Jackson Kayak Launches Coosa HD Fishing Kayak

Jackson Kayak’s Second Gen Coosa HD Raises the Bar for Kayak Fishing Again

SPARTA, TN - Jackson Kayak’s top design team has once again teamed up with pro kayak angler Drew Gregory to create a new version of the boat that simultaneously launched the company’s expansion from its roots in whitewater to becoming the dominant brand in kayak fishing.

Source: http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/kayak-fishing/coosa-hd/

The Coosa HD (Heavy Duty) builds on the original Coosa’s reputation for stability, comfort and maneuverability with the addition of an updated hull design and features that truly redefine the baseline for kayak anglers.

Still primarily a river-going machine, the hull of the Coosa HD is slightly longer and wider than the original, making it faster and even more stable for a wider range of river anglers while tracking truer on flatwater lakes, ponds, and inshore conditions.

“The whole design team is justifiably proud of the original Coosa, but now I feel like I’m getting even more of the comforts and features I’ve been dreaming about since we introduced the Coosa to the marketplace in 2011,” said Jackson Kayak’s original kayak fishing team member Drew Gregory. “Good news is, with the Coosa HD all those dreams have become a reality and Jackson Kayak gets to prove once again that our commitment to user-inspired innovation keeps us at the forefront of kayak angling design.”

At 12’1” in length and 34 inches wide at the beam, the reboot of the Coosa comes packed with features that Jackson Kayak founder and bass fishing aficionado Eric Jackson predicts will become the standard in kayak fishing. A look at the deck finds this smorgasbord of features:

• New improved Elite Seat 3.0 that adjusts to multiple seating positions, fore and aft, high and low, allowing for the most efficient trim. The seat also boasts a comfortable curved seat back, new seat padding, Plano tackle box pockets underneath, and the new Therm-a-Rest lumbar pad system.
• Raymarine and Power-Pole Micro Anchor ready, with molded in features making installation of the latest in kayak fishing technologies clean, quick and easy.
• A hinged, removable, “Coosa Console” that allows for convenient fish finder integration, day hatch, Nalgene, drink holder, and a new line spooling system. It’s also easily removable for those that want a clean deck, like fly fisherman.
• Improved and enhanced rod management systems, including rod tip covers at the bow, for multiple rod holding and staging positions for fly, spin and bait casting styles, flush mounts, and standard RAM rod holders.
• Built-in GoPro mounts, and the new YakAttack Boomstick pole camera mount to enable capturing every moment of every catch and adventure on film.
• Standard Buck Knives Splizzors fishing multitool for addressing all your lure change and hook removal needs on the water.
• Padded floor to optimize the stand-up fishing experience.

On sale now at Jackson Kayak dealers across the country, the Coosa HD comes in all six standard 2015 Jackson Kayak fishing boat colors: Forest Camo, GI Jackson, Dorado, Sexy Shad, Sunrise and Urban Cowgirl. The boat weighs 79 pounds; add another six pounds with the seat. MSRP is $1699.

Boaters Have Something To Do By the Fireside This Winter: Improve Their Game

BoatUS Foundation Cuts the Cost of Online Boating Education in 2015

When cold weather conspires to keep boaters off the water, it’s time to move inside by the fire and take one of many online boating safety courses offered by the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, US Power Squadrons and Offshore Sailing School partners. Accessible by computer, tablet or smartphone, the series of no-cost and tuition-based courses – now discounted for 2015 – give boating families time to brush up on their boating knowledge, get more confident, meet their state’s boating safety course requirements or even qualify them for a boat insurance discount. In addition to 33 individual, no cost, state-approved boating safety courses, BoatUS offers:

Weather for Boaters: Have you ever had the weather ruin your weekend on the water? What if you could anticipate the weather changes and understand what your observations really mean? From learning to recognize the early signs of changing weather to the basics of understanding storms, squalls, fog and wind shifts - the newest course from the United States Power Squadrons will help you to make an informed decision about weather to go or stay. Cost: $24.95 (formerly $35).

Boating on Rivers, Lakes and Locks: This one is the best for inland boating families. Learn what you must know to boat on our inland waterways with confidence and increase your fun on the water. Created in partnership with the US Power Squadrons, this course will teach boaters the ins and outs of inland boating, from reading a river to navigating locks to boating near dams. Cost: $24.95 (formerly $35).

Partner in Command: Are you a regular passenger or crew on a power or sailboat? Learn essential information on how to assist in the safe operation and become more confident with anchoring, signaling, handling emergencies and more. Cost: $24.95 (formerly $35).

Learn to Sail: Jump-start your sailing life or refresh your sailing techniques with the interactive lessons from America's #1 Sailing School. With this innovative online course full of video and animations, beginners will gain the knowledge to make sailing a breeze. Cost: $55 (formerly $75).

