Sig Hansen Puts the “Pontoon Myth” to Rest With His First Ride on the Baretta Luoro 23

On a breezy afternoon in Edmonds, Washington—where the Puget Sound rolls in with a steady chop and the salt air feels like home—Deadliest Catch captain Sig Hansen returned to familiar waters for an unfamiliar test. Hansen, who grew up along this coastline, is no stranger to rough seas. But today wasn’t about commercial fishing or the Northwestern. Today was about a pontoon boat. And not just any pontoon—a Baretta Luoro 23, newly delivered and ready for its maiden run.

The mission: to see whether a pontoon could truly handle real water.
The verdict: Hansen was stunned.

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First Impressions: “Honestly, It Looks Bigger Than 23 Feet”

Stepping into Edmonds Marina, Sig greeted the Baretta crew with the skepticism only a lifelong captain can bring. He gave the Luoro 23 a long look—sleek lines, broad deck space, clean boarding access from all sides.

“Honestly,” he said, running a hand along the rail, “it looks bigger than 23 feet. That’s incredible.”

The layout immediately won him over: quick step-on points for kids, pets, or family; a generous bow entry; and the kind of open design that feels like a floating living room.

“A floating couch,” Sig joked as he settled into the captain’s seat. “And it’s got good visibility over the bow. That’s important.”

But anyone who knows Sig knows his real question wasn’t about space or style.

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The Big Test: Can a Pontoon Handle Chop?

The Puget Sound delivered exactly what they wanted: real conditions.
Choppy water, rolling wind, and a stiff breeze—perfect for myth-busting.

The moment they opened the throttle, Sig leaned forward, eyes narrowing.

“How fast are you going now?” he called out.

“Thirty-eight.”

“Come on.”

“Forty.”

“Forty-five—and that’s on a single screw.”

Sig shook his head, laughing in disbelief.

“I had my doubts,” he admitted. “I figured we’d be plowing through the weather. But it didn’t. It rode over the waves, through the waves—I didn’t get wet.”

The triple-V hull design spread the impact, skipping across chop that would pound a traditional V-hull.

“Out on the Sound, you expect to get knocked around,” Sig said. “But this didn’t pound as much as I thought. It just… skipped.”

For a man who knows bad water better than anyone, it was a genuine compliment.

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Family Approval: Mandy’s Reaction

After the sea trial, Sig waited on the dock for the next test—his daughter Mandy Hansen, now relief captain on the Northwestern, and perhaps the toughest critic of all.

“This is what I’m talking about,” Sig said as the boat pulled up again.
Mandy stepped aboard, looking around with a raised eyebrow.

“You didn’t believe me, did you?” Sig teased.

“I like it,” she said. “Plenty of space. Bring the dogs, bring the kids…”

Sig grinned. “You can wakeboard, water ski—everything you’d do on a regular boat. Just a different platform for the family.”

Mandy nodded, now fully convinced. “Are we taking it out?”

Moments later, they were underway again.

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A Smooth Ride—and a Proud Captain

With the throttle open, the Luoro 23 soared across the Sound, leaving Mandy laughing as the boat sliced smoothly through the chop.

“What did I tell you?” Sig shouted over the wind.

“That is smooth,” she called back. “I like it. Good find.”

Sig leaned back, proud and satisfied.

“I know what I’m doing,” he said with a smile.

By the end of the day, surrounded by family, familiar waters, and a surprisingly capable boat, Sig summed it up simply:

“Today’s a great day. Couldn’t be happier. I believe I now have the best pontoon boat on the planet—and it’s right here.”