The success of Premier Marine is not simply found within the aluminum, fabric, and features that comprise our world-class luxury pontoons. Instead, it is within our people; from those who design and manufacture our boats to the front office staff and everyone in between. Its people who embody our core values and put them into action daily.

The moment Chris Carlson acquired Premier Marine, he knew he couldn’t make the business a success without the people: from those who manufacture the product, to front office staff and everyone in between. He wanted to surround himself with people who embody Premier Marine’s Core Values:  

Integrity – Doing the right thing every time

Excellence – Relentless pursuit of improvement

Attitude – Contagious optimism that fuels a powerful can-do culture 

Collaboration – Leveraging teamwork to achieve world-class results

It’s having the integrity to do the right thing every time, even when nobody is watching. It’s the relentless pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement. It’s an attitude of contagious optimism that fuels a powerful can-do culture. And it’s a collaboration of leveraging teamwork to achieve world-class results.

The PTX Award was established under Premier’s new leadership and recognizes employees who exemplify these values. Candidates are nominated by their peers and then reviewed, and hand selected by a leadership team. In addition to company-wide recognition and receiving a plaque, selected employees and those who nominated them also receive a monetary prize. Recipients of the PTX Award to date include:

Nick Talbott

Nick consistently demonstrates Premier Marine’s core values of Integrity, Excellence, Attitude, and Collaboration through his outstanding work ethic, problem-solving skills, and dedication to supporting his team. From maintaining and improving critical equipment in the sewing department to tackling complex challenges with the Horn Bender and rail weld operations, Nick’s expertise and commitment help drive productivity and reliability across the organization. Always willing to lend a hand, share knowledge, and go the extra mile, Nick leads by example with a positive attitude and a team-first mindset. We’re proud to have Nick on the Premier Marine team and grateful for the impact he makes every day.

Kaitlin Mueller

In just two and a half years, Kaitlin Mueller has progressed through five roles—embracing each step with determination and a problem-solving mindset. In her current role as Master Scheduler, she oversees the complex production schedule, aligning materials, labor, and customer demand while proactively managing shortages and shifting priorities to keep operations running smoothly. Though much of her work happens behind the scenes, her contributions are vital, and her journey reflects how initiative, adaptability, and consistent effort drive growth and opportunity at Premier.

Josh Groen

It’s said actions often speak louder than words, and for Josh, nothing could be more true. While soft-spoken, Josh speaks loudly by getting things done…period. No excuses, no questions, just complete commitment to excellence.  For Josh there is no task too large or small and is often found working “behind the scenes” to make everyone else’s job possible. He brings a positive, and contagious attitude, operating with the highest integrity to everything he is part of. His peers describe him as one of the most trustworthy people they know and can count on him in every situation.

Steven Thomalla

Steven has an exceptional pulse on the production floor.  He sees things clearly, understands the dynamics of the team, and is often the first to recognize when someone is truly living out our core values, as well as bringing awareness when we are not upholding our expectations. This level of awareness and courage is invaluable and strengthens our culture every single day. Over the past year, Steven has played a significant role in improving processes, reducing costs, and supporting the development of new models such as the Intrigue series. The quality of their work shows up in every detail – whether they are leading a meeting, providing clear guidance, or offering their time to ensure others have what they need to succeed.

Joe Jurgensen

Joe brings an unmatched knowledge of the break press to the production team and his contributions impact every boat we build. As the engineering team brings new designs that the software says are not possible, Joe finds a way to make them happen, and despite the constant work arounds, he always finds a way to stay positive.  He is patient with those who don’t understand the equipment’s limitations and works closely with engineering to help design parts, in the midst of working in one of the busiest departments. Joe’s efforts have contributed to massive cost savings and critical new products to help Premier be a leader in the market. He embodies Premier’s core values in all that he does.

