Bass Pro to Acquire Ranger Boats, Stratos and Triton

 Iconic boat brands to come under same ownership

Bass Pro Group announced today an agreement to acquire Fishing Holdings, LLC, a manufacturer of fishing boats that include Ranger Boats and the Stratos and Triton boat brands from Platinum Equity.

The agreement combines popular fishing boat brands that are recognized internationally. It also creates another connection between two industry leaders, Bass Pro Shops founder/CEO Johnny Morris and Ranger Boats founder Forrest Wood, who are dedicated fishermen, conservationists and entrepreneurs. Years ago the iconic outdoorsmen both began fishing on the White River and White River Chain of Lakes in the Ozarks and even fished together in the first National BASS Tournaments.

“This partnership brings added long-term stability for both companies and for the dealer networks that provide customers with quality boats at exceptional values,” said Morris, who also is founder/CEO of Tracker Marine Group. “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Forrest Wood many years, and I deeply respect him and his family that founded and built a solid performing business with excellent products.”

Morris added that: “It’s also important that our companies share comparable cultures and values and are dedicated to manufacturing quality products in the USA.”

Following the closing of the transaction, Fishing Holdings will continue operating independently under its existing management at its headquarters in Flippin, Ark., located a two-hour drive from Bass Pro Shops headquarters in Springfield.

“We are impressed with the company’s leadership team and performance and look forward to welcoming them to the Bass Pro Shops family,” said Morris.

“We are fortunate to partner with Bass Pro Group, which understands the industry and our brands,” said Fishing Holdings President Randy Hopper. “This new alliance will provide synergies that will strengthen our independent dealer base and ensure our continued focus on fishing.”

Having grown the business since its origins, Wood also praised the transaction. “I’m excited for Ranger and the team at Fishing Holdings,” he said. “Johnny’s organization is deeply rooted in fishing and dedicated to conservation. He’s made a huge contribution to our sport, and I believe this is a real opportunity to better serve so many dealers and loyal customers around the country.”

Both Morris and Wood have for many years generously donated their time and financial resources to support conservation efforts that help ensure a future for fishing by future generations.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Financial terms of the transaction were not publicly disclosed.

About Bass Pro Shops®
Bass Pro Shops®, which specializes in outdoor fun, operates 90 retail stores and Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada that are visited by more than 120 million people every year. Bass Pro Shops stores, many of which feature restaurants, offer hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor gear while their catalogs and website serve shoppers throughout the world. The company’s Tracker Marine Group® (http://www.trackermarine.com/), a leading brand of fishing boats for more than 36 years, manufactures and sells a variety of boats for fishing and cruising. Family fun is on tap at Bass Pro Shops resort Big Cedar Lodge® (http://www.bigcedar.com/) voted number six by Travel + Leisure Magazine as World's Best Hotels for Families. For more information, visit http://www.basspro.com/. To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bassproshops.

About Fishing Holdings, LLC
Fishing Holdings LLC, headquartered in Flippin, Ark., is a leading manufacturer of fiberglass and aluminum fishing boats, including the legendary Ranger Boats brand, as well as the Stratos and Triton boat brands. More details, product information and specific offerings can be found by visiting www.rangerboats.com, www.stratosboats.com and www.tritonboats.com.

Yamaha Marine Recognized Again for Excellence in Customer Satisfaction

NMMA's CSI Award is thirteenth consecutive for Yamaha Marine 

 

Yamaha Marine Group announced today that the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA^®) has again recognized Yamaha with a CSI Award for excellence in customer satisfaction in the Outboard Engine category. This year’s award is the thirteenth consecutive, an achievement no other outboard manufacturer can claim. 

 

“Customer satisfaction is the result of great teamwork,” said Ben Speciale, President, Yamaha Marine Group. “The CSI Award is a great honor for Yamaha and we share this recognition with our boat builders and dealers and thank them for their diligence in keeping our customers consistently satisfied.” 

 

NMMA^® launched its Marine Industry CSI Award Program in 2001 to provide boat and engine manufacturers with an independently measured, cost-effective tool to help improve customer satisfaction in the boating industry. The program allows participating manufacturer companies to monitor customer satisfaction on an ongoing basis and to create benchmarks in the industry.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA^®) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA^® member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters in the United States. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy, market research and data, product quality assurance and marketing communications.

Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Group, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.

 

Boaters Need Safe Fuels

EPA Punts on Renewable Fuel Standard

WASHINGTON, DC, November 21, 2014 – Ensuring a safe fuel supply for America’s 12 million registered boat owners may have to wait, said Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that the agency will further delay the final rule on how much ethanol refiners must blend into the nation’s gasoline supply under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). After almost a year of review, the 2014 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs), which dictate ethanol levels, are now not set to be released until 2015.

