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Sunshine Pedal Boats is a new enterprise owned by Sunshine Williams, a
long-time real estate broker in Central Texas now living on Lake LBJ, and
her son, Wes Williams, internationally acclaimed builder of custom titanium
mountain bikes, whose shop is located in South Austin. They have an
exclusive dealership for the entire eastern half of Texas with the
Nauticraft Corporation of Muskegon, Michigan, where the boats are built.
The pedal boats are light weight, 12-feet to 14-feet long, with a
rotationally molded polyethylene hull, rugged and impact resistant;
molded-in keels; positive flotation with cast-in foam; and generous free
board, which deflects waves and spray. The boats have either one set of
pedals or dual sets, self-righting features, large spade-type rudders and an
over-sized steering handle that make them easy to maneuver in the water. The
drive system includes quadritwist drive belt; quiet and efficient
propellers; bicycle cranks and axle; roller bearings for smooth, easy
pedaling; and custom-molded support parts. They can be easily offloaded from
the trailers into the water and reloaded by one person.
One model has an optional electric motor and one is strictly a sailboat. The
seats are recumbent type with foam cushioning and full back support. The
boats leave a low carbon foot-print; are ecologically correct; require no
gas, oil or expensive engine maintenance; contribute to physical fitness;
and are quiet, thus relieving stress and promoting peace of mind. In other
words, they are very Zen!
Sunshine and Wes would like to see someone offer rental operations and tours
on Lady Bird Lake, where they are legal; Lake Austin; Lake Travis; Lake LBJ;
Inks Lake; Lake Buchanan; Lake Walter E. Long; Canyon Lake; the Colorado
River below Longhorn Dam and in all the other lakes, rivers and streams in
this half of Texas, as well as the Gulf of Mexico. In 2002, a 59-year-old
man in a 12-foot Nauticraft Escapade, pedaled across the English Channel and
back in 14 hours and 20 minutes for a world record, which was included in
the Guinness World Records (see story attached).
The demo models may be seen in Austin at 2401 Thornton Road, #200, which is
off West Oltorf one block east of South Lamar Blvd. Interested parties may
take a cruise with Wes on Lake Austin from Walsh Landing on Lake Austin
Blvd. near the Hula Hut.
For information, features or an appointment call Sunshine at
1-800-829-0163 or email her at
lake@nctv.com. |