Mercury Marine Powers the Pontoon Market

The pontoon market has been the fastest growing boat segment over the past 12 months, having grown by eight percent in 2015 and on pace to match that growth 2016, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).

 

As boaters around the globe are migrating to higher horsepower engines for their pontoons, Mercury Marine aims to help spur that growth.

 

“It’s really driven by the consumers through our dealer network across the country and Canada,” said John Sweeney, Forest River marketing director. “If you look at just the sheer numbers of percentages, we’re installing more Mercury product on our pontoons than any other brand.”

 

“In my mind, that Verado puts something quiet and smooth on the back of the boat,” said Barb Niedergerke of Glencove Marina in Missouri. “It has the performance, the hole-shot, and the top end. It has everything that that pontoon boater is going to need.”

 

Boat builders have been enjoying the pontoon wave as SSI data shows that new U.S. pontoon registrations have increased every year from 2009 until today.

 

“The growth of the pontoon market has been great for Mercury Marine,” said David Foulkes, Brunswick Corporation’s Vice President & Chief Technology Officer and vice president – product development, engineering and racing. “Our mid-range offerings as well as our high horsepower outboards are an ideal power option for pontoons, and we expect that growth to continue.”

 

“We’ve got these wonderfully made boats with attention to detail and then we are able to put this power on the back that really gives our customer this nice package,” said Niedergerke. “It has a good warranty & good performance; it’s just a really good match.”