Well… The Rumours Are True…

[RedbirdRacing]

If the cruise control can be hands free great, that’s just not how cruise control works on sea doo pwc

 

[Epsmith19]

I don't get all the hate. There is a lot to like here, but yeah a wheel would be better

 

[haknslash]

These things scream “rental fleet” to me. I could see these things along the gulf for rent. They look like something Fisher Price would have made if attempting to get into the marine industry. Lots of plastic but that is expected in today’s overpriced plastic couch-sized PWC’s. I don’t think that thing would fair well in a rough lake though. It looks like it would bob around and sub the nose in anything over 8 mph winds on my lake and forget about what a wake boat’s wake might do to it . I don’t see these things flying out of the dealerships but I can see the rental guys flocking to them. Maintenance would be the same as their other rental PWC’s and they could ditch the outboard props (safety for renters). Those handlebars though is just wrong!

 

[ChrisM]

It's all about the fun factor, look how the Spark took off.
No more corroded and leaking toon tubes...

 

[Miitch]

Forget the Pontoon, holy shit at their price increase from last year! Almost $3500 increase from a 2021 GTR 230 to 2022 same model. Over $20k now for a 230 Wake? WTF That's insane!

wait until you see the USED market... really leaving people on small budgets with no options. those used to be small jet boat prices.

 

[tkeru408]

These things scream “rental fleet” to me. I could see these things along the gulf for rent. They look like something Fisher Price would have made if attempting to get into the marine industry. Lots of plastic but that is expected in today’s overpriced plastic couch-sized PWC’s. I don’t think that thing would fair well in a rough lake though. It looks like it would bob around and sub the nose in anything over 8 mph winds on my lake and forget about what a wake boat’s wake might do to it . I don’t see these things flying out of the dealerships but I can see the rental guys flocking to them. Maintenance would be the same as their other rental PWC’s and they could ditch the outboard props (safety for renters). Those handlebars though is just wrong!

I hadn't thought of it before but I think you're exactly right, these do scream "rental fleet"!

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

It's all about the fun factor, look how the Spark took off.
No more corroded and leaking toon tubes...

The Spark took off because it was significantly cheaper than everything else. This isnt.

 

[ChrisM]

Yes, the under-designed and price point are both factors in the Spark success.
But there is money out there in peoples hands, as new and used sales have proven. I think these will sell well, but probably have a viable and marketable shelf life.

 

[biffdotorg]

The Spark took off because it was significantly cheaper than everything else. This isnt.

Depending on what you are comparing to. They probably aren't trying to be " the cheapest", but the entry model definitely does just that. The local dealers advertise one pontoon for $19,999, and it is a serious POS. Any well equipped pontoon will be $38K plus. And any first time boat buyer, will look at over 200hp, and realize they can't touch a 200hp outboard equipped pontoon for under $60K (even though that's not a fair comparison)

So they are hitting a sweet spot with the majority of their base configurations. And in true BRP fashion, they offer more accessories at high prices, than a Golf Pro shop!

 

[captras]

I dont like the handle bar controls at all. Other than that, if I was a pontoon boat fan, WHICH I AM NOT, I would certainly look, just because it had the advantages of jet propulsion. Top speed of 44MPH on the 21' is respectable. I guarantee there will be a market for them!

 

[HangOutdoors]

Was chatting with some guys at the boat ramp today when coming out. They were on Sea Doo Jetski's. I asked them if they have heard about the Switch, they mentioned that one of the local Dealers is supposed to have one at the boat show here at Metro Beach and they are supposed to have it in the water in the Lagoon. He heard that all of the Dealers preorders on them are filled now. Hopefully it will be there. It still has me somewhat intrigued.

 

[ChrisM]

I definitely enjoy my pontoon, like the bow rider. But I can't sit fireside in bow rider like I can in the pontoon on cold winter evenings...!!!
C'Mon BRP, step up your game......

 

[biffdotorg]

Top speed of 44MPH on the 21' is respectable. I guarantee there will be a market for them!

I had not seen that spec listed. That's very impressive. When the 23' Bennington Tritoon with Yamaha 150 on our dock will pull 32mph, possibly high 30's with it's rated 250hp motor. 44mph is unheard of in that price range.

Andy my buddy said when we sold his Four Winns, if I'm getting a toon, it will corner and do at least 30mph.

 

[Chatt_Jetsetter]

I definitely enjoy my pontoon, like the bow rider. But I can't sit fireside in bow rider like I can in the pontoon on cold winter evenings...!!!
C'Mon BRP, step up your game......



View attachment 160509

It seems to me, that having a hot grill on the floor of the boat to step on just might be the worst idea I've ever seen ???

 

[biffdotorg]

It seems to me, that having a hot grill on the floor of the boat to step on just might be the worst idea I've ever seen ???

I'm still trying to wrap my head around that one. Is it cool, or dangerous, or do I care? Not sure. The floor does seem to be a very bad place.

But considering how many things I have tripped over in the middle of the toon, there really would not be a good place. One of those stand up LP Patio heaters, bolted to the floor may be safe, but you loose the ambiance of a fire pit. But for god's sake, you are on a boat.

I will have to ponder this fire pit idea a bit more.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

It seems to me, that having a hot grill on the floor of the boat to step on just might be the worst idea I've ever seen ???

Guess it's better than some pavers and a wood fire.

 

[HangOutdoors]

What about something that you can move around or take off the boat and put on the dock etc. Like this or something similiar.

 

[Chatt_Jetsetter]

It seems to me, that having a hot grill on the floor of the boat to step on just might be the worst idea I've ever seen ???

@ChrisM if that's your boat I wasn't trying to come across as a jerk; to each their own. But for me, that would be a trip to the ER on day one

 

[ChrisM]

No worries, I say if you're stepping on my fireplace, then you don't belong on my boat anyway.

So here's the deal, I'll try anything practical.
Common sense is what's needed.
Yes this is one of my boats, and I jumped at the chance to buy one of these, and never hesitated to install on my ancient pontoon, and never regretted it. It's the best mod I have ever done, it throws an incredible amount of heat, comes with a lockable lid as shown. The company made a cocktail table version too, wasteful if you ask me because the best place to have the heat is from below, not above. The table version only operated on a 1 Lb. disposable cylinder, the floor model operates on a barbecue cylinder. The company was, unbeknownst to me going out of business at the time I discovered his products (mid 2016). He had inventory for my floor joist spacing, either 16", or 24" on center. I'm a 24".

This company is/was selling the original products with the same "Floating Fire" name on them, not the original company, but maybe they bought the rights.
Lighting & Fireplaces

This link is describing the demise and extinction of the pontoon fire-pit idea. Shows the 18" on center floor model.
Pontoon Fire Pit Tables: Alternatives and Tips - Pontooners

Here are one of the must have links for pontoon boats of 2015 that got me started.
5 Toys You Need for Your Pontoon Boat

One more link with an after the popularity opinion.
Pontoon Fire Pit Table: Fire it Up! Boat Fire Pits for Sale - Good or Bad?

I should start an install thread as a reference for others.