Updates and Major Additions Page

This "Updates Page" can be used to find the most recent major additions. RBBI is constantly being revised and updated. Significant additions will be reported here. We used to maintain a separate Industry News Page (June 1997- 17 August 1998). It involved considerable duplication of this page and was discontinued. If you are interested in events occurring in that time frame, you might wish to review it as well as this page. Also, with the discontinuation of the Industry News Page, occasionally, brief news items will be reported on this page as NEWS REPORTS.

31 Jan 2004

• Posted our coverage of the 2004 Tulsa Boat Show and Twiggy, the water skiing squirrel.

• Brunwick Press Release on purchase of Attwood Marine Parts & Accessories business.

• Posted info in Propeller Guard section about 3 Sept. 2003 settlement of a case primarily focusing on the possible overpowering of a bass boat, resulting in two people overboard, a propeller strike and paraplegic, Michael Davis v. Skeeter Boats and Yamaha.

• NEWS- Bombardier announced sale of their Recreation Division (includes marine) to the Bombardier family for 875 million U.S. dollars.

• Continue to update Power Boat Manufacture Links Page
• Added separate Boat Buying Tips for First Time Buyers page

• Major update of Power Boat Manufacture Links Page
• Major update of Boating Links Page

• U.S. Supreme Court finds against Mercury Marine in Sprietsma v. Mercury Marine propeller guard case.

• Updated Power Boat Manufacture Links page and launched Bold & Blue Program

• Major update to Boating Industry Statistics Page

• Moved coverage of Pursuit Dynamic's steam vapor powered marine drive technology from the drive technology paper notes section to its own page.

• Started major update of powerboat manufacturer links page

• First phase of a major update to recent patents section of Patents Folder.

• Added Sprietsma v. Mercury Marine propeller case to Propeller Guard update page.

• Updated Recent Patents section
• Updated Drive design notes section

• Mr. Wizard began looking into outboard torque curve claims
• Prop Guard Update 2002 announces Brunswick's new infrared Virtual Propeller Guard and covers other Propeller Guard and Virtual Propeller Guard news.

• Toyota exits U.S. marine industry

• Cummins and Mercury Marine form stern drive and diesel engine joint venture.

• NEWS REPORT - Brunswick announced new salt water operations center in Miramar FL for developing outboard saltwater drives.

• Yamaha says the Ford stern drive project is still on. Posted details in our Ford Marine News section.

• Brunswick purchased Hatteras Yachts from Genmar. Posted details and Mr. Wizard's comments in our Brunswick news section.

• NEWS REPORT - Toyota Marine stopped production last week and is reevaluting its position per an article in today's BoatBiz news. They cite drought conditions in Florida as severely impacting ski boat sales. Most workers have been laid off, a skeleton crew remains. This is bad news for the 6,510 sq. meter headquarters and production facility they opened this July in Groveland FL.

• Enlarged Remote Boat Monitoring section of Customer Service Desk. Added several new devices and a refence to new 3G phones with remote full video and data processing capabilities.

• Added coverage of Bombardier - Yamaha / Sea-Doo patent infringement case to patent folder.

• Volvo Penta composite drive finally steps from the shadows?

• Mercury Racing announces new integrated transom for Bravo One XR drive

• Ford Power Products announces their plan to build marine engines.

• NEWS REPORT: Brunswick announces intent to purchase Sealine International in the UK, a manufacturer of sports yachts and luxury cruisers.

• Created RBBI White Papers page and posted our recent Recreational Marine Drive design paper there.

• Hundreds of updates on the OMC situtation on Mr.Wizard OMC coverage page

• NMMA Cancells Boating Week 2001

• AP reports Ford and Yamaha team upto produce U.S. boat motors

• OMC files for bankruptcy.

• Mr. Wizard speaks out on What's Next for OMC
• OMC announces month long manufacturing and shipping shutdown for Christmas.

• OMC lays off 1000.
• MerCruiser celebrates 2.5 millionth stern drive.

• Removed reference to John Brant e-business presentation slides at his request.