Hunter Karnik

Hunter’s knowledge of Premier’s products, specifically the PTX, welding, and his ability to make critical decisions is incredibly valuable for to the production team. He fully understands the technical details of the PTX structure and implications of key welds and design changes. His problem-solving skills and design suggestions have saved hours of engineering effort, repeatedly sharing new ideas and methods to improve.  Hunter’s team rallies around him, and he makes meaningful contributions on a regular basis in both product improvements and new innovations.

Don Baron

Don’s outstanding teamwork, dedication, and contributions to the Premier team embody our core values. He goes the extra mile and especially steps up when it counts, with a positive attitude and strong work ethic.  Don takes on many projects outside his regular responsibilities and fosters collaboration across many teams. He continually looks for ways to improve, from getting supplies to streamlining processes.  Both on the line and behind the scenes, his strong character, leadership and commitment make him a true team player who inspires everyone to do their best.

Rossanna Rodriguez Escudero

Rosa’s ability to persevere through challenges with a positive attitude is not only admirable, but also impacting the efficiency of making design improvements, launching new products, and dialing in on quality concerns.  She takes her role to heart and you can see this by the way the decking team is able to overcome any challenge – no matter what. Rosa is an incredible leader and has stepped up into her role as decking lead in an impressive way.

Susie Rothbauer

Susie is willing to lend a hand helping whenever needed and radiates positivity every day. She wears multiple hats on the sales and operations teams, doing it all with a big smile on her face and with a great attitude. ​Susie helped launch our world-class dealer boat building tool that has been well received by our dealer network, is one of the first points of contact for our dealers, and does an outstanding job of holding others accountable while being a great business partner. ​She has a wealth of knowledge in everything Premier and consistently displays all four of our core values, making her an excellent member of the team.

Alex Schumacher

Alex embodies our core values and through his actions and head-down, get-stuff done work ethic is one of the leaders on the assembly line. He is at the front lines of integrity and showed that when he took over the lead role for inspection. He has been a driving force in the improved quality our dealers and customers are receiving. Alex is powered by a can-do attitude, and his excellence and collaboration are evident in final assembly’s most successful cost-out initiative; where he jumped at the opportunity to learn vinyl repairs and implement a program saving thousands of dollar in just a few months.

Mindy Kelley

Mindy’s passion and integrity for the business is unbelievable. She is committed to answering every call, every email and every claim as quickly and thorough as possible. Part of several improvement projects, Mindy constantly thrives to make things more efficient internally and offer the best experience for our customers. Her willingness to make Premier a better business never waivers.

Paula Vettrus

Paula embodies integrity in every aspect of her work and her dedication to excellence drives her to seek and implement innovative solutions that benefit not only her team, but the entire organization. Paula’s attitude, infectious positivity and resilience are a source of inspiration for everyone. She also has a remarkable ability to rally the troops from all over the organization to accomplish any task.

Lexie Hartl

Lexie consistently displays Premier’s core values day in and day out. Her attitude is always positive and she strives to make Premier the very best it can be. If you look closely at most of Premier’s past successes, you will find that she has a hand in it from behind the scenes. Her ability to maintain composure and approach difficult situations with a rational, composed, and can-do mindset is a valuable asset to Premier. It fosters an environment where clear thinking and sound decision making prevail, even in the most demanding circumstances. Her passion for excellence within herself is contagious and motivates excellence from her peers to strive for better results and a stronger organization.

John Cain

John consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication, leadership and work ethic, setting an example for not only his team,  but for everyone they work with.  John has shown remarkable initiative and resourcefulness among all departments and his strategic thinking and positive approach have lead to noticeable improvements. He is always willing to go above and beyond, demonstrating his commitment to ensuring every job is completed successfully and on time. He is highly respected for his professionalism, reliability and positive attitude.

Matt Olson

Matt embodies the core values daily, giving credit for great ideas his team members have and empowering them to execute.  He always find time to help with anything that comes up and has a fantastic way of keeping things light as the team works through solutions. Additionally, Matt’s collaboration and excellence were on full display as he spearheaded a recent project.  His leadership, guidance and tireless effort drove immediate positive results for Premier.

