BRP SPONSORS VETERAN WALLEYE ANGLER, ANNOUNCES CONTINGENCY PROGRAM FOR 2011

BRP announced today the addition of FLW Walleye Tour veteran Pete Harsh to Team Evinrude, the company’s elite professional fishing team.

Harsh, the 2008 FLW Walleye Angler of the Year and a Sauk Centre, Minn. native, has amassed more than $800,000 in career winnings and looks to add to his success in 2011 by relying on his 200-hp Evinrude E-TEC-powered Ranger 620T fishing package.

In good company, Harsh joins a well-respected and successful group of Team Evinrude Walleye anglers, including the reigning FLW Angler of the Year Paul Meleen and Chris Gilman, the defending FLW Walleye Champion. In fact, Team Evinrude anglers captured seven out of the top 10 positions at the 2010 Championship and all three 2010 Angler of the Year awards.

“Pete Harsh is a great addition to Team Evinrude,” said Steve Laham, vice president, Sales, Marketing and After-Sales Service for Evinrude. “As a professional angler, Pete depends on his engine to perform at every tournament. His switch to Evinrude makes a strong statement for our brand and his confidence in powering with Evinrude E-TEC.”

BRP’s Evinrude E-TEC engine line-up now includes 98 engine models from 15- to 300- horsepower. With no scheduled maintenance for three years or 300 hours, the Evinrude

E-TEC engine allows anglers to spend more quality time on the water. Visit www.evinrude.com for more information and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BRPEvinrude.

Evinrude to Offer Contingency Awards to FLW Walleye Tour Pros

Winning has its perks. Evinrude also announced today that anglers powering their boats with an Evinrude E-TEC outboard engine in the FLW Walleye Tour will be eligible for contingency awards in 2011.

Contingency prize money will be paid to anglers placing in the top 10 of each FLW Walleye tournament, including the Championship. Pro anglers can receive up to $8,000 of contingency money for first place in any FLW Walleye-sanctioned event. Co-anglers are also eligible for up to a $2,000 bonus if they take first place in any event. The pot is sweetened for the year-end championship - $15,000 in contingency money goes to the winning pro angler and $5,000 is awarded to the co-angler.

“We are proud to continue our support of FLW Outdoors and the many anglers who choose Evinrude by investing $250,000 in additional prize money,” said Christopher Berg, Director of Marketing and Strategic Planning for Evinrude. “Evinrude E-TEC owners are very loyal to the brand, and we want to reward those who choose our engines while fishing the most competitive Walleye tour in the United States.”

For additional details on the Evinrude contingency program and a complete list of official rules and eligibility requirements, please visit www.flwoutdoors.com/walleyefishing.

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately-held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorised recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and boats, Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines, direct injection technologies such as E-TEC, Can-Am all-terrain and side-by-side vehicles and roadsters, as well as Rotax engines. BRP products are distributed in more than 90 countries.

www.brp.com

Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Evinrude, Johnson, Can-Am, Rotax, E-TEC and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates.

Stratos Boats Unveils Bassmaster Classic Promotions

In conjunction with the 2011 Bassmaster Classic in New Orleans, Stratos Boats is calling all Stratos enthusiasts and avid anglers to visit the Stratos booth and receive limited-edition free gear while taking in one of the industry’s most exciting displays. With some of the biggest names in the sport among the Stratos pro staff, including Skeet Reese, Mike McClelland and Larry Nixon, Classic attendees will have the opportunity for first hand buying advice and insight from bass fishing’s elite.

BoatUS Smart Phone App Will Get You Home When Your Boat Won't

When your boat breaks down on the water or runs out of gas, calling for an on-the-water tow is simple. The hard part, sometimes, is being able to tell the BoatUS towing fleet precisely where to find you, which can delay a safe tow home.

Now, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) offers the only smart phone "App" that helps you call for a tow in a hurry and also adds helpful location and tracking features just for boaters, sailors and anglers. And you don't have to be a BoatUS or BoatUS Angler member to download the free App.

Triton Boats Becomes Official Sponsor of All Bassmaster Tournament Trails

Long-time Bassmaster sponsor Triton Boats, LLC has expanded its commitment to the premier level, B.A.S.S. LLC announced today.

