By Tom Crawford

News Editor

Guess what?   It actually floats.

Stan Widmer’s new boat, built with his patented thermoplastic molding process, had its maiden voyage Wednesday, May 12, in Lake Osakis. 

As Stan and Gary  , his CAD design man said, the first boat outing in the water “was a raving success.”

“All systems were go,” they added.

“Although we came home with a few problems to fix; nothing serious, the sump pumps were a little slow and the pneumatic steering needed some additional fluid.  

Widmer’s seven meter long boat, (about 23 feet) is the prototype of a boat he hopes the U. S. Navy will decide is the right choice for them. Widmer envisions the Navy, which has already invested more than $1.5 million in Widmer’s design and production, will not only like this model, they will also want a larger 11 meter long version for use on the high seas. Widmer will deliver this boat to the Navy later this summer.

Last Wednesday they used a 150 horse power Todd County Sheriff’s Department patrol boat to assist as a chase boat. Top speed of both  was around 36 to 38 mph. “We hope with some engine tuning to reach 40 mph plus. Personally I’d like to see 45. Time will tell,” Stan said after the test run in the cool water of Lake Osakis.

They stopped for coffee at Head of the Lakes Resort on Osakis. “Many folks stopped to get a look at our unusual boat. It cut through the wave like butter. Everyone had a good time and no one fell in. 

Still just in case; we had Todd County’s finest sherif’s deputy as our safety net.