YARMOUTH, Maine – DeLorme's inReac 2-Way Satellite Communicator has received a coveted National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award for Consumer Electronics. The award was presented at the 2012 Miami International Boat Show earlier this month. The Innovation Awards, organized by NMMA and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI), recognize products that best meet the following criteria: innovative distinction from other products currently being manufactured; benefit to the marine industry and/or consumer; practicality; and cost-effectiveness.  Read Full Story

COLUMBIA, SC – Berkley recognized the Wounded Warriors with a raffle for Berkley Pro jerseys in the Berkley Booth during the Classic Expo. All proceeds gathered during the Classic Expo raffle were donated to the Wounded Warriors on the final day of the Classic. Classic attendees raised $2,050 during the raffle, and Berkley matched the donations for the Wounded Warriors. The final amount raised by Classic Expo attendees and Berkley was $4,100. Berkley selected one Wounded Warrior that received an all-expenses paid trip to the Classic in Shreveport.  Cpl. Justin Gaertner, an avid bass fisherman, was recognized and awarded the trip along with a complete fishing package to help him reclaim his time on the water.  Read Full Story

GREENVILLE, SC – ShoreMaster Fabric has built its reputation on designing and manufacturing a vast array of high-quality, long-lasting marine products.  It now offers WeatherMax from Safety Components as a premier fabric choice for all of its aftermarket boat covers and boatlift canopies. With an extensive library of patterns, ShoreMaster Fabric produces exact-fit custom covers for more than 100 boat brands.  Semi-custom versions are available for all major hull types.  Its CoverTuff boatlift canopy covers are tailored specifically for the frames of each boat hoist canopy brand and model.  Read Full Story

Our teacher asked what my favorite animal was, and I said, "Fried chicken." She said I wasn't funny, but she couldn't have been right, because everyone else laughed. My parents told me to always tell the truth. I did. Fried chicken is my favorite animal. I told my dad what happened, and he said my teacher was probably a member of PETA. He said they love animals very much. I do, too. Especially chicken, pork and beef. Anyway, my teacher sent me to the principal's office.  Read Full Story

MIAMI, FL – Honda Marine announced last week at the Miami International Boat Show it planned to introduce a Honda branded electronic shift and throttle system for its popular V6 outboard engines. The new Honda in-cowl system will provide shift and throttle actuation within the current outboard cowling envelope for ease of use and an integrated design.  Read Full Story

TULSA, OK – Not too far from historic Lincoln, N.M., of Billy The Kid fame, and well after the outlaw's demise, for many years there was a small roadside bar with a path behind it that led to a grave marker. On the marker was the inscription, "This is one of the few places where Billy The Kid is not buried." It's only a relative point because the 2012 Bassmaster Classic being held this week in the Shreveport, La. area just might present a similar scenario as to how something not necessarily in the center of the spotlight will still benefit from its shine. Today's hottest thing in bass fishing is a castable umbrella rig, a multi-armed contraption that resembles the wireframe of an umbrella and makes it possible to present several lures at the same time to look like a real school of baitfish. It's an adaption from what anglers chasing striped bass have trolled with for years.  Read Full Story

CHAMBERSBURG, PA – Catfish are beautiful. Or if not exactly beautiful, then at least maybe we can agree on adjectives like distinguished, pleasingly plump and vaguely cartoonish—like big swimming caricatures of themselves. Cats are unexpectedly bright, too, like running into a bar-bouncer and finding out he possesses a genius IQ.  Read Full Story

FLIPPIN, AR – Measuring 17 feet, 6 inches and rated for 115 horsepower, the all-new Ranger Z117 is available with a wide range of precision-matched outboards and delivers the advanced fishability and best-in-class heritage of the Ranger Z Series for under $30,000. In addition to the low price tag, show-stopping great looks and Ranger’s well-known resale values, this boat and matching single-axle trailer can be easily towed with compact trucks and SUVs and will fit into most garages. Plus, the popular 115-horsepower designation consumes less fuel and oil – making the Ranger Z117 accessible to anglers who would otherwise be forced to purchase used boats or boats that lack Ranger’s reputation for quality and fishability.  Read Full Story

MIAMI – Fifteen marine products were honored Thursday for innovative achievement by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) at the 71st annual Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail. Thirteen companies took home the prestigious boating industry 2012 Innovation Award and two the Honorable Mention during NMMA’s State of the Recreational Boating Industry Breakfast, held this morning at the Miami Beach Convention Center.  Read Full Story