FROM THE HELM
Dear MRA Members and Guests,
I am excited to see everyone at our California Boating Congress in Sacramento next month, April 11-12.
I am thrilled with this year's program. First, I want to extend a sincere thank you to our co-hosts NMMA, California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference, Boat U.S., Personal Watercraft Industry Association, California Delta Chambers & Visitors Bureau, Recreational Boaters of California, Sacramento Valley Marine Association, California Association of Harbor Masters & Port Captains, California Yacht Brokers Associations, and the Coastal Conservation Association of California.
During CBC, we will share the industry-wide Abandoned Derelict Vessel survey results and work with our partners, the staff, and the Commission of the Division and Boating Waterways to determine the following steps to remediate this issue and clean up our waterways.
New this year is our first 'Lunch & Learn'; Robert Newsome - Senior Vice President with NMMA, will be presenting the economic impact of the California boating industry to our elected officials and legislative and caucus staff.
It's still possible to reserve your space, and my sincere thanks go to Mariann Timms, Barbara Galgiani, Arron Pellarin, Randy Short, and Kevin Ketchum for their work in leading and producing this critically important event. See you there!
With thanks,
Kate
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Director, CA Department
of Parks & Recreation,
will address upcoming California Boating Congress
The 2023 California Boating Congress, sponsored by the
Marine Recreation Association, is set for April 11 & 12, 2023
at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento, and promises to provide
critical interaction with California boating and recreation
industry regulators and state legislators.
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Armando Quintero, Director, California Department of Parks & Recreation, will provide an overview of the Governor’s Budget Priorities and Fiscal Stability of the State and Department of Parks & Recreation on Wednesday, April 12th at 10:45 am. Mr. Quintero was appointed Director of the Department in August 2020 bringing years of experience in park operations and environmental science on both the state and federal level to the position.
Following Director Quintero, Karen Dill, Chief, Grants & Loans, Department of Parks & Recreation, and Deborah Holmes, Division of Boating & Waterways (DBW) Unit Supervisor, will discuss developments at the DBW including Subcommittee Reports on the Economic Impact Study, the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund, Aquatic Invasive Species programs, and the Abandoned Vessels – SAVE program and VTIP.
This year’s Congress is being co-hosted by ten other boating related groups, including the National Marine Manufacturers Association, California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference, Boat U.S., Personal Watercraft Industry Association, California Delta Chambers & Visitors Bureau, Recreational Boaters of California, Sacramento Valley Marine Association, California Association of Harbor Masters & Port Captains, California Yacht Brokers Associations, and the Coastal Conservation Association of California, bringing together the marine industry and boating community to help shape future boating policy, funding, and regulation in an ever-changing environment.
The 2023 California Boating Congress will commence on
April 11th at 5:30 pm with an evening Welcome Reception at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento followed by a full day of informational seminars and meetings with legislators, regulators, and industry experts on the 12th. Lunch with “Lunch & Learn” presentations will also be served for all attendees . . . For more information on the CBC agenda and to register visit www.calboatingcongress.com.
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S A V E • T H E • D A T E
October 16 – 18
for the 51st
Annual MRA Educational Conference &
Trade Show
The 2023
Marine Recreation Association (MRA)
Annual Educational Conference & Trade Show
is set for this October 16th through the 18th
at the beautiful Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
in La Jolla, California,
home to PGA golf tournaments,
the Scripps Institute of Oceanography,
and just twelve miles from the classic
restaurants and entertainment of the
Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego.
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Planning for the upcoming Conference is now underway with this year’s focus on a new theme, Acknowledgement & Appreciation, looking forward to new challenges and achievements in the marine industry.
The three-day event will tee-off on Monday October 16th with a new agenda and pre-conference events, including the 28th Annual MRA Golf Tournament and a special Electric Boat Sea Trials & Field Trip followed by the evening
Welcome Reception in the Trade Show pavilion.
Tuesday & Wednesday’s Conference will feature a broad prospectus of seminars and presentations from marine industry experts covering key business management, operations, and marketing concerns focusing on environmental planning and compliance, training and retaining employees, and optimizing customer service and fiscal results. The marine Trade Show will feature the latest technology, innovative products, and services from leading industry vendors and contractors designed to enhance business development, growth, and profitability.
“We’re putting together a very complete program for this year’s Conference and looking forward to making this the best Conference ever.”, said Kate Pearson, MRA President.
For additional information about the upcoming 51st Annual MRA Educational Conference & Trade Show keep an eye on the MRA website at www.marina.org
The Marine Recreation Association is a professional organization that represents marina owners, operators, and industry professionals located throughout the western United States with additional members in Canada, Mexico, and Australia. Created more than 50 years ago, the MRA actively promotes and represents recreational boating interests while providing educational management and operations seminars, and information for marine industry owners, operators, and staff.
