasizes the importance of safe boating practices and highlights Minnesota’s dedication to creating a safer overall boating community and supporting the sustainable growth of the state’s $6.9 billion recreational boating economy. Here’s an overview of the specifics and the implications you need to know as a Minnesotan.

Throughout Minnesota’s 2022 legislative session, the MRAA, National Marine Retailers Association, Water Sports Industry Association and a handful of local dealers and lake associations, attempted to pass mandatory boater safety legislation. Ultimately, and despite bi-partisan support from in both the Minnesota House and Senate, the legislation did not pass as the clock ran out during final negotiations. Despite this failure, this same coalition came back again this year and was successful in passing boater education legislation.

Championed by Senators Hawj, Morrison and Hoffman in the Senate and Representatives Koegel, Brand, Myers and Rehm in the House, this legislation will equip boaters with the knowledge and skills to safely navigate our waters. By fostering a culture of education and awareness, we can promote safety and peace of mind to reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities, so customers keep boating and return to your dealership for their next boat.

While the legislation was introduced as two stand-alone bills, HF 949 in the House and SF 553 in the Senate, the appropriate language was included in HF 2310, the Environment, Natural Resources, Climate and Energy Omnibus Finance bill – a package of many smaller bills that ultimately provides money to many of Minnesota’s state agencies. On May 24, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed HF 2310. The MRAA sent a letter to Walz and integral Senators and Representatives, thanking them for their leadership and contribution to making Minnesota’s waterways safer.

A series of important requirements and provisions are designed to enhance boater safety and education — effective July 1, 2025. Here are some key aspects of the legislation:

  1. Gradual Implementation: A phased-in approach to boater education will use a “born after date.” Individuals born after the dates below are now required to take a boater education course and receive their watercraft operator’s permit before operating a watercraft on Minnesota waters.
    1. effective July 1, 2025, born on or after July 1, 2004;
    2. effective July 1, 2026, born on or after July 1, 2000;
    3. effective July 1, 2027, born on or after July 1, 1996; and
    4. effective July 1, 2028, born on or after July 1, 1987.
  2. National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved Boater Education Course: The legislation mandates that the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources must create a water-safety course that is NASBLA approved and available online. This ensures that Minnesota’s course will be similar to other states and allow reciprocity with other States who also have NASBLA approved courses.
  3. Renters Required to Obtain Temporary Certificate: Beginning July 1, 2025, visitors and residents who wish to rent a boat for use in Minnesota must now take a short online examination. After passing the test, it will remain valid for 180 days.
  4. Operator Exemptions: Exemptions include anyone who possesses a valid license issued by the United States Coast Guard, is not a resident of the state and temporarily using the waters of the state for a period of less than 60 days, and most importantly for MRAA members, anyone operating under a dealer license.

Minnesota now aligns with 36 other states that also require some form of mandatory boater education. Minnesota – the Land of 10,000 lakes, and more than 800,000 registered boats — trailing only Florida – has taken an important step in fostering a safer overall boating environment. By prioritizing education and equipping boaters with the comprehension needed to navigate our waterways safely, we can protect lives, conserve our environment and strengthen the economic vitality of our lakeside communities. We applaud the leaders within the state of Minnesota for taking this bold step towards fostering a culture of boating safety through education. Let us embrace this legislation and come together to ensure that our beloved pastime remains a joyous experience for generations to come.

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

If you have any questions about this legislation, email me at chad@mraa.com.

New Episode of ‘Discover Boating Safety Basics’ Launches

During National Safe Boating Week (NSBW) May 20-26, Discover Boating launched a new episode in its five-part digital video series in partnership with Progressive® Insurance, “Discover Boating Safety Basics” to support ongoing efforts around boater engagement and retention.

Discover Boating

In episode two, “Celebrate Safely,” boaters learn simple tips to enjoy themselves on the water while prioritizing safety. The video covers topics such as the importance of:

  • having a sober boat captain
  • wearing a life jacket
  • staying hydrated
  • behaving responsibly on the water

Marine dealers, marina owners and other industry stakeholders are encouraged to share these educational videos on their social media channels, websites, in showrooms and emails to help educate and connect with customers.

