We love pontoons. So we get excited when we hear about a new one. Larson Boat Group announced the launch of the Escape, the company's new line of pontoon boats. This is the highlight of our week. Especially because we will be one of the first ones to test it out on the water.
"After two years of development and testing the Larson team is anxious to finally take the wraps off this bold new project and get it out to the marketplace," Larson executive vice president and COO Mike O'Connell said in a statement. "Rumors have been flying throughout the industry since we started this adventure and now we can finally let everyone in on the excitement."
The Escape will be introduced with three models in 21-, 23- and 25-foot lengths and will feature Larson's patented Tapered Tube Technology. This construction uses dual planing hulls constructed of heavy-gauge aluminum to give the boat a smooth, solid and agile ride with efficient fuel economy.
"With over 100 years of hull design and marine manufacturing behind us, Larson brings a unique and exciting perspective to the traditional pontoon marketplace," Larson president Al Kuebelbeck said in a statement. "Our customers, dealers and factory team really put their heads together to come up with what we think will be one of the most innovative products the pontoon market has seen in a long time."
The Escape pontoons are in production at Larson's 500,000-plus-square-foot manufacturing facility in Little Falls, Minn., and officially will be introduced at the company's 2014 Worldwide Dealer Meeting on Aug. 19 at the River's Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud, Minn. Along with the Escape, 79 boats from the Larson, Larson FX, Striper and Triumph brands will be on display in water and on land.
"Being new to the competitive pontoon market we knew we needed to bring a fresh perspective and create our own niche," O'Connell said. "People need a reason to give us a shot, and I think with this new model we've given them plenty of reasons to buy a new Larson Escape pontoon."