Dan Clemens

Dan is constantly demonstrating unwavering integrity in every aspect of his work. No matter the challenge thrown at him, even if it is something urgent, Dan keeps a level head and approaches the problem with a can-do spirit, which in return inspires those around him. In terms of excellence, he is the epitome of dedication and high-quality performance. He consistently goes above and beyond, setting a standard for achievement and delivering outstanding results.

Gabriel Arzola

Gabriel demonstrates integrity everyday in all he does. His commitment to excellence is evident in his commitment to quality and attention to detail. He is always bringing a great attitude to work each day and is a great problem solver, pushing the can-do culture we need. Perhaps most notably, he excels in collaboration by always being willing to help anywhere at anytime.

Travis Ganong

Travis is the perfect example of an employee that not only works by but also lives by Premier’s core values. His moral compass consistently points true north and it shows in his  integrity, reliability, and trustworthiness from his peers. His positivity spreads far beyond himself with his strong collaboration that influences teams to move in the same direction for one ultimate goal.

Engineering Team

From developing a roadmap for the future of Premier to taking in data that will help drive results. Premier’s engineering team delivers excellence, speed, and large cross-functional collaboration within our factory walls. The team as a whole is a tremendous example of what Premier can accomplish with great leadership, passion, and teamwork.

Pete Spoelstra

Pete shows how our core values and determination can help all of us accomplish our goals here at Premier. Ask him a question and he goes out of his way to figure it out. He always jumps in when needed and recognizes the hard work put in by his fellow peers. His forward-thinking solutions and compassionate heart helps his teams daily operations run smoothly.

Travis Rehfeld

Travis consistently exemplifies Premier Marine’s core values every day. His work has been described as excellent with high integrity, a great attitude and strong collaboration with people all around Premier. He leads with focus, humility, and purpose. Acting as the glue that holds his team together, his peers feel like they are making a difference collectively under his leadership.

Cedrik Peterson

Cedrik Peterson earned the honor of being the final PTX Award recipient for 2022. Cedrik has been described as the quiet warrior at Premier by letting his actions on the job speak for him. Immediately following the move to the new Big Lake manufacturing facility, Cedrik excelled in getting the console department up and running at full operational levels.

Erin Streit

Erin is a deserving PTX winner for many reasons. A recent example was our Dealer Meeting. Her attention to detail and follow through were awesome. She not only predicted the problem and challenge, but also had a plan for you to overcome it. Her leadership helped bring different teams together with strong accountability and good attitudes.

Clay Hanson

Clay leads with integrity. He strives for excellence and works hard to do so with a positive attitude while collaborating with other departments throughout the company. When you take into consideration the values of this company, Clay’s name comes to mind quickly. He moves with purpose, is humble, and acknowledges when he makes mistakes. Premier is fortunate to have Clay as an operations leader, and his future growth within the company could foster more opportunities for him moving forward.

Anne Johnson

With the company in rapid growth mode, Anne exemplifies a team player who has championed several major projects with grace. She works well with her teammates and pushes hard for excellence. Anne’s mindset is focused on the betterment of Premier not only for today, but for years to come. We are lucky to have her on the team.

Rick Betsinger

Rick has changed the culture of his department. His leadership is on display through his actions and his positive, can-do attitude. Rick operates with integrity and is a person of character who perfectly reflects our core values. Rick came into a challenging situation and now his department has never operated with more success or efficiency. He not only works well with others, but also entrusts them with decisions and core responsibilities, which is a true testament to his leadership.

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NMMA and Boating Writers International named the game-changing trolling motor system the winner of the 2024 Innovation award.

Big Lake, Minn. January 19, 2024 – The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) awarded Premier’s revolutionary new Troll & Stow system the Innovation Award for 2024. The honor took place during the opening night of the Discover Boating Minneapolis Boat Show. “As impressive as the Premier Angler is, there is one new feature that stands out above all others and that’s the exclusive Troll & Stow system,” said Brady Kay, NMMA Innovation Award Chair and Executive Editor of Pontoon & Deck Boat magazine. “Truly a game-changer, the revolutionary trolling motor design stows completely below deck for a clean, clutter-free deck.”

