I'm happy to announce that today Pacer Group has joined my small but elite group of site sponsors. It'll take us a few weeks to get their ad up and live but we're thrilled to welcome them aboard!

You can look forward to plenty of healthy discussion about the Pacer product line in the months to come. If you're into boat wiring, you'll love it! You can start by checking them out at:

http://www.pacergroup.net/

Pearson Composites has changed its name to Pearson Marine Group. Just in case any of you are not familiar with the boat brands built at this RI company, we have the Alerion, which I have written about here on several occasions, the True North, which is a really unique power cruiser. New to the line-up is the North Rip center console line. I'm impressed with all of these brands and you all should really look at the boat within the line up that fits into your dream boat category....I'll take one of each please.

So, follow the link below to their new website and give these boats a closer look.

The change is intended to draw attention to Pearson's "long and remarkable history of innovation, its emergence from the marine industry's downturn and its focus on the smart luxury brands of boats the company is building and selling," the company said in a statement.

A new website was launched to unite Alerion sailing yachts, True North expedition powerboats and North Rip sportfishing boats and demonstrate the advantages of their shared corporate origin. This site also links to the separate sites for each brand.

Pearson said the company is enjoying interest from overseas markets in addition to sales and market-share growth in North America.

This press release came in yesterday and since it is about a company whose work I simply love, I have to share. Morris Yachts in Maine has been awarded a contract to build another training vessel for the USCG Academy. Those cadets have no idea how lucky they are! One of the best builders in the world is building their new sailboats. Good on the USCG, good on Morris!

"Morris Yachts was contracted by the Coast Guard Academy for a sixth training vessel and two more contracts are possible by the end of the year.

The new 44-foot David Pedrick-designed vessels will replace the decades-old Luders sailing craft. Morris Yachts is in production on Hull No. 1 of the Leadership 44. In all, the company will produce eight vessels for the academy.

All funds for the project are being raised privately, the Bass Harbor, Maine-based company said. The academy launched a capital campaign to fund the project.

"This is a very prestigious and exciting contract for Morris Yachts," said Cuyler Morris, president of Morris Yachts, in a statement. "It is an honor to be chosen by our country's Coast Guard Academy to build these craft. These vessels are the foundation of leadership training at the Coast Guard Academy."

Founded in 1972 by Tom Morris, Morris Yachts is a premier builder of semicustom and custom sailing yachts from 29 to 70 feet.

One of the events I participate in whenever scheduling conflicts don't get in the way is the Cruising World Magazine Boat of the Year competition. Not only do I get to sail some really nice boats, but I get to see what's going on behind the scenes in detail. What's new both in terms of equipment, but also build techniques and systems installations. Its a great opportunity for me to get up close and personal with an entire new crop of boats. The scan below, which comes from the actual Cruising World article shows me hard at work checking the technical aspects of a boats wine locker.............Sorry about the scan quality, but hey, go get the magazine and read the article if you want a good photo! The press release follows.

Cruising World Announces ’11

BOTY Winners  

Middletown, R.I. —

I think the approach Zodiac just tried makes a lot of sense for a variety of traditionally marine businesses. The press release below came in today from Soundings, Trade Only, but I'd be interested to hear from non-trade boaters about how they feel on this topic. Would you like to see some marine equipment vendors at RV events and shows? Send an email my way and let me know on this:

"Zodiac Boats of North America, a subsidiary of Zodiac ZMP, recently showcased its product at the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association trade show to gain exposure among RV owners.

"The demographics of an RV owner and a boat owner are parallel," said Todd Harris, Zodiac of North America's West Coast regional sales manager, in a statement. "They are both outdoor-oriented, adventurous and rank spending time with their families as a high priority. With the ability to have a Zodiac in the camper or motor home, the owner's excursion no longer has to stop where the paved trail ends."

"After learning more about Zodiac and the numerous possibilities for the RV industry's participants, several RV dealers have expressed tremendous interest in expanding their parts/accessory sales by offering Zodiac products," he added.

I can see this approach working for a number of traditionally marine only companies. Let me know your thoughts.