On the Water

As I reveal today in an exclusive story in Powersports Business, a major new aftermarket accessories brand has entered the PWC marketplace. Blacktip Jetsports will initially be concentrating on the popular traction mats and seat covers end of the business. What makes the company such a strong presence almost from the start are the names behind it. While it's important to note that Blacktip will be its own separate entity, the brand is the brainchild of SBT founder Greg Pickren, as well as Watercraft Superstore's John Salvatore. As I reveal in my PSB interview, the pair felt the industry could use another supplier, and are aiming to make Blacktip stand out as a premium, quality brand, not a discount, price-point item. Blacktip also promises to offer a level of inventory and delivery second to none. …Read More

The Florida Yacht Brokers' Association recognizes Andrew Cilla's efforts on behalf of children in Haiti. …Read More

The boats were ready to race but a lack of wind delayed the start off Spain's Mediterranean coast until Wednesday. …Read More

Both boats left the dock early on Sunday. Guilain Grenier shot this at dawn. I said a few columns back that I knew the race was on when I saw a TV sked. There would be no moving the date now, and here we are counting down by hours instead of days and suddenly [...] …Read More

One of many shrink-wrapped ACC boats, and Bertarelli’s yacht, Vava, background. But don’t feel sorry for Ernesto. A bigger replacement is coming. I have a theory, soon to be tested, that the 33rd defense of America’s Cup launched and lived as an exercise in wishful thinking. That you could farm-raise a pet challenger. (Sorry, CNEV) That Larry Ellison’s [...] …Read More

Both America’s Cup teams held press conferences on Friday evening in Valencia, three days ahead of Race One. Here are the “highlights.” On who does what: Ernesto Bertarelli at the Alinghi base Alinghi owner Ernesto Bertarelli announced that he intends to share the helm(s) of his catamaran with the great Loick Peyron. Ellison, left, and helmsman Jimmy Spithill BMW [...] …Read More

Nautique has agreed to a multi-year commitment to be the official tow boat sponsor of the INT League, the largest waterski, wakeboard, wakeskate, and kneeboard tour. The brand has been a sponsor of the watersports organization since 1993. INT has long promoted both amateur and pro events for all ages and abilities, making it a favorite for watersports-oriented families. …Read More

Kadey-Krogen said this week that it will have a Krogen 58′ and the 48′ North Sea with the redesigned galley and bridge, which we wrote about here on OceanLines recently. P.A.E. advises that their final plans for the upcoming Miami boat shows include the 75 EYF and the 62 at Collins Ave., — more formally know [...] …Read More

Ah, Valencia, city of Calatrava. City of Festivals. Birthplace of paella. Home to America’s Cup 33. I love the smell of napalm in the morning. Scene of the hottest action so far The Announced plans for Saturday include a press conference with the two major players in the same room—Ernesto Bertarelli the Defender and Larry Ellison the Challenger—which sounds [...] …Read More

  Torqeedo keeps adding new models to its line of electric outboards. The latest is the Travel series with two new units offering power equivalent to 1.5 hp and 3 hp, respectively. The Travel 503 and Travel 1003 not only offer more power than their predecessors but are tougher and are completely waterproof to IP67 standards. According [...] …Read More