This was the third year in a row, Premier has received the award, testaments to the company’s passion, forward-thinking, and brand promise to take the pontoon experience beyond the expected. Premier won the award previously for the Sunsation Angler and its exclusive Open Water Panel design in 2023, and in 2022 for Premier’s exclusive Revolution Seating and its ability to rotate 360–degrees. 

About Premier Marine 

Premier Marine, LLC is a manufacturer of luxury performance pontoon boats under the Premier brand. Premier Marine holds numerous patents and trademarks on manufacturing elements such as the Premier Ricochet Ladder System and the PTX® Technology performance package. The 30-year-old company sells its pontoons through boat dealers located throughout the United States and Canada. Premier Marine is headquartered in Big Lake, Minnesota and owned by Envision Company located in Elk River, Minnesota. 

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Big Lake, Minn. December 18, 2023 – Premier Marine’s commitment to always putting people first was on display when the company recognized the latest graduating class from the Premier Leadership Academy. Designed to empower both self-guidance and the ability to lead and guide others with a positive influence, the following individuals were recognized for completing the academy: Caleb Davis, Travis Rehfeld, Pete Spoelstra, Mindy Kelley, Doug Berthiaume, and Cedrik Peterson.

“We have a people-first philosophy,” said Premier owner and CEO Chris Carlson. “Without great people, we have nothing. We developed this program to help our best and brightest to become not only better leaders, but better mentors both in their professional and personal lives.”

Selected by Premier leadership, participants in the academy complete a seven-month program where they learn about self-leadership, self-awareness, conflict management, team management, team development, and business acumen. The program is designed to help employees to become stronger and more productive in all areas of their life – both at work and at home.

“Good leaders never stop learning and growing as individuals,” said Carlson. “We all have unique talents, perspectives, and capabilities. Our goal of the academy is to help others uncover those talents and then put them in a position where they can thrive.”

“A program like this really aligns with our company vision of ‘Leaving a Wake, and Changing Lives’,” Carlson said, “and I’m really proud to have each of them on our team.”

Each of the graduates will continue to grow in their leadership roles and will have opportunities for coaching and leadership development tailored to their individual needs; be it through work assignments, additional class opportunities, or mentoring relationships.

About Premier Marine

Premier Marine, LLC is a manufacturer of luxury performance pontoon boats under the Premier brand. Premier Marine holds numerous patents and trademarks on manufacturing elements such as the Premier Ricochet Ladder System and the PTX® Technology performance package. The 30-year-old company sells its pontoons through boat dealers located throughout the United States and Canada. Premier Marine is headquartered in Big Lake, Minnesota and owned by Envision Company located in Elk River, Minnesota.

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Designed beyond to set the benchmark for pontoon performance, luxury, and style.

Big Lake, Minn. August 28, 2023 – Today, Premier Marine announced the release of their all-new Sunsation and Solaris series – a new generation of pontoons that redefine modern luxury and performance. Both the Sunsation and Solaris deliver dramatically improved performance, smarter storage, refined comfort, and elevated luxury to the pontoon category. The announcement comes on the heels of a series of accolades and awards for the Big Lake, Minnesota manufacturer which recently began operations in a new world-class, 150,000 square-foot development and manufacturing facility last year.

Both the Sunsation and Solaris build upon the performance legacy of Premier’s exclusive, performance engineered PTX center tube design in order to deliver the industry’s best ride and handling. The new supercharged PTX touts performance gains upwards of 15% over the previous series. Cruising and water sports enthusiasts will also love how the new PTX is more efficient, with fuel economy improvements upwards of 10%.

“For the past 28-years, PTX has been the benchmark for pontoon ride, handling, and performance,” said Premier Marine CEO Matt Homan. “Now we’re supercharging that performance to be even faster, sharper, and more efficient than ever before. No matter how you choose to enjoy the pontoon lifestyle, it’s even better with the new PTX.”

