Barletta Pontoon Boats awarded 2018 NMMA Innovation Award

Barletta Pontoon Boats – a brand new pontoon boat company located in Bristol, Ind. – was the recipient of a 2018 National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award in the pontoon category.

The award recognizes groundbreaking new consumer marine products and was presented opening night of the Minneapolis Boat Show. This year’s program evaluated 14 products across three categories featuring an outstanding pool of veteran marine industry mainstays.

Barletta, under the leadership of Bill Fenech, president and co-owner, entered its initial class of pontoon boats, the Barletta L-Class, as a series into the competition. Fenech is a 30-plus year veteran of the RV industry, most recently as co-owner of Grand Design RV, in Middlebury, Ind.

The Barletta L-Class features integrated pet food and water dishes, two-stage lifting strakes with invasive species flush,  “Yeti-ready” cupholders and stern cooler storage, and more. The Barletta L-Class pontoon boats were recognized for their innovative approach to many of the issues that plague today’s boaters.

“It’s an absolute honor, and thrilling to receive the NMMA Innovation Award, right out of the gate,” Fenech said. “We spent months reviewing and rethinking every inch of today’s pontoon boat … and then designed and redesigned, with the on-water experience of our customers, as the guiding principle. It’s a validation of our direction, and all of our hard work, from our peers in the marine industry.”

Barletta Pontoon Boats are built in a 110,000 square foot facility located on 37 acres in Bristol, Ind.

The brand officially launched in earlier this month, and offers eight floorplans. Barletta is currently shipping units throughout the United States.

“We were up against some pretty stiff competition,” said Jeff Haradine, vice president of sales. “Some of the most seasoned industry heavyweights were entered into the competition. We know we have a unique, and appealing approach to our customer and dealer relationships; we now have independent confirmation that our product will be just as appealing, as well.”