TRICKED- OUT 'TOONS

NINE COOL FEATURES TO CHECK OUT ON PONTOON BOATS

- JEFF HEMMEL

SOMETIME BETWEEN THE ERA OF YOUR GRANDPARENTS' nightly putt-putt around the lake and the more recent trend of 20-somethings partying at the sandbar, pontoon boats became cool. Cool because whether you're young or old, hip or square, a novice boater or an old salt, you're likely to dig what's new on pontoons. Cool as in while they can still cruise and fish with the best, modern pontoons can also run with a go-fast, handle like a sportboat, haul you and your friends on your favorite towable and, yes, when the situation calls for it, party like a rock star.

One big reason for this is that pontoon-boat manufacturers have introduced more than their fair share of cool innovations. Some are big-ticket items, dramatic enhancements to handling or ultra-plush interior amenities. Others are of the "Why didn't I think of that?" variety, smaller touches that make life aboard more enjoyable or fun. We've seen more than we can count in recent years. Here are nine of the coolest.

TRANSFORMER BAR