Living For Days Like This on the Sylvan Mirage Cruise

Pat, Triscia, their two daughters Zoe and Remy, along with their playful dog Hadley love nothing more than spending as much time as possible on Lake Tippecanoe in Indiana. For the Crowes, time is spelled S-Y-L-V-A-N, the brand of their latest pontoon. Boating is in their genes.

“My parents live up near Lake Bellaire, Mich.,” said Triscia. “They bought their house back when I was five and ever since then I’ve been out on the lakes.”

Pat also grew up on the water, but in Indiana, and the couple first met in Chicago, Ill., in 1995. They both had recently graduated college and moved to the city, and the rest is history. With both of them practically born boating, their mutual love for the waters made their relationship a sure win.

When Pat and Triscia got together, they knew they wanted to raise their girls just as they were raised: spending time out on a boat and enjoying their time on the water as much as possible. Any opportunity they can find to go out on the lake they take it, and because of this, Zoe and Remy both love boating as much as their parents do. Zoe graduated from Michigan State two years prior than her sister Remy and currently works for Ford, while Remy plans on student teaching. However, last summer both girls moved to Indiana and got summer jobs that would allow them both ample time to be out on Lake Tippecanoe.

“Our girls are here all summer and boating is a big part of their lives,” said Triscia with a smile.

The couple live in Rochester, Mich., but in the summertime Pat and Triscia drive the four hours it takes to get to Lake Tippecanoe to enjoy their vacation home as much as possible. When not on their Sylvan pontoon, Pat works for Michigan State teaching economics, government, and law. It’s no mystery where Remy got her dream of being a teacher. Nevertheless, the moment any of the Crowes have time off from work or school, they head out in their much beloved Sylvan pontoon.

Love At First Sight
The Crowe family have owned many boats over the years including a Supra, a Scout as well as a Starcraft pontoon. They have loved each of their previous boats but Pat felt it was time for an upgrade. “Starcraft was perfect for our family of four but I knew it was time for something new.” When looking for a new boat they returned to Pro Wake Watersports, the dealership they had worked with in the past. While at the Indiana dealership they spotted the Sylvan and just knew it was the right boat for them as it was love at first sight.

Triscia and her husband bought the Sylvan with no modifications to the layout. When asked why, Pat stated, “We really like this product, and we really love this layout. We’re not so much into camping chairs like on some other boats. The setup is nice and it’s the exact same floor plan as our old Starcraft.”

Added Triscia, “Everyone’s stuff can just fit so it's not in everyone’s way, which is really nice. We originally wanted carpet, but it came with the gray, sea weave vinyl flooring and it's especially nice when walking on it when its wet. It keeps the floor from becoming moldy; something we really love.”

The Sylvan pontoon Pat and Triscia selected from Pro Wake Watersports was the Mirage Cruise 8522 CLZ with a 90hp Mercury engine on the back.

“We used to have the Starcraft to take the kids tubing when they were younger,” Pat said, “but now when we’re just cruising I don’t need much horsepower.”

The nearly 23-foot pontoon can fit comfortably up to 11 people. The Mirage 8522 comes standard with a 12-volt receptacle and AM/FM Stereo with a J-Port for MP3 Players. The Crowes went with a single Power Bimini, although you could add a second one if desired.

“We didn’t really like the two canopies; we liked the look and feel of just the single one,” Triscia commented.

When asked about what made the Sylvan different from other boats they considered, Pat quickly responded, “It's such a pleasure to drive! The steering is effortless; it's simple to dock and it is so easy to turn.”

Cruising around on their Sylvan is ultimately one of the most beloved activities that the Crowe family, and their dog Hadley, love to do.

“Laps, laps, laps, and going to the sandbar,” Pat said. The sandbar is a fun public area just off the Lake Tippecanoe shore where you can grab a bite to eat and enjoy like-minded boaters’ company.

“We go out on our boat every day,” says Triscia. “We also like entertaining and bringing friends out on our boat too.”

Working With Pro Wake Watersports
Considering how much they love their Sylvan pontoon it’s no wonder they go back to the same dealer who introduced them to their beloved boat, Pro Wake Watersports in Leesburg, Ind. The Crowe family, time and time again love working with the people at Pro Wake Watersports. Each of their previous boats came from Pro Wake, working with the same dealer, Mark Richards, who owns the dealership.

“We love working with Mark,” Triscia gushed. “He's become a great friend to our family and he makes sure we are well taken care of.”

When Pat and Triscia were asked about their experience buying from them, you can just feel the camaraderie and trust the couple has for their friends down at Pro Wake.

“It’s a family-owned company, which is something our family highly values,” said Pat. “Also, they have great customer service. It’s a part of what keeps us coming back.”

Whether working directly with Mark or working with someone on the sales floor, the Crowes always walk away highly satisfied with their purchase.

“I’ve worked with the Crowes for over 11 years and I have to say it’s great working for them,” said Colin Bishop, an employee at Pro Wake. “It’s so easy to know what they want each time and we get it ready for them. They’re just a great family and great customers of ours.”

Sylvan For The Win
Nothing beats spending time with the ones you love most with family time being so important. This is something Pat, Triscia, and their daughters understand as they strive to make time for those they love most. Cruising out on the gorgeous azure lake waters of their cherished Lake Tippecanoe is the best way for this family to stay close. Pat noticed how being out on the lake has truly brought his family closer. They love boating and it’s something they love doing together.

The family clearly lives to be on the boat in the summer and who can blame them? When it comes to their Sylvan pontoon, they couldn’t be happier. It's a beautiful boat that is made all the better with a beautiful story for this family of seasoned boaters. For those considering buying a pontoon, the Crowe family agrees that getting a Sylvan was one of the best decisions they’ve ever made.