For Immediate Release

NMMA & BOATS.COM RECOGNIZE FIVE COMPANIES FOR WEB DESIGN EXCELLENCE

Chicago, IL

CONTACT: Lindsey Savin   (lsavin@nmma.org; 312-946-6204)
                Nanci Cowden  (ncowden@boats.com; 757-321-8589)

MIAMI, February 16, 2006 - - Sea-Doo (seadoo.com) was honored for having the best overall website in the marine industry today by boats.com and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) in the second annual North American Marine Industry Web Awards, presented at the 2006 Miami International Boat Show Media Breakfast on Thursday, February 16.

The North American Marine Industry Web Awards were launched in 2004 to recognize the industry’s drive towards higher standards of excellence in website design and content. Websites considered for the awards program were evaluated by a panel of judges with expertise in web creation and design.

“Sea-Doo’s site offers users a well-defined message that relates directly to the different audiences it targets, excellent design features and a confident use of technology,” says boats.com group general manager James Nolan. “The navigation is consistent and simple to understand even though the site is very complex.  The site also identifies and deals with the perceived concerns revolving around the use of Sea-Doo’s personal watercraft products, offering consumers a wealth of information on safety precautions and proper operating techniques.”

In addition to an overall winner, websites were honored in four sub categories: Best OEM/Manufacturer Site; Best Marine Equipment Site; Best Broker/Dealer Site; and an award for Outstanding Contribution to the Online Marine Industry.

Grand Banks Yachts (grandbanks.com) was recognized as the Best OEM/Manufacturer Site for its clean elegance and ease of site navigation.  The site also spoke directly to its consumers, with tight branding and comprehensive information about the features of each boat.

Sea Recovery (searecovery.com) was honored in Best Marine Equipment category for its clear conception of the market it serves, exceptional and detailed technical explanations of its product and a comprehensive “Frequently Asked Questions” section that relays helpful, clear information to consumers.

The Best Broker/Dealer Site award went to Marine Max (marinemax.com) for the second year in a row due to its overall consistency in ease of navigation, crisp, clean design of its secondary pages and its ability to match buyers with the correct boat for their needs.

BoatTEST (boattest.com) was honored for its Outstanding Contribution to the Online Marine Industry. BoatTEST provides consumers and the marine industry a truly valuable service by offering third-party boat reviews and information on boats tested by experts in the marine trade.  Their use of rich media offers consistent clarity and easy-to-access information for boat owners and prospects.

About NMMA: National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers in the United States. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy, market research and data, product quality assurance and marketing communications.

About boats.com: Through boats.com and its affiliated Web site, yachtworld.com, marine dealers, brokers and manufacturers are utilizing a new, international channel of operation and consumer interaction. Boats.com enhances the capabilities of the boating industry by offering dealers and OEMs a range of unique products, online and offline, which help sell, finance, insure and market all marine product lines. With an established network of industry alliances—including the exclusive endorsements from the industry's two leading associations, the NMMA and the Marine Retailers Association of America (MRAA)—boats.com provides an unmatched level of consumer access to information, boat listings, accessories and financial and insurance products for the marine industry. Boats.com is owned and operated by Trader Publishing Company in Norfolk, Virginia.

For more information on the North American Marine Industry Web Awards, contact NMMA trade communications manager Lindsey Savin at (312) 946-6204; lsavin@nmma.org, or boats.com marketing manager Nanci Cowden at (757) 321-8589; ncowden@boats.com.