The Sunsation and Solaris series are essentially new from bow to stern, with countless new features, new materials, new storage solutions, and new styling that raises the bar for luxury. Leading the way is all new captain-first helm with optimized ergonomics and sightlines, increased comfort, and a clean, modern look. Another significant change is the immersive audio experience – featuring elevated, directional speaker mounting locations in the seat backs, and an available downward firing subwoofer. The result is an audio experience unlike any other.

“There’s just so much new with these pontoons, you really need to see it to fully appreciate it,” said Homan. “The first step would be to utilize our online boat builder. That will give you a really good virtual tour of the new Sunsation and Solaris. After that, you should really visit your local Premier dealer. These new models will start arriving in dealerships this fall, and we don’t expect them to stick around very long.”

To further modernize the new Sunsation and Solaris models, each will be available with signature styling cues including a transparent bow gate, and a new selection of available colors, fabrics, and flooring options.

To get your first look at the all-new 2024 Sunsation and Solaris pontoons, to try our online pontoon Build & Price tool, or to find a Premier Marine dealer near you visit www.pontoons.com.

About Premier Marine

Premier Marine, LLC is a manufacturer of luxury performance pontoon boats under the Premier brand. Premier Marine holds numerous patents and trademarks on manufacturing elements such as the Premier Ricochet Ladder System and the PTX® Technology performance package. The 30-year-old company sells its pontoons through boat dealers located throughout the United States and Canada. Premier Marine is headquartered in Big Lake, Minnesota and owned by Envision Company located in Elk River, Minnesota.

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A love for water woke up an industry and changed how Premier pontoons are built.

Big Lake, Minn. June 22, 2023 – Passion, it’s the one word which best describes John Deurr’s nearly 50-year career in the marine industry. A career punctuated by his relentless drive to slow the introduction and spread of invasive species to waterways across North America. During his 22-years at Premier Marine, John was tasked with many responsibilities, from being in charge of manufacturing to the head of engineering, but it was his passion to protect the waters we all enjoy that have defined who he is as a person and helped to position Premier as the industry leader in the fight against invasive species.

A Minnesota native, John didn’t take his home state’s abundance of lakes for granted. He recognized early on they were an incredible resource, and well worth protecting.

 “It was early in 2004 when I saw first-hand the threat that invasive species could have on our lakes,” said John reflecting back on his early years with Premier. “A boat had come in for repair and when I crawled underneath to inspect the damage, I saw the strakes were packed full of Zebra Mussels. The owner was unaware, and the boat had just been transported from Michigan to Minnesota. At that moment, I just knew we had to do something to try to prevent the spread.”

That something was first convincing Premier leadership that the company needed to not only find ways to slow the spread, but also encourage other boat manufacturers to do the same.

“At the time, no one was paying attention to aquatic invasive species (AIS),” said John. “But we decided to do something about it. We changed how our pontoons were built and our customers noticed. We soon learned that this was an issue that truly resonated with boaters, and in turn they recognized and appreciated that Premier was doing something about it…and we still are.”

That fight against invasive species can be found in design and manufacturing details throughout a Premier pontoon. From fully-sealed lifting strakes, solid keels, and fast draining transoms to full-length performance sheeting, the elimination of sharp edges, quick-drain live wells, and ladders that don’t drag in the water. All of these design attributes work to dramatically decrease or eliminate the spread of invasive species.

“At first we used these designs as sales features,” said John. “But we also knew this was something bigger than just selling boats. It was something that the industry needed to address. So, we started talking about and sharing our concerns and ideas with others.”

The invasive species initiatives Premier was taking were soon developed into industry guidelines, and John became recognized as a critical player and influential voice for the industry, working with and serving on various regulatory agency councils like the Department of Natural Resources, and industry associations like the American Boat and Yacht Council.

“Premier is still the leader in the fight against AIS,” said John. “While it’s still spreading, it’s not happening nearly as rapidly as it once was. Unfortunately, there are still manufacturers out there who haven’t adopted the changes needed to make a difference. I still see open strake designs and sharp edges on new pontoons today. But the good news is there is so much more awareness. People recognize AIS is a problem…they’re talking about it, and it’s become a factor when buying a new pontoon.”