The Discover Boating Safety Basics video series can be found in the Industry Resource Center, where each episode will be added as they go live. Be sure to subscribe to the Discover Boating YouTube channel for more video content.

Leverage Credit-First Soft Pulls to Improve Your Dealership’s Results

Shopping for a vessel comes with all kinds of stressors for a consumer – some of which can affect their relationship with the dealer and lender. The decision to require a shopper to undergo a credit verification can be stressful for many consumers – for different reasons!

Consumers worry for various reasons, including:

  • Concern about the score that will come back on the other end;
  • Stress over whether the score will be high enough to qualify them for the boat they really want;
  • And fear that the act of running their credit specifically will “ding” their credit.

As a dealership, you have the opportunity to reduce this stress and worry with a soft-pull credit check.

Why are soft pulls so effective today?

A soft-pull credit check is similar to a simple background check. It allows the dealer and lender to review a shopper’s credit score and financial standing, but it does not impact their credit score, making it an effective tool.

Soft pulls are important to dealers and lenders for multiple reasons. Perhaps a shopper is unsure if they can afford a specific boat because of reduced cash flow amid a softening economy. A soft pull will alert them to their status if they’re pre-approved before moving forward with financing options.

Soft pulls will also strengthen consumer confidence and trust in making the right decision. Since they aren’t locked into anything, customers can resume shopping and even assess varying price ranges. Soft pulls benefit those who may be a little less confident about their credit standing.

Changing consumer preferences support the use of soft pulls

In the current era of digital retailing, consumers expect an experience offered by tools such as soft pull credit checks.

In a SalesForce survey of 7,000 consumers, 53 percent reported they would share personal data in exchange for personalized shopping experiences. Why is this important? Because today’s digitized boat-shopping process is all about personalization. 

Combining soft pulls with a ‘credit-first strategy’ is therefore imperative to the success of every dealer and transaction today. A fully personalized digital retailing system requires accurate monthly payment quoting early in the shopping process. Everything from vessel selection, financing, credit eligibility and trade-in valuations can affect a person’s payment composition. Obtaining credit at the beginning of the digital retailing process ensures a true personalized shopping experience that will help close more deals.

The right credit-first strategy, combined with a soft-pull approach, enables more seamless transactions in today’s digitized world of sales. Soft pulls work in concert with the credit-first approach and do not require a customer’s date of birth or social security number. Using just the customers’ name and address, soft pulls allow an early-stage snapshot of their credit profile, and insights into their buying power before you start building any deal.

Interest rates are changing more frequently currently, so establishing the right credit tier and payment options early in the shopping process will benefit everyone involved and add trust into the process. There is nothing worse than a customer assuming or estimating the payment in his or her mind throughout the transaction process, only to learn just how much fluctuating interest rates may affect the final deal inside the F&I manager’s office at the end.

Where soft pulls benefit other areas of a dealership

Aside from today’s digital shopping process, soft pulls also benefit dealers in the service lane. Combined with solutions that include equity calculators, perceptive dealers are now easily integrating these features into their daily workflows to build additional conquest marketing opportunities.

These additional tools built with soft-pull technology help dealers and service managers offer quick valuation calculations to show customers how and where it might make sense to consider a new boat rather than fix their current unit. This offers benefits to you and your customers:

  1. They make a wise decision with confidence.
  2. You can convince them to buy from you, not the competitor.

Trying to build a digital retailing system at your dealership without soft-pull technology is like building a boat without a motor. It might look nice, but you won’t get anywhere anytime soon.

About The Author: Ken Hill is managing director for 700Credit, an MRAA Education Champion and a leading provider of credit reports, compliance, identity verification and soft pull products. For more information, please visit www.700credit.com.

MRAA, Dealers Share Concerns at American Boating Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 16, 2023 – Last week, the recreational boating industry, including the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, visited Washington, D.C., for the annual American Boating Congress (ABC) hosted by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. MRAA staff, members of the MRAA Board of Directors and several MRAA members brought marine industry issues to Capitol Hill for one-on-one conversations with lawmakers.

MRAA Chairman of the Board Jeff Strong (center) joins MRAA President Matt Gruhn (left) and MRAA VP of Business Planning Mike Davin at the 2023 American Boating Congress.