Clean Boating Course: As boaters, we have a close connection to the health of our waterways. This free course will show you the simple steps you can take to reduce the impact of boating activities on our waterways. There are also four individual courses tailored to boaters in MA, NJ, NC, and TX. Cost: $0.

DSC-VHF Radio Tutorial: What is Digital Selective Calling VHF radio, how does it work, and how can it save lives by working seamlessly with the new nationwide rescue system, “Rescue 21”? This video tutorial, at BoatUS.org/dsc, will show you how. Cost: $0.

It’s easy to start and stop any of courses at anytime, working well with today’s busy schedules. Members of BoatUS, US Power Squadrons, Canadian Power Squadrons, US Coast Guard Auxiliary and Great Lakes Cruising Club receive an additional 20% discount. To see the courses available, go to: BoatUS.org/courses.

Win $10,000 in Life Jacket Design Competition

ANNAPOLIS, MD, January 8, 2015 – Here, in a building at a nondescript suburban office park just a mile from the harbor made famous as “America’s sailing capital,” is a look into the future of life jackets for American boaters. It’s the headquarters of the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, and on the line is a first place prize of $10,000 for the best new design submitted for the 2015 Innovations in Life Jacket Design Competition. However, for now, there are just a trickle of entries as boaters, arm chair inventors, design, engineering or high school students have until the April 15 deadline to submit their design to BoatUS.org/design.

Five competition judges are eagerly waiting to review the entries coming in for the design contest, which hopes to seek out the newest technologies and design ideas for the next generation of these life saving devices. Teamed up with the Foundation are the Personal Floatation Device Manufacturers Association as well as the National Marine Manufacturers Association, all looking to find the best new life jacket ideas based on four criteria: wearability, reliability, cost and innovation.

Not too distant on any of the five judge’s minds was the big news on October 22, 2014 -- the US Coast Guard had eliminated the old Type I-V code labeling system which clears the path of out-of-box design ideas and is the first step in a multi-year process to get new designs to market (for more on this, go to BoatUS.com/typecodepr).

Design competition Judge Lili Colby, Co-Owner of MTI Adventurewear, a paddlesport life jacket manufacturer, said, “Manufacturers will continue to use Type I-V coding until newer labels are designed, approved, and new standards are adopted, so it’s likely a couple of years before consumers will start to see a difference on store shelves. But this is where it all starts.” Colby is an advocate of programs that increase paddling participation among young people, and understands how life jacket design can appeal – or alienate -- the younger demographic. Colby’s out-of-the-box awareness generating campaigns have included offering promotional condoms imprinted with the “Wear it” life jacket messaging. “It’s all about targeting your message – or product – with an appeal to a specific audience,” added Colby, whose manufacturing and marketing expertise is being heavily tapped as a judge.

Also from the paddling industry is competition Judge Chris Stec, whose day job is COO of the American Canoe Association, which focuses on education, stewardship, recreation and competition. An Eagle Scout who was one of the authors of the revised Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Canoeing and Whitewater Merit Badge pamphlets, Stec also led the development of BSA’s Stand Up Paddleboarding Award. Stec clearly understands what works for youngsters.

Judge Chuck Hawley, a marine industry consultant, speaker on boating safety, and former “West Marine Advisor” with 40,000 miles of open ocean sailing experience on both coasts is keenly on the lookout for better jacket ideas for offshore sailors. Hawley has sailed everything from 24-foot ultralights to the 125-foot catamaran Playstation and his expertise in the product development pipeline and the retail environment is helping the group make their decisions.

Joe Fogarty, VP at Image Base, a business communications company in Chicago, is also a judge. Joe’s insight on the boating consumer is adding an important voice to the judging mix. Fogarty has been knee-deep in the NMMA Discover Boating program for many years, producing videos that have contributed to driving over one million visitors to boatbuilder websites in 2013.

The fifth competition judge is Frank Solazzo, a Team Leader with Leland Limited which supplies life jacket manufacturers with the small, high pressure gas filled cylinders used for inflatable life jackets – arguably the most comfortable jackets on the market today. With his hectic schedule of trade shows and sales visits, Frank adds an important supplier voice, helping the group imagine what’s possible.

What these five judges decide may have a long-term impact on increasing voluntary wearing of life jackets and saving lives. “We know this is a whole new era of innovation and it is exciting to be a part of it,” added Hawley. A short video about the competition is available at: http://youtu.be/wSfdANt_lGU. Winners will be announced in September at the International Boat Builders Exhibition and Conference in Louisville, KY.