For additional information about the MRA and all of its activities
and interests, please contact Mariann Timms by phone at
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The Pacific Sail & Power Boat Show Announces a
New Location with Exciting Exhibits and Activities
The Pacific Sail and Power Boat Show, produced by the California Yacht Brokers Association in partnership with Sail America, moves to a fabulous news venue in the Bay Area, Westpoint Harbor on May 4 - 7, 2023. The premier boat show on the West Coast will feature an impressive lineup of exhibitors showcasing a wide range of sailboats, powerboats, and boating accessories.
With exhibitors that span the gamut of the boating industry scheduled to attend, the Pacific Sail and Power Boat Show offers a one-stop-shop for boating enthusiasts where attendees can explore the latest boats and new nautical equipment on the market, speak with industry experts, and learn about the latest trends in boating.
"The Pacific Sail and Power Boat Show is the perfect event for anyone who loves boating or is interested in getting started," said show manager James Behun. "We're excited to bring the show to Westpoint Harbor and showcase the latest in boating technology, gear, and accessories."
Boating enthusiasts and novices alike will enjoy a wide range of activities and events throughout the four-day event including hands-on workshops, educational seminars by industry experts providing valuable information on boating safety, maintenance, and performance, as well as live demonstrations. In addition, attendees can enjoy hands-on activities including on-water demos and sailboat rides. Attendees can also enjoy a variety of food and drink options and live entertainment.
SHOW INFORMATION
The Pacific Sail and Power Boat Show
is held at the Westpoint Marina, located at
101 Westpoint Harbor Drive Redwood City, CA 94063.
Hours:
Thursday & Friday - 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tickets/Parking:
Adults - $15 Daily, Kids under 12 Free and Active-Duty Military free Thursday & Friday
FREE Parking
Follow them on Facebook @PacificSailandPowerBoatShow, Instagram @pacificboatshow and Twitter @PacificBoatShow.
About Westpoint Harbor:
Westpoint Harbor, a state-of-the-art award-winning marina, is the ideal location for the event equipped with modern amenities, including a yacht club, restaurant, and bar, and is conveniently located near popular tourist attractions such as San Francisco and the Silicon Valley. For more information, please visit westpointharbor.com/
About CYBA:
California was the first state to require brokers and sales personnel to be licensed and bonded. Established in 1978 the efforts of the California Yacht Brokers Association goes beyond that which is required by law and offers further protection and services to the consumer. More information can be found at www.cyba.info.
About Sail America:
Sail America is the trade association for the US sailing industry, providing leadership and a unified voice. Established in 1990 by members of the sailing industry, Sail America has over 200 members representing all segments of the sailing market. For more information, visit www.SailAmerica.com.
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A LEADER'S TOUGHEST JOB
Bill Yeargin is CEO of Correct Craft and
the author of five books, including the
best-seller Education of a CEO.
Company leaders must plan for their eventual successors while they are still with the business.
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Bob Iger is a highly respected leader who served as CEO of the
Walt Disney Co. for 15 years. He is also a great writer, authoring
the terrific book, The Ride of a Lifetime. I not only enjoyed reading Iger’s book, but it also helped me lead better.
Iger in 2020 retired as CEO of Disney. However, just two years after his retirement, Disney’s board rehired him as CEO. Iger was needed back at Disney because he failed at his most important job: succession.
What happened at Disney is not unusual. The business landscape is littered with high-performing companies losing their way after a CEO retires. When this happens, it is always the fault of the departing CEO. Losing its leader is an organization’s most significant risk, and the CEO must mitigate that risk while still employed and simultaneously leading for great results.
Unfortunately, many leaders are not concerned about their organization after they leave, and some don’t mind it struggling a little when that time comes. It makes them feel irreplaceable.
Our team at Correct Craft has accomplished some impressive things during the past 16 years, but the most important part of my legacy will not be those accomplishments; it will be how well the team does after I leave. I have no imminent plans to retire, but succession is always on my mind. I’ve stated publicly many times that if our company struggles after I leave, that’s on me.
Many believe succession is easy — just promote someone into the role or hire an outsider. They wonder, how hard could that be? It’s more complicated than most think. Many don’t understand the weight of responsibility a leader must bear, or the many nuances related to leading well. Finding the right person to succeed a leader is more difficult than most realize.
Additionally, a company is almost always better off — except in a turnaround situation — if the new leader is already in-house. A focus on filling the job in-house limits the number of potential successors and allows the organization to ensure there are candidates ready when a change occurs.
