BRP Says Au Revoir To Michigan-Based Manitou Boat Brand
Ski-Doo’s parent company BRP announced last October that it wanted out of the non-Sea-Doo marine business. This week, the company took another step in that direction.
BRP announced Tuesday, July 8, that is will be selling the Manitou pontoon business to the family that owns Bentley Pontoons. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Manitou brand (then under Triton Industries Inc.) was purchased by BRP in 2018 as the company looked to expand in the marine business. In a separate purchases, the company also acquired Minnesota-based Alumacraft. About the same time, Polaris was also buying boat brands.
BRP’s about-face, though, started amazingly quickly when it announced in 2020 that it was discontinuing the E-TEC based Evinrude outboard brand. Many insiders were shocked – thinking that the boat brand purchases were originally intended to build up Evinrude and hang more of the direct-injected two-stroke powerplants on more OEM transoms.
Then came the October 2024 announcement that BRP would dump marine products to focus on powersports. On April 1, it announced that Alumacraft was being sold to the Bryton Marine Group, and that the Telwater business was being sold to Yamaha.
Below is the full press release from BRP.
BRP to Sell its Manitou Business to the Marcott Family
VALCOURT, QC, July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – BRP Inc. (TSX: DOO) (NASDAQ: DOOO) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement whereby members of the Marcott family, owners of Bentley Pontoons, will be acquiring Manitou assets in Lansing, Michigan. This transaction comes on the heels of BRP’s decision to sell its Marine businesses to double down on its core Powersports activities, enhancing its position for long-term success.
“Today marks another key step in our process to sell our Marine businesses. I am proud of the strong foundation we have built for Manitou and I sincerely thank all employees and dealers for their commitment and resilience over the years. I wish them the very best in this next journey,” said José Boisjoli, President and CEO of BRP.
With a proven track record in the pontoon industry and deep understanding of the business, the Marcott family is excited about this new chapter:
“We are committed to ensuring the continuity of the Manitou brand and we intend to further its reputation for performance, quality and service within the industry, while continuing to support dealers’ needs and success,” said Dennis Marcott. “We will keep building Manitou boats in the existing Lansing facility, and are looking forward to welcoming talented employees as part of the team.”
This transaction is expected to close during BRP’s third quarter of Fiscal 2026. Until then, BRP and the Marcott family will work in collaboration to ensure a smooth and successful transition for all parties involved.
This announcement follows the sale of Alumacraft, which was finalized during the second quarter of BRP’s Fiscal 2026 as expected, and the agreement for the sale of the Telwater business, still subject to certain customary closing conditions.
About BRP
BRP Inc. is a global leader in the world of powersports products, propulsion systems and boats built on over 80 years of ingenuity and intensive consumer focus. Through its portfolio of industry-leading and distinctive brands featuring Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and pontoons, Can-Am on and off-road vehicles, Quintrex boats, Manitou pontoons and Rotax marine propulsion systems as well as Rotax engines for karts and recreational aircraft, BRP unlocks exhilarating adventures and provides access to experiences across different playgrounds. The Company completes its lines of products with a dedicated parts, accessories and apparel portfolio to fully optimize the riding experience. Committed to growing responsibly, BRP is developing electric models for its existing product lines. Headquartered in Quebec, Canada, BRP had annual sales of CA$7.8 billion from over 130 countries and employed approximately 16,500 driven, resourceful people as of January 31, 2025.
Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Can-Am, Rotax, Manitou, Quintrex, and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE BRP Inc.
Boats are just too pricey.
Next could be the crazy expensive covered shell SxS market that cost more than many vehicles that Polaris is big on.
Prices for recreational toys are outrageous now way out of reach except for 1%ers.
Good old days of 1960s-1980ès was the hay day of the era when middle class average North American buyers ruled the market.