This week Polaris Marine introduced groundbreaking electric pontoons, showcasing their potential in the pontoon boat market. The Bennington and Godfrey Pontoons brands have unveiled two concept vessels, highlighting the capabilities of high-horsepower electric propulsion. These impressive demonstrators were unveiled at Polaris Marine’s annual dealer meetings in Syracuse, Ind., and serve as testbeds for future electric watercraft development.
By collaborating closely with high-horsepower electric propulsion OEMs, Polaris Marine utilizes these concept vessels to explore the possibilities of electric propulsion.
While electric propulsion has been proven effective in smaller applications like dinghies and tenders, its potential for luxury pontoons is the next step in the evolution of watercraft. Electric motors boast advantages such as easy maintenance, decreased moving parts, and no need for oil changes or scheduled engine upkeep. Furthermore, electric propulsion offers instant torque and the ability to navigate even restricted waterways, revolutionizing the capabilities of luxury pontoons.
The selected concept vessels were chosen due to their optimal battery placement. The 2024 Bennington L-Series Bowrider and the 2023 Godfrey Monaco 235 platforms are already popular models for their respective brands, making them ideal choices for exploring the potential of electric propulsion.
Equipped with a 150-hp outboard electric motor from Forza X1, the Bennington and Godfrey demonstrators reached top speeds of 25 mph and 28 mph, respectively. The Bennington demonstrated a cruising range of 25 miles at 15 mph or 15 miles at 20 mph, while the Godfrey showcased a range of 29 miles at 15 mph or 17 miles at 20 mph. The systems were controlled by a custom interface, and Garmin touchscreen display, and featured 4G connectivity for remote monitoring.