Here are some thoughts about what leaders, not just CEOs, can do to prepare for succession.
Acknowledge the issue and accept responsibility No matter how immortal a leader may feel, there is a time when a new leader will be in his or her role. Leaders should accept that reality and take responsibility for ensuring the organization’s long-term success by focusing on succession.
Develop your team Be sure to identify any skill gaps with potential leaders and work hard to fill those gaps with good training. There are many great executive education programs that can prepare leaders for a bigger future role.
Explain your thinking I try to not just give direction to our leaders. I also explain the reasoning behind my decisions. I want to take advantage of every teachable moment to prepare our team for the future.
Give future leaders profit and loss responsibility Leadership gets very real when a leader has responsibility for a profit-and-loss statement that must be defended each month. Owning a P&L statement lets future leaders feel the pressure of producing tangible results, so this may be the best training.
Delegate the difficult things For most of my career, I have been the one to do the difficult tasks. I am OK with that and even find the challenges energizing. However, if I don’t delegate some of our biggest challenges, I am cheating those who come behind me of a chance to learn. We recently had a big challenge — a tough one I would typically handle myself with both relational and legal implications. However, I delegated the challenge by telling one of our up-and-coming leaders that handling this situation was way better than any class. I want to stretch our team; it’s the best way to prepare it for the future.
Be tough Most who have worked with me would say I am a pretty easy boss: no micromanaging, high affirmation. But sometimes being a nice boss is not the best for an up-and-coming leader. I know that me being tough on them is the least of the challenges they will face as a future leader.
To be clear, this applies to all leaders, not just CEOs. If you are a leader at any level of your organization, an important part of your job is making sure the business succeeds after you. One thing we do at Correct Craft to make this easier is providing assurance to those nearing retirement that we will allow them to leave on their timing if they are willing to give us plenty of notice. I usually ask them to provide a year’s notice.
As a leader nears retirement, primary responsibilities switch from getting results this month, quarter or year to ensuring the company has great results for years after he or she is gone. Whether you are the CEO or any other leader at an organization, you cannot consider yourself successful if the business struggles after you leave.
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BoatUS Spring
Commissioning
Checklist
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More than 800,000 BoatUS members
are about to hit the nation’s waterways;
MAKE SURE YOUR BOAT IS READY FOR THE SEASON!
The recreational boat owner’s advocacy, services and safety group, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), has more than 800,000 members about to return to the nation’s waterways for boating season. But, before they get there, they will need to follow the timeless rite of spring commissioning. To help boaters simplify this task – and ensure a summer of fun and safe boating and less chance for breakdowns – BoatUS offers help for all types of boat owners with its annual Spring Commissioning Checklist.
A printer-friendly PDF copy of the checklist is available to download and take to the boat. Be sure to follow all manufacturer recommendations for your specific boat, engine and accessories.
Before You Launch
- Check the condition of antifouling paint and repaint if necessary.
- Inspect all hose clamps for rust and replace as necessary. Double clamp fuel lines and exhaust hoses with marine-rated stainless-steel hose clamps. While not technically required, it’s wise to double clamp whenever possible on all hoses — especially those below the waterline.
- Inspect all hoses for stiffness, rot, leaks and cracking, and replace any that are faulty. Make sure they fit snugly.
- Inspect prop(s) for dings, pitting and distortion. Make sure cotter pins are secure.
- Grip the prop (on inboard drive systems) and try moving the shaft up and down and side to side. If it’s loose and can be wiggled, the cutless bearing may need to be replaced.
- Check the rudderstock to ensure it hasn’t been bent. Operate the wheel or tiller to ensure the steering works correctly. Check the rudder bearing and steering cable for unusual play or movement.
- Inspect the hull for blisters, distortions and stress cracks.
- Make sure your engine intake sea strainer (if equipped) is not cracked or bent from ice and is free of corrosion, clean and properly secured.
- With inboards, check the engine shaft and rudder stuffing boxes for correct adjustment. A stuffing box should leak no more than two or three drops each minute when the prop shaft is turning. Check the shaft log hose for deterioration and rusty hose clamps.
- Inspect, lubricate and exercise thru-hull valves. It’s a good idea to tie a right-sized wooden bung to the valve in case of failure.
- Use a garden hose to check for deck leaks at ports and hatches. Renew caulk or gaskets as necessary.
- Inspect and test the bilge pump and float switch to ensure they’re both working properly. Also inspect the pump’s hose.
