The Mail-Journal, Volume 22, Number 33, Milford, Kosciusko County, 14 August 1985 — Page 11

Summer

Pontoons are becoming increasingly popular

By JIM BRODERICK Staff Writer For years, the pontoon boat has been the victim of much misinformation. Statements such as “It’s a boat for retired people,” or “It’s impossible to maneuver, have added to the negative image. However, that image is changing. The pontoon is becomming an increasingly popular form of aquatic transportation, no longer restricted to a “retired” crowd. George Paton, who oversees the operations at Patona Bay, offers a few reasons why the Pontoon has finally emerged as the choice of many lake enthusiasts. “The pontoon fills the purpose of being able to accommodate large numbers of people,” Paton said. “It appeals to a wide range as well. Younger people are finding out how useful a pontoon can be. ” ( Paton, who calls the pontoon boat “a patio on the water,” says he sells quite a few pontoon boats to young people. “It’s an excellent boat to have a party on,” Paton said. “The boat is geared towards a specific;use, not a specific age,” Paton said. “Depending on your needs, it might be a much better than a ski boat. It depends on what the boater is after.” Stewart Coverstone, of Sock’s Marina, believes the pontoon

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boat may be a boater’s best buy. “The biggest reason people buy a pontoon is because of its versatility,” he said Coverstone cites the myraid of uses for the pontoon boat, such as a cruising boat, party boat, fishing boat, and even a ski boat. ' “It has so many uses. It’s a great family boat. Parents like it because their children are in a kind of closed in area, and younger people like it because they can swim or fish off of it.” As for fuel efficiency, the pontoon has a great reputation as a cheap form of transportation. “You fill it up once, and forget about,” said Paton, adding “You put it out in the spring, and take it out in the fall. It’s really a simple boat to maintain.” Linda Phillabaum, who with her husband Paul has a pontoon on Lake Wawasee, says a pontoon “really fits the bill.” The Phillabaums, who put their boat in during the early part of spring and leave it there until the first snow, say the pontoon is the perfect boat for them. “We use it a lot more than you’d think was possible,” Mrs. Phillabaum said. “It’s a good party boat, fishing boat, and really fun to use.” One of the people who have made pontooning so much fun is John Cripe, whose innovations and designs have made him a

pioneer in the pontoon boat industry. Creating one of the very first lines of pontoon boats, Cripe has seen the industry blossom from an overlooked form of recreation to a major presence on the water, v with over 30 firms now manufacturing pontoon boats. “I’ve never thought of myself as a leader of the industry,” said Cripe, who built the first pontoon ever put in Lake Wawasee. That pontoon was the property of Eli Lilly. Cripe’s success started when he introduced a crude form of his

I— ————— I 1 ’ . K. i K. w „—bK^_. &-| I B Aja ■*! 1 \ 3 I I ■ 1 ~1. 11 JI PIONEER OF THE INDUSTRY — John Cripe, who founded JC Mfg., has been designing and building pontoon boats for over 30 years. (Photo by Jim Broderick)

\\ "•' **•• \\ HF•- 3 SELLING WELL — George Paton leans against one of his pontoon boats on display at Patona Bay. Paton says the pontoon is shedding its image as a “retired person’s boat.” (Photo by Jim Broderick)

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pontoon at a boat show in Detroit in the 19505. As a result of that display, he received over 100 orders for pontoons. “I just wasn’t equipped to handle that many orders,” said the mechanical engineer turned boat designer. Responding to the need to expand, Cripe acquired more space, more workers, and an immediate reputation as a premier boat designer. He offers a very simple reason for the success of the pontoon. “The pontoon opened the door for people who felt insecure on

