FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lake Union Sea Ray's Redmond Location Moving
Seattle, WA. - March 12, 2013 - Lake Union Sea Ray has been serving the Redmond and greater eastside boating community for 15 years. As the company continues to expand with more boat brands for sale (Lake Union Sea Ray added their sixth brand last June, Harris Flotebote pontoons), the need for more space became apparent in order to properly display boats and accommodate service and repair needs.
Kevin Roggenbuck, owner and president of Lake Union Sea Ray, made a heartfelt decision mid-January 2013 to sell the property and move into a larger, more visible location in the Bellevue/Redmond area. To the company's surprise, the property sold remarkably fast in less than one month. Currently, Roggenbuck and his real estate advisors have not found an existing facility that meets the company's needs.
Lake Union Sea Ray was notified on March 13th that the buyer's last stipulation of the property has been satisfied. This has been an incredibly fast transaction for a commercial property. As Roggenbuck continues to look for an alternate eastside location, boats, motors, trailers, and parts will be transported to Lake Union Sea Ray's existing locations; Seattle, Fife and Bellingham.
The dedicated sales and service employees of the Redmond location have shared their passion for boating with the eastside community for over 15 years. The staff will continue to be a part of the Lake Union Sea Ray family with continued employment across the existing three locations until a new location opens for business.
Lake Union Sea Ray's Redmond service department will operate through March 16th and the sales department will operate through March 24th. The store will be officially moved by the end of the month.
For more information please contact Lake Union Sea Ray's flagship store on Lake Union in Seattle.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boston Whaler 230 Vantage Wins 2013 Miami Boat Show Innovation Award
Edgewater, Fla. (February 15, 2013) - Proving its remarkability as a true "no compromises" boat, Boston Whaler's new dual console 230 Vantage was awarded a National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award at the 2013 Miami International Boat Show.
"Boston Whaler is extremely honored to have received this award for our forward-thinking 230 Vantage," said Jeff Vaughn, vice president of sales, marketing and customer service. "We're tremendously proud of the Vantage family and excited to offer our customers these multifaceted dual console models."
Introduced in October along with the 270 Vantage, the 230 Vantage seamlessly blends comfort, versatility and handling, making it ideal for a range of pursuits from serious fishing to watersports to all-day family cruising. One of the 230 Vantage's most notable features is its revolutionary convertible portside lounge seat, which folds into a variety of positions so that passengers can ride facing fore or aft, partially or fully reclined, or even use it as a leaning post for offshore fishing. Throughout the boat, well-cushioned, spacious seating invites comfortable cruising, while a deep freeboard and the dual consoles offer greater protection from the elements.
Serious anglers enjoy a host of amenities including a livewell, rod holders and washdown station, while watersports enthusiasts can choose sports tower or tow arch options. Additional highlights include a uniquely easy to access, offset head compartment and optional beach boarding ladder. Propulsion comes courtesy of top-notch Mercury Verado FourStroke power. "The 230 Vantage's dual console design provides incredibly smooth handling and a strong sense of control and predictability at the helm," said Vaughn.
The Innovation Awards, organized by NMMA and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI), recognize products that best meet criteria including innovative distinction from other products currently being manufactured; benefit to the marine industry and/or consumer; practicality; and cost-effectiveness.
The 2013 Miami International Boat Show runs from February 14 to 18, and the NMMA Innovation Awards were presented in several categories of marine products. The 230 Vantage won in the 24' and under runabout category.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESea Ray® introduces Next Wave initiative
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Feb. 14, 2013 - Sea Ray announced the launch of its Next Wave initiative during a media event on Thursday evening at the Miami International Boat Show. The event was hosted by Dustan McCoy, President and CEO of Brunswick Corporation and Andy Graves, President of the Brunswick Boat Group and Interim President of Sea Ray.
Opening the event, McCoy was emphatic about Brunswick's commitment to the marine industry, and particularly to Sea Ray as its flagship brand. He cited several Innovation Awards received by Brunswick's Sea Ray, Boston Whaler and Harris Flotebote brands earlier in the day as evidence of Brunswick's leadership and commitment to the industry.
"Brunswick is as sure-footed and well-positioned today as we have been in several years. Our cash position is strong, our product mix continues to evolve to meet the needs of the marketplace and our production capacity is flexible and capable to meet that demand," said McCoy.
Graves followed McCoy's comments with the introduction of Sea Ray's Next Wave initiative, a product-focused campaign comprised of Innovative Thinking and Inspired Execution. Graves said that internal work on the project began in late 2011, and that its public launch marked a 24-month commitment to enacting major innovation across all Sea Ray platforms, with the ultimate goal of redefining the boating experience. "As a company, Sea Ray has long embraced the opportunity to show the way forward for the entire industry," said Andy Graves. "And so today, we are pleased to announce the launch of Sea Ray's Next Wave. With a deliberate focus on new product, this initiative aims to elevate Sea Ray and raise the bar industry-wide."