ABC, an integral event for the recreational boating industry’s advocacy efforts, gives business leaders like marine dealers and others across the industry, the opportunity to discuss issues impacting their businesses and the recreational boating industry, with decision makers who determine policy and legislative efforts. These key conversations develop relationships between dealerships and other business leaders and members of Congress, laying critical groundwork for the MRAA government relations team.

“MRAA’s focus on federal, as well as state-based advocacy efforts has never been stronger, and with several dealers participating in this fly-in event for the first time, our connectivity with and visibility in front of members of Congress continues to grow,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA President. “It’s critically important that dealer participation in these important efforts continues to expand and that we continue to strengthen our relationships in Washington so the business of boating isn’t caught off guard by bad policies and legislative threats.”

Members of Congress, including Representatives Garret Graves (R-LA-06) and Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) and Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), provided key Congressional insights for attendees of ABC, and several members of Congress confirmed their support for recreational boating industry and policy priorities, while discussing current challenges this Congress.

From the left: Ben Palmer, Legislative Correspondant for Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN- 09), Alex Schnelle, Deputy Chief of Staff for Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager, Natalie Carrera, Director of Marketing and Global Communications for Indmar Produts, and Craig Cochran, Manufacturers Sales Rep at GSW and Associates


Attendees also received an update on the state of play on Capitol Hill from Politico bureau chief and senior political columnist Jonathan Martin. Martin discussed the impact current negotiations on the debt ceiling have for industry policy priorities while also providing a high-level overview of what to expect as the 2024 presidential race begins to pick up steam.

“ABC is a principal event for the recreational boating industry and dealers, because not only can we spotlight our industry and its top priorities, but the event also grants us an insider’s view on the key conversations taking place at the federal government level,” said Chad Tokowicz, Government Relations Manager, MRAA. “Armed with that insight, ABC attendees like MRAA’s members can then make genuine requests related to the boating industry’s needs for continued economic growth and sustainability.”

From the left: Jeff Angers, President Center for Sportfishing Policy, George Cooper, Partner Forbes Tate, and Paul Ryan, Partner at DCI Group.


During ABC’s scheduled programming, numerous presentations were made, discussing the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule.  NOAA’s proposal to restrict all vessels 35 feet or longer to 10 knots between November and June on the Eastern Seaboard seeks to protect the endangered Right Whale. Expert speakers provide an overview of the current status of the rule as expectations for moving forward; a newly created Whale and Vessel Safety Task Force shared industry efforts to build solutions to create a safer boating environment, while maintaining access and minimalizing the impact to Right Whales. And Sen. Manchin provided a rousing overview, promising to fight NOAA’s proposal on behalf of the marine industry. Learn more about MRAA’s efforts for the Right Whale Rule and how to get involved.

“This is the essence of the American Boating Congress,” Tokowicz explains. “Industry relationships developed with key decision makers like Senator Manchin can serve to protect the health of our industry when bad policies and threats like this speed restriction pop up.”


During meetings on Capitol Hill, MRAA members met with their members of Congress to discuss a variety of MRAA policy priorities as well as issues directly impacting their business, like shortages in the marine industry workforce, concerns with dealership regulation, and impediments to access, like the speed restriction. Providing members of Congress with direct examples of how local businesses are being impacted proved crucial for highlighting the needs of the recreational boating industry, especially issues impacting the dealer on the frontlines.

If you have any questions about ABC or would like to plan to attend it in 2024, email 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.

Boaters Beware: E15 At Pumps This Boating Season

This boating season it is going to be imperative to pay attention at the pump, as an emergency waiver issued by the EPA will allow E15, a harmful fuel for boat engines, to be sold throughout the summer. E15, or gasoline that uses a 15 percent ethanol blend, is a widespread, common fuel type that can be harmful for recreational boat engines and should be avoided at all costs.

April 28, the Environmental Protection Agency formally issued an emergency fuel waiver that allows E15 gasoline to be sold throughout the summer, our boating season. Typically, in roughly two-thirds of the country, E15 cannot be sold from terminals starting May 1, and at retail stations starting June 1. E15 sales are usually halted over the summer as it is a more volatile type of fuel and can contribute to increased smog and air pollution.

