You’re idea of a fun day on the water in the lakes region may mean relaxing on a pontoon boat, kayaking around a quiet pond or windsurfing at Sebago Lake State Park. There are water sports to suit every taste in the Lakes Region and all of the rental equipment you’ll need is close by.

Renting boats

There are many places to rent boats in and around Sebago Lake. If the marina is not located on the lake where you’re staying or boating, they can generally arrange to deliver and pick up the boat at your location.

What kind of boat will work best for your outing? Causeway Marina in Naples is one of several places to rent boats in the area. They carry ski boats, pontoon boats and cutty cabins. The boats are available for renting for a few hours, a day, or for a week.

Visitors should inquire about rental discounts, which are often available at this and other marinas, for people who are renting vacation homes in the area, staying at certain hotels, and are repeat renters.

Shauna Palaza, who works at Causeway, says a cutty cabin is good for up to eight people. It has a “V berth” which is a good place for small kids to sit. It’s also good for storage and sleeping. Families like this boat for cruising, fishing or waterskiing. A pontoon boat is a 24-foot flat boat that has a top that covers half of the boat. It’s suitable for large groups because it can hold up to 14 people.

“A pontoon is a great choice for kids because there’s a lot of space to move around. A lot of people like to take the pontoons out fishing for the same reason,” Palaza said.

Jet skis for one person and bigger machines for up to four people are available at Rad Jet Skis in Naples. You need to be 18 years old and have a valid license to drive a jet ski. People of any age can ride on the larger jetskis as long as they have a life jacket that fits properly.

Sebago Lake Boater’s Guide

A new, very helpful and comprehensive fold-up guide, called the Sebago Lake Boater’s Guide, put together by a Naples businessman, Seth Merriam, is available at many area businesses and can be viewed online at www.greatnortherndocks.com.

The guide shows Sebago, Long Lake, Brandy Pond, and several other area lakes. It identifies landmarks, stores and businesses, marinas, emergency facilities, camping areas. It also shows buoys and explains what they mean and includes some local history and information about wildlife. It also identifies where milfoil is found in the lakes.

This and other available maps will help you plan your boating adventure. Palaza said one day-trip that she suggests is to take the 19-mile ride up Long Lake. At the tip of the lake in Harrison is the Caswell House Restaurant, a casual family-style restaurant with outdoor seating.

“It’s a nice trip up the lake, there’s a variety store and another marina up in Harrison, so you can gas up and get supplies and Caswell’s is a nice place to stop and get something to eat,” she said.

Depending on the amount of time you have for a boating outing, she suggests checking out Frye Island in Sebago Lake, going over to Sebago Lake State Park, which has a sandy beach and places to dock the boat. The Standish Association Beach on Sebago is a fun place for families because it has game courts, volleyball nets and other amenities. You need to become a member to use the beach, but you can become a member by paying a fee on the day you visit.

Brandy Pond is where she suggests for waterskiing. “It’s a small area with not too many people. When the water’s rough elsewhere it’s nice and calm over there.

Kayaking Moose Pond

If canoeing or kayaking, or sailing a small sailboat is what interests you, one of the places you can find this equipment is at the SportsHaus in Bridgton. Tom Ryder says one of the newest places to go kayaking is on Moose Pond near Shawnee Peak. (Take 302 West about five miles out of Bridgton. Across from Shawnee Peak, you’ll see Moose Pond on both sides. Look for a road on the right that leads to a large spit of land with picnic areas and spots for launching kayaks.)

“It’s a great spot because you can paddle around the north and south ends of Moose Pond, you can eat at one of the picnic tables at the launching spot and there’s also a sandy area for swimming right there,” Ryder said.

In Sebago Lake, he suggests heading to Sebago Lake State Park, for easy access, the park, concession and restroom facilities and because it’s a lovely area.

If windsurfing is your thing, it’s best to bring your own equipment, or inquire if your rental home or hotel has windsurfers for guests to use. It’s difficult to find a place to rent windsurfers in the lakes region or Portland area.

However, windsurfing can be a great way to enjoy the lakes, according to Mike Gerstner, a windsurfing instructor and owner of Gone With The Wind in Biddeford.

Best winds for windsurfing

For the best windsurfing, you should surfing from the shore opposite the side that the wind is coming from. If the wind’s coming from the northwest, you should surf on the southwest shore.

Gerstner explained that this gives the wind chance to settle down after it comes over the trees around the lake. If you’re surfing at Raymond Beach, a southwest wind is best; at Sebago Lake State Park, a south, or southwest wind is best; and, if you’re at a beach in the town of Sebago, a northwest wind is best.

When there’s a northwest wind, this usually creates good-sized standing waves, which is fun for the more advanced sailor.

Water Safety

Gerstner said that it’s important for to stay within their ability range and to take safety precautions. He advises carrying a whistle in case you get into trouble and letting people know when you expect to return from any boating or windsurfing adventure.

Boating safety is something that marinas and other rental shops will go over with any potential renter. Taking a course in boating safety is a good idea, however, for even the seasoned boater. Information about safety courses is available at marinas. Courses are offered regularly through the Coast Guard Auxillary.