Progressions ...

Lewmar USA has appointed Randy Blanton to the newly created position of director of sales and marketing development. As a previous member of the Lewmar organization, Blanton served in various senior sales, marketing and customer service roles. Other past marine industry positions include management of two retail boat dealerships, marine condominiums and a marine construction company.

Sail America member CrossCurrent Marine of Barrington, Rhode Island, the exclusive distributor for J/Boats Southeast, has formed a new marketing alliance with Sarasota Yacht & Ship Services (SYSS), a US yacht brokerage based in Sarasota, Florida. The alliance provides CrossCurrent with a brokerage channel to help prospective new boat owners find homes for their previously owned yachts, while allowing SYSS to offer new yachts to its extensive client base. CrossCurrent Marine has just established new operations in Sarasota Bay, Florida. The company currently represents J/Boats, Maxi Dolphin and Dufour Yachts, among others.

C. Sherman Johnson Co. Inc. of East Haddam, Conn., was named sole U.S. distributor for the Italian made Garelli line of roller swaging machines. Garelli's SM1, SM2 and SM3 swagers feature all die sizes stacked vertically and ready to swage with no die handling. These machines swage forward and backward allowing a swage to be done in about 30 seconds, reducing swaging time and labor. C. Sherman Johnson Co. has been a leader in stainless rigging hardware since 1958, providing the marine and architectural industries with a full line of turnbuckles and wire rope fittings.

Captain Kirk’s San Francisco Sailing Adventures, a Sausalito-based sailboat charter company, announced that it will donate 10% of all revenues (not just a portion of profits) to selected non-profits. To date, four organizations have received donations: Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Bay Area; Sailing Education Adventures (providers of sailing opportunities to disadvantaged youth); Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association; and the Marine Mammal Center. Additional donations will be made in the next three months.

“The goal of the business is to support the community that has supported me,” said Captain Kirk. “Knowing that my sailing business helps generate funds for these deserving non-profits is very fulfilling.”

SailLaser, a sailing center run by LaserPerformance, recently completed an “Introduction to Sailing” program for over 100 kids. The children were invited to sail through the City of Miami’s Parks & Recreation Department’s after-school program.

According to Donald Lutton, Superintendent of the City of Miami’s parks & Recreation Department, “The children had an outstanding time on the sailing trips. We hope to continue our participation in the future.”

This program is just one of many ways SailLaser is introducing the citizens of South Florida to the joys of sailing. The Miami SailLaser center offers Summer Sailing Camps, Adult and Children’s Groups and Private Lessons, Racing Clinics and Programs, Corporate Programs and Special Events.

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