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Richard C. (Dick) Rowe, founder of Indmar Products, is a man for whom boating is not just a business, it’s his life. For more than forty years he has unselfishly committed himself to the recreational marine industry. Under his leadership, many significant advances have been made in marine engine propulsion systems and his efforts have played an important role in improving the boating experience and growing the industry.

Active in recreational boating for more than 40 years, brothers Bob and Bill Healey, are best known for founding the Viking Yacht Company and Viking Sport Cruisers.

In the 1950's, Bill joined Bob in real-estate development. Among their projects was Bass River Marina in New Gretna, NJ. At the same time, the brothers also purchased a financially troubled, local boat builder, Petersen Viking Builders and renamed it Viking Yachts. Eventually, the Healeys sold the marina to concentrate on building yachts. Bill served as President and built the boats; Bob, an attorney, as company lawyer and Chief Executive.

Jeff Napier is often cited as the “Builder of NMMA.” The fact that the industry, once perceived as small and fragmented, is now viewed as an important and strong economic force, is in large part due to his accomplishments as NMMA’s first president and CEO.

In late 1979, the National Association of Engine and Boat Builders merged with the Boating Industry Association to form NMMA. In 1980, Napier became the new association’s first president, charged with integrating two regional organizations into one national organization, providing leadership, acting as spokesman for the marine industry and being a strong advocate for manufacturer interests.

Jeff’s career in the boating industry began as a young lawyer-lobbyist for the Boating Industry Association (BIA) in Chicago. While there, he incorporated the Marine Retailers association of America and did much of the legal engineering for the merger of BIA and NAEBM into NMMA.

Eddie Smith’s name and deeds are synonymous with quality and innovation in the recreational marine industry. In 1968 he purchased a nearly bankrupt boat company from Glenn Grady and Don White. Since then, together with the talented and dedicated associates he gathered at Grady-White Boats in Greenville, North Carolina, Eddie Smith has changed the way people around the world enjoy saltwater fishing.

Says son Paxson St. Clair in his nominating letter: “The article in Inter/port states, ‘The NMMA Hall of Fame award was established to bestow recognition and honor upon those who are synonymous with the pursuit of quality, innovation, and perfection within the sphere of their expertise.’ Obviously, I am a bit prejudiced toward my hero, but in my opinion, there is nobody who represents that statement more than my father Pack.”

Don Rocheleau moved into leadership roles in the recreational boating industry as soon as he entered it in 1966. He was an early advocate of growing boating as a lifestyle and uniting the fragments that made up the industry in order to benefit his company, clients, competitors and the industry.

In a lifetime's involvement in marine manufacturing, Leon Slikkers has launched and guided the operation of five boating brand names, both power and sail, all synonymous with his dedication to quality. Described as having an absolute passion for excellence, his creation of Slickcraft, S2 Sailboats, Grand Slam Sailboats, Tiara Yachts and Pursuit Fishing Boats have become industry standards to which other quality-seeking boat builders aspire.

In the early 1950s, Robert R. Hammond saw the untapped potential of the recreational boating industry and became a pioneer not only in the manufacture of fiberglass boats, but also in the promotion of the sport.

In the decades before two major trade organizations merged to become NMMA, Charles Jones was an industry catalyst and pioneer in the field of boating trade magazines.

Jack Hargrave was passionate about boats of all kinds. His enjoyment for his work is shown most clearly in his designs—nearly 250 in all—from ocean-going ferries to powered pleasure crafts of all types.

Richard Fisher, as a young man fresh out of college, toyed with the idea of building boats out of balsa wood but never pursued it. Instead, he founded Sigma Instruments, specializing in electrical-relays and street light controls.

With over 75 patents to his credit in industries as diverse as boating, photography, aviation and industrial equipment, it is evident that John F. Morse had both a natural talent and intense curiosity about the way things work.

Over the course of his 40-year career in the marine industry, Sylvan “Ham” Hamberger built a solid reputation as an industry leader and marketing innovator.

Forrest Wood produced his first custom-built boat in 1968, and soon became known as the father and inventor of the bass boat. What he built, however, was more than a boat named Ranger.

Few individuals have impacted big game fishing as much as John Rybovich. Besides developing several lasting innovations for sport fishing boats, Rybovich was among the first organizers of several major international fishing tournaments, which helped popularize and broaden the sport.

Athlete, innovator and entrepreneur, Hobart Laidlaw Alter is known worldwide as Hobie for more than 100,000 catamarans that bear his name today.

Considered an early pioneer of volume merchandising in the recreational boating market, Orin Edson first applied his value selling approach as a retailer for one of the largest boat manufactures.

An internationally known and respected helmsman and yacht designer, C. Raymond Hunt was a “natural” at the things he did best.

The Thompson Brothers Boat Company was recognized for many years as the world’s largest boat building firm.

Olin Stephens, at the age of 19, designed his first sailboat, which was featured in Sailing magazine. A few years later, the DORADE design became Olin’s first big success, winning both the Transatlantic and Fastnet races.

With a borrowed camera and an eye for graceful lines, 13-year-old Morris Rosedfeld took his first photograph of a boat.

From his first outboard race in 1937 to his leadership of Outboard Marine Corporation through unprecedented periods of growth, Charles D. Strang – better known as Charlie to his many friends – served as a driving force in the recreational marine industry.

Long before Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, the name Herreshoff became well-known in Narragansett Bay waters for skilled sailing and fast boats.

Alan Freedman became active in the marine industry in 1945, following his service in the Army’s bombing group during World War II. He joined Ketcham & McDougall, Inc. as sales manager and assumed a role of leadership in the industry from that time forward.

Growing up on Lake Michigan, George Good took an early liking to water sports, specifically sailing. In his youth, Good crewed on prize-winning sailboats running in the famous Chicago-to-Mackinac Island race.

One of those fortunate people whose work and passion seem perfectly matched, Jim Wynne began racing powerboats as a hobby during his school years.

Born in 1907, the same year his father built a prototype of the first mass marketable outboard motor, Ralph Evenrude was destined to be a part of the outboard business.

During his lifetime, Charles "Chap" Chapman was considered “the authority” of American recreational boating.

Growing up in the riverside village of Algonac, Michigan had a great impact on Chris Smith, the man whose company, Chris-Craft, would eventually put the American family “on the water”.

It could be said one of the most fitting tributes Carl Kiekhaefer ever received was not from the people in the company he founded, but rather from the individuals who represented his most formidable competition – the Outboard Marine Corporation.

The man who was name after Presidents Garfield and Arthur was also the first person to travel over 100 miles per hour on water. Garfield Arthur Wood, who began his racing career at the age of eighteen, would come to dominate powerboat racing headlines for over two decades.

While picnicking on an island on a hot August day, Ole Evinrude wished to purchase some ice cream for Bess, his fiancée. The only problem, the ice cream store was several miles away.

Baseball has Babe Ruth, hockey Gordy Howe, and football Knute Rockne. Unlimited hydroplane racing also has its own “ultimate” hero—Bill Muncey.