The Rising Tidecast

If you've walked a dock recently, you've probably seen Monique Richter's faux-teak work. How she got to be the one builders call is a very unexpected journey.  She was a pro wakeboarder until someone broke her pinky toe. She owned a surf shop, got her 200-ton license, and ran a 72 Mangusta out of St. Thomas. When she spotted a transom smeared with brown paint at Atlantis, she immediately knew what...

A $70 5-gal bucket sounds crazy until you actually use one and can understand the engineering behind the details that make it great.  Joe Schneider's bucket full of ballyhoo broke while walking down a dock in the Keys, and he found himself at 4am that night sitting at the kitchen table declaring war on the bucket, writing down every problem he's ever had. That list became the foundation for the Hu...

Mike and Barrett Howarth build boats the way almost nobody does anymore: by hand, as a father and son, in the high desert of Southern California, over an hour from the nearest ramp. That choice tells you everything about how Mag Bay Yachts operates. The right people and the right standard come first, and everything else gets figured out. Boat building runs deep in this family. Mike spent decades i...

Kelsey Barrett has spent eight years helping make Seakeeper a household name in boating, not by outspending the competition, but by out-thinking them. Branded trash cans at boat shows. Guerrilla marketing at boat ramps. A $60,000 AR headset experiment that did not work out and a leadership team that called it a learning, not a failure. I   Kelsey walks through what it actually looks like to build...

Thinking about a new boat? The most important details usually aren't on the spec sheet. In this episode, Eric Sorensen breaks down what actually makes a boat safe, capable, and comfortable offshore, drawing on his years as a Coast Guard coxswain and Surfman, a Navy ship driver, and a marine design consultant who's run and compared boats across every category.   You'll learn the one sea trial move...

Billy Pavlock did not enter the marine industry through a traditional path. In this episode of Rising Tidecast, he shares how a college football background, a boat detailing business, and one Instagram page eventually led to Boats Gone Wild, Nautical Network, and Surroundings Group, which has one of the largest social media footprints in the marine industry. Billy and Steve talk about proving the...

Michele Goldsmith spent the past 35 years in the marine industry, doing great work from the ground up. Now, as VP and GM of Soundings Trade Only Group and founder of the Women in the Marine Industry International series, she's built one of the most unexpected success stories in the business. A personal passion project that started as a virtual breakfast in 2021 grew into 25 events, 5,500 registran...

In Episode 22 of the Rising Tidecast, Winn Willard, president of Ray Hunt Design, shares stories from his 50-year journey in the world of naval architecture. From his childhood on the water to working alongside the legendary Ray Hunt, starting Hunt yachts, and carrying on the Ray Hunt Design legacy, Winn provides a deep look into the evolution of boat design and the industry that has defined his l...

The Rising Tidecast is back for season 2 with a fresh new episode! Barry and Craig Martin, the father-son duo behind Assegai Marine, are currently building their biggest game boat yet, a 61-footer with 3,100 horsepower for Morris Nautical. They unpack what it really takes to build a reputation that sells premium boats before they are finished. They share how skipper feedback drives every design de...

In this episode, Roddy Findlay shares his lifelong passion for fishing and boating, starting from building their family boat Murrifin and childhood fishing trips. He discusses the challenges and successes of boat building, memorable fishing adventures, and the transition to a professional fishing career, including experiences on the Great Barrier Reef. Rod emphasizes the importance of perseverance...

Josie Eastman, GM of Edencraft, shares insights into the company's journey since the Maher family purchased the legacy boat brand, the importance of community and family in their business model, and the innovative approaches they take in boat building. She discusses the significance of customer experiences, the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry, and the impact of their event...

In Episode 18 of the Rising Tidecast, Peter Jenyns takes us on a journey through his lifelong love of boating. From growing up in a family deeply rooted in sailing and fishing to forging a career in boat care, Peter shares how his passion for the water has shaped his life.   He reflects on the evolution of fishing, the strong sense of community among boaters, and the lessons learned from years spe...

