It is referred to as the Miami Boat Show, but with over 100,000 visitors from approximately 35 countries around the globe, it truly is the Miami International Boat Show. It’s true, people from all over the globe come to visit the six different locations of this massive show to look at mega yachts that cost more than my neighborhood combined. Make no mistake, this show is known for oversized boats and if you’re a pontoon fanatic fair warning: there are way better venues if you’re hunting for your next pontoon.
For example, I counted 247 pontoons on display at this year’s Minneapolis Boat Show, 56 more than the year before if you’re keeping track. (I know, it’s a weird obsession I have where I’m compelled to count pontoons at the shows I attend.)
If you’re truly looking to shop pontoons and do comparison shopping, Miami isn’t the right show for you. Chicago, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, or one of the other popular Midwest shows would be more beneficial if you’re looking for sheer volume.
But Miami is different. This popular Florida show is not necessary for those of us who already know pontoons are a great way to get out and enjoy the water. Nope, Miami is for those closed-minded individuals who still believe pontoons are only good for five mile per hour cruises and have AstroTurf floors and lawn chairs in the bow. Trust me, those people are still out there.
I’ve grown tired of the overused phrase, “These aren’t your grandpa’s pontoons!” but based on some of the reactions I was seeing in Miami it still rings true for some folks who have been turning their noses up at this segment of the boating industry for years.
Experiencing, for example, a Bennington pontoon with 900hp on the back tends to change a few opinions. At this international show known for mega yachts, I also saw Aloha Pontoons, Manitou, Nepallo, Sea-Doo Switch, Starcraft, Sylvan, Viaggio, Veranda and other pontoon models both on the water as well as on the convention center floor.
It gives me a sense of pride seeing so many of these gorgeous pontoons at this show–not that anyone needs any type of validation from the general public.
For nearly 15 years pontoons have been trending upwards as one of the fastest growing segments in the industry and I don’t see this trend slowing down. Why? The diversity of the pontoon industry is second to none. You can still find everything from value-driven pontoons to high-end performance ones and everything in between. No other segment of the boating industry even comes close.
Plus it doesn’t hurt to steal a little attention away from those yachts; even in Miami pontoon boats have earned their share of the spotlight and that light is only going to get brighter.
The 450hp was announced back in January and I got my first glimpse of it at the Minneapolis Boat Show, so it was exciting to actually get it out on the water. Even out in the Atlantic Ocean away from the show this pontoon handled like a dream and was extremely smooth going across the water with plenty of power to spare. We reached a top speed of 63.1 miles per hour at full throttle with a zero-to-20 mph time of just 4.57 seconds, but it was the way this pontoon dived into the tight corners that probably impressed us most. The new 450hp outboard becomes Yamaha’s flagship model and it will eventually phase out the 425hp.
When the 425hp first came out I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see one on a pontoon and wow, was I clearly wrong. This has been a great outboard for high-end pontoons since it was released in 2018 and it was at a Miami Show that year where I saw two of them on a Bennington. So it makes perfect sense that this pontoon manufacturer would pair up once again to showcase Yamaha’s most powerful outboard.
The BRP Rotax S creates additional deck space traditionally taken up by one or more outboards by orienting the engine block horizontally and tucking a portion of it under the surface. This allows the addition of an expansive aft deck while still allowing the engine to be tilted completely out of the water.
Besides the Outboard Engine category, the Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170 also won an NMMA Innovation Award in the Personal Watercraft category, making the Miami Show that much better for Team BRP. Speaking of Sea-Doo, its Switch Pontoon was on display at the convention center as well as on the water for attendees to experience themselves. The Innovative Award-Winning Sea-Doo Switch was released last year but is still receiving plenty of attention, especially as a unique and value-driven option for those looking for their next pontoon boat.
Besides only being available through Camping World, Nepallo has teamed up with Suzuki Marine as the exclusive outboard engine for all of its boats.
The 335hp Hercules electric drive Bravo 1 I/O includes a boost mode that gives you access to nearly 500hp for a couple of minutes of fun. The full production unit is sent directly to the manufacturer to be embedded in the center pontoon so it won’t take up any precious deck space and the batteries are also mounted in the center pontoon.
A fourth generation boat builder, he has played an integral role in the success and evolution of Smoker Craft, Inc., making it, today, one of the most highly respected boat manufacturers in the world–a remarkable accomplishment for a privately held, independent organization, owned and operated by two families.
After being honored at the NMMA Breakfast, Doug ditched the suit and tie and was working the Starcraft booth at the show just moments later. Now that’s dedication. As we’ve come to expect, Starcraft had a full display of pontoons as well as deck boats at the convention center at the Miami Show. It’s something this manufacturer has been doing for years and there were even a couple of Sylvan pontoons outside the show as well.
We also need to recognize Sea Ray Boats for earning an NMMA Innovation Award at the show in the Cuddy Cabin, Bowrider, Deck Boats category. The all-female designed SLX 260 Outboard includes a one-touch Power Tower that can be lowered while underway, a hinged dash that provides easy access for maintenance and a clever aft portside locker for water toys.
