New Business Offers Boat Tours in the Berkshires
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| Gibboni is a licensed captain and holds a 25 tons master, meaning he can captain a vessel up to 25 tons. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass – A new boat tour business has emerged in Berkshire County.
Berkshire Boat Tours started June 1 for the 2025 season.
The business is owned by Captain Roger Gibboni and his wife, Linda Dulye, who want to provide a different opportunity to enjoy the Berkshires.
"I want to give people an opportunity to experience the fun of being on the water. We have these beautiful lakes in the Berkshires, probably one of the best gems that there are… There are several lakes that we have access to, and a lot of people don't have the ability to enjoy them to the extent of going out on a boat and open that up so people can have fun," Gibboni said.
He also noted that on a tour people can focus on having fun instead of piloting a boat.
"This business will give people an opportunity who don't own a boat, or can't afford a boat, don't want the responsibility of a boat, and aren't necessarily keen on renting and captaining the boat themselves," Gibboni said.
Gibboni also said it's a good time to start the business because, starting next year, those interested in piloting a boat will have to receive a boating certificate to rent and drive a motorboat or other personal watercraft (PWC).
"And the thing that sets this apart from just anybody with a boat taking people out for rides is that there are two things in play here. One is you're required by the Coast Guard to be a licensed captain to take paying passengers." Gibboni said, “The other factor that comes into play is that bill just passed in the state of Massachusetts, starting next year, people who use power boats, motor boats are going to be required to have a Massachusetts boating which is not for the faint of heart."
Gibboni is a licensed captain and holds a 25 tons master, meaning he can captain a vessel up to 25 tons.
He also said he has always been interested in piloting on the water and in the air.
"I've always been involved in piloting things. I'm a pilot, an aircraft pilot… And then my interest shifted a little bit as I got older, I got more into boating. I mean, we've always had a boat, as we've been on this lake for 25 years, we've always had a boat of some sort. But in Florida, we really got into boating. It's a different kind of boating," he said. “You're out in the Gulf and that kind of thing. So it inspired me to get my Coast Guard license and all the training that's associated with that, and I decided to put it to work for me."
He said in Florida there are a lot of tour boats, and he realized there was a need in Berkshire County.
"In Florida, tour boats are extremely common. Yeah, you go down the intercoastal waterway in Florida, and you'll see a half a dozen go by. You know, boats with 8, 10, 12 people and 20 people, very popular," he said. “People want to go out to Hampton. Nobody's done that here in the Berkshires. I mean, if you want a tour boat ride in the Berkshires, you got to go to North Hampton. So I thought I'd dip my toe in the water and see how it goes."
Dulye said there are always many visitors in Berkshire County. He said people often visit for weddings, and there are many venues on the lake.
"So you've got two venues on our lake, and the Berkshires are big in the summer, so people come for weddings. So what are you going to do until four o'clock? It's eight o'clock on Sunday, Saturday night, what are you going to do? So people are looking for things to do, and particularly people aren't familiar with the Berkshires," Dulye said.
Gibboni said while he is the Captain of the boat and prioritizes passengers safety, he will also have commentary about the Berkshires so visitors can learn a few things on the ride.
He also hopes to grow his business in the future with more staff, boats, and lakes, as well as mentor some who want to learn the craft..
"A couple more boats, and then maybe expand to some of the other lakes," Gibboni said.
"I think one thing is both Roger and I would like to mentor. So if there's a young person that's interested in getting a captain's license learning, it'd be wonderful to be able to mentor," Dulye said.
Gibboni said that they are dog friendly and even have personal floatation devices for pets.
A tour is $200 an hour for four people with a two hour minimum, and it's an extra $100 for up to six passengers. All tours will dock at the Pontoosuc Lake boat ramp.
Captain Gibboni plans to give tours from sunrise to sunset all seven days of the week. Those interested can book a tour online.
Tags: boating, Pontoosuc,