In this episode, Adam Hickey shares his journey from the fast-paced world of motorsport racing to a career on the water. He reflects on the challenges of transitioning to the yachting industry, the skills required to thrive at sea, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way. He also dives into the emotional highs and lows of competitive sailing, including his experience in the Sydney to Hoba...

Summary Alex Qasabian shares his journey from a passionate fisherman, to an accomplished guitarist, to the owner of Fishing Station, a staple in Sydney's fishing community. He discusses the importance of building a supportive community, the influence of his family on his love for fishing, and the challenges he faced transitioning from a music career to entrepreneurship. Alex highlights the signifi...

Summary Stephanie Vatalaro, Senior VP of Strategy and Operations at the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), discusses her journey from a water-loving family in Ohio to her impactful career in the marine industry. We talk about the importance of networking, the challenges of engaging new audiences in fishing, and the innovative campaigns RBFF has launched to promote fishing and boat...

Summary It's not all champagne and caviar. Jack Warwick shares his journey from corporate to becoming a successful yacht broker in Sydney. Jack discusses the allure of the marine industry, the hard work behind the scenes, and the innovative marketing strategies he employs to stand out in a competitive market. He emphasizes the importance of building long-term relationships with clients and creatin...

Summary Leo Chapman, founder of Billfish Gear, shares the story of how his brand started and grew in the fishing apparel industry. The journey began with an Instagram page and the idea to provide a news source for fishing enthusiasts. Leo built a following and eventually added products to the mix, starting with stickers and then expanding to hats and apparel. Along the way, he relied on the help o...

Summary Rebecca Whitlocke, founder of Antibes Yachting, discusses her journey in the yachting and luxury industry and the importance of effective marketing and storytelling. She emphasizes the need for authentic and relatable content that resonates with the target audience. Rebecca also highlights the significance of local content and understanding cultural nuances when marketing to a global audie...

Summary   In this conversation, Stephen Govel interviews Aaron O'Donoghue, founder of Boatbuy, who shares his journey from leaving school at 15 to becoming a marine mechanic and eventually a marine surveyor. The discussion covers the importance of community in the marine industry, the role of technology in improving boat inspections, and the significance of customer feedback and content marketing...

Summary Ben Taylor is a journalist and reporter in the marine industry who focuses on B2B content. He started his own media production company, Ben Taylor Media, to provide authentic and entertaining content for businesses in the industry. His consistent tagline, 'What's Going On?', has become synonymous with his brand and helps to engage his audience. Ben emphasizes the importance of being authen...

Summary Jason and Crystal Lucas are the husband and wife team behind Southern Craftsman Marine, specializing in fine marine carpentry. They have a big following on Instagram and are known for their excellence in craftsmanship. Jason's love for the ocean started from growing up on the water and working on headboats, which eventually led him to marine carpentry. Crystal, on the other hand, had a bac...

Summary Nona Pedersen, the founder of Yessss to Growth, shares her expertise in helping marine businesses thrive through fast and effective growth. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the needs and goals of clients and working backwards to create a marketing strategy that delivers results. Nona also discusses her passion for the marine industry and the satisfaction she gets from helping...

Summary Andrew Stubbs, one of the directors at Onboard Engineering, shares his journey in the marine industry and the challenges of starting and growing a business. He emphasizes the importance of customer service, trust, and building relationships. Stubbs also discusses the brands they work with, such as Mercury, MAN, Yanmar, Volvo, Seakeeper, and Caterpillar, and the exciting new technologies in...

Summary Eric Sorensen, a renowned naval architect and author, shares his journey in the boating industry and his expertise in boat design and performance. He discusses the importance of seaworthiness and hull design and emphasizes many key points for boats to have a smooth and comfortable ride. Eric's experience in boat reviews and competitive analysis has given him a deep understanding of what ma...

Summary Short Marine is a boat dealership that aims to make boating easy and enjoyable for customers. The founders, Sam and Ryan Short, were inspired by their father's legacy and the impact that boating can have on creating memories and living better lives. They started the business with a focus on service and have since expanded to offer a full end-to-end solution for boat owners. Their unique of...