• Added John Brant's e-business presentation slides he sent us today, "Sex, Lies & E-business, Imperatives of the New Economy", to our coverage of Boating Week 2000.
• Removed presentation above at request of Industry Week. They said it was copyrighted document.

• Added several drive manufacturers to the list of marine drive manufacturers on our boating links page.

• U.S. Supreme Court allows Brunswick antitrust ruling to stand (BC wins).
• Brunswick announced it has terminated its mid October agreement to sell its Outdoor Recreation Business to K2

• 1999 Boater Registration Statistics released in NMMA press release.

• Posted full coverage of Boating Week 2000 in Orlando FL. Coverage includes the trade show, sessions, BWI Innovation Awards and "On Water" Exhibits.

• NEWS ITEM:
  Brunswick announced they found a buyer for their outdoor recreation businesses (K2 Inc.) and will sell the whole pile (Zebco, MotorGuide trolling motors, Swivl-Eze marine accessories, Igloo coolers and Hoppe's) in one transaction if approved by regulating authorities.

• Posted notice the RBBI ALERT server died and we are not able to accept additional new subscriptions at this time. We do have the existing subscribers alive on a backup system and will continue to provide alerts of breaking industry news to them.
• Added several updates to the Invention of the Stern Drive page.

• Mackey Named Mercury Marine President.

• Major several additional updates to the Powerboat Manufacturers Links Page

• Major update of Powerboat Manufacturers Links Page

• David Jones resigns amid OMC financial crisis

• News Item: Firestone Tire Data Analysis Provides Example for Marine Field Problem Analysis
  Yesterday's Wall Street Journal has a great story with in depth warranty data and procedure used to identify the Firestone tire problem. Has model data, frequency data, failures at intervals of tire life, plant specific failure frequency data and bunch of charts. We suggest circulating a copy to all involved in service/problem failure identification. It shows how Ford did the process under some pretty heavy fire and how not all the data always points the same way.
  

   
  Ford Steps Up Recall Without Firestone
  Wall Street Journal
  14 Aug 2000
  Pages A2 and A6

• Major update of theV-Drives Engines & Transmission links section of the Boating Links page.

• The NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association and MRAA (Marine Retailers Association of America) announced an alliance with Boats.Com (a yet to exist marine internet portal).
• MIT Robot Fish back in the news with feature article in August 2000 issue of Smithsonian Magazine. They are studying fish propulsion methods for possible application to submarines and surface craft.

• Brunswick names Buckley CEO & Chairman of the Board, plus to Divests Fishing, Camping and Bicycle units.

• Added "Economic Analysis of the District's Waterways in Palm Beach County FL" study to the Economic Impact Folder.

• Added report on Toyota stern drive at Tokyo International Boat Show

• Posted white paper on Commercialization of Innovative Drive Designs.
• Added Boating Week website to the Boat Show Folder.

• Posted an update to the Nov. 1997 Ft. Lauderdale boating accident from the FL. Dept. of Corrections.

• Added link to new Contrarotating Marine Drive book we are publishing.

• Buckley named President and COO of Brunswick.

• The White House is making the military GPS signal available effective tonight.

• Added coverage of Brunswick win of the $133 million anti-trust lawsuit
• Added link to ongoing coverage of BC lawsuits to Brunswick Page.

• Added list of current boat building marketing data sources to FAQ page

• Brunswick settles ABA (American Boatbuilders Assoc) lawsuit 22 Dec. 1999.

• Major Wall Street Journal article on Triton boats posted in news section.

• Major update of Links Pages (Boating, Other, Net, Personal)

• Added Blue and Bold Program to Power Boat Manufacturer's links page.

• Added Connect4Business internet survey link to entry page.
• Added Chicago Tribune story to recent BC Lawsuit Settlement Page.

• BC Settles 3 Suits including Volvo SD suit 7 Oct 1999

• Genmar to go public. Filed in 1999 News.

• Two MN speedboats collide and claim 5 lives. Posted to Accidents Folder.

• Added info on Crains Chicago Business article on OMC (Battle for OMC; Who Won?) to OMC page.
• Added Cruiser Builder Project Leader opening to our Jobs Page.

