Organizers of the Suttons Bay 'Floatilla' 2013 are optimistic that the large gathering of kayakers on Aug. 31 was able to paddle its way into the Guinness Book of World Records with 2,099 registered kayakers. (Courtesy Photo | Flying Still Photography)

(Courtesy Photo | Flying Still Photography)

SUTTONS BAY, MI — Organizers of the Suttons Bay Floatilla 2013 are optimistic the large group of kayakers that gathered Saturday in northern Michigan was able to paddle its way into the record books after falling just shy last year.

"We think we did it," said Kate Thornhill, an accountant in Traverse City and Holland native who organized the flotilla event held Saturday, Aug. 31 as a fundraiser for Suttons Bay Public Schools.

“We had a great turnout.”

Thornhill said 2,099 registered kayakers took part in the second year event, which aimed to break the Guinness world record for the largest raft of canoes and kayaks ever to float together.

The number of boats to beat is 1,902, registered in Sept. 2011 on Fourth Lake near Inlet, N.Y, with an event called "One Square Mile of Hope."

Thornhill cautioned that final verification may disqualify a handful of participants from the final tally, but the total should be high enough to snag the record, nonetheless.

The count took place just after 1 p.m. Per the Guinness rules, the flotilla must be a contiguous floating raft of touching kayaks held together for at least 30 seconds. The count is verified using aerial photos. The group expects to finish their documentation this week for submission to the record books.

It could be about 8 weeks before the results are verified by Guiness, she said.

Cooperative weather was a bonus, this year. Last September, boaters battled wind and chop but Saturday "the weather was perfect, and helped us immensely," said Thornhill.

In 2012, the event raised about $40,000 for Suttons Bay schools student activities though flotilla signup fees. This year, that number was closer to $50,000, Thonhill said.

Among other activities, the inaugural flotilla helped pay fees for the Suttons Bay robotics team and the high school Business Professional Organization, as well as field trips for students to Mackinac Island, Washington, D.C., and Grand Rapids, and a Spanish Club service trip to Nicaragua.

“For the school kids, parents and staff, it’s a really cohesive event,” she said. “Everybody works together. The kids are out there working long hours hauling boats and working registration. They have fun and people get to see what a class act Suttons Bay schools are.”

Thornhill said the flotilla drew people from more than 20 states and two countries. Cost was $20 to register the day of.

“Northern Michigan gets a lot of national recognition anyway, but this event really showcases our water in Suttons Bay,” she said, which is located on the western shore of West Grand Traverse Bay.

Garret Ellison covers business, government and breaking news for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email him at gellison@mlive.com or follow on Twitter.