Business News for the Chesapeake & Mid-Atlantic Boating and Fishing Industry
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
SPF-360's Biz Buzz brings you the Chesapeake buzz about who's earning awards, making waves, debuting new products, on the move, and more marine business industry news—plus, new places to pick up SpinSheet, PropTalk, and FishTalk.
April 2026 Edition
Making Waves
Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) recently announced a multi-year partnership with Boston Whaler as the Official Powerboat of Wednesday Night Racing. Spend one Wednesday evening watching the start of a race and you'll see numerous Whalers in the spectator fleet, many flying the club's burgee. At any given time, you'll see members on their Boston Whalers tying up at AYC’s docks to bring friends and family ashore to enjoy the club's amenities. Over the years they have been an integral part of AYC’s Junior Program supporting numerous summer program classes and the busy practice schedule for Optis and 420s. In addition to other club assets, AYC’s 19-foot Boston Whalers have joined the race committee for weekend regattas and signature events as well as supporting the Harbor 20 course on Wednesday nights. One of the club's Whalers has become the workhorse of the dockmaster’s office, including the staff's support for race committee, summer mooring tender service, and the oyster recovery program. Beginning this spring with the start of the 2026 AYC Wednesday Night Race Series, you'll see the team from Boston Whaler's Chesapeake Whalertowne in the starting area in support of AYC’s legacy of yacht racing at the club. whalertowne.com; annapolisyc.com
NEW PRODUCT
Mustang Survival announces the launch of the new men’s waterproof Taku jacket and bib. Designed for saltwater anglers, marine professionals, fishing guides, and cruisers, the updated Taku collection is built for inshore and coastal environments. Made of Mustang Survival’s signature Marine Spec SP 3-layer fabric to withstand saltwater, spray, fish guts, oil, rain, and long days on the water, the Taku jacket and bib deliver durable protection that keeps wearers dry and comfortable in cold, wet conditions year-round. The redesigned Taku kit incorporates functional updates informed by active users. The jacket features improved hood articulation and a refined collar fit for better comfort and visibility in sustained wet weather, along with extended neoprene gaskets and adjustable split over-cuffs to help prevent water ingress without restricting movement. Updates to the bib include handwarmer chest pockets, durable two-way YKK Aquaguard zippers for ease of use and ventilation, and removable knee pads that provide added comfort and protection during long days on the water. mustangsurvival.com
ON THE MOVE
Argo Navigation announced its acquisition of SpotOn Fishing, a fishing-focused app known for its industry-leading map detail and advanced weather visualization. The move expands Argo’s mapping capabilities, giving users access to high-resolution bathymetry, detailed 3D structure views, and advanced weather overlays, including radar, lightning strikes, wind, currents, and sea surface temperatures. Together, these tools help boaters and anglers better understand on-water conditions and make more informed decisions before and during a trip. SpotOn Fishing has built inshore, offshore, and freshwater maps using highly accurate bathymetric data that reveals underwater structure with exceptional clarity. Its advanced weather layers add real-time and frequently updated data directly to the map, allowing users to visualize changing conditions such as storms, wind shifts, currents, and temperature patterns without switching between tools or apps.
“This acquisition is about giving boaters a clearer picture of what’s happening above and below the water. By combining SpotOn’s exceptional map detail and weather visualization with Argo’s intelligent routing, we’re helping users make better decisions—before they leave the dock and while they’re underway,” said Jeff Foulk, Founder of Argo Navigation. Additionally, Argo will bring its industry-leading autorouting technology to SpotOn Fishing. Argo’s routing delivers fast, accurate routes based on vessel draft, height, and navigational constraints. The result will be a smarter, safer navigation experience for SpotOn users heading to their fishing destinations. SpotOn Fishing will continue to operate as a standalone app as its mapping and weather capabilities are integrated into the Argo platform, while Argo’s industry-leading autorouting technology is introduced within SpotOn. Over the coming months, users across both platforms will gain access to expanded features—including detailed bathymetry, relief shading, weather layers, community routes, enhanced chat tools, and advanced autorouting—delivering a smarter, more connected navigation experience for boaters everywhere. argonav.io
New Places To Pick Up SPF-360 Publications:
Barnes and Noble in Annapolis, MD
Pusser’s Landing Restaurant in Baltimore, MD
Betty's Bar in Chestertown, MD
Gott Auto Body in Annapolis, MD
Back Bay Anglers Club in Virginia Beach, VA
Gott Auto Body in Annapolis, MD
Tidewater Anglers Club in Virginia Beach, VA
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