Here's what's cooking

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the water. They could walk right off the dock and onto a boat.” Cripe dispells myths that the pontoon is difficult to maneuver. “You can drive a pontoon up to. 40mph, and it will still be maneuverable, and will still give a smooth ride.” Cripe said he never doubted that the public would readily accept the pontoon as a recreational boat, but didn’t expect the resistance he had from dealers. “The dealers were the toughest to convince,” he said. “They had a lot of doubts about transporting them, and getting them into the water.” In an effort to persuade one dealer to carry pontoon boats, Cripe demonstrated how easily they could be set afloat. “He told me if I could get the boat in and out of the water in 15 minutes, he’d agree to sell them.” Knowing how easily he could achieve this, Cripe readily agreed to the test. “It took me five minutes,” Cripe said. Pontoon sales are going well this summer, according to George Paton. “This year has been an especially good year,” Paton said. “I wish they were the only type of boat we sold,” said Stewart Coverstone. Not only are new pontoon boats in demand, but according to Coverstone, there is a “tremendous” market for used pontoons. Grateful that pontoons have shed their negative image, John Cripe breathes a well-earned sigh of relief. Contentedly, he eyes the future, while mindful of the past. “It’s been a lot of years coming,” he says, adding “we can’t stop now.”

mixture almost boils, sugar dissolves and chocolate melts. Stir 1 cup of hot mixture into eggs; return all to saucepan. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. (If chocolate flecks appear, beat until smooth). Cover; chill. Stir in whipping cream and milk chocolate. Freeze in a 4 or 5 quart ice cream freezer according to manufacturer’s directions. Makes about 2‘ 2 quarts of ice cream.

Ii J J - ■ b 11 * »' •-—**•* ■ w®«£<■■■ CRUISING — Mindy Hayden, an employee at Patona Bay, takes a used pontoon for a test ride. (Photo by Jim Broderick)

Helping Hands 4-H Club has successful year The Milford Helping Hands 4-H Club recently completed another successful 4-H year. At the 4-H fair the following members received the following awards for their projects: Jenny Beer — Foods 2, blue; crafts 1, blue; cake decorating 2, honor and champion Renee Beer — Foods 6, blue; food preservation 5, blue; needlecraft 2, blue; garden 1, blue; clothing 6, honor; Fashion Revue, dress up wear alternate; junior leader 2 Rita Beer — Foods 3, honor; food preservation 2, honor; clothing 2, honor; Fashion Revue, honor Sherri Beer — Needlecraft 2, blue; clothing 4, blue; Fashion Revue, blue; junior leader 1 Erika Lange — Foods 1, honor and state fair alternate; cake decorating 1, honor Kristina Lange — Foods 5, honor; needlecraft 3, blue; clothing 6, honor and state fair; Fashion Revue, dress up wear winner to state fair; junior leader 3; grand champion in construction Monica Lange — Foods 3, blue; clothing 2, honor; Fashion Revue Michele Lehman — Foods 1, blue; gift wrapping beginner, honor; cake decorating 1, honor and alternate Lisa Mikel — Foods 3, red; clothing 2, blue; Fashion Revue, winner in division 2 Anna Meyers — Foods 1, honor; cake decorating 1, red Carl Rouch — Computers 1 advanced, honor and alternate; photography slides beginner, honor and alternate; forestry 6, honor and state fair Jennifer Seemeyer — Cake decorating 1, honor and champion Jill Seemeyer — Foods 1, blue Annette Wilson — Foods 4, blue; clothing 4, blue; Fashion Revue, blue Rhonda Wilson — Foods 7, blue; needlecraft 3, blue; clothing 7, honor and alternate to state fair; Fashion Revue, free choice winner to state fair; junior leader 2 Tricia Wuthrich — Foods 1, honor Fashion tips Hemlines should be long enough to shorten should the length vary next year. Pants suits are a safe buy in tailored styles. Two piece dresses will continue to be a good buy. Solid colors can be up-dated with belts and colorful scarfs. \ Prune trees tprune forsythia. quince, pussy willow and redbud in their dormant period. Bring trimmings inside and place in a vase in a warm room to enjoy “early” blooms which will appear in a week or ten days.

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Wed., August 14,1985 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

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