BoatUS testified before the EPA on the proposed rule in November of 2013, which for the first time would have lowered the amount of mandated ethanol in gasoline and aligned the law with current gasoline usage. BoatUS supported this move that would have held gasoline/ethanol blends to a safe level for boats and small engines. Currently there is not a single marine engine warrantied to run on any fuel containing over 10% ethanol and this fuel is not authorized for use in recreational vessels. However, the national boat owners group has concerns over misfueling and poor pump labeling. Many boat owners trailer their vessels and refuel at roadside gas stations, filling up both the tow vehicle and boat at the same time.

“There is solid scientific data that supports levels of ethanol in gasoline over 10% damage marine engines,” said BoatUS Government Affairs Program Manager Nicole Palya Wood. “The EPA’s failure to efficiently administer this program, utilize its waiver authority and set standards that provide protections for consumers sends a clear message that congress must act now to reform the RFS. We were hoping the EPA would utilize their waiver authority to ease the pressure on the nation’s fuel supply with regard to ethanol. Now, with their failure to act, it’s even more critical we work for a Congressional legislative fix which would bring the investment in safer, more compatible renewable fuels, which was what the RFS originally intended,” added Wood.

The refiners and obligated parties under the RFS will be held to comply with 2013 mandates until the EPA issues the final rule in 2015. Today’s announcement comes on the eve of the 90-day comment period expiration for the final rule.

A Federal Register Notice by the EPA can be found at http://goo.gl/MwqSbx. A BoatUS issue brief on the RFS can be found at http://goo.gl/0HFfRo.

Take the Boat Winterizing Quiz

 True or False?

You’re putting the boat away for winter. So what half-truth, wive’s tale or tall story have you heard about winterizing a recreational boat? Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) helps to set the record straight.

Ethanol (E10) fuel and engines: If a boat has a built-in gas tank, it’s recommended to leave the tank as full as possible over the winter with a smidgen of room for fuel expansion.

TRUE: Leaving the tank nearly full limits the amount of moisture that can potentially condense inside on the tank’s walls as outside temperatures fluctuate, preventing phase separation of ethanol (E10) fuel. Note one caveat: If your boat is stored in a rack system or indoor storage, check with the marina. They may require you to empty the tank to minimize the risk of fire. TIP: Never plug a fuel vent. Ever.

Ethanol and phase separation: Come springtime, any phase-separated gasoline in the tank can be fixed by adding a fuel stabilizer or additive.

FALSE: Once gasoline phase separates, that’s it. Kaput. End of story. The only solution is to have a pro remove the contaminated fuel and water mixture and start anew -- a difficult, hazardous and costly task for boats with built-in fuel tanks. However, it’s critical to use a fuel stabilizer each fall to help keep fuel fresh over the winter, keep corrosion at bay and to help prevent the onset of phase separation. TIP: Put the stabilizer in before you nearly fill the tank for its long winter nap. This will allow stabilizer to fully course through the fuel system as you run the engine when filling with anti-freeze.

Freeze damage: Because it’s cold up there, BoatUS insurance claims for engine block freezing come from northern climates.

FALSE: While there are quite a few claims from the colder climates, many boat insurance freeze damage claims also come from southern, temperate states hit by an unexpected freeze or when space heaters fail due to sudden storm power loss. In the northern climes, storm power outages also are to blame for engine block freeze related claims, however, both areas of the country have their fair share of winter freeze claims due to one reason: the failure to follow winterizing procedures. TIP: Don’t let your buddy do the job – it’s a common refrain BoatUS claims staff hears every spring after a cracked block is discovered. Having your marina winterize your boat and systems may offer better protection if there is an issue come springtime. Another option is adding ice and freeze insurance to your boat insurance – most insurers do not charge much for it, but there are deadlines to purchase (BoatUS offers it for as little as $25 to its insured members until October 30).

Space Heaters: It’s okay to “winterize” the boat by leaving a space heater running onboard.

FALSE: In addition to the sudden power outage problem, every winter BoatUS sees fires from heaters, plugs and cords, and from heaters that were left running on unattended boats. Unless you live in Hawaii or the Florida Keys, BoatUS recommends winterizing your engine if you will be laying up the boat for even a few weeks to lessen the chances of sudden freeze damage. TIP: Save time and make winterizing easier by installing an engine flushing system -- typically a simple valve with a connection for a garden hose along with an anti-freeze pick-up hose/strainer -- on your engine.

This boat was “winterized” by placing a space heater in the engine room. While afloat in the slip, it caught fire when the extension cord used to power the heater shorted.

Life Jacket Type Code Labels Go Away

Step Toward Eliminating Confusion and Introduction of New Designs

In a move that’s expected to benefit recreational boaters, on Oct. 22 the US Coast Guard will drop the current life jacket type code scheme  -- Type I, II, III, IV and V -- that has been used for years to label and differentiate the types of life jackets and their specific use. Chris Edmonston, BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety President and Chairman of the National Safe Boating Council, said, “The boating safety community believes this move by the Coast Guard will help lead the way toward more comfortable and innovative life jacket designs, help boaters stay on the right side of the law, lower costs, and save lives.”