The public introduction of Next Wave included a series of new technologies and design breakthroughs that mark the first examples of Next Wave thinking in action. These include Quiet Ride, first seen on the SLX Series, which reduces engine noise and vibration by nearly half; and SkyFlow Design, first displayed on the award-winning 510 Sundancer, which eliminates the "cave" effect of most cruisers by blurring the line between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Additional Next Wave technologies include TabletTunes, which is a standard feature aboard the 610 Sundancer and is available on every Sea Ray Yacht; Concealed Outboard Propulsion, modeled on Boating Magazine's Boat of the Year, the 370 Venture; Dynamic Running Surface, first available on the 230 SLX; and TrueJet, the product of a groundbreaking partnership between Sea Ray and Weber Motors, featured now on the 21 Jet.
Sea Ray also announced it would be introducing a dozen new models within the next two years, in addition to the new premium outboard 220 Sundeck® and 240 Sundeck® also debuting in Miami. "These great breakthroughs demonstrate our determination to continue Sea Ray's legacy of leadership. While remarkable in their own right, these advances are just the beginning, and you will see these integrated into several new models, including new flagships for our SLX, Jet and Yacht families," said Graves.
NEWS RELEASE
"Next Wave is not a reckless commitment to deliver the latest and greatest--far from it," Graves continued.
"Our coming innovations and portfolio plans are targeted, with a very refined sense of the market segments where we can have maximum impact, on both the boating experience and the business. The wave of product innovations coming out of Sea Ray will not only redefine our company, it will point toward the future of boating for the rest of the industry. With several major technology and design breakthroughs and award-winning new boats in every Sea Ray category, I'm pleased to be the first to welcome you to the Next Wave."
ABOUT SEA RAY
Founded in 1959, Sea Ray is the world's largest manufacturer of superior quality pleasure boats. Sea Ray is headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., and operates as part of the Boat Group division of Brunswick Corporation. With more than 36 models ranging from 18 to 61 feet, Sea Ray makes a boat for every lifestyle - each built with a unique commitment to quality, craftsmanship and excellence throughout. Additional information about Sea Ray is available at www.searay.com. Sea Ray is a brand of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC).
ABOUT BRUNSWICK
Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation endeavors to instill "Genuine Ingenuity" in all its leading consumer brands, including Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood marine parts and accessories; Land 'N' Sea, Kellogg Marine, and Diversified Marine parts and accessories distributors; Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Brunswick Commercial and Government Products, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris FloteBote, Lowe, Lund, Meridian, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Trophy, Uttern and Valiant boats; Life Fitness and Hammer Strength fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and consumer products; Brunswick billiards tables and foosball tables. For more information, visit http://www.brunswick.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bayliner's All-new Element Makes Boating Easier and More Accessible Than Ever
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, Jan. 3. 2013 - Whether you're rekindling a passion for boating or launching into the boating lifestyle for the first time, the Bayliner Element is your way in. All-new for the 2013 model year, Element is a revolutionary new boat that promises to make boating an accessible, easily adoptable pastime for just about anyone. Element's affordable price allows owners to enjoy the "So Worth It!" Bayliner boating experience for a surprisingly low monthly payment that is comparable to a cable bill, and its unique design offers an automotive-like driving experience that will be familiar to anyone who's been behind the wheel of a car.
"Whatever has held people back from getting into boating in the past, Element erases all that," said Matt Guilford, Bayliner's vice president of marketing. "We solicited extensive customer feedback and, thanks to some very creative innovations, developed a product that's pitch perfect for someone looking for an approachable way into the boating lifestyle."
At 16 feet in length, Element easily accommodates a family of four and has capacity for up to six. Its surprisingly roomy layout includes opposed cockpit seating, which fosters easy conversation among passengers, a full-beam aft sunpad, and a cushioned bow lounge area that boasts room for two to stretch their legs. Even with a full crew, there's still space onboard for a carry-on cooler. Deep cockpit freeboard enhances passenger safety, and a pair of stern swim platforms provide easy water access.
To make it refreshingly easy to own, Bayliner designed Element with minimal upkeep in mind. A standard 60-hp Mercury FourStroke outboard engine provides reliable, fuel-efficient power capable of towing a tuber or wakeboarder. Low-maintenance Mercury outboards are engineered to perform in either fresh or saltwater, so Element is equally at home on inland or coastal waterways. And Element's self-bailing cockpit is easy to clean after a day on the water; just hose and go.
