Toyota Ponam-31 Sport Utility Cruiser
Japanese auto maker Toyota is most commonly known for their land vehicles (cars that is), but most people don’t know that the brand has been manufacturing boats for well over a decade now. Say hello to Toyota’s latest water vessel, the Ponam-31.
This isn’t just any ordinary boat though. In fact Toyota isn’t even calling it a boat. They’re calling it a “Sports Utility Cruiser,” and for good reason. The boat is powered by a pair of diesel engines pulled from the Land Cruiser Prado. As you probably already guessed from the “31” in the name, the aluminum constructed boat measures in at 31-feet, and is walking that line between a speedboat and a luxury yacht. The Ponam-31 has been decked out with furniture that can be arranged to your liking, and offers up comfortable seating, with room for you and 11 friends. It also borrows some technology from the brand’s cars including Toyota Drive Assist (a pilot support system), but it’s the Virtual Anchor System that really impressed us. Using GPS-based location alongside wind direction and current flow information, VAS acts as a virtual anchor, helping you maintain your exact position without ever having to drop a physical anchor in the water.
The Ponam-31 will hit the market in limited quantities, with the goal of selling about 15 a year. Turns out, like yachts, Sport Utility Cruisers are pricey too, as this beauty carries a sticker price of roughly $277,000. [Purchase]
