September 2026 Business News for the Chesapeake & Mid-Atlantic Recreational Boating and Fishing Industry
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
Perpetual Purpose Trust
In a bold move to preserve a relationship-driven approach to business, rigorous focus on quality, and generous community giving, Eddie Smith, owner of Grady-White Boats, has gifted control of the company to a perpetual purpose trust. In addition, a nonprofit organization will be created that will grant the company’s profits to charities. This perpetual purpose trust, with its affiliated charity organization, is the largest in the U.S. since Patagonia’s in 2022 and a first for the marine industry. Eddie Smith, who was 26 when he bought Grady-White in 1968, grew the company from near bankruptcy to an industry-leading, award-winning premium boat builder. Two years ago, when he contemplated the company’s future, he received offers of more than $400 million to sell. Considering his lifelong dedication to Grady-White and the unique qualities of the company and its people, he turned it down. He couldn’t be sure that any buyer would embrace the company’s way of operating under his long-held values and principles, including profit sharing with employees, commitment to high-quality products, exceptional customer satisfaction, and support for the community. He needed a different solution.
Smith will be gifting control and ownership of the company to the Grady-White Boats Perpetual Purpose Trust and a not-yet-named 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. The 501(c)(4) plans to donate—likely tens of millions of dollars annually—to education, healthcare, conservation, and the community. The purpose trust will oversee the management of the company, maintaining continuity in Greenville, NC; ensuring Eddie Smith’s core values and principles stay in operation; taking care of employees, customers, dealers and the community; and continuing to deliver world-class boats. Grady-White’s executive team will remain in place to lead the company under the new structure. Smith will transition to a non-operational CEO emeritus role, serving as an advisor and brand ambassador. Smith hopes Grady-White’s transition will inspire others to continue the mainstreaming of good company stewardship, company mission lock, and philanthropic giving through purpose trusts. gradywhite.com
Product Debut
New Weather Instrument
Weems & Plath announces that the Endurance Weather Center is the latest addition to its line of time and weather instruments. This elegant, versatile weather station allows users to determine the orientation and layout of three key instruments you need for a safe and successful voyage: clock, barometer, and comfortmeter (a thermometer/hygrometer combination that indicates the optimum conditions in temperature and humidity). The Endurance Weather Center is available in a classic brass finish with a mahogany-finished hardwood plaque or a contemporary chrome finish with a black-finished hardwood plaque. The Endurance Weather Center was designed with flexibility in mind and includes the Endurance collection’s patented Slide-n-Lock mounting system. The innovative mounting plates securely hold the instruments in place without any visible screws while allowing users to easily rearrange the instruments at any time by simply sliding them off their mounts. Further enhancing its versatility, pre-drilled holes in the hardwood plaque allow the mounting plates to be rotated 90 degrees, giving users the option to display the instruments horizontally or vertically. As with all instruments in the Endurance collection, the clock, barometer, and comfortmeter feature a maintenance-free finish that is guaranteed to never pit, peel, or tarnish for long-lasting elegance. The instruments are also backed by Weems & Plath’s Limited Lifetime Warranty. Measuring 14.5” L x 4.75” W x 2.75” D, the Endurance Weather Center has an MSRP of $824.99 and can be purchased from your favorite marine retailers. For more information, please visit weems-plath.com/endurance-weather-center-brass-mahogany.
Next Generation
The new EP Carry Gen2 Custom Motor Series allows small boat owners to optimize their motor installation to fit their specific type of boat and the uses they intend for it. EP Carry Gen2 is the most customizable and user-friendly outboard on the market. The same lightweight, patented design that made their original outboards so popular, is now available with improved performance, added features and custom solutions that make electric cruising easier and more fun. The Custom Series platform offers 60 combinations of mount, tiller, and shaft options. Plus, only EP Carry is compatible with hundreds of open-source battery and charger options. The Custom Series is intended to provide a motor that perfectly fits literally any small boat application, and for a fraction of the price and weight of other electrics. Customers simply choose the combination of modules that fits the needs of their boat/application. All components are shipped directly to the consumer, including tools. Assembly takes 30 minutes or less for most people. For owners with multiple boats different mounting solutions can be applied and equipment can be easily shifted between boats so one motor can serve two purposes. Boaters with specific requirements now have a fully customized propulsion system that is optimized for their vessel. If needs change, all modules are fully swappable. EP Carry Gen2 is now shipping; the Standard Series is available factory direct as a motor-only package starting at $1489. Custom Motor Series start at $1285. This makes EP Carry Gen2 more affordable and versatile than ever. electricpaddle.com
On the Move
Executive VP
Suzuki Marine USA has promoted company veteran Brandon Cerka to the leadership role of executive vice president of sales, marketing, and service. In this new role, Cerka will report directly to Suzuki Marine USA president Daiki Sugiura and will be supported by George “Gus” Blakely, who will remain in an advisory role. Although the title and the specific role may be new, Cerka will continue building on his proven track record—driving sales growth, expanding market share, strengthening dealer and boatbuilder partnerships nationwide, enhancing the customer experience through improved service, and positioning Suzuki Marine as the easiest outboard company to do business with. Cerka has been with Suzuki Marine in many roles since 2012. Over the past few years, Cerka has been instrumental in all aspects of Suzuki Marine’s operations, successfully “steering the ship” through challenging economic times. Today, Suzuki Marine is stronger than it has ever been, in terms of dealer network, boatbuilder partners, market share, and brand reputation. “Brandon’s leadership has helped our company maintain steady growth during tough times. He has also proven himself to be a bold thinker not afraid of trying new ways to make our company even better,” said Suzuki Marine USA president Daiki Sugiura. “Our entire organization is confident Brandon is the right leader to take us into that future,” added Sugiura. suzukimarine.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
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