Teen hot dog vendor hits high seas to serve boaters, fishermen

PORTLAND – Hot dog vendors are a common sight in most towns. Now, a teenager is trying to take the concept to the high seas.

This summer, 16-year-old Eben Fogg of North Yarmouth has been making the rounds in Casco Bay aboard a 25-foot floating hot dog stand.

His boat, Tina’s Weinah’s, is registered to his mother, who set up the business to give her son a fun learning experience.

“It’s a sweet job, being on the ocean,” Fogg said.

Licensed by the state, Fogg sells hot dogs and ice cream treats for $2 each. Drinks and potato chips are $1.50 each. Weather permitting, he heads out most days at 10 a.m. On a good day, he comes home with $200. Some days it’s less than $20.

Often, there isn’t much left after gassing up and paying a co-pilot $7 an hour. But maintenance is free because his father, Dennis, operates Fogg’s Boatworks in North Yarmouth.

“We’re breaking even, I guess,” Eben said.

Martine “Tina” Fogg got the idea for a floating hot dog stand from a friend who runs a similar enterprise in Gloucester, Mass.

Her friend’s waterfront cart is stationary, but Fogg decided to make hers a floating operation because there’s nothing like it on Casco Bay.

She hopes business picks up as people come to expect and appreciate boatside service.

“We thought we’d give it a shot and it would be a good way for Eben to learn about business,” she said. “It’s given him a chance to see what it’s like. Sometimes it’s not easy. I think he’s having fun and learning some lessons.”

Eben has learned some lessons already this summer, such as where to buy the cheapest gas and how to attract customers.