Today’s story is again on the personal side. It’s about boats, specifically the type of boat I own and enjoy nearly every day here on Sebago Lake.

I am talking about pontoon boats. Pontoon boats have been around for a long time. However the past few years have seen them overtake the industry to where a trip around Sebago Lake and a rather unscientific count produced an approximation that 50 percent of all boats on the lake are pontoons. A recent country music hit by the band Little Big Town is the song “Pontoon.” While the version of the boat described in the song is a bit of home-grown engineering, the concept of gathering a large group of friends and family on one craft for a day of fun is universal.

The very first pontoon boat and the idea for same is credited to Ambrose Weeres of Richmond, Minn. in 1951. Considered the father of the pontoon, Mr. Weeres had the idea of creating a platform atop a string of 55 gallon barrels and the concept has taken off from there. Weeres Industries was founded in 1952 and the company continues today as Premier Marine. Since their inception, they have sold some 30,000 pontoons and their boats can be found worldwide. My boat, TRUDY, is a Premier SunSation Ltd purchased from Port Harbor Marine at their Raymond location. My salesman Sean Brogan has been involved in the pontoon industry for many years and his feedback to the manufacturers he works with have produced some of the latest changes and innovations seen on these once rather simple craft.

Virtually every marina on Sebago Lake, Brandy Pond, Long Lake and throughout the Lakes Region carries a brand of pontoon boat. Each company has their own features and designs as well as a dizzying array of size options and engine combinations to chose from. They range in size from small fishing platforms 14 feet long with 25-30 hp motors to massive 33-foot double-decker party barges with water slides, top shelf sound systems, complete galleys, enclosed overnight camper canvas systems, toilet facilities, twin 350 hp engines and seating for 24 people.

Recent design innovations have enabled these once-slow moving barges to become sport boats in their own right. A triple pontoon with twin 350 outboard engines is capable of speeds well in excess of 50 mph. TRUDY with a four stroke 175 Suzuki outboard manages to break 40 mph with myself, Dr Zeus and my wife, Linda, aboard and will do a comfortable 25-30 mph fully loaded. The key to the speed, stability and handling is the addition of a third pontoon in the middle of the boats and the extra lift provided by enlarging the size of the pontoons and adding “lifting strakes” and “planning pads” to the pontoons.

In other words, pontoons have become high-tech. Different companies have different design features and their own way of achieving the goal of producing a more stable boat that is fuel efficient while still being capable of getting around the lake at a decent speed. The average pontoon boat is a twin pontoon with probably a 50-90 hp outboard motor capable of carrying 12 people. Speeds for boats in this segment average about 20-25 mph. Pontoons speeds are deceptive however in that the boats are “on plane” while at rest. Driving a pontoon for the first time is unique especially if you’d had regular V-hull boats your entire life. As you push the throttle(s) down, the boat simply goes faster. It doesn’t plow through the water gradually getting up on plane. Another feature the first time pontoon-goer soon discovers is that these boats are exceptionally stable in rough water.

I still chuckle when I recall the first ride I gave my relatives on TRUDY. I had the boat skimming along at about 35mph. As we approached the wake of a large cruiser, I noticed my passengers brace for the anticipated bounce from crossing the wake. Smiles broke out all around as we continued along our journey as though we’d encountered nothing more than a ripple from a kayaker. Indeed, I’ve had TRUDY out on Sebago in some of the worst conditions the lake has to offer and the ride has been respectable even in 4-foot whitecaps.

Most of the marinas around Sebago offer some sort of rental program for these craft. Some by the day or half-day, some by the week, a few even have timeshare-type lease programs. If you love boating, love gathering a group of good friends and family, then I suggest you rent one of these boats for a day and experience for yourself the good times to be had onboard a pontoon. One truly needs to experience firsthand the difference between a pontoon and a traditional boat. One trip and y’all will be settin’ your radio to the local country station and singin’ Pontoon along with Little Big Town.

Until next time, remember, protect, preserve and enjoy THE LAKE.

Brian Webb is a seasonal resident of Standish.

The popularity of pontoon boats has increased sharply in recent years. Here, Brian Webb’s TRUDY waits for eager passengers. (Courtesy photo)