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The latest

Lake Murray’s Putnam’s Harbor Celebrates Grand Opening

Putnam’s Harbor Marina has officially opened on Lake Murray, bringing a premier boating facility to the area. This state-of-the-art marina is designed to meet all boating needs, offering top-tier amenities and services for an unparalleled experience on the water. The marina marks the first marina in the Columbia-area to be a South Carolina Boating & Fishing Alliance (SCBFA) certified partner.

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South Carolina Boating & Fishing Alliance Supports National Safe Boating Week Amid Safety Concerns Over NOAA’s Proposed Speed Rule

SCBFA supports these safety guidelines. However, we express grave concerns about the arbitrary 10-knot (11 mph) speed restriction proposed by NOAA and the Biden Administration, which could inadvertently compromise boater safety. The expansion of the 2008 North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction rule mandates that recreational boats travel at 10 knots (11 mph) up to 90 miles offshore along the entire eastern seaboard for much of the year, creating significant hazards for small craft operators. NOAA’s own data shows there has never been a documented whale strike with a boat between 35-65 feet in South Carolina waters.

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SCBFA National Safe Boating Week

The South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance (SCBFA) is dedicated to promoting safety on our beautiful waterways. Here are our top five tips to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable boating experience:

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Gov. McMaster signs boater safety bill​

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Governor Henry McMaster, joined by state leaders, law enforcement officials, and families of boat accident victims, held a ceremonial bill signing of the South Carolina Boating Safety and Education bill (S.96) on Thursday at Lake Murray.

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Matt McLeskey: A Reel Legacy

If you walk the halls of Dorman High School, you will see it on the walls. On the classroom doors. On bracelets worn by students. #ForMatt.

Matt McLeskey was a sophomore at Dorman and a member of the bass fishing team. He was the student who could entice anyone with his smile and humor.

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Upstate textile company becomes SCBFA partner

Fabric brand, Sunbrella, is no stranger to the water. With a plant in Anderson that opened in 1980s, the company has strived to be a champion supplier for the marine industry and an advocate for the boaters and anglers they serve.

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State legislature pushes back against federal efforts ​

Coastal South Carolina State Senators and avid outdoorsmen, Stephen Goldfinch and Chip Campsen, have introduced two resolutions over the last two weeks that call on the state’s congressional delegation to secure funding for state-led harvest data collection efforts and to assist in finding a better alternative to the recently proposed vessel speed restrictions.

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Two years of continued success for SCBFA

Columbia, S.C. — For the South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance, it has been a historic two years since its launch, with industry advancements, legislative achievements, and the voice of anglers and boaters amplifying.

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2023 SCBFA legislative agenda

Columbia, S.C. — With the new legislative session underway at the Statehouse, here’s what the South Carolina Boating & Fishing Alliance is fighting for to ensure the protection and promotion of the state’s boating and fishing industry.

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43rd Charleston Boat Show a huge success

Boat show season is underway with shows across the country, including the Charleston Boat Show, which took place from January 27 to January 29 at the Charleston Area Convention Center, drawing boaters and anglers both near and far.

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Scout Boats Announces 67′ Boat Series

Scout Boats, a South Carolina Boating & Fishing Alliance founding member, has unveiled a premier yacht project, internally known as “Everest.” The 670 LX Series will expand operations at their Summerville facility and add 200 new jobs.

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SCBFA welcomes Wesco Trailers

With nearly 70 years of experience, innovation, and expertise, the Columbia-based company, Wesco Trailers, has joined the South Carolina Boating & Fishing Alliance to support one of the state’s top economic forces and the lifeline of the marine trailers industry, boating and fishing.

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SCBFA welcomes Phenom Yachts

The South Carolina Boating & Fishing Alliance welcomes Phenom Yachts, a premium center console brand that will bring 149 new jobs to Dorchester County, a $12 million investment.

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SCBFA submits comments opposing new speed regulations​

The South Carolina Boating & Fishing Alliance submitted formal comments last week to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) asking the agencies to pause the proposed speed restriction due to the lack of industry input, scientific rationale, and the disregard of constitutional, administrative, and public policy concerns.

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South Carolina senators respond to proposed boating regulation ​

South Carolina Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott joined their colleagues from North Carolina and Florida in a joint letter to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Richard Spinrad in opposition to the proposed North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) Vessel Strike Reduction Rule.

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Boat, Fish, Football at Williams-Brice Stadium

The South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance once again will showcase South Carolina-made boats and fishing tackle at Gamecock Village when South Carolina takes on the Texas A&M Aggies October 22. SCBFA is the title sponsor of the game.

