// MARKET TRENDS
Harris is leveraging technology from sister brands to bring new comforts to the pontoon market .
convenience on the water .”
In late 2022 , Brunswick Corporation announced the expansion of its Fort Wayne manufacturing facility as a means to bolster its Harris and Cypress Cay pontoon brands and continue to drive innovation in the segment .
“ This announcement represents an exciting milestone for our Fort Wayne facility as we continue to invest in the Harris brand , and execute on our strategic plans to increase capacity , stabilize supply chain continuity and drive efficiencies across our global footprint ,” Brunswick Boat Group president Aine Denari said at the time of the announcement .
Similarly , BRP ’ s Manitou brand redeveloped and redefined itself with a new look and new technologies with it ’ s new Cruise and Explore pontoon models .
Built around BRP ’ s new Rotax outboard engines and its Stealth technologies , Manitou ’ s newest offerings bring a reimagined experience to the aft end of outboard-powered pontoons . The new Rotax Outboard Engine with Stealth Technology offered in 115 and 150 hp configurations sits
partially submerged underwater , hidden under the boat and therefore frees up valuable space .
Manitou took this new space and launched its new MAX Deck platform , offering 38 square feet of additional usable space on the boats to bring more options for fun out on the water to customers .
“ The best days on the water are those that can ’ t easily be put into words , with memories that will last a lifetime ,” Manitou global product strategy manager Garrett Koschak , said during an exclusive press preview of the all-new Manitou models . “ That ’ s our focus every single day at Manitou . Being on the water is a unique opportunity to spend time with family and friends , and whether you ’ re looking to have a relaxing cruise or ultimate thrills , we aim to meet customers ’ needs .”
Cost and environmentally conscious
While bringing the newest technologies and comforts to the game brings boating to the next level , it sometimes drives up the cost significantly – a barrier to entry to boating we often talk about as an industry . However , some pontoon manufacturers are addressing that head on with both cost and environmentally conscious options in the segment .
With its 2023 model year lineup , Godfrey Pontoons – owned by Polaris – unveiled its allnew Mighty G . The newest model from Godfrey is its first to be fully designed from the ground up with options to be electric- or gas-powered .
“ With electric motors gaining traction with current boaters and those looking for their first pontoon , our product team designed the Mighty G with electric propulsion in mind right from the start – it wasn ’ t an afterthought or an addon ,” said Ben Duke , president of Marine , Polaris . “ The teams incorporated design elements to support maximizing the efficiency of the platform , such as using full-sized tubes to enable ideal flotation levels and minimize drag in the water , making Mighty G optimal for customers looking for an electric pontoon . Additionally , Mighty G can pair with traditional gas-powered propulsion systems , creating an incredibly versatile option for all boaters in the market for a pontoon .”
Similarly , last summer , Crest Pontoon Boats launched the Crest Current as part of its 2023 lineup . The 20-foot Current features a 100 % factory-assembled pontoon , powered by an ePropulsion Navy 3.0 motor and E175 battery .
“ The Current is a direct reflection of Crest Pontoon Boats ’ continual efforts to push the boundaries of innovation in order to deliver a superior boating experience for everyone regardless of potential lake limitations and personal preferences ,” said Crest Pontoon Boats ’ President Patrick May .
Something for everyone
A study from Lightspeed of 23 unique makes and 18,000 new and used pontoon boats were sold over the course of last year reported that pontoon buyers were from age groups across the board . While Baby Boomers were the top purchasers of pontoons in this study over 2022 ( 43 %), Gen Xers weren ’ t far behind making up 38 % of pontoon purchases included in the study . To round things out , 18 % of the pontoons in the study were purchased by a combined of Milennials and Generation Z .
Whether for watersports , an afternoon picnic cruise , fishing , or something else entirely , consumers are finding that pontoons of today and tomorrow are capable of doing it all , while offering some of the latest in technology and comforts .
Regardless of a normalizing market , following the flurry of business over the last couple of years , the pontoon market will be one to continue to watch as the industry navigates 2023 .
24 february 2023 www . boatingindustry . com