- Check stove and remote LPG tanks for loose fittings, leaking hoses and properly functioning shutoff systems. Use the pressure gauge to conduct a leak down test to check for system leaks.
- Inspect dock and anchor lines for chafe and wear.
- If equipped, ensure that the stern drain plug is installed.
- After the boat is launched, be sure to check all thru-hulls for leaks.
Engines and Fuel Systems
- Inspect fuel lines, including fuel tank fill and vent hoses, for softness, brittleness or cracking. Check all joints for leaks, and make sure all lines are well supported with noncombustible clips or straps with smooth edges.
- Inspect fuel tanks, fuel pumps and filters for leaks. Ensure portable tanks and lines are completely drained of stale fuel before filling with fresh fuel. Clean or replace fuel filters and/or fuel-water separators if not done before winterization.
- Every few years, remove and inspect exhaust manifolds and risers for corrosion (for inboard-powered and inboard/outboard boats).
- Charge battery
- Clean and tighten electrical connections, especially both ends of battery cables. Use a wire brush to clean battery terminals, and top off cells with distilled water (if applicable).
- Inspect the bilge ventilation intake and blower ducting for damage or leaks and run the blower to confirm correct operation.
- Test engine warnings and alarms.
Engine Outdrives and Outboards
- Inspect rubber outdrive bellows for cracked, dried and/or deteriorated spots (look especially in the folds) and replace if suspect.
- Check power steering and power trim oil levels.
- Replace anodes/zincs that are more than half wasted.
- Inspect the outer jacket of control cables. Cracks or swelling indicate corrosion and mean that the cable must be replaced.
- Inspect lower unit oil level and top off as necessary.
Sailboat Rigging
- Inspect swage fittings for cracks and heavy rust (some discoloration is acceptable). Inspect wire halyards and running backstays for “fishhooks” and rust.
- Remove tape on turnbuckles and lubricate threads, preferably with Teflon. Replace old tape with fresh tape and ensure that water is able to freely drain from it.
- If you suspect the core around a chainplate is damp, remove the chainplate to inspect and make repairs.
- Inspect masthead sheaves and all blocks to make sure they’re running freely.
Trailers
- Inspect tire treads and sidewalls for cracks or lack of tread and replace as necessary. Check air pressure; don’t forget the spare.
- Inspect wheel bearings and repack as necessary.
- Test all lights and replace any broken bulbs or lenses.
- Inspect winch to make sure it’s working properly. Inspect hitch chains.
- Inspect trailer frame and axle(s) for rust. Sand and paint to prevent further deterioration.
- Inspect brakes and brake fluid reservoir.
Safety
- A law that went into effect in 2021 requires a vessel operator to use either a helm or outboard lanyard or wireless engine cutoff switch on certain vessels less than 26 feet when traveling on plane or above displacement speed, so be sure your switch is working properly and the lanyard is in serviceable condition. If you use a wireless cutoff switch, ensure batteries in the fobs and wrist worn devices are refreshed.
- Check dates on pyrotechnic flares, which expire 42 months after manufacture.
- Inspect fire extinguishers. A regulation that went into effect last year requires a 12-year expiration for disposables and has different carriage requirements for older and newer model year vessels.
- Ensure you have properly sized and wearable life jackets in good condition for each passenger, including kids. Check inflatable life jacket cylinders and dissolvable “pill” bobbins in auto-inflating models.
- Test smoke, carbon monoxide, fume and bilge alarms.
- Check running lights for operation and spare bulb inventory.
- Update chartplotter software.
- Replenish first-aid kit items that may have been used last season or are expired.
- Check the operation of VHF radio(s) and that the MMSI number is correctly programmed in. (BoatUS members can obtain a free MMSI number at BoatUS.com/MMSI.)
- Get a free vessel safety check from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons. Find out more at cgaux.org/vsc.
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For the Dock
- In addition to checking its entire length for wear or abrasions, check both ends of the shore power cable connections as well as the shore power receptacle on the boat for burns, which indicate the cable and/or boat’s shore power inlet or the dock’s receptacle must be replaced.
- Test ground-fault protection on your boat and private dock, and know how to prevent Electric Shock Drowning.
The Paperwork
- Make sure your boat registration is up to date – and dinghy if you have one. Don’t forget your boat trailer tags.
- Review your boat insurance policy and update coverage if needed. Get a free quote at BoatUS.com/Insurance. Provide a copy to your marina or club.
- Ensure your BoatUS membership is in good standing, and check your TowBoatUS coverage by logging into BoatUS.com/Account, or join at BoatUS.com/Membership.
- Download the free BoatUS App to make it easy to summon on-water assistance and speed response times as well to check tide tables, weather, and partner discounts.
