Founded in 2017 in Bristol, Indiana, Barletta Boats has quickly become the fastest growing pontoon boat manufacturer in the industry. Barletta’s commitment to customer-centric innovation and strong dealer partnerships made them a perfect fit to join the Winnebago Industries family in 2021. Jeff Haradine, a founding partner of the brand and its president, shares his passion for improving people’s lives by building true boaters’ boats.
WHY ARE PONTOON BOATS SO POPULAR?
People love being connected to the water and being with friends and family. Pontoon boats offer a comfortable way for people of all ages to enjoy entertaining, swimming, fishing, sightseeing or just being together on the water. From an operational and maintenance view, pontoons are very owner-friendly and adaptable. They can be used on rivers, lakes and coastal areas, and they are trailerable, making them a great option across North America. And pontoons are becoming more stylish, appealing to many customers who are experienced boaters accustomed to premium features.
WHAT SETS BARLETTA APART?
We entered the pontoon market because we saw an opportunity to fill a gap. The pontoon space was so focused on price that quality was often sacrificed. From the beginning, we focused on making a pontoon boat comparable to high-end cars, or luxury boats like Chris-Craft. I believe Barletta offers the best pontoon product quality in terms of design, engineering, finishes, features and innovation. I like to say that a Barletta boat is a true boater’s boat.
But it’s about more than just the boats. Our number one value at Barletta is we treat everyone like family. We’ve prioritized strong dealer partnerships and owner experiences. For example, we created a service hotline for boat owners to use when dealerships are closed, supporting our dealers — many of whom are small or family-owned — and making service more accessible for our customers.
HOW HAS BARLETTA CONTINUED TO OUTPERFORM THE OVERALL U.S. PONTOON MARKET AND ACHIEVE A NEARLY 10% MARKET SHARE?
It’s always been our goal to build boats that make buyers say, “Wow! I love it!” To do that, we focus on connecting with our customers and delivering both their needs and wants.
So, we start by building the most beautiful pontoons on the market today. There’s something special about the look of a Barletta when you step on it for the first time – regardless of whether it’s one of our entry-level boats or our most expensive model.
Then, we add innovative features that make the whole boating experience easier and more enjoyable. Purposeful innovation matters so much in this boat space.
To broaden our appeal, we offer a portfolio of six different pontoon series designed to attract different buyer segments. For example, our Aria pontoon combines Barletta’s high quality with a more accessible price point for more budget-conscious customers. At the other end of the spectrum, our Reserve Leggera represents our top-end model, which I believe is the most beautiful pontoon ever built. Many early Barletta customers who bought six or seven years ago are now upgrading to our Leggera line, reflecting their love and continued trust in our brand.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PURPOSEFUL INNOVATIONS THAT STAND OUT ON A BARLETTA BOAT?
At the end of the day, we want to make boaters happy. That means thinking about how they will use the boat and addressing some of the disappointments they may have had with other boats. For example, we make sure the electronics are within easy reach, that they have good visibility, and that even a tall person has the space to stretch out at the helm. Nothing warms my heart more than when somebody says, “Oh my gosh, Barletta thought of this.”
But we go beyond those basics to include features that really elevate the owner experience. For instance, every Barletta we’ve ever built comes standard with a power bimini, addressing a common pain point of manual bimini operation. We even include a built-in dog dish in every boat, knowing many day boaters bring their pets along.
We’ve also brought boaters closer to the water with large swim decks, deep-reach ladders and doggie dockview doors, which are side-door windows that make it easier to see the dock when docking as well as give Fido a look at the water.
In November, we introduced the industry’s first-ever center-mounted twin-engine pontoon. This revolutionary design amps up performance and functionality while enhancing swimmer safety. We’re particularly proud to have won our third Discover Boating/ Minneapolis Boat Show Innovation Award from the National Marine Manufacturers Association for this innovation.
Barletta’s commitment to innovation that pays attention to the needs of boaters has fueled our growth, including gaining market share every single quarter since inception. I’m confident we can maintain that course by continuing to build out this fantastic brand in ways that make boating accessible and exciting for even more customers.