Under a new sponsorship agreement, Triton becomes an Official Sponsor of all Bassmaster tournament trails and events: the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens, and B.A.S.S. Federation Nation events presented by Yamaha and Skeeter Boats.

"Triton is extremely proud to be named a premier sponsor of B.A.S.S.," said company founder Earl Bentz. "We have been a supporting sponsor of the organization for some time, and feel our elevation to the highest sponsorship level symbolizes our deep commitment not only to B.A.S.S. and its members, but to the entire sport of bass fishing. The fishing and boating industries have faced and weathered difficult challenges during our nation's current economic slowdown, but as our economy continues to rebound, we envision a bright future for B.A.S.S., Triton and the entire sport."

Said Jerry McKinnis, a B.A.S.S. owner: "B.A.S.S. is proud to continue its close association with the Triton brand. The Triton reputation for solid service and quality products appeals to anglers of all skill levels, and certainly to our core membership of bass anglers."

Along with other Bassmaster Classic Official Partners, Triton will have a big presence at the Feb. 18-20 Bassmaster Classic in New Orleans, and especially at the concurrent Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by Dick's Sporting Goods at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

There, anglers can view Triton's newest bass boats, including the 18- and 19-foot XS Series models and the all-new SE Series, as well as the legendary 21HP. In addition, tournament anglers can learn about Triton's redesigned contingency program, Triton Gold, now one of the largest in the industry.

For more information about Triton products, visit TritonBoats.com.

BRP to Spend $15 Million Making Facility "Heart of Evinrude"

BRP will invest over $15 million in the next three years to transform its outboard engine facility in Sturtevant, Wisconsin and become the heart of the Evinrude brand.

Evinrude product development, marketing and sales functions as well as customer service will be consolidated under one roof. In so doing, all employees from the Waukegan, IL facility will be regrouped in the Sturtevant campus. There will be no job terminations resulting from this move. Employee relocations will begin in late spring and should be completed by the end of 2011.

Manabu Kurita Joins Yamaha/Skeeter Pro Staff

Yamaha Marine Group announced today Manabu Kurita, who officially tied the world record for the largest bass ever caught, has joined the Yamaha/Skeeter® professional fishing staff and will display his catch at the Yamaha booth during the Bassmaster® Classic in New Orleans, Feb. 17-20, 2011.

BoatUS Foundation President Ruth Wood Retires

After 28 years with the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, most recently serving as the 501(c)(3) non-profit's President for the last five years, Ruth Wood has announced her retirement. She plans to continue her passion for choral singing and spending time outdoors camping, hiking, sailing and kayaking with her Golden Retriever, Jackie. She will also remain as a volunteer member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, helping to guide the organization well into the next decade.

Mercury Marine Introduces Propeller for Volvo Penta Drives

Mercury Marine is proud to introduce the Quicksilver Thunderbolt line of propellers for Volvo Penta® Duoprop® drives.

Now owners of Volvo Penta DPS drives now can experience the performance improvement that comes with running a Quicksilver Propeller. Quicksilver propellers are manufactured by Mercury Propellers – the world leader in marine propulsion. The Quicksilver Thunderbolt is made in the U.S. at Mercury Propellers Investment Casting foundry in Fond du Lac, Wis.

Lund Creates $30,000 Walleye Contingency Program

Competitive anglers have been captaining Lund Boats ever since the first wager for "most" or "biggest" walleye was made across a poker table in the late 1940s. Decades later, competitive, professional anglers continue to reap cash rewards from modern day Lund boats. And now, Lund Boats continues this legacy of supporting professional walleye fishing tournaments.

Stratos Boats Unveils New Website

High-performance, aggressively styled and constructed to meet the demands of the most competitive anglers on the planet, Stratos Boats is bringing the same attitude and style of its boats to the web. Through its improved website, Stratos Boats introduces new boat buyers and Stratos loyalists alike to a wealth of new features and interactive content.

