“World’s Best” to Feature Grand-Craft Corporation
Grand-Craft boats are floating samples of art-- strong, durable and beautiful with superior performance.
Deerfield Beach, FL (PRWEB) March 4, 2005 -- New Line Media Solutions is
pleased to announce the selection of Grand-Craft Corporation for its innovative,
educational television series, World’s Best. The company will be featured in a
segment on “Watercraft Beyond Expectations” in the Models of Excellence
Series.
Grand-Craft Corporation, located in Holland, MI, builds
handcrafted mahogany runabouts embodying the classic design and enduring spirit
of the 1930’s eras—in various models ranging from 20 to 40 feet. All design work
is done in-house. The style is inspired by the past, but the performance and
handling are superb and modern, and the craftsmanship is legendary. Grand-Craft
powerboats are customized masterpieces in open-cockpit sport, triple-cockpit
classic, cabin-enclosed commuter or custom cruiser styles. They turn heads
everywhere.
Grand-Craft boats are floating samples of art-- strong,
durable and beautiful with superior performance. The Philippine mahogany is
hand-selected and preferred for its density and flexible strength. Two to three
layers of solid planking soundly constructed provide the “soft ride” for which
Grand-Craft is recognized. The finish gleams with 12-18 layers of ultra-violet
filtered varnish hand-brushed in an atmosphere-controlled room.
Taking
the boats into the 21st century is the incorporation of a special wood epoxy
saturation process, which bonds all wood-to-wood surfaces, making the hull
watertight and impervious to any damaging effects of salt or freshwater. The
need for “soaking up,” a procedure required of earlier wood boats, is
eliminated. All Grand-Crafts can be put into the water at any time for immediate
enjoyment.
All underwater hardware used by Grand-Craft is made of cast
bronze, while the deck hardware is either chrome-plated bronze or stainless
steel. Mechanical or hydraulic steering provides quick and stable
responsiveness. Gas marine or diesel engines are specified for Grand-Craft
weight and torque requirements to achieve speeds up to 50 mph for a thrilling
ride.
Company president Richard Sligh grew up in a family that was
involved in the early days of water- skiing. He developed an interest in the
restoration and performance of wood boats to the point where it became his
specialty when he owned a marina in northern Michigan. His family’s furniture
business added to his experience with fine wood workmanship. Dick has also
taught drafting and mechanical engineering at college level. Today, Dick
oversees all work on Grand-Crafts, as well as the design of new models and
custom boats.
The company employs over a dozen highly-skilled
woodworkers and craftsmen who build 18-20 boats per year. It takes educated
eyes, hands, muscles and intense concentration to build these boats. From the
slicing bow to the tapering stern, literally hundreds of man-hours are spent
sanding and “fairing in” for even lines and smooth surfaces on the mahogany
hull. This provides strong performance in tough conditions.
Every inch is
checked countless times for correct fit. And every part must fit perfectly in
order to produce a boat that performs effectively on water year after year. It
is the density, weight, and craftsmanship of mahogany that provides the desired
result to which fiberglass can’t compare.
“I am so grateful to put great
materials and quality craftsmanship together in boats that offer so much pride
and pleasure to our owners,” says Dick. “What greater joy could I have in my
life’s work than that? It makes going to work every day a total
pleasure!”
Grand-Craft provides each boat with a written five-year
warranty to the original purchaser and provides him with the best services:
winterization and storage, refinishing or varnishing, repair and restoration or
simply prompt attention to the smallest detail. For more information, see www.grandcraft.com.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/3/prweb214412.htm