Inventers working to keep fishermen afloat

HASKELL, Okla. (AP) _ Dean North is a typical bass fisherman. The Haskell resident loves to fish, but his living accommodation doesn't allow him the luxury of keeping a bass boat. <br/><br/>``I wanted

Saturday, June 12th 2004, 11:03 am

By: News On 6

HASKELL, Okla. (AP) _ Dean North is a typical bass fisherman. The Haskell resident loves to fish, but his living accommodation doesn't allow him the luxury of keeping a bass boat.

``I wanted to get on the water,'' North said. ``When you live in an apartment, there's not a lot space to keep a bass boat.''

That's the inspiration North had when he invented the Lilipad Boat, a one-man boat shaped like a lily pad.

He was determined to create a product that would be economical for fishing and water enthusiasts including amateurs and professionals.

``It's the closest thing to walking on the water,'' North said about his round boat.

The boat is made from expanded polystyrene, a hard plastic material, and is covered with a sealant called Polyurea.

``It's unsinkable,'' he said.

North was not alone when he began constructing the unique boat; co-inventors, Mark Childress and Rod Howard of Porter helped with the project.

Childress was the test pilot for several prototypes.

``We had a lot of trial and error,'' Childress said.

When people see the boat for the first time, curiosity and questions soon follow.

``The question I am most often asked is, 'How stable is it?''' North said.

``It's super stable _ the boat will not flip.''

North's design will cause a person to fall off the boat first, before flipping the vessel.

The diameter of the boat is 5 1/2 feet with a height of 12 inches from the base, according to information provided by the inventors.

Theoretically, the base of the boat will keep the top of a Volkswagen Bug afloat, about 1,400 pounds, North said.

``The construction of the Lilipad Boat is of a nature that will allow sportsmen to carry up to 500 pounds and still maintain its integrity,'' according to information posted on the company's Web site, www.lilipadboats.com.

The men are also pleased with the weight.

Without a battery and trolling motor, the boat weighs 88 pounds, North said.

With the added equipment, the boat weighs about 140-160 pounds.

The Lilipad Boat costs $850, without the battery and motor.

The inventors hope the cost of the boat will decrease once they are able to secure a manufacturing company and buy materials in bulk.

The company, established in January, produced its first boat this spring.

Chip McIntosh, owner of McIntosh Automotive in Coweta, bought the first boat.

He hasn't had a chance to get it on the water yet, but is anxious to go fishing.

McIntosh said when customers see his boat at the shop they want to touch the boat, as well as sit on it.

Childress said anytime he goes to the lake with the Lilipad in tow on the custom built trailer, it's at least 15-20 minutes before he's able to get on the water because people at the ramp are inquisitive.

Childress maintains that even if success of the boat takes off, manufacturing will be done locally.

``We want to keep all the money in Oklahoma,'' Childress said.

The inventors believe the Lilipad Boat is the only one of its kind on the market.