August 2026 Business News for the Chesapeake & Mid-Atlantic Recreational Boating and Fishing Industry
- Aug 4
- 4 min read
SPF-360's Biz Buzz brings you the Chesapeake buzz: the boating and fishing industry news covering who's earning awards, making waves, debuting new products, on the move, and more—plus, new places to pick up SpinSheet, PropTalk, and FishTalk.
Making Waves
Launch
PowerTime Annapolis has announced the launch of a new premium boating membership program featuring the Nimbus T8 and Aquador 250 HT, two Scandinavian-designed cruising boats that bring a new level of comfort and versatility to the local boat club market. Unlike many boat clubs that focus primarily on day-boating experiences aboard center consoles and bowriders, the new PowerTime Club Membership is designed around cruising, entertaining, and even overnight adventures on the Bay. “The concept is simple,” says Todd Hess, president and CEO of SailTime Group and PowerTime. “We wanted to create a boating membership that feels more like boat ownership. Members can spend the day exploring the Chesapeake, enjoy waterfront dining, and even spend the night aboard. That's a completely different experience than what most people think of when they hear the term ‘boat club.’” The centerpieces of the new program are the Nimbus T8, designed for day trips and watersports, and the Aquador 250 HT. According to Hess, the Aquador's overnight capability is one of the program's most exciting features.
Another feature that distinguishes the new club model is its focus on education and confidence-building. Every member receives comprehensive boat handling instruction and earns an American Boating certification as part of the onboarding process. The goal is to make boating more accessible to newcomers while helping experienced boaters develop the skills needed to safely enjoy larger cruising vessels.What makes the Annapolis launch unique is the emphasis on premium cruising boats and ownership-style experiences. “People don't just want access to a boat,” says Hess. “They want access to the Chesapeake Bay lifestyle. They want to explore waterfront towns, anchor in quiet coves, entertain friends, and create memories with their families. That's what this new program is designed to deliver.” The new PowerTime Annapolis Club Membership is expected to begin accepting members this season, with memberships starting at $395 per month and a one-time joining fee of $1000. powertimeboating.com
On the Move
Welcome to the Team
Riverside Marine welcomes two new members to its sales team: Zak Romanek and Max Rudow.
Zak grew up on the Eastern Shore and has lived on the water all his life. He has been a part of the marine industry for the past five years before joining the team. When he is not working, he likes to golf, play sports, and smoke a mean brisket. Zak is looking forward to growing with the Riverside Family, connecting with its customers, and most importantly, spending even more time on the water.
Max is a recent graduate from the University of Utah after growing up on the South River. He previously worked as a mate on the Chesapeake Bay, fishing and commercially crabbing for a few years. When he is not working, he enjoys fishing and hunting in his free time. He is looking forward to building connections in the boating industry so he doesn't have to spend too much time on land. Riverside Marine is very excited to have both Zak and Max join the team!
The company also announces the retirement of Captain Mark. For over nine years, Mark has been an important part of the Riverside family, completing hundreds of boat deliveries and sharing a wealth of knowledge with not only its customers, but with the entire team as well. From helping new boaters gain confidence on the Chesapeake Bay to making every delivery day experience fun and memorable, Mark has truly made an impact on so many people over the years. Riverside Marine is incredibly thankful for all of his hard work, dedication, and friendship throughout the years and asks you to join them in wishing Captain Mark nothing but the best as he begins this exciting new chapter of retirement. He will definitely be missed around Riverside! riversideboats.com
New Executive Officer
American Sailing (ASA) has appointed David E. Taylor as chief executive officer of American Sailing and its affiliated platforms—North U, American Sailing Vacations, and American Boating—bringing to the role a career executive with more than 30 years of experience scaling organizations, including education and training, certifications, and memberships, and who is, by his own account, a product of ASA’s own instruction. American Sailing is the world's most respected sailing education authority, having certified over 600,000 individuals through its 400+ affiliated schools and 15 curriculum levels spanning all skill levels from first-time sailors to offshore passagemakers. Over the past five years, the organization has expanded deliberately beyond its core: acquiring North U to bring racing education into the American Sailing portfolio, launching American Boating to serve the powerboating community with safe boating curriculum, and developing Vacations by American Sailing to offer hands-on cruising and learning experiences worldwide. “I consider this opportunity the pinnacle of my career,” said Taylor. “American Sailing changed how I think about sailing—and about what structured education can do for someone who believes they already know enough. My mission is to protect what this organization has built, the foundation, the standards, and the educational system, extend it to the next generation of sailors, and make sure every affiliated sailing school has what it needs to grow.” Taylor holds five ASA certifications, an International Proficiency Certificate, and a U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License. He began his journey with American Sailing in 2019 as a student, arriving, as he describes it, confident in what he knew and quickly discovering the gaps that formal instruction reveals. He has since logged thousands of miles and spends his time aboard his Beneteau 41, Marley, sailing in his home waters of the Chesapeake Bay and beyond. americansailing.com
New Places To Pick Up SPF-360 Publications:
Food Lion in Stevensville, MD
Safeway in Chester, MD
City of Lewes Marina, in Lewes, DE
Food Lion in Stevensville, MD
Safeway in Chester, MD
The Tackle Shop at The Yards in Washington, DC
City of Lewes Marina in Lewes, DE
Safeway in Chester, MD
If you'd like to advertise in one of our publications and submit business news for Biz Buzz, please contact us. We'd love to hear from you.
Comments