Change is the Only Constant

With the onset of spring, I am always overcome by the urge to purge. This year, the victim of my compulsion would be the handful of bins my parents brought over from their basement (now that I have my very own).

Among the dusty old papers – some of which predate my actual memory – I found my high school yearbooks. As I flipped through, reading notations and inscriptions from friends I never saw again after graduation and friends who are still fixtures in my adult life, I chuckled to myself and fondly reminisced on good old times. The yearbooks would definitely stay in the “Keep” pile.

Surrounded by all these wonderful memories, I could not help but recall that I began life at my arts high school very much against my will. My parents, who absolutely did not want me attending the local high school, insisted I audition. Only 11 at the time, the thought of leaving all that was familiar to go to a new school was downright terrifying. Once accepted, I went kicking and screaming. Now, over 20 years later, I am glad I did. The friendships and experiences I had were truly unique and utterly unforgettable.

Much like my pre-teen self, there are many people who are extremely resistant to change. And while some fight it like it is the plague, others embrace it – and usually benefit greatly by doing so. After all, the technological and medical advances we enjoy today were thanks to those not ready to accept the status quo; those pushing the envelope to bring about an evolution.

And as the pace of development seems to hasten exponentially, change has become the only constant in an ever-evolving landscape. With this in mind, we at Boats&Places decided it was time to tackle a piece detailing the changes that have occurred over the past few years in the marine industry. In particular, we wanted to focus on those developments that could and/or would affect you, the consumer.

As many of us are already well aware, much has changed with the recent economic slowdown – that is no exception in the boating world. Perhaps less widely recognized, though, is the fact that the changes mostly bode well for the future. Take a few moments to read through the Changes in Boating story (Page 54) to make sure you are informed on developments in the industry as they may affect you.

And there is really no better way to get a finger on the pulse of the boating community than at the annual Miami International Boat Show. This is where many of the world’s top manufacturers of boats, boating accessories and marine engines introduce and showcase new models and new technologies. The 2010 show was no exception, reassuring everyone that the industry’s creative minds continue to forge ahead in tough times. We have gathered some of the most noteworthy news in our Miami Show Highlights article (Page 52), with various other points of interest working their way into various other stories throughout the book (i.e. the Techline column on Page 68).

So, although change can be scary, it tends to bring great things and, at the end of the day, is totally inevitable. By pushing out of our comfort zone a bit and staying ahead of the curve, we can make sure we’re not left behind the crowd when things turn around – and it seem this will happen very soon.

Until next time, Amanda

~ Boats&Places Spring 2010 ~