Today, there are endless pontoon brands on the market. It’s easy to find one that develops the type of boat you’re interested in. However, there’s still a lot of debate about who is the originator of the modern pontoon boat that we all know and love today. When it comes to pontoon history, there are plenty of important details to cover. Keep reading to learn more.

How it Started

One of the reasons it’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment in time that pontoons were created is that many builders started manufacturing these boats around the same time. A rural Minnesota man named Ambrose Weeres is commonly credited with developing the first pontoon boat in the U.S. As pontoon history goes, Weeres tied a wooden deck to aluminum cylinders and the idea for one of the most popular boats in the marine industry was born. 

Weeres focused on building pontoon boats and selling them through local dealerships. Eventually, his idea gained traction and he went on to found Weeres Industries. It should come as no surprise that Ambrose Weeres was inducted into the Minnesota Marine Hall of Fame and may very well have been one of the first commercial manufacturers of pontoon boats for sale.

Pontoons Over the Years

While there is no denying that Weeres was one of the pioneers in pontoon history, there are other contributors worth recognizing. For instance, you may know that the Harris FloteBote has been around since 1957. Harris Manufacturing was founded by brothers Ernie and Pete Harris in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

The duo had been testing their revolutionary pontoon boats since the early 1950s and they were determined to deliver their product to the market. While it took some time to get their models off the ground, it was worth the uphill battle. In the 1960s, Harris FloteBote reshaped the entire pontoon boat industry by introducing upholstered furniture and seats on their vessels. The comfort and luxury you’re accustomed to can be attributed to this moment in pontoon history.

Pontoons Today

If you’re more familiar with the models that are available today, you know they’ve come a long way since the early days. These boats have evolved into so much more than floating barges. While you can still find relatively simple models, you can also find high-end luxury models with all the bells and whistles. If one thing’s for sure, it’s that today’s models only exist thanks to the long history behind them.

If you’re in the market for a pontoon boat, be sure to visit The Harbor in Branson, MO, near Springfield. We also serve the Kansas City area. Our team looks forward to assisting you!