BoatUS Angler "Weigh-to-Win" Program Brings Bonus Cash to Classic

Thanks to the recently launched BoatUS Angler "Weigh-to-Win" program, several Bassmaster Classic competitors will have the chance to get a little richer beyond the fruitful $500,000 first-place prize. The highest finishing eligible "Weigh-to-Win" Bassmaster Classic competitor will haul home $1,500 cash from New Orleans, and regular season Elite Series events will pay $500.

Help Kids Stay Safe on the Water By Becoming a Life Jacket Loaner Site

The easiest way to ensure a child's safety on the water is to make sure they wear a life jacket that fits. But children's growth spurts and last minute changes to the roster of invited guests do not always make that easy. However, your marina or local waterfront business can help if they partner with the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water's Life Jacket Loaner Program for kids.

Stratos Boats Announces STEP UP OR STEP BACK Promotion

In a competitive marketplace, sometimes it pays to be aggressive. That’s the mindset at Stratos Boats. It’s the concept behind so many of the finely-tuned, high performance designs. It’s also the philosophy that inspired the new “Step Up or Step Back” retail sales promotion. The program, which runs from January 10 to March 31, 2011, puts new Stratos buyers in the driver’s seat this boat show season by revving up customer incentives to as much as $1,000 on selected models.

Ranger Boats Announces GOTCHA COVERED Retail Program

Across much of the United States, January not only signals the arrival of a new year but also the beginning of boat show season. With spring fishing just around the corner, many manufacturers are busy introducing consumers to new products and innovations to increase the pleasure of boat ownership and time on the water. Long known as an industry leader in this regard, Ranger Boats recently announced the return of its “Gotcha Covered” retail sales promotion – back by popular demand in time for the busy 2011 boat show season.

BoatUS Foundation Grassroots Grants Program Makes Big Changes for 2011

The BoatUS Foundation's Grassroots Grants Program which provides funding for local projects that educate boaters on boating safety and clean boating topics kicks off today with some changes designed to identify new, innovative grant proposals. The program also now gives the public a vote in who receives funding.

"After more than 20 years and providing over $1 million in funding, we're making significant changes to find the most creative project ideas and to make our grant program more interactive for applicants and the boating public," said Program Manager Alanna Keating. "We hope our new approach will give us a chance to see what new types of ideas organizations have to reach boaters and what boaters think of these ideas."

New Website Brings Controversy

A new kind of website, one designed to provide the consumer with information about boats, power sports products, and (coming soon) recreational vehicles soon goes live, the first such resource for the industry.

New BoatUS Angler "Weigh-to-Win" Program offers Peace of Mind and Cash Tournament Bonuses

By purchasing a very affordable BoatUS Anglertowing membership you can find “peace of mind” to all of boat ownership’s “what ifs” – plus you’ll be eligible to win BoatUS Angler“Weigh-to-Win” cash bonuses to complement your sense of ease.
The Weigh-to-Win program will pay the highest placing, registered angler in most B.A.S.S., FLW and PAA events, as well as the BoatUS Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship. For as little as $38, the cost of a BoatUS Anglermembership and Unlimited On-the-Road Towing service, an angler who performs well in a single B.A.S.S. Weekend Series tournament could win a $150 cash bonus.

New Fuel Primer Bulb From Larand Products Beats Tighter EPA/CARB Emission Standard, Offers Superior Performance

As of January 1, 2011, fuel primer bulbs for outboards must comply with US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations limiting carbon emissions to 15 grams per square meter, per day. A new primer bulb from Larand Products exceeds the EPA/CARB standard and also offers performance and reliability superior to other OEM and aftermarket bulbs.

The new primer bulb allows emissions of less than 6 grams per square meter, per day, beating the standard by almost 70 percent. Made from a durable compound that stands up to harsh weather conditions and maintains excellent flexibility in low temperatures (in lab tests, the new bulb pumped 20 percent more fuel than the leading OEM bulb). Unlike products that rely on mechanical pumps, this primer bulb has no seals that can leak fuel.

• Familiar look and feel
• 70% less fuel permeation than new standard allows
• Durable and weather resistant
• Leak-proof design
• Excellent low-temperature flexibility
• Superior pumping efficiency

For more information about the new EPA/CARB compliant marine primer bulb and other Larand products, visit www.larandproducts.com or call 1+877.786.0606 (toll free in the US) or 1+954.977.6333.