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Raising Awareness: Rep. Ott works to raise industry awareness in the SC House

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, people around the state hit the water in record numbers to free themselves from various confines and indulge in the state’s growing outdoor recreation industry and natural beauty. One of those South Carolinians was avid outdoorsman and state legislator Rep. Russell Ott (D-Orangeburg). “If you are looking for a positive to come out of the pandemic, it would certainly be that people were able to get on the water and realize the natural beauty our state has to offer,” said Ott.

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SCBFA chairman reflects on organization’s recent success

In the famous 1984 film Ghost Busters, the notable theme song has the catchy line “Who you gonna call?” For automotive dealers in South Carolina, the force would be the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association, often referred to as SCADA. As a longtime car dealer in Beaufort, South Carolina, Chris Butler relied heavily on the assistance and advocacy of the industry-based trade association. However, in 2001, when he transitioned into the boating industry, Butler discovered that though it was a big industry, its voice was small.

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Dealer Spotlight: Butler Marine

For automotive dealer Chris Butler, the perfect cast was in 2001, when he and his brother, Steward, bought Boat Busters in Beaufort and transformed it into Butler Marine.

Though they were boat owners, they had never worked in the boating industry. However, with a sales and service-driven attitude, the opportunity and risk excited them. “We both felt we could learn a new industry,” said Butler.

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Dealer Spotlight: Cape Romain Marine

Since 2002, Richard and Shelley Powers, along with their devoted team at Cape Romain Marine, have served boaters in the low country and across the state with a family-oriented environment and customer-focused service.

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Casting change for reel growth

As a founding member and former chairman of the South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, the president of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, and a key leader in the launch of the South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance, White has pushed for industry-led legislation in the SC House and across the country. “The industry in our state has come a long way, but we still have a long way to go,” said White.

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A Reel Year for SCBFA

The South Carolina Boating & Fishing Alliance (SCBFA) had quite the inaugural year as the organization traveled throughout the Palmetto State to unite and advance the industry through industry-wide awareness campaigns, advocacy, and grassroots efforts.

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Dealer Spotlight: Marshall’s Marine

When you are in the Lake City or Georgetown area, be sure to check out SCBFA partner and dealer Marshall’s Marine, which houses top boating brands as well as various other off-road vehicles.

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Dealer Spotlight: The Boathouse

Since 1987, Grant Kaple and his team at the Hilton Head Boathouse have strived to provide anglers and boaters the best experience on the water with services ranging from sales, storage, repairs, and tackle.

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The Carolina’s Longest Running Bass Trail Joins SCBFA

The Carolina’s largest and longest running bass fishing trail, the Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT), has joined the South Carolina Boating & Fishing Alliance as a founding member.

The tournament organization, founded in 1997, has between 2,200-3,000 participants each year across its 270 tournaments that are held on lakes and waterways in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.

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Floodwater Commission Chairman Calls on the Boating and Fishing Industry​

Nearly every Christian has a passage of scripture that serves as a guiding truth in their life. For conservative environmental lawyer, South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance founding member, and South Carolina Floodwater Commission Chairman Dr. Tom Mullikin, one of those verses is Genesis 2:15, “And the Lord God took man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”

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Boating, Fishing & Football for Kentucky Game

The South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance is a proud sponsor of the South Carolina Gamecocks and will showcase some of the nation’s most iconic boats and fishing tackle brands in Gamecock Village prior to the football game against Kentucky on Saturday, September 25, in a first-of-it’s-kind boating and fishing exhibition.

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Legislative Update 2021

In our inaugural year, the SC Boating & Fishing Alliance demonstrated just how impactful our state’s boating and fishing enthusiasts and business leaders can be in the legislative process.

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Back Your Water

COLUMBIA, S.C. (May 18, 2021) — Two South Carolina nonprofits are teaming up to help promote and protect some of the state’s most famous waterways.

Outdoor enthusiasts have the opportunity to get some brag swag sun shirts featuring their favorite waterways with the added bonus of conserving and protecting the state’s world-famous waterways.

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Protecting and Expanding Boating and Fishing in South Carolina

©2021 South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance. All Rights Reserved.

JOIN US TODAY

We need you to protect and expand boating and fishing in the Palmetto State!

With your $25 individual contribution, you will receive an SCBFA-branded neck gaiter and sticker, along with our exclusive e-newsletter.

Please note this membership is for individuals. If you would like to contribute on behalf of your business, please email: [email protected]

Contributions to the organization are not deductible for federal income tax purposes as charitable contributions.