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and a 14 percent attendance increase from 2016, show organizers said. "Year over year, this show continues to grow in exhibitor participation and guest at- tendance, which speaks to both the strength of the boating industry and the unique, global appeal of Palm Beach as its location," said Andrew Doole, senior vice president and COO of Show Management, the company that manages and produces the show. The total number of boats in water in- creased 6 percent over the 2016 show, with the most dramatic growth seen in the 80-to- 100-foot category, up 17 percent. The show featured more than $1.2 billion worth of yachts and accessories, including hundreds of boats ranging from small inflatables and tenders, center consoles and sportfishers to some of the largest yachts in the world. "We saw increased traffic at this year's show and positive activity between brokers and clients," said Mike Busacca, chief oper- ating officer of Fraser Yachts. "Overall, the show atmosphere was optimistic and was a good showcase for us heading into the summer season." This year's event featured a lineup of new yacht builders including Amels, Feadship, Heesen and Moonen in a new "Superyacht Villas" section at the center of the show. NMMA, BoatUS raise concerns over Trump budget President Trump's Budget Blueprint calls for cuts to several department that have "a sig- nificant impact on the recreational boating industry," the National Marine Manufactur- ers Association said in an analysis of the plan. The budget, if enacted, would have a 10 percent increase in defense spending ($603 billion), with a 10 percent decrease in non- defense spending ($462 billion). Depart- ments targeted for cuts include a $1.5 billion (11.7 percent) decrease for the Department of Interior, a $1 billion cut for the Army Corps of Engineers (16.3 percent), and a re- duction of $2.6 billion (31.4 percent) for the Environmental Protection Agency. "The NMMA understands the fiscal cli- mate facing our nation and the need for some streamlining of agency programs for efficien- cies. We look forward to working with the Administration and our members on Capitol Hill to ensure a final budget prioritizes out- door recreation and the boating economy," NMMA President Thom Dammrich said. "Even in limited fiscal times, prioritizing boating and the outdoors will pay dividends for the American economy. We must invest in our federal lands and waters and ensure recreational access and conservation of our nation's treasured resources." The Boat Owners Association of The United States says that boat owners should be aware of potential budget impacts that could affect boating safety, access and the health of our waterways. "The administration's budget proposal clearly reflects a different set of priorities over previous years," said BoatUS Manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. "Proposed cuts to agencies such as the De- partments of Commerce and Interior, Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency could lead to changes for many programs that matter to boating." Sunseeker says it has returned to profitability Sunseeker International Holdings Limited audited accounts reveal that it moved back to profit with a $7.5 million (EBITDA) for the year ending December 31, 2016. "This was a defining year for Sunseeker, during which it delivered five new models, a record number for any one year, and saw its forward order book increase by 41 percent by volume year on year," the company said in a statement. The figures reflect a $45 million (EBITDA) profit improvement since 2014. The company said it has increased business increase revenue by 25 percent from $253 million in 2015 to $315 million, as well as creating over 400 new jobs since 2014. Sunseeker has announced plans to recruit a further 170 people in 2017 to support additional volume growth. "It has been a remarkable turnaround in such a short space of time and much of this can be attributed to our strategy to continually INDUSTRY NEWS May 2017 | Boating Industry | 13