This past May, John Deurr retired from Premier Marine, and while his personal fight against invasive species may take a back seat to other activities, his indelible mark he left on the industry and its battle to stop the spread will continue on.

About Premier Marine

Premier Marine, LLC is a manufacturer of luxury performance pontoon boats under the Premier brand. Premier Marine holds numerous patents and trademarks on manufacturing elements such as the Premier Ricochet Ladder System and the PTX® Technology performance package. The 30-year-old company sells its pontoons through boat dealers located throughout the United States and Canada. Premier Marine is headquartered in Big Lake, Minnesota and owned by Envision Company located in Elk River, Minnesota.

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The first graduating class of the Premier Leadership Academy recently completed a 6-month training and coaching program and signifies the value the company holds for its employees.

Big Lake, Minn. June 8, 2023 – Premier Marine’s commitment and vision to build a world class pontoon manufacturing company took another giant step forward recently. The first class of graduates from the Premier Leadership Academy represents the most significant investment in the company’s future to date, its people. The class of 8 individuals came from all facets of the company, and their graduation marked the completion of a six-month training program designed to enhance both self-guidance and the ability to lead and guide others with a positive influence.

“People will always be the most important asset in the success and growth of our company,” said Premier Marine CEO Matt Homan. “The best investment we can ever make is in the lives of those who we believe have the ability to be leaders and mentors within this organization. The leadership program is designed to help people grow, both personally and within our company.”

Selected by Premier leadership, participants in the academy learn about self-leadership, self-awareness, conflict management, team management, team development, and more. Most classes are led by Dan Scarrow from Touchstone Leadership, who also provides one-on-one coaching sessions with participants. More than just a business leadership class, the program’s goals also strive to enhance a participant’s ability to guide their own life and those around them.

“I think it’s a great example of how each of us at Premier really want to live by our company values, and to change lives for the better,” said Homan.

From here, the first class of graduates will continue to have opportunities for coaching and leadership development tailored to their individual needs; be it through work assignments, additional class opportunities, or mentoring relationships.

About Premier Marine

Premier Marine, LLC is a manufacturer of luxury performance pontoon boats under the Premier brand. Premier Marine holds numerous patents and trademarks on manufacturing elements such as the Premier Ricochet Ladder System and the PTX® Technology performance package. The 30-year-old company sells its pontoons through boat dealers located throughout the United States and Canada. Premier Marine is headquartered in Big Lake, Minnesota and owned by Envision Company located in Elk River, Minnesota.

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Eighteen Premier dealers receive 2022 CSI Awards from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) for their exceptional customer satisfaction scores in sales and service.

Big Lake, Minn. May 25, 2023 – The National Marine Manufacturers Association announced today their Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Awards for 2022, and 18 Premier Marine dealers were recognized for their exceptional scores. It was the seventh consecutive year for the awards, and to be honored, dealers had to achieve a score of 90 percent or higher in customer satisfaction in either sales or service during the past year.

“I want to personally congratulate and thank each of our dealers who were recognized today by the NMMA,” said Premier Marine CEO Matt Homan. “They exemplify the level of customer service and satisfaction we strive to deliver in everything we do.”

The scores for the 2022 CSI Awards are compiled throughout the year through surveys of customers who purchased a boat between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. The collected data actively measures satisfaction of both sales and service and is a vital tool for manufacturers to utilize towards continuous improvement in the customer experience.

The following Premier dealers were honored for their exceptional scores in either sales, service, or both categories.

