BRP Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Manitou pontoon boat operations in Lansing, Michigan to members of the Marcott family, known for their ownership of Bentley Pontoons. The sale marks another step in BRP’s strategic exit from the marine segment as the company sharpens its focus on core powersports offerings.
The company says this process excludes all activities related to its Sea-Doo personal watercraft, Sea-Doo Switch pontoons and jet propulsion systems.
BRP President and CEO José Boisjoli called the move a pivotal moment in the company’s transition.
“Today marks another key step in our process to sell our marine businesses,” he says. “I am proud of the strong foundation we have built for Manitou and I sincerely thank all employees and dealers for their commitment and resilience over the years. I wish them the very best in this next journey.”
For powersports dealers, this transition signals BRP’s increased commitment to its off-road, on-road, and snowmobile segments, along with related parts, accessories, and services. The shift is likely to lead to increased investments in product innovation and dealer support within the core powersports space.
The Marcott family, bringing decades of industry experience through their Bentley Pontoons brand, expressed confidence in preserving and growing the Manitou name.
“We are committed to ensuring the continuity of the Manitou brand and we intend to further its reputation for performance, quality, and service within the industry, while continuing to support dealers’ needs and success,” says Dennis Marcott, who’s a managing member of the Marcott family. “We will keep building Manitou boats in the existing Lansing facility and are looking forward to welcoming talented employees as part of the team.”
The transaction is expected to close during BRP’s third quarter of Fiscal 2026. In the meantime, both parties will work together to ensure a seamless transition for dealers, employees, and customers.
This latest move follows BRP’s recent sale of Alumacraft, completed in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, and the pending sale of Telwater, which remains subject to customary closing conditions.
NMMA’s latest Monthly Recreational Boating Industry Data Summary report, covering the rolling period from May 2024 through April 2025, shows new powerboat retail unit sales down 9% from January to April compared to the same period last year. A total of 64,883 new boats were sold through April, down from 71,321 in 2024.
In April, there were year-over-year declines in sales of new pontoons (down 19.5%), jet boats (down 19.9%), and wake sport boats (down 14.3%). Freshwater fishing boats and yachts remained relatively flat year-over-year, down 0.4% and 0.7%, respectively.
NMMA has shared that macroeconomic indicators for April painted a mixed picture. While inflation moderated to 2.3% and fuel prices stabilized ($3.17/gallon), the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) sat at 85.7, well below the 100-point baseline that typically indicates economic optimism. By June, CCI dropped further to 100.4 from 101.3 in May, with the Expectations Index falling to 73, well under the 80-mark associated with weakening outlooks.
While economic fundamentals remain relatively intact, shifting consumer psychology is weighing on durable goods like boats. Higher interest rates, tighter credit and perceptions of economic uncertainty are converging to create a more hesitant buyer.
Despite softer sales, outdoor recreation demand remains structurally resilient. As the industry looks ahead, key opportunities lie in aligning marketing, product offerings and retail partnerships with evolving consumer preferences.
Correct Craft has announced that Zach Hutcheson, current chief financial officer, will assume the CEO role and join the Correct Craft Board on April 1, 2026. This announcement follows Bill Yeargin’s decision to step down as CEO on March 31, 2026. Additionally, on April 1, Yeargin will also transition to Correct Craft’s board chair.
Hutcheson joined Correct Craft in 2014 and has served in several roles during the past eleven years. In addition to his current CFO role, Hutcheson also oversees Correct Craft’s portfolio of innovation and vertical integration companies. A committed and passionate learner, Hutcheson has earned both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in accounting, and has taken postgraduate courses at Harvard, Stanford, The Wharton School, Singularity University, and Villanova University. Hutcheson is also a Certified Lean Six Sigma black belt.
“It is an honor for me to be appointed as Correct Craft’s next CEO, effective April 1,” says Hutcheson. “Correct Craft has an amazing 100-year story, and our team believes the company’s best days are still ahead. As Correct Craft continues to grow, I am committed to the ongoing stewardship and development of our company’s unique and wonderful culture. We have a platform that has done a lot of good, and our team is committed to continue to making life better.”
Yeargin and Hutcheson will work closely together for the next nine months to ensure a smooth transition for the organization.
“I have worked with Zach for eleven years and am confident he will do a great job continuing our focus on people, performance, and philanthropy,” says Yeargin. “I look forward to helping Zach and the entire Correct Craft team in any way I can. I, too, believe the company’s best days are still ahead!”
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) have launched the Market Expansion Advisory Group to confront declining new boat sales and unify the recreational marine industry around a shared growth strategy.
Hand-picked for their deep marketing expertise across OEMs and dealerships, the Advisory Group includes:
“This is bigger than a campaign; it’s about how we work together to serve a changing consumer through shared resources that allow us to accomplish what no single entity can accomplish on its own,” says Beckstedt. “Like any
good marketing effort, the group will ensure decisions are rooted in data and partnership and bring clear measures of success for Discover Boating that ignite industry action.” Parmentier adds: “We need a solution to grow this industry because sales are not only declining, they’re going away. People are choosing to rent, join a boat club or not even become a boater at all. Something has to change and our goal for this group is to ignite the spark we need to enact real change and get our industry on the right track to grow.”
The group’s recommendation on how the industry defines success for Discover Boating will be presented to the NMMA and MRAA by the end of October. Recommendations for how to achieve this success will be developed after the board gives feedback. After the research is completed in September, it will be shared with boating industry stakeholders in the fall.