Aspen Testimonials
Information Video & Personal Testimonials:
Aspen Power Catamarans – Customer Input
March 18, 2011
We received the following letter from a Glacier Bay customer regarding his boat surviving the tsunami in Hawaii. We thought we’d share this with you as the Aspen Power Cats are built stronger than what the Glacier Bay’s were. Cathy Graf
“Aloha Larry,
I’m sure you don’t remember us, but my wife Debbie and I (along with our daughter) visited your facility in the summer of 2000, along with Dr. Robert Egan and his wife Gracie.
We conduct whale research in Hawaii (centerforwhalestudies.org), and you helped us acquire our “dream” research vessel….our2640 Renegade.
We could not have been more pleased with your boat over these 10 years…no matter what mother nature has dished our, our Glacier Bay was up to the task.
And then the worst happened….
While on the mainland for my Dad’s funeral, we received text messages from folks across the country mentioning things like “we’re sorry for you loss”, and “our prayers are with you”…
And then, at 3:00 in the morning the next message read “we’re so sorry for you as the tsunami approaches”…
That got my attention, as we had always pulled the boat in the past 2 tsunami events her in Hawaii…
But now I’m “naked”…3,000 miles away and I can’t get our boat to safety…
And this tsunami means business with a 8.9 earthquake attached to it…
Desperate phone call to folks on Maui, there is no one to pull our boat to safety….
I expected to find nothing left, but a fellow researcher called to say it was still floating as the 9′ tsunami waves hit the harbor over and over and over again.
After 6 hours of pounding, some very amazing friends were finally able to pull the boat from the harbor, and trailer it to safety….
What was even more amazing to me was the pictures that were sent to me in California. (below)
Upon viewing the images, it was clear that YOUR glacier Bay Cat destroyed the slip, but our boat received relatively minor damage (a bent rail and 2 scratches to the hull).
I immediately remembered you telling us in Monroe just how you had engineered the boat, with comments like “you can drive this thing on rocks and it will still hold together.”
At the time, the bravado didn’t really register…why would anyone care that you could drive this thing on rocks?!??
Well, now I know why…
We sure didn’t plan on having our boat smashed by a tsunami, but your work speaks for itself.
Glad to see you’re back building boats!
Our rail has been repaired, and we are looking forward to getting back out on the water (year37 for us), even if it is blowing to 30, with gusts to 55!
Take care Larry, and thanks for the great boat!
Aloha,
Mark Ferrari
Center for Whale Studies”
Note: You Have my permission to use any of my comments below as testimonial for any brochures, web site, feedback to San Juan Yachting, or anything else related to Aspen Power Catamarans. Mike Miller – September 2010
Larry:
I wanted to give you a summary of our Boat Experience on the C90 Aspen Power Cat, which we chartered from San Juan Yachting out of Bellingham.
Bottom line, after 11 days on the boat, it was everything we had hoped it would be after our short sea trial in Miami, where you had your boat for the Miami Boat show earlier this year. This boat was the best handling boat, I’ve ever ran, and that includes the last 2 boats I chartered (57′ Carver, and 65′ Horizon). I would even argue that it handled the seas better than those 2 much larger boats. Add to that, the incredible fuel efficiency – less than 5 gph at 14.1 knots. I also took it open to WOT for 3 minutes, and reached 21.1 knots (albeit I might have had a knot or two from flood tide in my favour)- not bad for a 28 ft. loaded up boat (2/3 fuel and full water) on a 150 hp Diesel!!!! Moreover, the view from both helm and co-pilots chairs thru the large windows, were far superior than any other yacht I’ve been in, which usually have at least 3 mullions.
Finally, the fit and finish, the bow AND stern thruster, the vacu-flush head, and the quiet fridge made this a very comfortable boat. Not to mention, that didn’t even have to give up the comfort of my King Size bed at home, as you have just a big of one in this boat – incredible! Now, if you could only figure out a shower for me – that one, just didn’t fit my 6’2″ body – maybe a curtain outside in the cockpit? (that is now an option check out photo on C90 page – Options)
Having said all of that, I have come constructive comments which are separated into 2 areas. One for the charter company, which I’ve passed along to Rick at San Juan, and that you’ve likely already reviewed and 1 for OUR future Aspen. (Good choice by the way, im picking San Juan Yachting – a first class bunch of people all the way!! Great experience, and believe me, we had some hiccups getting into Canada, being Canadians on a US flagged boat – they came thru in flying colors for sure!!)
You have a wonderful first boat in the C90, and if the future boats are as revolutionary as this one, you will be overwhelmed with demand I’m sure. Good luck and we’ll be in touch soon to discuss our plans in person.
Cheers,
Mike Miller
Another amazing Larry Graf Design… what other rowboat can one stand on the edges like that?