• Added info on a new sensor application to our prop guard presentation reference page. The Pittsburgh Port Authority and Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation are using radar and sterovision to alert metro bus drivers a person is near the bus. CCD images are examined for human "signatures". See Photonics Spectra. June 1999. Page 100. Could a similar application indicate the presence of people in the water near a propeller?

• Major Updates to Links on Powerboat Manufacture Links Page, Other Links Page and Office Tools Page.

• Updated Mr. Wizard's article on the future of fish finders with some new references.

13 May 1999

• News Item: Brunswick has finally established a corporate web site at: http://www.brunswickcorp.com/
  

1 May 1999

• Created Arkansas Duck Boat Accident Page (13 dead) in Accidents Folder

• Added Wall Street Journal article on GM applying Center for Disease Control techniques to reducing warranty costs to Customer Service Desk.

• Added major Wall Street Journal article on automotive use of fuel cells to Engine Folder.

• Added Casey Crooks site to our list of examples of sites lashing out against how they feel they have been wronged. This site involves a boat dealership. More individuals will be taking this route of lashing back if their frustrations are not properly dealt with by our industry. We are certainly taking no position on this particular situation, we are only pointing out the practice is going to repeated in the future. We need to take care of our customers to prevent them from being frustrated into taking actions such as this.

• Added Islander Boats Boats to Power Boat Manufacturer Links Page and Job Openings Page

• Updated Mr. Wizard Fish Finder story with info on new military mine detector using similar technology.

• Ford acquires Volvo Automotive Operations added to Volvo News Page.

• Volvo Acquires OMC Stern Drive Joint Venture and Sues Brunswick added to Company News Pages.
• Added Power-Vent marine suface drives as one of our sponsors.

• Announced New RBBI Prop Guard Design Concept with a presentation.

• Fireworks barge explosion claims two in New Orleans 31 Dec 98 added to Accident Page.

• California passes new emission limits added to California Regs Page
• CA Study proves MTBE not Carcenogenic added to California Regs Page

• Mercury Brand Name Press Release / Force Discontinued added to Brunswick Page
• MercuryCare Press Release on owners services added to Brunswick Page.

• Refreshed the marketing data and information sources listed in our Marketing DESK.

• Published RBBI "white paper, Product Innovation: The Key to Growth in the Boating Industry.

• Engineering Biofilms for Corrosion Prevention added to Basic Research Page.

• Added Marine Concepts as sponsor of Boat Builders Office and IMTEC98 intro page.

• RBBI Coverage of IMTEC98

• Brunswick Cuts 750 Jobs.

25 Sept. 1998

• OMC closes Milwaukee, Wis. and Waukegan plants added to OMC news page.

• Published Mr. Wizard Predicts What's Next for Fish Finders

• MarineMax adds Hatteras Yachts to product offering

• Sale of block of 9 Million shares of Brunswick stock added to Brunswick Page.

• NEWS REPORT: Sanshin recently received two counter rotating propeller patents for partially surfacing drives. Patent number 5,807,151 awarded Sept. 15 and patent number 5,800,223 awarded Sept. 1st. Both patents do an excellent job of teaching the technology and are a "must read" for those working in this field. See our Recent Patents section for additional details.

• Updated Patent Folder for easier navigation.

• NEWS REPORT: Fountain Powerboat Industries announced commencement of sea trial of a new advanced technology 65 foot yacht. The craft was developed over the last 18 months. Fountain's internally developed hull and surface drive technology coupled with the light weight interior design allow the craft to achieve a 25-100% improvement in performance.

• Added Sept 14 Daily Oklahoman coverage of PWC collision with 47 footer which provides addditional details of the accident.

• Added coverage of potential Discovery of Major Marine Chop Shop operation in Grove OK.

• NEWS REPORT: Electric Marine acquired Celebrity Boats from Bombardier. Celebrity Boats will be relocated to Canada.

• Added coverage of PWC collision with 47 footer on Lake Texoma, Sunday Sept. 6th. to Accident Page in Local Accidents section.

• Posted info from Shelter Island Police including details on the boat involved in the accident.
• Posted numerous updates and new links to Power Boat Manufacturer Web Sites Page.

