Can’t believe this hasn’t been posted yet.
I think this is a great news for Larson, which just has not been keeping up with the other fiberglass brands at all. There is so much to like about their FX line, but there are too many things off to make them true competitors in what is otherwise a surging industry. Hopefully now with Polaris’ larger size, they can step it up.
How long before Polaris announces their line of outboards? I believe this is their second boat brand purchase. Tying up transoms?
How long before Polaris announces their line of outboards? I believe this is their second boat brand purchase. Tying up transoms?
A Polaris outboard?? That sounds scarier than an E-tec…tec….(boom) 
Polaris has stated they will diversify into water sports. They have also bought a pontoon line…..Bennington I believe?
Anyway they have a long way to go to get pass the entry level of Larson fishing boats.
There is so much to like about their FX line, but there are too many things off to make them true competitors in what is otherwise a surging industry.
Are boats really a surging industry? If Larson has too many things off, then it seems to me much of the competition is rushing down to meet them.
The average level of build quality, fit, finish, and attention to detail in the new boats I see at the shows is shockingly bad and seems to get worse. I Polaris’ goal is to build up the brands they’ve bought, I’d say they’re buying in at the right time because I would hope the bottom has been reached and things can only go up.
A Polaris outboard? Interesting idea, but better make ‘er a damn good one. As we can see on this thread with people still making cracks about Etec, it doesn’t matter how good you get, if you falter out of the gate you’re branded forever with the reputation from 20 years ago.
Grouse
My guess is there will be more used Larson boats for sale just like their atvs
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>queenswake wrote:</div>
There is so much to like about their FX line, but there are too many things off to make them true competitors in what is otherwise a surging industry.Are boats really a surging industry? If Larson has too many things off, then it seems to me much of the competition is rushing down to meet them.
The average level of build quality, fit, finish, and attention to detail in the new boats I see at the shows is shockingly bad and seems to get worse. I Polaris’ goal is to build up the brands they’ve bought, I’d say they’re buying in at the right time because I would hope the bottom has been reached and things can only go up.
A Polaris outboard? Interesting idea, but better make ‘er a damn good one. As we can see on this thread with people still making cracks about Etec, it doesn’t matter how good you get, if you falter out of the gate you’re branded forever with the reputation from 20 years ago.
Grouse
You don’t have to go back 20 years…..That’s just when the problems were getting started.
How long before Polaris announces their line of outboards?
My guess is 6 months before they recall em’ for a fire hazard.
If they keep there build quality the same as they do now they will be in trouble in the boat business. It is unbelievable that they continue to sell the amount of sxs and ATVs that have the same continuing issues year after year.
If they keep there build quality the same as they do now they will be in trouble in the boat business. It is unbelievable that they continue to sell the amount of sxs and ATVs that have the same continuing issues year after year.
My thoughts exactly
I am also of the belief that Polaris is about quantity, not quality, so not sure this is good or bad for Larson.
One question for you guys on Larson FX boats though, suggesting they are not up to standards. I actually like the design and layout of the Larson FX boats. Quality may not equal Ranger or Skeeter, but the price is not equal either. For the money, isn’t the Larson FX a decent boat for someone looking for an entry level priced glass boat? Or is the quality that far off? I haven’t heard of any outstanding quality issues, that’s why I ask.
I am also of the belief that Polaris is about quantity, not quality, so not sure this is good or bad for Larson.
One question for you guys on Larson FX boats though, suggesting they are not up to standards. I actually like the design and layout of the Larson FX boats. Quality may not equal Ranger or Skeeter, but the price is not equal either. For the money, isn’t the Larson FX a decent boat for someone looking for an entry level priced glass boat? Or is the quality that far off? I haven’t heard of any outstanding quality issues, that’s why I ask.
Thats exactly what they are. Don’t expect more & you won’t be disappointed.
I see Polaris hitting the boat market at the right time. The trouble is how well they do. Just another way to diversify their portfolio.
Im going to call it as Polaris releasing new Larson line as an entry-level boat. Much like Bayliner did in the late 80s and 90s.
Boats have over inflated in price and someone offering a glitzy appearing product built to lower standards with a “low” price tag will sell like hot cakes. Can anyone say Ice Castle…
Everyone is about show theses days and keeping up with the Jonses’.
For the money, isn’t the Larson FX a decent boat for someone looking for an entry level priced glass boat?
From what I’ve seen at the shows, the FX looked to have decent build quality and actually they looked better than some alu boats that seemed plagued by cheap parts and nasty build quality. IMO they are better than an “entry level” boat.
Also, only in the boat world are we lauding the likes of Ranger for having high prices AND high quality.
The trend everywhere else in the manufactured goods world is better AND cheaper. If TVs, cars, or cell phones followed this trend, we’d all be buying $2000 cell phones and $5000 TVs. It’s no accomplishment at all to raise quality by 5% and prices by 15%. Yes, it’s great if your customer base will pay anything for your product, but that never lasts.
