Veteran high-performance powerboat writer Bob Brown has agreed to join speedonthewater.com as an “at-will” contributor. Brown, who is based in Southern California, was the executive editor of Powerboat magazine from 1973 to 1979 and a columnist for the magazine through 1992 and a senior editor and columnist for Hot Boat magazine from 1992 through 2008. In addition to running Media Direction, his own public relations agency, he is a current regular to Sportboat magazine.

“I hope I’ll be able to contribute from time to time help make speedonthewater.com a big success,” says Brown, who has tested more than 2,000 boats in the past 25 years and is a former marathon waterskiing, endurance competition and offshore racing driver.. “The industry needs it.”

Brown has served on the board of the directors of the Southern California Marine Association for 18 years and received a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the organization in 2005. At present, he also is working as the producer of the 2012 Lake Havasu Boat Show.

Local boaters provide rides to special needs children during the 2011 Shore Dreams for Kids, one of many events the New Jersey Performance Powerboat Clubs hosts annually. Photo by Tim Sharkey

Earlier this week, Dave Patnaude announced this year's schedule of events for the New Jersey Performance Powerboat Club (NJPPC). Patnaude, the club president, said the first event of the season will be the Atlantic City Boat Show Winter Party on Saturday, Feb. 4.

After that, the 200-plus-member club will reconvene for a Memorial Day Social on Sunday, May 27. The club's biggest event of the year—the Atlantic City Overnight Poker Run—will take place June 22-24, and Patnaude can't wait.

"I am super excited about our upcoming Atlantic City Overnight Poker Run in June," Patnaude said. "The Trump Marina Hotel & Casino was purchased by the Golden Nugget last summer and they are just completing a $150 million renovation of the entire property. Everyone will be 'wowed' as it will be one of the nicest and most modern casinos on the East Coast!"

Only a few weeks later, Patnaude and an enormous group of volunteers will come together for the club's annual Shore Dreams for Kids charity event. The event, which takes place on Saturday, July 14, offers special needs children a full day of entertainment, including a “carnival atmosphere," a classic car display, food and drinks, live entertainment and performance powerboat rides on Barnegat Bay at the Jersey Shore.

"We will be celebrating the 10th year of Shore Dreams for Kids in a big way this July," Patnaude said. "The event will be more over the top than it ever has been before and we will have commemorative shirts for participants to help us celebrate the anniversary. We also are lining up some special 'New Joisey' guests to help make the day special."

The club will finish the season with two events in August—the Roar at the Shore Poker Run on Aug. 4 and a Hudson River rendezvous trip with a to-be-determined date—plus the Atlantic City End of Season Fun Run on Saturday, Sept. 15.

As always, NJPPC is open to all boaters no matter what size their boat is or how fast it runs. The club is a sociable one, with members who own a variety of boat types and come from diverse backgrounds.

NRG Boats will have its new 30-footer on display at the St. Louis Boat & Sportshow.

The first model from Nautical Racing Group (NRG) Boats—the 30 Open Bow—will make its public debut at the 2012 St. Louis Boat & Sportshow next month. Taking place from Feb. 8-12 at America's Center & Edward Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis, the show features a long list of exhibitors, seminars and demonstrations.

Located at MIssouri's Lake of the Ozarks, NRG Boats started operation in the fall of 2010 in Wisconsin after acquiring the Profile Custom Powerboats molds that were held by the Barnacle Group LLC in Richland Center, Wis., and finished construction on its new building at Lake of the Ozarks last summer.

Owners Jim Crawford and Jim Prouty (Prouty worked at Profile from 2004 to 2008) are excited to have their first 30-footer, which is powered by a MerCruiser 8.2 Mag HO engine, on display at booth 916 near the main entrance. Painted by The Art of Design, the 4,000-pound V-bottom includes McLeod bolster seats and a custom entertainment system from Waves and Wheels Audio.

Read more: NRG Boats Makes Boat Show Debut in St. Louis

Mercury Racing's 200XS ROS outboard-engine in action.

Mercury Racing has earned the 2011 Environmental Award for Economic Feasibility and Sustainability from the Union International Motonautique, according to a press release from the Fond du Lac, Wis., company. The UIM is the world governing body for all power boating activities.  

According to the release, the UIM Environmental Award recognizes outstanding environmental leaders, whether individuals or organizations that have exemplified inspiration, vision, innovation and leadership in safeguarding water and the environment through all types of power boating activities. Among the main selection criteria are innovation, significance, practicality, usability, economic feasibility and environmental benefit.

The company was selected for its development and production of low-emissions engines for the greening of outboard powerboat racing worldwide.

“Mercury customers, myself included, want to boat on clean water and in a healthy environment. Mercury Racing showcases our environmentally responsible technologies through powerboat racing and performance boating worldwide,” said Fred Kiekhaefer, the president of Mercury Racing, in the release.

Read more: Mercury Racing Recognized for Green Achievements in Powerboat Racing