Registration is now open for this year’s Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) regional workshops. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Workshop will be held Sept. 11–12, 2026, at Charlton’s Marine Canvas in Yorktown, Va., and Signature CanvasMakers LLC in Hampton, Va. The Northwest Regional Workshop will run Oct. 16–17, 2026, at Little House of Canvas in Everett, Wash. “We’re [...]

Utah boaters now have access to the state’s only free approved boating course, launched by the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water.   Approved by the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, the course meets state boating requirements. In Utah, boaters between the ages of 12 and 17 are mandated to pass an approved boating safety course to operate personal watercraft. In addition, all boaters are required [...]

The Conference Board publishes the Consumer Confidence Index® every month. The survey period for this month’s preliminary results was April 1–22, during which consumer confidence increased by 0.6 points to 92.2 — from March’s upwardly revised reading of 92.2. The Present Situation Index — which is based on how consumers feel about current business and labor market conditions [...]

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) released its Monthly Recreational Boating Industry Data Summary, reflecting data through January 2026. On a rolling 12-month basis (February 2025–January 2026), new powerboat retail unit sales declined 9 percent year-over-year to 214,832 units. Across segments, performance remained mixed but generally down. Freshwater fishing boats declined by 1.7 percent and personal [...]

In 2025, U.S. outboard engine sales totaled 267,000 units, a 3.9 percent decline year-over-year. This data comes from the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s (NMMA) annual Outboard Engine Sales Trends report, part of the 2025 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract. NMMA said that despite softer unit demand, the market remained stable overall, supported by resilient pricing and [...]

On April 13, the federal government pushed back the start of reporting relating to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) substances to begin on Jan. 31, 2027—or 60 days following the effective date of a forthcoming final rule, whichever is earlier. "A finalized start date for this rule gives companies clear direction and accountability," the EPA said in [...]