Yet, even with these impacts to air quality and recreational vessels, the Biden administration has extended E15 sales primarily due to the war in Ukraine’s impact on both domestic and global energy markets. Surprisingly, this is not the first time that E15 sales have been extended in the summer. Last year, the EPA also issued a similar waiver allowing the sale of E15 throughout the summer, citing the same concerns due to limitations on our domestic fuel supply due to the war in Ukraine. Additionally, in 2019, former president Donald Trump, allowed for a summertime expansion of E15 in efforts to boost American energy independence and support farmers.

Despite the rationale behind the extension, the threat to the recreational boating industry, your customers and MRAA members is the same. Put simply, E15 is bad for boat engines.

Federal law prohibits the use of E15 in your vessel and E15 is also proven to cause damage to boat engines. A test done by Mercury Marine, under contract of the U.S. Department of Energy, found that all of the engines tested with E15 showed signs of elevated piston and exhaust temperatures, and according to Jeff Wasil, the Engineering Manager of Emissions Testing at BRP, this can be fatal for boat engines.

“Since marine engines can run for extended periods of time at wide-open throttle, any increase in exhaust gas temperature will cause issues,” Wasil noted.

E15 can also have negative effects on engine components if stored in the engine, fuel tanks and fuel lines for an extended period, as ethanol is a harsh solvent.

The threat posed by E15 is supported by a recent survey done by the National Marine Manufacturers Association, American Motorcyclist Association and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute that highlights a need for increased education and updated labeling. The survey found that only about 18 percent of consumers believe that the current E15 label used at gas pumps is effective in showing that E15 is hazardous to certain engine types. Furthermore, 77.5 percent of respondents cited red as the best color of label to convey a warning, which is currently in contrast with the current label color. With more new boaters on the water than ever before, it is imperative we educate boaters about the dangers E15 poses and how to spot it.

Consider using the below email template to educate your customers on the dangers of E15 this season and encourage them to avoid filling up at gas stations if at all possible.

The recreational boating industry is awaiting the reintroduction of H.R. 7731, the Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act of 2022. This bill, originally introduced by Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA-8), would:

  • Define E15 as gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol;
  • Direct the EPA to revise labeling requirements for fuel pumps that dispense E15;
  • Direct the EPA to implement a public education campaign concerning the risks associated with improper use of E15.

The need for this legislation is further highlighted by the aforementioned survey and current lack of awareness and education among boat owners. 

If you have any questions about E15, details about the emergency rule or wish to support the legislation, please contact Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations at Chad@mraa.com


E15 Warning Email Template (below):

Email Subject Line: Be on the lookout for E15 fuel this boating season!

Dear [insert dealership name] Customer,

I hope all is well with you and that you are getting excited for the boating season. I am reaching out to you today to warn you that, due to an emergency fuel waiver issued by the federal government, E15 Fuel will be available throughout the boating season this year. E15 fuel, which is sold at regular gas stations, is extremely harmful for marine engines and should never be used in your boat. If you are trailering your vessel and filling up at a gas station, be certain you are not using E15 fuel. While it is required by law to be labeled, if you have any doubt, ask the station attendant.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions regarding E15 and how to properly fuel your boat. I look forward to seeing you and hope you have a wonderful boating season.

Sincerely,

[Insert Name]

A New Restriction May be on the Horizon for Gulf Coast Boating: Petition to Establish Rice’s Whale Vessel Speed Zone

Impediments to boating access, in the forms of mandatory speed zones or restrictions on boat type or activity, stand to have a major impact on your business by either keeping boaters off the water or disincentivizing folks from buying boats. As the proposed Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule, which would mandate a 10-knot speed restriction along the large majority of the eastern seaboard as far as 90 miles off shore for boats 35 feet and above, continues to move through the regulatory process, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has recently initiated another request for public comments on yet another petition to establish vessel speed measures to protect Rice’s whale, an endangered species located solely in the Gulf of Mexico.

Figure 1: The red represents the proposed area where the 10-knot mandatory vessel speed limit, and additional mitigation measures, will be in place.

Click here and fill out this survey to help us understand how these proposed regulations will impact your business.

