469 Mile Adventure
Tiny catamaran makes amazing 469 mile
journey up Michigan coast!!
Few boats smaller than 20 feet are considered capable of undertaking a 469
mile trip across some of the most hostile waters the Great lakes have to
offer. But such a journey is exactly what a tough little 11-foot power
catamaran recently accomplished.
An 11-foot, four inch CraigCat, piloted by Adam Gursoy and Trevor Baykowski,
recently launched from Grand Haven Michigan, on that state's west coast on
Lake Michigan. It traveled north to Mackinac Island, Cheboygan and the
inland waterway, ending up in Conway eight days later.
Along the way, Gursoy and Baykowski encountered seas up to 12 feet,
torrential rains, thick fog. dangerous rocks and hundreds of questions from
bystanders at every port of call.
"People were just plain amazed at the feisty little CraigCat," said Gursoy,
who operates a CraigCat dealership in Grand Haven.
The high-performance boat features sleek, sporty looks and nimble handling
in virtually any conditions. With a 25 hp outboard, it reaches speeds up to
30 mph and uses just a gallon of fuel an hour. Its twin pontoons, made of
foam-injected polyethylene, connected to an elevated fiberglass deck. The
pontoons bank independently, like the legs of snow skier, so they can move
up and down waves easily and maintain a stable, relaxing ride.
Rugged first-class and a patented design help ensure the boat would
withstand the rigors of this journey. And the crew appreciated the
cushioned, side-by-side seating and ample legroom.
At one point, the two crossed 30 miles of open lake Michigan water to reach
Beaver Island, halfway between the state's upper and lower peninsulas. Heavy
rain and fog severely reduced visibility and the waves were treacherous.
"We were climbing what seemed like mountains and rolling down the other
side," said Gursoy. The crew used a small hand-held compass to navigate.
Between Leeland and Northport, Michigan, the rescued a family whose boat had
run out of gas a mile offshore. They gave the stranded group their reserve
tank so they could make it back to shore.
After the trip, Gursoy said, "This CraigCat is an amazing watercraft. It
handles the water like no other craft I have ever been on, and I have been
caught in some very nasty storms on both the Atlantic Ocean and Lake
Michigan. Never once did I have second thoughts about the ability of the
CraigCat to get us to our ports of call."
The CraigCat is lightweight, tows easily and offers many convenient optional
features, such as an electric trolling motor, fishing rod holders, dive tank
holders, and storage racks. With a suggested retail price that is less than
other small boats.
Courtesy of: Rhode Island Boating News Paper |
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It’s a unique
watercraft that is in a class all its own. It's the world's finest and only
compact powercat of its kind on the market! |
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Call:
Toll Free: 1-877-335-0984 Email info@craigcatmichigan.com
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