Carefree Boat Sales of Buford, GA (Service)

Club Royale Sales & Service, Waterford Township, MI (Sales)

Dan’s Southside Marine, Minneapolis, MN (Service)

Dri-Port Marine, O’Fallon, MO (Sales)

Fish Tale Boats, Fort Myers, FL (Sales)

Harbor Pointe Marina, Dadeville, AL (Service)

Hayward Marine, Hayward, WI (Service)

Kettle Marine, Jackson, WI (Service)

Morgan Marine, Penn Yan, NY (Sales & Service)

Nisswa Marine, Nisswa, MN (Sales & Service)

Premier Boating, Wayland, MI (Sales & Service)

Strickland Marine, Anderson, SC (Sales)

Stub’s Marine, Alexandria, MN (Sales)

Swenson Brothers Marine, Chamberlain, SD (Sales)

Travis Marine, Knoxville, TN (Service)

Upper Iowa Marine Inc. Decorah, IA (Sales)

Whitefish Marine, Whitefish, MT (Sales)

Willey’s Marine Inc. McGregor, MN (Sales & Service)

“We’re proud of our entire dealer network,” said Homan. “The growth and continued success of our dealers is really a testament to Premier’s goal of providing a boating experience that exceeds expectations both on and off the water.”

With an actively growing dealer network across the United States, new dealers are joining the Premier team weekly. To find the one nearest you, visit our website at www.pontoons.com and click on Find a Dealer.

About Premier Marine

Premier Marine, LLC is a manufacturer of luxury performance pontoon boats under the Premier brand. Premier Marine holds numerous patents and trademarks on manufacturing elements such as the Premier Ricochet Ladder System and the PTX® Technology performance package. The 30-year-old company sells its pontoons through boat dealers located throughout the United States and Canada. Premier Marine is headquartered in Big Lake, Minnesota and owned by Envision Company located in Elk River, Minnesota.

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One-of-a-kind Escalante helps to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience in the Florida Keys.

Big Lake, Minn. February 9, 2023 – When Paul Watler first saw a photo of the Premier Escalante on the internet, he was blown away by its over-the-top design. With a fully furnished upper deck lounge, expansive 10-foot-wide design, and luxurious finishes, it was unlike any pontoon he had seen before. The Escalante was the inspiration for Paul to start Big Pine Beach Bum Charters, a luxury island eco-tour of the Florida Keys.

As a fifth-generation conch, a term locals use to describe lifelong residents of the Keys, and a former commercial fisherman, Paul was intimately familiar with the multitude of islands, inlets, reefs, and the amazing blue water that collectively makes up the Keys. With a growing family, he was looking for a new business that would keep him close to home and involve his wife Thuy (pronounced “twee”).

“When I saw the Escalante, I was like holy cow, look at that,” Paul said as he was thinking back on the moment that spawned his burgeoning tour business. “I turned to my wife and said that’s my business.”

While charters in the Florida Keys are not uncommon, Paul knew he wanted to elevate the experience, and the Escalante was the perfect boat to make it happen.

“A lot of the sandbar charters down here are kind of rinky-dink,” said Paul. “I wanted to create a high-end experience. The Escalante really checked all the boxes…the way it looks, the furniture, the changing room, the full galley — it’s just an amazing pontoon.”

Paul’s tours offer a variety of private charter options ranging from a sunset cruise to an eight-hour excursion. He tells us the term eco-tour comes from the incredible ecosystem found in the Florida Keys. On any one of Paul’s tours, guests can see dolphins, sharks, stingrays, manatees, turtles, and countless species of fish.

“We’ll visit several uninhabited islands and some amazing coral reefs,” said Paul, describing what guests will experience. “In addition to snorkeling, we also have kayaks and paddle boards that are transparent; it’s like floating on a giant picture window.”

For those guests who want to stay dry but still take it all in, the upper deck of the Escalante provides an amazing observation platform. Paul said it’s the first place many guests go, and the view is incredible.

With a total of 580 square feet of deck space, Paul can accommodate larger groups and ensure everyone is comfortable. While the Escalante touts some of the most luxurious features found on any pontoon, it also delivers a level of stability and control thanks to its exclusive PTX hull and associated technology that Paul said is a true game changer.

“We have to navigate some pretty big water,” said Paul. “The Main Ship Channel on the west side of the Keys has a lot of crosscurrent and you can get some really big, unpredictable swells. With the PTX, the pontoon is way more stable, and you have far greater control. It gives me more confidence and our guests feel safer and more secure.”

