2010-05-20 / Front Page
Cruising on Lake Osakis
A one-of-a kind seven meter long boat took its maiden voyage Wednesday, May 12 on Lake Osakis, attracting a crowd of curious onlookers when the crew stopped for a lunch. Stan Widmer, the chief designer of this potential U. S. Navy craft, was at the controls, with Andy Stone, his engine mechanic along side him. Gary Gustafson, a computer draftsman who has been working for Widmer, reported the thermoplastic boat using Widmer’s patented design performed very much as expected. “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,” Gustafson said. The Todd County Sheriff’s Department provided their 150 hp patrol boat to assist as a chase boat. The designers, who are working out of Widmer’s offices at the Staples Industrial Building, plan to deliver the boat to U. S. Navy officials this summer, who will put the boat through Navy testing procedures. (Submitted photo) 
