VIDEO: Moran Iron Works lays keel of kayak launching tour boat

Moran Iron Works, Onaway, MI, has successfully installed the keel on the hull of the new vessel that it is building for Pictured Rocks Kayaking, less than 90 days into construction of the 64’ x 19’ vessel.

As we reported earlier, the vessel is being built to escort 72 passengers and 36 kayaks around Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for guided kayak tours and will feature a custom-designed kayak launch system.

It will be eight foot longer than Pictured Rocks Kayaking’s current vessel. With a six foot swim deck, it will be able to accommodate twice the number of existing passengers and kayaks and will run nearly one and a half times faster than the current vessel.

CEO of Pictured Rocks Kayaking, John Madigan says, “The project will allow Pictured Rocks Kayaking the ability to provide an improved delivery system to our guests. It will provide a much-improved guest experience.”

The vessel is now expected to be completed and delivered by this summer.