• NEWS REPORT: MarineMax, Inc. (group of Sea Ray dealers that went public) announced today it has acquired Brevard Boat Sales, Inc, (Brevard) a Florida recreational boat retailer, with 1997 revenue of approximately $5.7 million. Brevard is located in Cocoa, Florida. Marine Max said the close proximity to Sea Ray's Yacht, Sport Yacht and Product Development & Engineering facilities is a strategic location for them.
  MarineMax acquired certain assets including the retail facility and assumed certain liabilities of the Brevard operation. The specific financial terms of this mostly cash transaction were not disclosed.

• Added several messages to BC/Disney vendetta page.
• Added coverage of Shelter Island NY boat capsize accident to Accident Folder.

• Updated Stock Market Jitters - What does it mean for the boating industry? page with stock price charts and other new materials.

• Created Stock Market Jitters - What does it mean for the boating industry? page.
• Added more messages to the BC/Disney vendetta page

• NEWS REPORT: Aug. 24, 1998--Reggie Fountain, President and Chief Executive Officer, announced today that A.J. "Tony" Romersa, a veteran of the Brunswick Corp., has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Fountain Powerboats, Inc. Romersa will handle day-to-day responsibility for Fountain's 371 employees and 229,000 plus square foot manufacturing facility on the Pamlico River in Washington, N.C. Romersa will report directly to Reggie Fountain who will continue to oversee all facets of the business. Romersa's 28 year business career includes a variety of senior management positions for the Brunswick Corp. and it's Mercury Marine Consumer and Vapor Divisions. As corporate director of Brunswick's Marine Operations Planning since 1986, Romersa was actively involved in Brunswick's acquisition of Bayliner and Sea Ray.

• Divided BC/Disney Vendetta page into 2 pieces for faster loading. Also posted several new messages there.

• Major update to New and Current Patents section of Patent Folder. We had not refreshed it for some time.

• Added temporary link to Hurricane Proofing Boats to our entry page. (Hurricane Bonnie is approaching the east coast)
• Updated main navigational page to make it easier to navigate.
• Added several more messages to BC/Disney Vendetta page.

• Lauched RBBI Alert, a system that notifies subscribes by e-mail of major breaking news in the boat building industry.
• Updated our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page to make it easier to find your questions.
• Added several messages to Recognizing and Dealing With Vendetta in rec.boats Page dealing with Brunswick/Mercury Marine and their boats at Disney World.
• Added temporary note that a firm is urgently looking for a 6 man jet powered lifeboat in U.A.E. to our entry page.

• Made numerous updates to Recognizing and Dealing With Vendetta in rec.boats Page dealing with Brunswick/Mercury Marine and their boats at Disney World.

• Added Yahoo Brunswick financial / stockholder discussion board link to Brunswick Web Sites on Brunswick page

• Posted info on Mercury Marine acquistion of MCA on Brunswick Page.

• Posted Recognizing and Dealing With Vendetta in rec.boats in recboats folder. Brunswick and their boats at Disney World are under attack by a poster in rec.boats.

• Posted several more reader feedback letters on the Mr. Wizard Predicts "Whats Next for Brunswick" page

• Updated Brunswick Newspage and added list of their web sites.

• Added Mr.Wizard's prediction for Brunswick and Sea Ray.
• Optimized images on main navigational page to allow it to load much faster.

• Opened our new Service Manual Bookstore.

• GM strike reaches tentative agreement. Added info to the MerCruiser Speaks Out on GM Strike Page

• GM says they will produce engines for MerCruiser during the strike. Added the article to MerCruiser Speaks Out on GM Strike Page

• Added another article to MerCruiser Speaks Out on GM Strike Page

• Added 2 July Press Release, Mercury Marine Inks 6 Year Deal with Orbital Engines, to Brunswick Page.

• Added 2 July Press Release, John Russell Named President of US Marine, to Brunswick Page

• Added another article and RBBI comments to MerCruiser Speaks Out on GM Strike Page

• Added several new links to Powerboat Manufacturer's Links Page courtesy of a list furnished to us by Intertec Publishing (Blue Book).

For earlier updates see our UPDATE ARCHIVE PAGES.

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