The most distinctive aspect of Element's design is its signature M hull. Bayliner's engineering team sought to create a running surface that delivered exceptional stability and superior passenger comfort while at rest and under way. The team ultimately moved away from a traditional V hull in favor of an innovate M-hull design that maintains exceptionally level flotation even when passengers step on gunnels while boarding. Much like a car or tri-tube pontoon boat, Element takes turns like it's riding on rails, with very little of the pitching and yaw commonly associated with V-hulled craft. And to simplify the driving experience for novice and experienced boaters alike, Bayliner constructed an all-new helm station for Element that features a single, multipurpose gauge and only a few essential dash controls.
Element is just as easy to maneuver out of the water. At a trailering weight of approximately 2,200 pounds, Element is towable by many small SUVs. With a 16'2" overall length and 7'5" beam, Element can be stowed in an average-sized garage. The standard Element trailer has been specially designed to make launching and retrieval at the boat ramp a breeze.
Element will makes its debut at the 2013 New York Boat Show, starting January 3, 2013.
2013 16 Element Specifications
- Length overall (LOA) 16'2" (4.93 m)
- Beam 7'5" (2.26 m)
- Approximate dry weight* 1,750 lbs (794 kg)
- Std. engine (U.S.) 60 HP Mercury 4 Stroke
- Fuel capacity 12 gals
- Maximum person capacity 6
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sea Ray® Wins 2012 Innovation Award For Quiet Ride Technology
Knoxville, Tenn. - Feb. 20, 2012 - Sea Ray, the world's leading manufacturer of superior quality pleasure boats, is proud to announce that it was honored for innovative achievement by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) at the 71st annual Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail.
Sea Ray received a 2012 Innovation Award in the "Cruisers (25' to 60' including fishing craft) category for its 250 SLX® with Quiet Ride, a new and innovative technology proven to significantly reduce sound and vibration while under way. "We are very gratified to receive this award, which recognizes the emphasis Sea Ray places on superior quality, true innovation and customer satisfaction," said Rob Noyes, vice president of marketing for Sea Ray. "This exclusive technology will create a quantum leap in boating enjoyment."
The Sea Ray 250 SLX with Quiet Ride is notable for its "comprehensive effort to lessen the total noise and vibration level by 20 to 50% depending on a person's location on the boat," said the NMMA and BWI in a joint press release. "This [technology] makes a huge difference," commented Jan Mundy, Innovation Awards judge. "It'll be nice to actually hear yourself think after a long day on the water."
According to tests conducted by Sea Ray, in certain areas of the cockpit, Quiet Ride reduced noise by more than 10 dB*. To put this measurement in perspective, a decrease of 10 dB equals a sound being half as loud. Vibration was also greatly decreased, which means a more enjoyable and smoother ride.
"By significantly reducing unnecessary sound and vibration, with very little added weight and no added mass, Quiet Ride is a true innovation with a real, desired consumer impact that makes boating more enjoyable," said Noyes. "Just imagine being able to hear your cell phone or stereo at cruise speeds, or being able to have a conversation while under way without shouting. That's what Quiet Ride does."
Quiet Ride is now available as standard equipment on board the Sea Ray 250 SLX and 270 SLX, and plans are to expand the technology to other boat models in the near future.
"The winners recognized [by the Innovation Awards] are a testament to the ongoing commitment to boating ingenuity necessary to the future of our industry, and we're excited to see how these products adapt in the marketplace," said Zuzana Prochazka, Innovation Awards judge chair.
*Test data arrived at after comparing a model-year 2012 Sea Ray 250 SLX with Quiet Ride and a 2012 Sea Ray 250 SLX without Quiet Ride measured at 3500 rpm, both equipped with the same power. Decibel readings will change with variances in wind strength, wind direction, current, water conditions, and exact location of the decibel meter.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lake Union Sea Ray Receives Two Accolades from Brunswick Corporation
Knoxville (September 13, 2012) Lake Union Sea Ray was named the #1 Independent Sea Ray Dealer in the World and the #1 Bayliner Dealer in the World at the Sea Ray and Bayliner Global Dealer Open House last week. There has never been a single marine dealer to achieve this accomplishment simultaneously for both boat brands.
This elite commendation is based on retail fiberglass boat sales exclusive to independent Sea Ray dealers worldwide and the second accolade, awarded by Bayliner, represents retail fiberglass boat sales including all Bayliner dealers worldwide.
"It is a great honor to be recognized as the first dealer to achieve such a tremendous feat, for the two top selling brands in the world" said Lake Union Sea Ray's owner, Kevin Roggenbuck. "Achieving these awards validates the hard work and wonderful people of Lake Union Sea Ray and is a reflection on our continuous efforts in enhancing the consumer experience."
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