Evinrude Launches Retail Promotion

BRP launches a new retail incentive promotion for its Evinrude outboard engines brand today. The new program, "Season's BEST Boat Show Sales Event," offers participating Evinrude dealers an aggressive sales closing tool designed to deliver added peace of mind for boat show shoppers.

Qualified Evinrude E-TEC purchases between January 1, 2011 and April 15, 2011 receive a FREE 5-year factory backed limited warranty (3-year BRP factory warranty PLUS an additional 2 years B.E.S.T. coverage). In addition, if a consumer repowers their existing boat with a qualifying Evinrude E-TEC engine between January 1, 2011 and April 15, 2011, they will receive up to an $800 discount off rigging equipment - which means additional retail savings.

"We want to continue offering our dealers effective retail programs to drive dealer traffic," stated Christopher Berg, Director of Marketing and Strategic Planning for Evinrude. "This latest retail offer will give our dealers the necessary selling incentives to boost retail activity at the upcoming boat shows," he concluded.

The new retail program is supported by a full print and on-line advertising and media campaign. Dealers are provided a complete package of point-of-purchase materials to advertise the promotion on the showroom floor and at boat shows with no dealer contribution required.
For full details and conditions about this promotion, consumers should visit an authorized, participating Evinrude dealer or www.evinrude.com.

Evinrude engines' reputation for dependability, quality and reliability coupled with the fact that Evinrude E-TEC is the only outboard with no dealer scheduled maintenance for 3 years or 300 hours makes the decision to power with Evinrude E-TEC an easy one. Having the lowest operating costs of any outboard engine means that powering with an Evinrude E-TEC can save consumers up to $1,600 per year in fuel and maintenance costs.

BRP's Evinrude E-TEC engine line-up now includes 98 engine models from 15- to 300- horsepower. All engines are available at Evinrude dealerships worldwide. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brpevinrude.com or visit www.evinrude.com for more information.Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately-held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorised recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and sport boats, Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines, direct injection technologies such as E-TEC, Can-Am all-terrain vehicles and roadsters, as well as Rotax engines and karts.
www.brp.com

Lund Boats Partners with Traditions Media

The fishing legends at Lund Boats recently announced a new partnership with the angling-public relations specialists at Traditions Media, LLC. With continuing innovations in durability, fishable-functionality and high-end on-the-water performance, Lund has built a 60-plus year tradition of excellence that remains unrivaled in the fishing-marine industry.

Traditions Media’s immediate role will be to champion Lund’s recent model introductions – such as the new Impact series – and keep the unrivaled leader in fishing boat design and quality in the public eye, as well as help educate anglers about Lund’s many new award-winning features.

“We are very excited with Lund Boat’s new partnership with Traditions Media,” said Lund Boats marketing director, Jason Oakes. “This partnership provides Lund with a great opportunity to increase our exposure and to be top-of-mind to the fishing and boating consumer. The team at Traditions Media brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the public relations field and has ties to key players in the fishing and outdoor arena. Lund is thrilled to be working with Traditions Media and to announce this partnership.”

Noel Vick, President of fishing-focused Traditions Media, whose client list includes notables Frabill, Northland Fishing Tackle, Aquateko, StrikeMaster and MarCum Technologies, had long admired the superior quality and performance of Lund Boats, a sentiment that dates back to his earliest angling memories.

"I grew up in Lund country,” said Vick. “Even in my fishing circles as a kid, Lund was the brand of boat everyone aspired to own. I can clearly remember the broad smile across my face when I trailered by first new Lund off the dealer lot."
Vick continued: "Passion will be a driving force in our efforts to promote Lund Boats. We're passionate about the product, and of course there's that feeling of kinship working with a legacy manufacturer.

"Plus, we'll be working with fishing greats the likes of Al and Ron Lindner, Gary and Tony Roach, Tom Neustrom, Mark Martin, Jeff Gustafson, and the list goes on and on. No doubt, the best of the best on the water are Lund loyalists. We anticipate a long, successful partnership, reinforcing Lund’s legacy of engineering top-tier fishing boats."

To learn more about Lund or to view product videos, visit: www.lundboats.com