As recreational boating industry stakeholders, we have a crucial role to play in conservation and ensuring a delicate balance between human activities and the marine ecosystem, while also preserving boating access.

Rice’s whale, also known as the Gulf of Mexico whale, is a majestic creature that is believed to only inhabit the Gulf of Mexico. Named after American biologist Dale Rice, this species was only recently recognized as distinct from the Bryde’s whale and determined to be a unique sub-species in 2021. Unfortunately, its population has been steadily declining due to various factors, and the current estimated population is fewer than 100 individuals.

After the discovery that the Rice’s Whale is unique and has a limited population, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Healthy Gulf, Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, Earth justice and the New England Aquarium put forth a petition May 11, 2021, to NOAA, asking for the establishment of a mandatory 10-knot speed limit as well as other vessel-related mitigation measures for all vessel types and sizes during the entire year. After receiving the petition, NOAA has posted the petition and a call for public comments in the Federal Register April 7, 2023, with the comment period set to close July 6, 2023.

Th submitted petition seeks to implement mandatory vessel speed measures within the whale’s habitat to reduce the risk of ship strikes. It would also require all vessels transiting through the area to adhere to the following mitigation measures:

  1. All vessel operators must avoid transiting through the Vessel Slowdown Zone at
    nighttime.
  2. All vessels must maintain a minimum separation distance of 500 meters from Gulf of
    Mexico whales. If a whale is observed but cannot be confirmed as a species other than
    a Gulf of Mexico whale, the vessel operator must assume that it is a Gulf of Mexico
    whale and take appropriate action for avoidance.
  3. Visual observers must monitor the vessel strike avoidance zone (500 meters). Observers can be either third-party observers or crew members, but crew members responsible for these duties must be provided sufficient training to distinguish aquatic protected species to broad taxonomic groups. Operators transiting through the Vessel Slowdown Zone must report their plans to NOAA Fisheries.
  4. All vessels 65 feet or greater must have a functioning Automatic Identification System
    (AIS) on board and operating at all times, as required by the U.S. Coast Guard. If the
    vessel does not require AIS and/or is less than 65 feet in length, AIS is strongly
    encouraged. Vessels that lack an operating AIS must provide the vessel’s name and
    call signs to NOAA Fisheries and notify NOAA Fisheries when they are transiting
    through the Vessel Slowdown Area.
  5. If a vessel operates in violation of these conditions, the operator must report the
    noncompliance to NOAA Fisheries within 24 hours.
Figure 1: The red represents the proposed area where the 10-knot mandatory vessel speed limit, and additional mitigation measures, will be in place.

The proposed vessel speed zone and additional conservation measures stand to have a significant negative economic impact on the recreational boating industry in the Gulf and surrounding coastal communities. With the Rice’s Whale habitat area overlapping largely with De Soto Canyon, a popular offshore fishing ground, it is easy to understand the challenge this petition presents for recreational boaters.

As boat dealers, it is essential for you to stay informed and engaged in discussions surrounding these issues. By actively participating in the public comment process and advocating for alternative solutions, you can help shape policies that strike a balance between conservation and sustaining the economic well-being of the marine industry. Are you a coastal dealer located in a Gulf state?

If you have any questions or want to get engaged, please email Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager at Chad@mraa.com.

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Discover Boating Boat Shows Build Marketing Momentum

The 2023 winter/spring show season presented the opportunity to expand awareness for boat shows and recreational boating, uniting Discover Boating and boat shows nationwide under one umbrella. Through Discover Boating’s marketing and PR efforts, millions of consumers were reached through a broad spectrum of channels to retain core boaters and boat show customers, while attracting the next generation of boating enthusiasts. Check out this reel of Discover Boating boat show marketing and PR highlights.

A snapshot of this year’s Discover Boating boat shows marketing results:

  • 2.4 billion impressions across advertising, public relations and social media
  • More than 1 million web visits
  • 2,800 news stories and $3 million in publicity value
  • 1.8 million engagements on Facebook and Instagram show pages
  • Boat Finder attracted 160,000+ unique users
2023 Discover Boating Boat Shows Highlights

Learn more on how to get involved in future Discover Boating boat shows at DiscoverBoating.com/boat-shows. Up next, Sept. 21-24, 2023, the Discover Boating Norwalk Boat Show, in partnership with Progressive Insurance.

