Everything changed in March 2024 when I was invited to São Paulo, Brazil, by the owners of VCAT Boats to see how pontooning was done in their country. On that amazing trip, I had a fabulous time and considered it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As a bonus, I was now able to show off my first stamp in my renewed passport.
On my return trip, I was able to see different parts of this beautiful country, places I didn’t experience the first time around. The beaches and the tropical vibe in Maceió, the largest city in the coastal state of Alagoas, alone made the trip worth it. The area felt like a blend of Miami and San Diego, and we caught a beautiful sunset one night while walking along the beach.
Our visit to Campos do Jordão, the highest-elevation city in Brazil, located in the mountains in the southeast of the country, was fun too. It was a popular tourist town too, but had its own unique charm that made it quite memorable.
All the places we visited were new adventures to me, but what didn’t change was the kindness and hospitality of my amazing hosts and dear friends.
VCAT owners Benedito Prado Neto and Valéria De Fusco Pereira are two of the most genuine and kindest people you’ll ever meet, along with their business partner Marcos Ferreira, who together made sure my return trip south was once again as productive as it was memorable.
What makes this pontoon manufacturer unique is that VCAT completely started from scratch as a brand-new pontoon manufacturing business. We’re talking to the point where they had to make some of the manufacturing machines and equipment they needed themselves, just to get started. Before this, their country had never seen anything quite like a pontoon boat on its waters. For this reason alone, it’s hard not to root for their success.
On the plant tour, I was able to see some of their original machines, which were used when they were getting started. It really put everything into perspective for me and gave me a little glimpse of VCAT’s humble beginnings. Nothing about their epic journey has been easy, which makes their story so good.
They began building boats in São Paulo, but quickly outgrew the space and decided to relocate to the countryside. Today, their high-end models are built in Itatiba, São Paulo, approximately 50 miles from the state capital. Their 90,000-square-foot manufacturing facility is well used, with hints that they may outgrow it soon as the popularity of its VCAT boats continues to grow.
When Neto and Valéria first started thinking about getting into the boat manufacturing business in their home country, pontoon boats were a foreign concept to most of the Brazilian population. Yet 15 plus years later, VCAT has single-handedly introduced high-end luxury pontoons not only to the country but also to neighboring countries, expanding their reach. It could just be a matter of time until we start seeing VCAT boats in the U.S. market.
Could there be a third passport stamp in my future? Possibly, but if I do head back to Brazil for a third time I will need to improve on my Portuguese. One thing, however, is clear: VCAT has a bright future ahead as their legacy as pontoon pioneers continues to grow.
Pontoon & Deck Boat Editor
