Freedom Day closer as Australia vaccination rate climbs - MarineBusinessWorld.com Oceania newsletter
by Peter Rendle 9 Sep 2021 15:00 PDT
Discover Boating Showcase © Boating Industry Association
It's hard not to tap into ongoing news of when Australia will return to a modicum of normality. The talk of a vaccine passport is growing but with differing opinions of when each state will allow free travel movement, the precise date of any significant change to travel restrictions remains a blur. However, news in our industry continues to reach us.
Electric power is becoming more predominant in a world looking to reduce carbon emissions. It therefore comes as no surprise to read the claims made by ePropulsion, a global leader and market challenger in marine electric propulsion systems and services. The company has announced that it has reached 100% growth in sales revenue in 2021, achieving its growth forecast in a remarkable eight months. The results have been driven by an increased take-up of electric propulsion in Europe and North America, which are the company's two largest growing markets, with the majority of sales coming from the leisure marine industry. Over 10,000 units have already been sold across the globe in 2021, including Europe, with the largest markets being the UK, US and Germany. ePropulsion is delighted at this achievement in such a short space of time.
While new power solutions evolve one industry stalwart is celebrating 50 years in that sector. Yanmar's special commemoration recognizes the historic achievements behind the creation of YANMAR's reputation today for setting the global standard in sailboat and small craft propulsion, backed by the largest worldwide service network in the industry. Reflecting the contribution of a deeper company legacy to the success of the marine business, the campaign also honours YANMAR's commitment to more than a century of diesel innovation and the delivery of application-driven solutions for recreational marine and across all sectors, with decades of dedication to quality control and sustainability.
The half-century celebrations starting in September, in which all YANMAR owners are encouraged to participate, feature the development of YANMAR's first purpose-built engine for recreational marine use, the PMX 1 cylinder, with 6-8 hp models, in 1971, in response to an increasing interest in pleasure boating and sailing. This milestone launch was shortly followed by the introduction of the YSE (Yacht Series Engine) in 1972, built specifically for sailing yachts.
Also celebrating 50 years in the marine industry is Australian boat builder Stacer, celebrating only the beginning of its successes, launching into the market with its latest campaign honouring a golden history of the brand name. From 1971 to today, it's said that Stacer quickly established itself as one of the fondest and most recognised names in the boating industry, becoming a major part of many families lives in Australia and beyond.
"Acquired by Telwater in 1999, Stacer has completely boomed. With a rich history already established in the market, we took the brand to another level by introducing specialty craftsmanship techniques into the designs including technical aluminium moulding to strengthen and form the hull into shapes similar to that of fibreglass to deliver an industry-best ride experience," Sam Heyes, Telwater General Manager said. "What started off as a small factory based in Victoria, founded by Ernie Stadler and Horst Cerncic who combined their surnames to cultivate Stacer Alloy Craft Pty Ltd, has now flourished into a fully comprehensive aluminium boat brand with over 90 models under its belt."
New products this week includes Garmin, who have announced the Garmin Surround View Camera System, a breakthrough in video guidance for recreational boating and yachting. Utilising six through-hull mounted cameras that act like multiple sets of eyes, Surround View provides a live 360-degree bird's-eye view around the vessel to help captains quickly view their vessel's perimeter during low-speed manoeuvrers, such as docking, from the helm.
Taking advantage of this innovative product is Volvo. Volvo Penta and Garmin continue their long history of collaboration by making it possible to combine two independent systems - Volvo Penta Assisted Docking and Garmin Surround View Camera System. This powerful pair will offer a unique boating experience that makes docking easier and more car-like than ever before. Over the past decade, this dynamic duo has teamed up to deliver a suite of mutual functions designed to enhance the boating experience. Now, both parties have introduced new, innovative systems - Volvo Penta Assisted Docking and the Garmin Surround View Camera System - that when combined offer a unique and enhanced boating experience.
With TotalCommand, ZF brings a brand-new marine control system to market that offers unrivalled cruising and manoeuvrability performance for a wide range of recreational and professional vessels. With an elegant Italian design aimed at maximized user-friendliness, it allows the captain to control the vessel's main propulsion system in a precise, efficient, and easy way. TotalCommand will be introduced during the 2021 Cannes International Boat Show. ZF is leveraging more than sixty years of experience in designing maritime control systems with TotalCommand, a brand-new industry-leading electronic control technology. TotalCommand is fully compatible with ZF's latest transmission shifting technology, therefore providing unmatchable clutch responsiveness, optimized control of proportional valves, and adaptive gear engagement.
"At ZF, we have spent great effort to make TotalCommand the one-fits-all manoeuvring solution for a variety of professional and recreational vessels," explains Federico Decio, Managing Director ZF Padova S.r.l, Head of Product Line Pleasure Craft. This approach not only includes its modular layout that allows adding up to six control stations and up to six drivelines, but also extends to its overall style by famed Italian designers Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro, which lets TotalCommand neatly blend into the most elegant of cockpits.
People in the news include Jean-François Christophe. Vaikobi, the brand that is taking the international water sports scene by storm, is pleased to announce the addition of Jean-François to its European Sales Team, heading up the market operation in France. Announcing this key appointment, Bryan Stewart Head of International Business at Vaikobi said "We are extremely happy to have JFC join our team, he and I have worked very closely together in the past and have seen the great results of having a professional team building strong customer relationships. Just like Vaikobi, he values great product, excellent service and puts the customer at the centre of everything. It is just brilliant to be working with him again and bring his vast experience to this great brand. The business expansion continues, building a specialist and professional team with great market knowledge and experience."
And on the question of people, Short Marine, a new and used boat dealer based at the Spit in Mosman is looking for a Sales Manager/Premium Client Manager. The role includes: Brokerage, Updating vendors, Source new listings, Sending listing proposals, Sending listing agreements, Gather inventory, Coordinate photo shoot), Writing boat listing adverts, Organise SM Service pre-listing inspection, Upsell/recommend required service work, Negotiating deals, Sending offer to purchase document, Manage surveys, Coordinate handover liaising with service team, Handover boat, Complete settlement statement... and more tasks detailed here with contact details to apply for the role.
Keep the news coming in. We know the importance of keeping up with all the latest industry developments including new products, personal appointments and new premises. In the meantime, stay safe, get vaccinated and look forward to "Freedom Day".
Stay safe,
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@marinebusinessworld.com