 

Explains Edmonston, “This is positive news is that we will no longer see a Type I, II, III, IV or V label on a new life jacket label after Oct. 22. This type coding was unique to the United States, tended to confuse boaters, limited choice and increased the cost of life jackets.” He says removing the type coding is a first step towards the adoption of new standards that will eventually simplify life jacket requirements for recreational boaters.

“This move is expected to lead to the introduction of new life jacket designs, especially those made in other countries as US standards will be more ‘harmonized,’ initially Canada and eventually the European Union,” said Edmonston. “Along with a wider variety, aligning our standards with those to our neighbor to the north and across the Atlantic will help reduce prices as manufacturers won’t have to make products unique to the US market.”

However, Edmonston cautions boaters must still abide by the current standards when using older life jackets marked with the Type I-V labeling, as they will remain legal for use. “We must continue to have a properly fitted life jacket for all aboard, and as always, you’ll need to follow the label’s instructions regardless of when it was made. Simply put, if you follow the label, you’re following the law.” A full list of the current life jacket types and descriptions can be found at BoatUS.org/life-jackets, and any update on new life jacket types and styles will be posted here when available.

In additional effort to help change the mindset of what a life jacket must look like, The BoatUS Foundation, the Personal Floatation Device Manufacturers Association (PFDMA) and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), recently kicked off a “Innovations in Life Jacket Design Competition” to seek out the newest technologies and design ideas. Running through April 15, 2015, the contest seeks entries from groups or individuals, including collegiate design programs, armchair inventors or even boat and fishing clubs. Entries may be as simple as hand-drawn theoretical designs to working prototypes and will be judged based on four criteria: wearability, reliability, cost and innovation. For more, go to BoatUS.org/design.

Increase in Ship Strikes of Large Whale in the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia Area Poses Safety Concerns

DEC Urges Marine Boaters to Reduce Speeds

 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) alerts marine boaters about the recent increase in ship strikes of large whale in the mid-Atlantic region and urges extreme caution in nearshore waters, including using slower vessel speeds at this time.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (NOAA-Fisheries) issued an alert to marine boaters due to three recent ship strikes along the eastern seaboard," said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. "This is a higher number of collisions than expected for this time of year. It's unknown why this is happening but is likely that whales are following their prey into nearshore waters at this time, putting them in the path of vessels and mariners should be aware and proceed with caution while out on these waters."

North Atlantic right, humpback, fin (or finback), blue, sperm, sei and minke whales all use New York's waters as a part of their migratory pathway and may be sighted during at least part of the year. Fin, humpbacks, minkes and right whales are the whales most likely to be seen in New York waters.

All of these species, with the exception of the minke, are designated as endangered species by both state and federal governments. Protection of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale is of particular concern. The loss of even one right whale may have a significant negative impact on the population. The presence of these and other species of whales in the New York Bight, an area which has some of the heaviest ship traffic in the world, makes potential vessel strikes one of the biggest threats to these animals while in this area.

Since 2008, NOAA-Fisheries placed speed restrictions which reduce the likelihood of vessel collisions with whales. During certain times of year and in certain areas, vessels 65 feet or greater in length must travel at speeds of 10 knots or less when they are within 20 nautical miles of a major port. The NOAA uses voluntary speed reductions to protect whales in areas where three or more right whales are sighted.

Given the recent increase in whales in the nearshore area, the DEC recommends reduced speeds for vessels of all sizes, particularly if a whale is sighted nearby. DEC also requests that mariners report whale sightings. In the Northeast (Virginia to Maine), sightings of whales, including ship strikes, should be reported to NOAA at 866-755-NOAA or to the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Ch. 16. Whales stranded on New York beaches should be reported to the Riverhead Foundation, New York's designated marine mammal stranding response organization, at their 24 hour hotline 631-369-9840.

For more information contact DEC's Bureau of Marine Resources, Marine Endangered Species at 631-444-0462 or visit NOAA's website .
 

PA Fish and Boat Commission Advises Boaters not to Exceed Their Skill Level

Eight people have died in recreational boating incidents this year. Several occurred in high water following heavy rain events and some victims were not wearing life jackets. High water combined with not wearing life jackets is a recipe for disaster for boaters who underestimate the power of water. Disaster can also occur when boaters think they can handle moving water levels way above their paddling skill level. If a recent rain has occurred, or the water is higher than normal, honestly evaluate your skill level and make intelligent decisions to avoid getting in over your head.

Sudden immersion is one of the main reasons people drown. Even though it’s summertime, anytime a person is unexpectedly plunged into cool or cold water below 70ºF, the body’s first response is usually an involuntary gasp. This is something no one can control and ruins the ability to swim because the person hyperventilates. Not wearing a life jacket in this situation greatly reduces the chances of survival since a victim may inhale while under water and drown.

Water survival safety tips include:

• Always wear a life jacket.
• Never boat alone.
• Always check the weather and real-time river forecasts for potential high water.
• Leave a float plan with a responsible person and know the waters you plan to boat.
• Bring a fully-charged cell phone with you in case of emergency.
• If you capsize, stay with the boat. In calm water, get back into or on top of the boat-- if in moving water—make your way to shore floating with feet pointed downstream.