Boating writers from around the country get some hands-on experience with the Yamaha’s newest boating products at the company’s testing facility on the Tennessee River in Bridgeport, Ala., as part of Yamaha’s 2013 product preview event held this week in Chattanooga and Bridgeport.For a couple of days earlier this week, Chattanooga was the focal point for a growing segment of the boating industry.
More than 30 boating and fishing writers from across the country were in town for two days as officials from Yamaha Marine Group discussed the state of the boating industry and announced Yamaha’s newest additions to its 2013 line of outboard boat motors and other marine products.
The downturn in the economy over the past four years had an impact on boating as sales dropped and profits fell across the industry. However, Yamaha Marine Group Vice President Dean Burnett said that a slight increase in sales over the past year has given the company hope for growth in the coming months.
“From what our builders and dealers are telling us, we’re forecasting anywhere from a six to 10 percent growth over the next 24 to 36 months,” Burnett told media members Monday night during a presentation at the Chattanoogan conference center. “We’re seeing former boaters stepping back into the market.”
Yamaha Marine Group, based in Kennesaw, Ga., specializes in outboard boat motors, boat propellers and related products used on a variety of watercraft such as bass and offshore fishing boats as well as pontoon and other pleasure boats.