It's Our 3rd Anniversary - Here are the Biggest Stories from the Last Three Years
This week marks the 3rd anniversary of 'The Blurb.'
We launched in May of 2020, which, looking back on it, was a wild time. We all know why.
We've come a long way since then. Our subscribership has exploded in recent months, and we're providing (in our opinion, at least) some of the most up-to-date and complete information in the boating world. We've gone global, too. We are based in Canada and started with a strong hometown readership, but now our top five countries are the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and New Zealand. In that order. We've also growing quickly in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany. In other words, the boaters have found us. We exist to be there for you, and our mission is to educate and inspire. I've always said it: if there's something you want to read, let me know and we'll cover it.
I'm not a hard guy to find either, just hit me up at editor@boatblurb.com.
This anniversary also gave me a chance to reflect. What were the biggest stories from the last three years? What's changed in the boating world since we started? How is boating different than it was in 2020?
Those are hard questions to answer, but I'll try.
I've put together the 15 biggest stories from the last three years. They were chosen based on two main criteria: 1) readership -- the number of pageviews they've accumulated since they were published, and 2) influence -- the measurable impact the stories had on boaters as determined by the number of comments, shares on social media, and feedback we received. Sometimes we publish an article that I suspect might go flat, and it goes viral. Sometimes there's a breaking story that I'm convinced will change the game, and it quickly fades away. The internet can be a silly place.
If you look at these 15 stories as a collective, it paints an interesting picture. The boating world is everchanging, but at the same time many things remain the same. Boaters are a unique breed, and I have great respect for their sense of individuality, their fascination with details, and their thirst for knowledge. I'm the same way. I sometimes joke that boaters have ADHD because they rarely seem focused, but when they do focus on a story, watch out. They will consume it with incredible intensity. No detail will be left undiscussed.
I get confirmation of that theory every Tuesday when our newsletter goes out. I watch the web traffic in real-time as boaters attack the latest information. They're quick to point out irregularities. They don't mince words. I love that.
They also love engines. I don't know exactly why, but boaters love a good engine story. You'll see that reflected in the list below.
I must also take a moment to thank our Editor-in-Chief Chris Perera. We are part of the BoatDealers.ca family, and Chris has incredible vision. I don't know anyone else who loves boating, and the boating community, as much him. He lives for all of us. There is no better advocate. If you're a boater, you should absolutely be using BoatDealers for your buy/sell needs. We also have a suite of other sites for RV'ers, motorcyclists, and snowmobilers.
Without further ado, here's the biggest 15 stories of the last three years. Thanks for being with us on this ride.
1) BRP Unveils Groundbreaking Rotax Outboard Engine with Stealth Technology
BRP announced a line of Rotax outboard engines that are horizontally designed, rather than vertical, which allow them to be mounted below the stern deck. The new lineup of 115 and 150 hp configurations was met with strong reactions. Read more.
2) Don’t Poke Poseidon: The Ritual of Naming Your Boat And Staying Afloat
Naming, or renaming, a boat requires a very strict protocol. Failure to follow the rules of the deep will land you, and your beloved boat, in Davy Jones' locker. We put together some guidelines so you can do it the proper way. Read more.
3) Tom Brady Adjusting to Florida Life with Custom Wajer 55S Yacht
Tom Brady had it pretty good in Florida. The iconic NFL quarterback not only won a Super Bowl in his first year with the Buccaneers, he also picked up a stunning Wajer 55 from the boutique Dutch builder. Read more.
4) Famous Boats: The Strange Saga of the 'Orca' from JAWS
Jaws was released on June 20th, 1975, and to celebrate its 45th anniversary as one of cinema's best aquatic thrillers we dove into the fascinating backstory behind Quint's disheveled but beloved boat: the Orca. Read more.
5) Evinrude Discontinued; Mercury Marine Enters Agreement with BRP as Primary Engine Supplier
The industry was stunned in May 2020 when BRP abruptly declared the discontinuation of the longstanding Evinrude brand. The gaping hole it left across the industry has had a profound rippling effect that is still playing out today. Read more.