Progressive® Insurance & National Marine Manufacturers Association Announce 2015 Boat Show Lineup

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies^® is continuing its longstanding partnership with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) to sponsor 20 of the country’s premier boat shows. Progressive and NMMA are making boater education a top priority and bringing a completely new and interactive experience to the 2015 schedule.

 

The Progressive Marina experience includes the Progressive Boat School, developed with the Annapolis School of Seamanship to help consumers learn to boat confidently while having fun. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in engaging sessions on watersports safety and proper docking procedures, and have the opportunity to earn discounts on boat insurance as a result.

 

“We’ve teamed up with NMMA and the Annapolis School of Seamanship to create a new and engaging experience around boating education and safety, to maximize your experience on the water,” said Rick Stern, Progressive Boat Product Manager. “We feel so strongly about safety on the water that we’re offering a policy discount for visitors, new or current Progressive customers, who complete our onsite course and some supplemental online material.”

 

Progressive Boat School seminars include:

• Gateway to Boating - get an overview of the styles and types of boats and how they fit various boating lifestyles.
• Watersports Safety - gain the know-how needed to keep everyone safe on the water while having fun.
• iNavigation - learn how to use the new innovations available to boaters—from traditional compass and paper charts, to onboard electronics and mobile devices.
• Boat Systems - learn how to manage boat systems from stem to stern.
• Docking & Line Handling – learn the ropes with tricks and techniques that can make docking easy.

The Progressive Marina will also include an interactive boat replica with an indoor pool for instructional demos, a boating simulator and a see-through motion sensor digital floor.

In addition to the Progressive Boat School, NMMA shows offer complimentary daily DIY maintenance seminars at Fred’s Shed Interactive Learning Center, fishing seminars, the Discover Boating Hands-On Skills Training series and more.

 

“An educated boater is a safe boater, and our goal as a boat show producer is to arm boaters with the knowledge needed to boat confidently and enjoy a lifetime on the water with family and friends,” said Ben Wold, NMMA Vice President. “We’re thrilled to further our partnership with Progressive and provide an educational area that will provide a solid foundation for new boaters and allow seasoned captains to polish their skills in a fun, interactive environment.”

 

The upcoming NMMA Progressive boat shows include:

 

DATE	SHOW	LOCATION
Jan 8-11	Progressive Insurance Nashville Boat & Sportshow	Nashville, TN
Jan 15-18	Progressive Insurance Atlanta Boat Show	Atlanta, GA
Jan 14-18	Progressive Insurance Chicago Boat, RV & Strictly Sail Show	Chicago, IL
Jan 21-25	Progressive Insurance New York Boat Show	New York, NY
Jan 21-25	Progressive Insurance Louisville Boat, RV & Sportshow	Louisville, KY
Jan 22-25	Progressive Insurance Kansas City Boat & Sportshow	Kansas City, MO
Jan 22-25	Progressive Insurance Minneapolis Boat Show	Minneapolis, MN
Jan 22-25	Progressive Insurance San Francisco Boat Show	San Francisco, CA
Jan 29- Feb 1	Progressive Insurance Baltimore Boat Show	Baltimore, MD
Feb 4-8	Progressive Insurance Atlantic City Boat Show	Atlantic City, NJ
Feb 12-15	Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show	Miami, FL
Feb 12-15	Progressive Insurance - Miami, Strictly Sail	Miami, FL
Feb 14-22	Progressive Insurance New England Boat Show	Boston, MA
Feb 19-22	Progressive Insurance Los Angeles Boat Show	Los Angeles, CA
Mar 4-8	Progressive Insurance St. Louis Boat & Sportshow	St. Louis, MO
Mar 25-29	Progressive Insurance Northwest Sportshow	Minneapolis, MN
June 18-21	San Diego International Boat Show	San Diego, CA

 

To find out more about Progressive Boat Insurance, talk to your independent agent, visit http://www.progressive.com/boat/ or call 1-800-PROGRESSIVE.

 

About Progressive

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies makes it easy to understand, buy and use auto insurance. Progressive offers choices so consumers can reach it whenever, wherever and however it’s most convenient—online at progressive.com, by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, on a mobile device or in-person with a local agent.

 

Progressive also offers insurance for personal and commercial autos and trucks, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles, as well as home insurance through select carriers. It’s the fourth largest auto insurer in the country, the largest seller ofmotorcycle insurance and a leader in commercial auto insurance. Progressive also offers car insurance online in Australia at http://www.progressiveonline.com.au.

 

Founded in 1937, Progressive continues its long history of offering shopping tools and services that save customers time and money, like Name Your Price^®, Snapshot^® and Service Centers.

 

The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, trade publicly at NYSE:PGR.

 

About NMMA

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry in North America. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit NMMA.org.

 

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.