Business News for the Chesapeake & Mid-Atlantic Boating and Fishing Industry: March 2026
- 10 hours ago
- 5 min read
SPF-360's Biz Buzz brings you the Chesapeake buzz about who's making waves, debuting new products, on the move, and more marine business industry news—plus, new places to pick up SpinSheet, PropTalk, and FishTalk.
MAKING WAVES
Top 20
Pocket Yacht Company has been recognized in the Boating Industry Top 100 Dealer Awards for 2025, ranking them among the Top 20 dealers in the country. This recognition reflects excellence across customer experience, operations, marketing, and leadership, and the crew at Pocket Yacht couldn’t be more grateful. “What makes this achievement even more meaningful is the opportunity to represent such incredible American-made products,” the company shared in a press release. “Fluid Motion, the builder of Ranger Tugs, Cutwater Boats, and Solara Boats, continues to be an exceptional partner, producing American-made boats that raise the bar for quality, innovation, and craftsmanship across the industry. Most of all, this award belongs to our customers and owners. Ranger, Cutwater, and Solara owners are truly unlike anyone else in the industry—passionate, loyal, and deeply connected to their boats and the lifestyle that comes with them. Your trust and enthusiasm drive everything we do. A heartfelt thank you to our employees, whose dedication and hard work make achievements like this possible, and to our business partners who support us every step of the way. We’re proud of where we are, grateful for who we work with, and excited for what’s ahead!” pocketyachtco.com
Educator of the Year
The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) Foundation has named Matthew Mardesich at Skagit Valley College in Anacortes, WA, its 2025 Educator of the Year. The annual award honors marine service technology instructors teaching in a high school, post-secondary school or within the industry. Mardesich is co-department chair and an instructor in engines and mechanical systems at Skagit Valley College, a Marine Trades Accreditation Program school. The college’s Marine Maintenance Technology program prepares students for careers in the marine trades with a focus on marine mechanics and marine electrical systems. He is an ABYC certified technician in marine engines and fuel systems. ABYC Foundation accreditation director Sarah Devlin said it is not easy for teachers to receive accolades, and the award is the foundation’s way of recognizing the work instructors do for students and the industry. During the forum, Mardesich accepted the award and said, “I got the best job in the world, working with Mike Beemer, Mike Reece, and the rest of the instructors. We do this because it’s fun and we’ve got a lot of passion for it.” To learn more about the ABYC Foundation’s Educator of the Year award or ABYC programs supporting marine technical education, visit teachboats.org.
70th Anniversary
Formula Boats announces its 70th anniversary in business, growing from a small shop near Miami, FL, to a 600,000-square-foot world headquarters in Decatur, IN. “We have evolved along with the entire fiberglass boat industry, making bold advances in manufacturing and design that made us the premier luxury powerboat builder in the world,” the company shared. “Thunderbird was founded by Woody Woodson in 1956 in the Miami, FL, area, and Richard C. Cole was the original designer. Decisively proving its staying power and stability, an 18-foot Thunderbird made the first successful sterndrive crossing from Miami to Nassau in 1959. Vic Porter began building fiberglass boats in 1958 and went on to play a key role in the growth of several major brands, including Duo, Signa, and eventually Formula.
Formula, founded by Don Aronow in 1962, became famous for its deep-V hull and offshore racing success, a design influence that remains today. After multiple ownership changes, Porter purchased Thunderbird/Formula in 1976, brought the next generation into the business, ended tri-hull production, and refocused the company on Formula’s offshore deep-V legacy. Formula has taken a winding path to where we now are, with a succession of owners and famous names such as Woody Woodson and Don Aronow. Vic and the Porter family have privately owned and guided the company through an evolution of shaping industry trends and ever-changing technology, with the understanding that quality, smart design, engineering and customer satisfaction would be the hallmark of the business. And for 70 years, the customers we serve have responded. Please celebrate with us! Visit our history page (formulaboats.com/about/history) and enjoy a more detailed trip through our past and see how we have become a premier brand, with big plans and hopes for the next seven decades.”
Product Debut
Electric Propulsion Range Expansion
VETUS, a global leader in marine propulsion and onboard systems, announces the all-new E-LINE 22 kW, extending its established E-LINE electric propulsion range. E-LINE motors are designed to deliver an exceptional boating experience, offering the same intuitive control and performance as a traditional combustion engine but with the additional benefits of zero emissions or noise. With the highest output power in the VETUS electric range (22 kW), and a maximum torque of 130 Nm, the E-LINE 22 kW provides powerful, responsive acceleration from the moment you apply the throttle and immediate deceleration when needed. The latest technologies in range management enable boaters to get the most out of the battery bank in any situation, plus the Sailing Assist firmware ensures efficiency, comfortable acceleration, cruising, and emergency stop. The VETUS E-LINE 22 kW is a complete system out-of-the-box, only to be completed with the control lever and cooling system of choice: keel cooling or fresh water. Compact and easy to install, it can be mounted on almost any existing engine foundation. Boaters can upgrade their system at their own pace, enhancing the boating experience any time thanks to the E-LINE modular design architecture. With different options in control levers, shunt, and displays, fully customized configurations tailored to the specific requirements of different boats are possible. The E-Line 22kW is available now for vessels up to 15 m (50 ft) or 20 ton. vetus.com
ON THE MOVE
Expanded Showroom Available for Event Space
BOE Marine announces the opening of its newly expanded boat outfitting showroom. The showroom features upgrades that any boater would love from marine electronics, to lights, to trolling motors. Please drop in to get ideas for your next boat upgrade. The showroom is located on Kent Island at 325 Cleat St, Stevensville, MD. Subscribe to BOE Marine’s Facebook page to get alerted on events throughout the year, including seminars, industry representative presentations, and boating get-togethers.
BOE would like to make its showroom available for any boating related groups, clubs, or fishing tournaments to use for FREE. The showroom features lots of open space for presentations, and both an indoor and outdoor bar for hospitality. It is a really cool space, and BOE would like to make it available to the industry. Please contact jim@boemarine.com to check availability and schedule your event. boemarine.com
New Places To Pick Up SPF-360 Publications:
Larry’s Outdoor Store in Rock Hall, MD
Shady Side Market in Shady Side, MD
Betty's Bar in Chestertown, MD
Larry's Outdoor Store in Rock Hall, MD
West Marine in West Ocean City, MD
Betty's Bar in Chestertown, MD
Larry’s Outdoor Store in Rock Hall, MD
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