DAME Awards celebrating three and half decades - MarineBusinessWorld North America newsletter
by Peter Rendle 1 Jul 08:00 PDT
Category winners at the DAME Design Awards 2025 at METSTRADE © Martijn van Leeuwen
Building on last year's impressively large field of entries, Metstrade's DAME Design Awards will celebrate three and a half decades of design excellence by providing unique opportunities for exhibitors.
Since 1991, the DAME Design Awards have championed excellence in every aspect of design, including styling, construction, functionality, fulfilment of purpose, ease of use, sustainability, originality, innovation, interoperability, and price-to-performance. This unique competition, organised and fully funded by Metstrade, is the most aspirational prize globally for leisure marine equipment companies.
Winners of the "Best Harbor" contest announced! Grand Winner, Best Harbor in the U.S. for 2026: Padanaram, South Dartmouth, MA. Top harbors across the country all brought their coastal communities together to support their special piece of the coast again this year. A local resident proclaimed, "Padanaram is the perfect place to spend your spring and summer if you want beautiful views of the water with small-town coastal charm."
Freedom Boat Club, the world's largest boat club and a business of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), announced the opening of its 450th location, a significant milestone that reflects rapid, sustained growth and the increasing demand for flexible, accessible boating experiences. Freedom's footprint now includes sites across 35 U.S. states, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates.
Nimbus Group this week revealed the first images of the all-new Sport Tender 35, the signature first model in its new Sport Cruiser 35 series. The 35-foot dayboat makes its world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September. The Sport Tender 35 is an all-new boat on a newly developed, twin-stepped hull. The new Sport Cruiser 35 series comprise three models on a single hull: the Sport Tender, the Sport Weekender and the Sport Coupé. The Sport Tender 35 is the first.
Lyman-Morse has partnered with Colby College to relaunch a managed mooring field in Port Clyde Harbor. The collaboration supports Colby's growing investment in Port Clyde and expands a safe, quality anchorage for visiting boaters in one of Maine's most storied working harbors.
The inaugural Windy City Boat & Yacht Show concluded its three-day event in downtown Chicago, delivering strong first-year attendance, that exceeded expectations. Visitors to the Great Lakes in-water boat show explored nearly 100 boats and more than 70 exhibitors. Attendees also enjoyed a variety of experiences, including the Yacht Club Lounge, educational Classroom Seminars, In-Water Sail training, and other activities.
Suntex Marina Investors, in partnership with Centerbridge Partners, and its affiliates, the nation's premier owner and operator of recreational marina properties, announced the official acquisition of Kinship Marina in Ventura, California. The addition expands Suntex's presence in California and adds another premier coastal marina to its rapidly growing West Region.
Airmar Technology Corporation, a leader in ultrasonic transducers and CHIRP sonar technology, is pleased to announce the promotion of Suzanne Hawley to Marine Marketing Manager. Hawley, a seasoned leader, will oversee marine brand management across Airmar North America, Airmar EMEA, Airmar ANZ, and Gemeco Marine Electronics Specialists (Gemeco).
More news, updated daily, at www.marinebusinessworld.com/NorthAmerica
Peter Rendle - peter.rendle@worldmarine.media