Northpoint Commercial Finance Advances as MRAA’s Newest Strategic Partner

• Northpoint steps up its support of MRAA’s mission through enhanced membership and Dealer Week participation

MINNEAPOLIS — Northpoint Commercial Finance has significantly increased its support of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, MRAA’s mission of supporting dealers and the Dealer Week annual Conference & Expo as a Strategic Partner — the highest level of membership with the association.

    

Northpoint Commercial Finance joins 11 existing Strategic Partners, which provide the highest level of sponsorship support for MRAA and Dealer Week. These companies serve as the strategic and financial backbone of the association, participating in regular dialogue with the MRAA Board of Directors and staff and helping to prioritize the initiatives the association employs to fuel its mission for serving boat and engine dealers.

Northpoint Commercial Finance, which has its headquarters in Alpharetta, Ga., and Burlington, Ontario, is a diversified floorplan finance lender that partners with dealers, manufacturers and boat clubs in the marine marketplace and 13 other industries. The company – which has earned +86 net promoter score – is a top leader in marine financing, serving 1,100+ marine retail dealers and 150+ OEMs through flexible financing programs that aim to drive greater levels of profitability for its customers. Northpoint’s marine portfolio exceeded $1 billion the first quarter of 2023, with product ranging from small skiffs to luxury yachts. A longstanding MRAA Member company for nearly a decade, Northpoint Commercial Finance’s increased investment in MRAA’s mission means MRAA’s Strategic Partner Level is now SOLD OUT.

Russell Baqir, Northpoint Commercial Finance
Russell Baqir, Northpoint Commercial Finance

“Northpoint is actively engaged and solidly invested in the long-term growth of our industry and we’re aligned in supporting MRAA’s ongoing mission to fuel the success of our industry’s dealers,” said  Russell Baqir, Northpoint’s Sr. VP – Business Development.

“Our entire team including dedicated field and in-house sales representatives are passionate about the boating business,” added John Durnien, Sr. VP – Business Development. “We embrace the MRAA mission to drive success to marine dealers in the boating industry and look forward to working closely with them in the days, months and years ahead.”

“As a longtime member of MRAA, Northpoint Commercial Finance understands MRAA’s rich history of serving the marine industry and the dealer market,” explains Allison Gruhn, Vice President of Business Development. “We are proud that our shared focus on dealer growth and success has led to this expanded partnership between the Northpoint and MRAA teams.”

MRAA Strategic Partners are organizations that have committed to supporting the MRAA at the highest level of membership through a three-year partnership program.

The current 2023 Strategic Partner list:

About the MRAA Strategic Partner Program
Strategic Partners serve as the strategic and financial backbone of the MRAA. As MRAA’s highest-level members, Strategic Partners participate in regular dialogue with the MRAA Board of Directors and staff, helping to set the initiatives and priorities of the association in its mission to fuel the growth and success of today’s boat and engine dealers. The Strategic Partners also provide the highest level of sponsorship support for Dealer Week, The MRAA Conference and Expo. Learn more at https://mraa.com/page/strategicpartners.

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 is a diversified floorplan finance lender that partners with both manufacturers and dealers in 14 industries (i.e. Marine, Manufactured Housing, RV, Power Sports, Trailer, and more) to provide flexible financing programs. Northpoint’s inventory finance offerings drive sales, enhance cash flow, and improve profitability for both manufacturer and dealers. For more information about Northpoint Commercial Finance, visit https://northpointcf.com/industries/marine/.

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.

Female Anglers Pose Significant Revenue Opportunity for Fishing Industry

• RBFF and Southwick Associates Find: Increasing women’s participation in fishing stands to provide an additional $1 billion in revenue to the sportfishing industry

ALEXANDRIA, VA (May 18, 2023) – Female anglers pose a significant revenue opportunity for the fishing industry, according to new research from the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and Southwick Associates. The research, which was conducted to learn more about the financial impact of increasing female angler participation, found a 10 percent increase in women’s participation in fishing could provide an additional $1.0 billion in revenue for the sportfishing industry. This means each additional female participant is worth nearly $1,000 in annual revenue for the industry.

