When Axopar launched its first ever model – the Axopar 28 – in 2014, the 28ft outboard powered walkaround with functional, modern lines, a razor-sharp hull and highly competitive price point, blew the socks off the industry. The boatbuilder startup sold a remarkable 200-plus units of its groundbreaking model in the first 18 months (today there are almost 3,000 Axopar boats dotted around the globe) and the Axopar 28 fast defined a new genre of ‘adventure’ boating. Since then, the Finnish boatbuilder has continued to carve its own path. The company has expanded its range, topping out with the Ax ..read more

Footage shows the moment a man and his two dogs were hoisted to safety by a US Coast Guard (USCG) helicopter off the Oregon coast after their boat started to sink. The Pacific Northwest division of the agency says its rescue teams responded to reports about a boat that had lost power and was taking on water around 38nm off Whaleshead Beach in Oregon, near the border with California. Rescuers used a helicopter hoist to retrieve the man and two dogs. The individual was then transferred to local emergency medical services. It’s not currently known if he required treatment for injuries. #USCG res ..read more

Yanmar Marine International (YMI) has launched the Yanmar E-Key system, a new solution designed for wireless unlocking of the Yanmar VC20 Vessel Control system, seamlessly integrating with electronically controlled Yanmar Marine engines. The Yanmar E-Key system is an optional feature and comprises a sleek, lightweight tag. Benefiting from a unique ID, this tag communicates wirelessly with the Yanmar Vessel Control System, activating it by pressing the tag against the switch panel. Floris Lettinga, director of sales and marketing at Yanmar, comments: “We are proud to introduce our new E-Key sys ..read more

Spirit Yachts Regatta 2024, exclusively for Spirit Yachts’ owners, crew, and guests, will take place in St. Peter Port, Guernsey, from Saturday 15 June to Saturday 22 June 2024. West System, a leading provider of marine-grade epoxy, will sponsor the event. Following its debut in 2022, the Spirit Yachts Regatta returns this year, and is hosted by Guernsey Yacht Club, in partnership with Locate Guernsey. The regatta will host a sequence of six races planned for high velocity, IRC-rated competition racing with yachts varying in size from 37ft to 100ft-plus. Spirit Yachts managing director, Karen ..read more

Underfall Yard has re-opened its gates, welcoming visitors to the working boatyard after a Bristol boatyard fire damaged five historic buildings and destroyed six boats in May 2023. The fire was subsequently found to have been set by a new employee. Images of the devastating fire were shared across social media. Underfall Yard Disaster pic.twitter.com/6ekFtzLt6l — Martin Rands (@martr101) May 6, 2023 This is so very sad….Underfall Yard this morning after last night’s fire …@BBCBristol @BBCRB @BristolLive pic.twitter.com/yhQItobvSh — ?????? ??????? (@BrisVADAR) May 6, 2023 Recovery and reinst ..read more

Fishing crews are being encouraged to attend a course designed to save their lives at sea, after one man expressed his shock at ‘just how serious’ trawling can be when someone falls in the water. “The RNLI has been launching to the aid of fishing crews for 200 years,” says Frankie Horne, RNLI commercial fishing safety manager. “In 2023, RNLI lifeboat volunteers launched to commercial fishing vessels 272 times, saving 13 lives. We can’t always reach everyone in time though and commercial fishing remains one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Research has proven that wearing a lifejacket c ..read more

Although gross margins have remained resilient and the company delivered a solid first quarter consistent with guided expectations, Brunswick has announced its net sales in the quarter of 2024 were down 22 per cent versus the first quarter of 2023. “The impact of continued measured wholesale ordering patterns by dealers and OEMs coupled with higher discounts in some business segments, was only partially offset by annual price increases market share gains and benefits from well received new products,” says Ryan Gwillim, chief financial officer. “Adjusted operating earnings were down [versus pri ..read more

Japanese engine maker IHI Corp. has admitted that a subsidiary has falsified fuel efficiency data for 4,215 marine engines, spanning 58 models. 2,621 have been shipped overseas. And 1,594 are in use in the Japanese domestic market. The company is firmly in the centre of a data scandal. Customers for the engines, in production since 2003, include government ships, fishing vessels, domestic vessels, tugboats and work boats. IHI also supplies gas turbines for naval vessels and high-speed ships, large, medium and compact diesel engines for high, medium and low speed applications. ‘We have confirme ..read more

L’Aquaphile has announced the launch of its Pedayak Solar. This is described as a hybrid pedal kayak with electric drive, powered by solar panels. According to David Adrian, owner (and former officer of the French Navy’s special forces, combat swimmer and engineer), it’s the world’s smallest solar-powered boat, can be transported on a roof rack, and can carry passengers on some versions (it comes in four models with different positions for the solar panels). Adrian believes it will appeal to “all the sea lovers, particularly those who are more sensible to environment.” Over the past 12 years h ..read more

The Palma International Boat Show 2024 (PIBS) opened its doors this morning, marking the 40th anniversary of the annual Spanish boat show. PIBS kicks off the Med show season and runs from today until 28 April 2024 in Palma’s Moll Vell, on the island of Mallorca. A record 295 exhibitors will be participating in this year’s event, an increase of 24 companies compared to the previous edition. There are 260 boats on the water, compared to 252 last year, with the overall lengths remaining the same. Around 32,000 visitors are expected during the show. Palma Superyacht Village The Palma International ..read more