June 2026 Business News for the Chesapeake & Mid-Atlantic Boating and Fishing Industry
- Jun 5
- 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.
Having Fun
MTAM Cookout
The Marine Trades Association of Maryland hosted its annual cookout June 6 under the pavilion at Safe Harbor Port Annapolis Marina. Special thanks to event sponsors Donovan Marine, MAD Soaps, MESCO, West Marine Pro, and Wye River Insurance. Thanks also to the board members who contributed in-kind, HUB International, Safe Harbor Port Annapolis, Upper Bay Boating, and Yacht Brokers of Annapolis. With live music by Reagan Kent, good weather, and food hot off the grill, the crew who attended enjoyed a relaxed evening with Maryland’s marine trades community.
Making Waves
Partnership
Suzuki Marine has partnered with Fuel 1 to provide an opportunity for its dealer network to offer certified Sustainable Marine Fuels to its customers right from their facilities. By teaming up with Fuel 1, a national retailer of advanced fuel delivery and portable fueling systems, Suzuki Marine is helping its dealers better serve their communities by meeting an important consumer need, maximizing the performance and reliability of their customers’ boats, and supporting sustainability goals important to Suzuki Marine and the entire recreational boating industry. This partnership provides dealers with important advantages, such as the ability to deploy a fully supported fueling ecosystem with zero capital investment. Fuel 1 will provide free Micro-Station Deployment; fully branded portable fueling stations installed at participating dealer locations. In addition to direct fueling solutions, portable distribution systems including 20-gallon exchange pods and tote programs make it easy for customers to fuel their boats with PurFuels’ 93-octane, ethanol-free fuel that has been developed specifically for marine operating conditions.
“Making sustainable marine fuels more accessible in different areas of the country is a great win for our dealers and customers alike,” said Brandon Cerka, Suzuki Marine vice president of sales and marketing. “This partnership is also a major step in the company’s ongoing effort to reduce the environmental footprint of boating. We have long supported the industry’s efforts to educate the boating public about these cleaner burning, more sustainable fuels. Now, we are stepping up to the plate to help get this fuel to more boaters, using their trusted Suzuki Marine dealers as the source,” added Cerka. suzukimarine.com
Authorized Dealer
Apex Marine Service, located in Herrington Harbour North in Tracys Landing, MD, announced that it became an authorized Volvo Penta dealer in late March. The company now carries the full line of Volvo Penta products, specializing in diesel and IPS systems. Additionally, owner and lead technician Aaron Bradley recently completed Seakeeper Master Technician training. Both milestones reflect Apex Marine's continued commitment to better serving the community's boating needs. apexmarineservice.com
Partnership
ACY Yachts, one of the largest Dufour dealers in the world, announces a strategic collaboration with SailTime to introduce Dufour sailboats into SailTime’s expanding North American fleet. This partnership reflects ACY Yachts’ continued commitment to growing access to premium sailing experiences while supporting innovative ownership and membership models. Through this collaboration, select Dufour models will be integrated into SailTime’s professionally managed programs across its expanding network of bases. As SailTime accelerates its North American growth, ACY Yachts will serve as a key supply partner, delivering Dufour’s performance-driven cruising sailboats to meet increasing demand for high-quality, versatile sailing platforms.
The collaboration strengthens both organizations’ ability to provide sailors and owners with access to modern, well-equipped yachts supported by experienced operational teams. Dufour yachts have experienced sustained international success, particularly throughout Europe and North America, recognized for their structural integrity, intelligent layouts, and refined sailing performance. Their ease of handling and modern design make them ideally suited for shared-use programs while maintaining the elevated experience today’s sailors expect. This collaboration also reinforces ACY Yachts’ broader strategy of expanding distribution channels and supporting flexible ownership solutions. With extensive expertise in both retail yacht sales and charter-focused management through its Business Yacht Ownership program, ACY Yachts brings decades of operational insight to the partnership. Through this initiative, both organizations maintain their commitment to operational excellence, safety, and client satisfaction—ensuring owners and members alike benefit from respected global yacht; builders supported by professional management. atlantic-cruising.com; sailtime.com
New Places To Pick Up SPF-360 Publications:
Bay Boatworks, LLC in North East, MD
The North East Market in North East, MD
Anchor Marina in North East, MD
Bay Boatworks, LLC in North East, MD
Chessie Marine in Elkton, MD
The North East Market in North East, MD
Anchor Marina in North East, MD
Chessie Marine in Elkton, MD
Pusser’s Landing Restaurant in Baltimore, MD
Three B’s Bakery and Grill in Pasadena, MD
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