“We know through research that recruiting and retaining female anglers is critical to growing fishing and boating participation overall,” said RBFF President and CEO Dave Chanda. “The bottom line is, increasing female fishing participation is also good for business, and the industry stands to benefit greatly from focusing more on this growing audience.”

The research shows an opportunity to focus efforts geographically:

  • Women in the South and Midwest regions both spent around $3.5 billion each (over $7 billion total) on fishing.
  • In the Midwest, female anglers each spent an average of $1,106 annually.
  • In the South, female anglers spent an annual average of $796 per person.

Additional key findings:

  • Despite the strong female angler representation in the Midwest, saltwater fishing has emerged as a driving force behind the financial stimulus female anglers bring to the industry. In 2021, female saltwater anglers spent more per capita than female freshwater anglers ($3.7 billion versus $6.6 billion, respectively).
  • Women spent relatively more on special equipment including vehicles, boats, real estate, and more for saltwater fishing compared to freshwater fishing (35 percent compared to 22 percent, respectively).

RBFF recently launched the research-backed Take Me Fishing “Find Your Best Self on the Water” campaign to help women uncover the life-changing benefits of fishing and boating. Rooted in extensive research, this integrated marketing program aims to create awareness of fishing and boating among diverse new audiences and motivate participation.

For more information on RBFF’s research-backed campaign, visit.

ABOUT RBFF

RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase recreational angling and boating participation, thereby protecting, and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. To help recruit, retain, and reactivate participants, RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ campaign to build awareness of boating, fishing, and conservation and educate people about the benefits of participation.

The campaign websites feature how-to-videos and an interactive state-by-state map that allows visitors to find local boating and fishing spots, helping boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan, and equip for a successful day on the water.

RBFF also offers its industry stakeholders many tools, including a Fishing License & Boat Registration Plugin to connect their customers with the information they need in just one click and an embeddable Places to Fish & Boat Map to help their customers discover places to fish and boat near them.

Marine Industry Association of Central Florida Helps Dealers Thrive with MRAA Membership

MINNEAPOLIS, May 16, 2023 – The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) announces that it has added 15 new Bronze Members because the Board of Directors of the Marine Industry Association of Central Florida (MIACF) approved a new benefit for all MIACF Members that includes a free, 1-year membership to the MRAA.

“The Marine Industry Association of Central Florida, like all the other Marine Trade Associations across the country, and MRAA share the same mission,” said Joe Lewis, MIACF Board Past President and Owner of Mount Dora Boating Center & Marina. “We all exist to provide resources for the benefit of our members. Giving our members an MRAA Bronze Membership is the most cost-effective way for MIACF to provide our members with world-class resources and content, while also helping them grow their businesses. It’s a win-win for all.”


MIACF Members receive access to MRAA’s core benefits, resources and partner programs, providing each business with ample opportunities for growth and improvement. MRAA Bronze Membership includes one free online course from MRAATraining, member-exclusive resources, discounts on MRAA’s annual Dealer Week Conference and Expo, Certification and the Certified Pre-Owned Boat Program. In addition, they gain exclusive access to legislative updates, guidance on common pain points and cost-saving and revenue-generating benefits.

MIACF dealers that joined the MRAA:
  • Aloha Marine
  • Atlantic Marine
  • Beachline Marine
  • Bluepoints Marina
  • Boat Max USA
  • Dealer’s Choice Marine
  • Florida’s Family Marine
  • Gerry’s Marina
  • Liquid Planet Marine
  • PortSide Marine
  • Sonny’s Marine
  • Ultimate Marine of Central Florida
  • Victory Marine
  • Waylen Bay Marine
  • West Orlando Powersports & Marine

The following eight Florida dealerships were already active MRAA Members, so the MIACF applied the value of an MRAA Bronze Membership toward their eventual MRAA Membership renewal.

  • Action Water Sports
  • Boat Tree Marina
  • Boaters Exchange
  • Mount Dora Boating Center & Marina
  • Nautical Ventures Group
  • Regal & Nautique of Orlando
  • Tommy’s Florida
  • VForce Marine

If your MTA is interested in including MRAA Membership for your dealer members, please email MRAA Membership Manager, Sherri Cuvala at sherri@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.