About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):
Celebrating more than 55 years, BoatUS is the nation’s largest advocacy, services and safety group with more than 800,000
dues-paying members. BoatUS is the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill, fighting for their rights. The TowBoatUS® fleet is available
24/7 to assist our members on the water when boats break down
or run aground with some 600 vessels and 300-plus locations across North America, bringing our members safely back to the launch ramp, marina or dock. On the road, we are The Boat Owners Auto Club™, helping ensure roadside trailer and tow vehicle breakdowns won’t slow you down. BoatUS offers GEICO boat insurance policies that give boat owners affordable, specialized coverage and the superior service they need. Award-winning BoatUS Magazine is the largest circulation recreational marine publication
in the U.S. with engaging content that speaks to the passion for boat ownership, while our 501(c)(3) nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers the nation’s only free online boating safety course and many other programs that keep boaters safe and our waters clean. Visit BoatUS.com.
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Located within the Lake Mead National Recreation area in Bullhead City, Arizona lies Katherine Landing, a recreational water sports oasis on Lake Mohave. Starting last fall, Bellingham Marine began the upgrade of one section of the marina from a steel and wood dock system, which is common among lake marinas, to a state-of-the-art Unifloat® concrete system, which will provide a longer lifespan and added stability.
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The dock replacement consists of a 659-foot long concrete Unifloat® mainwalk with (27) 26-foot-long monolithic rounded-end concrete fingers, two of which are 5-foot-wide ADA fingers, and an 80’ aluminum ADA gangway. In addition to the Unifloat® mainwalk and finger replacement, a key feature of this project is the replacement of the existing fuel dock and building floating platform with a new concrete matchcast post-tensioned system consisting of a 36’ x 64’matchcast building platform with three 8’ x 32’ matchcast fingers. The concrete floats are cast together to eliminate gaps, and then post-tensioned, creating a stable surface that acts as one solid unit increasing the live load and deadload capacity, ideal for supporting a bigger, better office facility, and extending the useful life of the dock. Not only did Bellingham Marine supply and install the floating platform, but they also supplied and installed the prefabricated metal office building.
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As a turnkey design-build contractor, Bellingham Marine designed and built the dock system, designed and installed the electrical, potable water, and fire suppression systems, and designed and installed a cable/winch underwater anchoring system, which allows the marina operators to adjust the marina placement depending on the approximately 14-20 foot water level fluctuations of Lake Mohave.
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Since this upgrade covers just a portion of the marina, a unique task was tying in the new concrete dock system to the existing steel and wood dock system. While challenging, BMI’s experience over the course of many projects allowed the team to successfully combine and create a smooth transition between the two dock systems.
Construction is currently in the final stages and is expected to be completed in April 2023.
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Marine Recreation Association being the largest professional organization of marina, boatyard, hospitality, and other marine industry owners and operators located throughout the western United States with additional members in Canada, Mexico, and Australia, our mission is to provide a united voice in representing the interests of the boating industry, and to help educate and inform in all areas of recreational boating. MRA would like to welcome the following companies to our association:
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TO OUR MRA MEMBERS
AND FUTURE MEMBERS
The 7th Annual California Boating Congress that will take place on
August 11 & 12, 2023 is just under two weeks away. The two-day event will begin with an evening reception, followed the next day by presentations, lunch and additional meetings with State Legislators. Registration is still open at www.calboatingcongress.com. A limited number of special hotel room rates are available at the Hyatt Regency for CBC attendees for reservations are still available.
To make reservations call Hyatt Central reservations at
800-233-1234 or
be sure to mention the Group Code: G-CBCO
SAVE THE DATE for the 51st Annual MRA Educational Conference & Trade Show which will be held October 16 -18, 2023 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines. More information will be available at the end of April or early May.
To our trade members, please send me your press releases on new products or services you might have. The Trade Member Highlight section is a free opportunity to advertise them! I am reaching out to all of you and asking you to send me a press release when you have a new product or service that you would like us to highlight. There will be one each month and will be placed according to the submission date. This is one more way for us to promote your support and dedication to the association. We would also like to be included in your list of press release recipients.
Many times, the contact name for membership changes during the year and unless it is around renewal time, we may not be aware of the change. Please look at your profile and make sure to let us know if there are any changes in contact names, addresses, phone and fax numbers or email addresses so we can have the most up-to-date information for you. Also, if you do not have at least 1 logo and 1 photo (of your marina or product) please email them to mra@marina.org so they can be uploaded. You can now also add a YouTube video if you have one.
Thank you and stay safe!
Mariann
Mariann Timms
Operations Administrator
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