Friday, November 20, 2015

The Origin of the Pontoon Boat

The best boat rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks is proud to feature the Sylvan Mirage Tritoon by Starcraft to our customers.  These boats have come a long way since their humble beginnings.  BomBay Boat Rental Company decided to take a look back and discover how this amazing boat got its start. 




A little over 60 years ago in 1952, a farmer from rural Richmond, Minnesota wanted to build a family friendly boat that he could take out on the water. Ambrose Weeres is the man credited with inventing the pontoon boat.  He lived on the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes and wanted something reliable to take a family out on.  

The prototype was simply a wooden platform strapped to steel barrels that were welded together.  A 2x4 wood railing surrounded the deck, and a small outboard motor gave it power.  The deck sat a lot higher on the water than the other watercrafts of the time.  It was wide and very stable, and steering was by a vertical stick near the front railing.  

His idea worked out so well, he believed that others living in the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" would enjoy having one too.  Weeres then founded the first pontoon company ever, Weeres Industries, building a few boats that he named "The Empress."  Demand exceeded his expectations and business boomed.  People began calling him "Mr. Pontoon" and that name stuck until his death in 1991. Weeres was elected to the Minnesota Marina Hall of Fame for his incredibly popular invention.  




The pontoon of today has come a long way.  BomBay Boat Rental Company features the incredible Sylvan Mirage 8524 Cruise LZ.  This particular watercraft has a spacious deck and four-sided wrap-around seating.  Plenty of room for a large group plus coolers, water toys, and more.    



Until May 1st of 2016, all of our boat and jet ski rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks are half-price!  We have a lot of exciting things planned for 2016, including a third location for full-time rentals, and we will be increasing our fleet from 20 boats to 32.  Also, as promised, we will always provide the newest and best maintained fleet on the water.  Expect to rent brand new 2016 boats this Spring.




If you wake up and decide that you just have to get out on the water, give us a call.  We are renting boats at the Lake of the Ozarks by reservation now and through the winter from our Village Marina and Camden on the Lake locations. You can choose to take out our modern-day pontoon, or one of the other options that we have available to you.  True boat-lovers don't let a little cold stop them from getting out on the water!  Give BomBay Boat Rental Company a call a let us get you out there.                



BETTER PRODUCT, BETTER PRICES, BETTER PEOPLE!

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