Grouse
Polaris is an interesting company. My wife worked for them in the early 90’s. Then they were simply a snowmobile/ATV company and their stock had done fairly well. At the time they were struggling to hit 2.0 Billion in sales. Today they are 5.4 billion in sales. Snowmobiles are simply a fraction of their sales anymore, ATV sales have flattened out. Although quality issues, they still dominate the offroad market in California, a big market for their Razor side by sides. After buying Indian they shut down their Victory brand. So how does a $5.4 Billion company grow these days? Say you want to grow 10% is isn’t going to happen in products that are past their prime. Interesting but back in the early days of Arctic Cat their snowmobile engines were made by Suzuki. They introduced Spirit Outboards in the late 70’s early 80’s, a rebranded Suzuki in exchange for Suzuki not entering the US market at that time. Arctic failed and went bankrupt allowing Suzuki came into the US under it’s own brand name. Polaris is an outdoor recreational company. It only makes sense to look at the boat markets and try to use their existing distribution and dealer network to continue to expand their product lines. I guess time will tell if it is a smart move.
I am also of the belief that Polaris is about quantity, not quality, so not sure this is good or bad for Larson.
One question for you guys on Larson FX boats though, suggesting they are not up to standards. I actually like the design and layout of the Larson FX boats. Quality may not equal Ranger or Skeeter, but the price is not equal either. For the money, isn’t the Larson FX a decent boat for someone looking for an entry level priced glass boat? Or is the quality that far off? I haven’t heard of any outstanding quality issues, that’s why I ask.
No, they are a solid boat and I’ve never heard about quality issues. The main complaints I’ve heard is that they are heavy and you absolutely have to max out the HP. And their storage is lacking. Lastly, the bow can take on water and the bow deck sits pretty high. They are also slow to redo their line. I’m sure they don’t push enough volume in order to justify new molds.
Like others have said, they are a solid boat for the price. The FX 2020 is a pretty good deal. They fit a great niche for those who want to go fiberglass but can’t afford the Skeeters and Rangers. I hope Polaris keeps them going in this direction and expand their line. I’d love to see some better fiberglass tillers at a lower price point. The Lund and Warriors are just too expensive. And with Skeeter dropping their tiller, there is room for another competitor in that space.
How many hours did you have on your Etec before it failed?
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>TheFamousGrouse wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>queenswake wrote:</div>
There is so much to like about their FX line, but there are too many things off to make them true competitors in what is otherwise a surging industry.Are boats really a surging industry? If Larson has too many things off, then it seems to me much of the competition is rushing down to meet them.
The average level of build quality, fit, finish, and attention to detail in the new boats I see at the shows is shockingly bad and seems to get worse. I Polaris’ goal is to build up the brands they’ve bought, I’d say they’re buying in at the right time because I would hope the bottom has been reached and things can only go up.
A Polaris outboard? Interesting idea, but better make ‘er a damn good one. As we can see on this thread with people still making cracks about Etec, it doesn’t matter how good you get, if you falter out of the gate you’re branded forever with the reputation from 20 years ago.
Grouse
You don’t have to go back 20 years…..That’s just when the problems were getting started.
Mojo wrote: How many hours did you have on your Etec before it failed?
Me??? I don’t have a single hour of ownership on one.
Three of my fishing buddy’s have/had E-Tecs (gen 1).
Two of those three have blown up…..So yeah…..I’ll pass on those.
I know nothing is bullet proof. Another buddy blew up a L4 Verado…..another buddy (drum roll)….a Yamaha f-150.
But when two out of three E-tec owners I know had catastrophic failures, I know enough to stay away.
Also worth noting is classified ads. It’s crazy how many used boats with Gen 1 E-tecs have the words “New Powerhead” in the ad.
Hopefully the Gen 2’s are better, but I’m not volunteering to be the guinea pig. I saw this spring that they came with a 10 year warranty……an obvious ploy to gain consumer confidence.
On top of it all, their dealership/service network is miniscule.
Who wants to drive 50-200+ miles to get a $2 gasket for the lower unit drain plug??
These companies know that it goes both ways, as boat customers tend to be UTV customers, and vice versa. Leveraging their production expertise and dealer networks is an understandable step.
So, coming soon to a Cabela’s front door near you…Tracker Boats just announced they’re going to start building ATVs under the Tracker Off Road brand. Maybe they’ll come with a free BPS trucker hat?
Link:
These companies know that it goes both ways, as boat customers tend to be UTV customers, and vice versa. Leveraging their production expertise and dealer networks is an understandable step.
So, coming soon to a Cabela’s front door near you…Tracker Boats just announced they’re going to start building ATVs under the Tracker Off Road brand. Maybe they’ll come with a free BPS trucker hat?
For awhile,Cabela’s was hawking Coleman ATVs(Chinese).Don’t know how good those are?If good,points could make that worthwhile.
One guy that I fish with has an ETEC 40 from back in 2004.All the problems in the beginning were from an inept dealer.Changed dealers,and the second dealer corrected the issues.Been good for the last 13 years.
Buying any expensive product,I would look at the dealer’s reputation.
They have also purchased after market parts businesses. I believe they have a mega distribution center in Utah. Boats are a natural fit.
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