It’s been less than a year since Big Pine Beach Bum Charters was launched, but already Paul and his wife have been doing upwards of 10 charters a month, and the phone keeps ringing.

“We’re truly living the dream,” said Paul. “I just got done giving a charter tour on a picture-perfect day in one of the most amazing places on earth. I couldn’t do this business with a kayak. The Premier Escalante has changed our lives, and every time we take people out, I feel like we’re changing their life too.”

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In the pontoon category, Premier received the 2023 Minneapolis Innovation Award presented by NMMA and Boating Writers International during the Sneak Preview event on January 18 at the Discover Boating® Minneapolis Boat Show.

Big Lake, Minn. January 20, 2023 – Winning the Innovation Award was the all-new Sunsation Angler pontoon featuring dual sport versatility. Designed for recreation at the front and purposeful fishing in the back. Bow port and starboard loungers and a mid-ship couch give families everything they need to cruise and relax, while the stern features a fishing layout with everything the angler needs, making this the perfect option for those looking for something for everyone.   

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Nisswa Marine, Premier Boating, Dan’s Southside, and Dri-Port Marine receive awards for providing exceptional growth, service, and customer service.

Big Lake, Minn. December 19, 2022 – There were plenty of reasons to celebrate during the 2022 Premier Marine Dealer Meeting held this past September. Dealers were introduced to new 2023 models and an all-new world-class manufacturing facility in Big Lake, Minnesota. Yet, one of the most important reasons was the accomplishments of Premier dealers who went above and beyond for customers. To recognize those efforts and accomplishments, Premier honored those dealers with a special award presentation.

“We’re proud to partner with all of our dealers,” said Premier Marine CEO Matt Homan. “But these four dealers have really exemplified our mantra of ‘going beyond’, and we’re proud and honored to recognize them for their achievements.”

The 2022 Premier Pontoon Outstanding Dealer Award recipients are:

Nisswa Marine, Nisswa, Minnesota – Premier Hall of Fame

Nisswa Marine has made significant contributions to Premier Marine and the entire boating industry. Whether you’re a longtime customer or new to the category, Nisswa Marine is always committed to making the entire boating experience, both on and off the water, fun and rewarding. More than just a dealer, they live and understand the boating lifestyle and they do so with integrity, excellence, and a positive, infectious attitude.

Premier Boating, Wayland, Michigan – Dealer of the Year

Premier Boating has been a successful, family-owned business for more than 25-years, and in every aspect of their business, from service to sales, they treat their customers like family as well. Year after year, Premier Boating customers continually compliment the dealership for an exceptional customer experience. It’s just one of the reasons Premier Marine often look to the dealership for customer insights and feedback, and why they play a vital role in the Premier Pontoon Dealer Council.

Dan’s Southside, Bloomington, Minnesota – Top Growth Award

Dan’s Southside has been in business since 1968, and throughout those 55-years, they have never grown complacent. Testament to that statement is the dealership earning the Top Growth Award for 2022. The sales team at Dan’s are professional in every aspect, from product knowledge to fulfilling customer needs during the sale and for many years to follow resulting in a loyal customer base that continues to grow.

Dri-Port Marine, O Fallon, Missouri – Service Excellence Award

Dri-Port Marine is a family-owned business that has put customer service at the forefront of their business model since they first opened as an RV and boat storage facility in 1978. Putting the customer first, no matter the size of the sale or the difficulty of the ask has fueled the growth of Dri-Port Marine to become one of the most respected marine dealers in the Missouri area, and just one of the reasons they are deserving of Premier’s Service Excellence award.

About Premier Marine

Premier Marine Inc. is a manufacturer of luxury performance pontoon boats under the Premier brand. Premier Marine holds numerous patents and trademarks on manufacturing elements such as the Premier Ricochet Ladder System and the PTX™ performance package. The 30-year-old company sells its pontoons through boat dealers located throughout the United States and Canada. Premier Marine is headquartered in Big Lake, Minnesota and owned by Envision Company located in Elk River, Minnesota.

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