BOATING

Colder water brings increased danger for boaters, paddlers as winter approaches

Jess Myers — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 13:00:00 GMT

DULUTH — There are few things more scenic than an array of fall foliage reflecting off the smooth surface of a lake, viewed from a canoe quietly traversing the waters.

But even with a warmer-than-normal autumn, cool evenings and frost in most of the state mean that the water temperatures on Minnesota lakes and rivers are dropping steadily.

While safety is always a priority when venturing onto the water, no matter how warm it may be, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources urges extreme caution for those who venture out hunting, fishing or paddling before freeze-up.

Even for those who swim well and are in good physical shape, a fall into cold water can shock the body, and with fewer people out on the water at this time of year, there are decreased chances of finding help nearby if a watercraft capsizes. Rapid cooling of arms and legs while immersed in cold water makes it harder to swim. The drowning of a Voyageurs National Park ranger earlier this month underscores the danger.

The DNR's advice is straightforward: Wear a personal flotation device.

“This time of year, the water is particularly unforgiving,” Capt. Adam Block, DNR boating law administrator, said in a statement released by the agency. “Unfortunately, in the past few weeks, we have seen a number of people on the water either not wearing life jackets, or not even having them along. If there’s one thing you can do to ensure you make it home safely at the end of your trip, it’s wearing a life jacket.”

DNR numbers show more accidents are reported in the busy summer months when seemingly every Minnesotan finds a way to enjoy the water. However, more fatal accidents occur in the fall and spring in colder water.

In addition to life jackets, the DNR strongly encourages boaters to evenly distribute weight throughout the watercraft; pay attention to a boat’s posted weight limits; watch for inclement weather (especially high winds); always carry a cellphone; and notify a friend know where you are going and when you will be back.

The Minnesota DNR offers tips on how to survive a fall into frigid waters at mndnr.gov/safety/boatwater/cold-water.html. It includes a step-by-step guide on what to do in the first minute, the first 10 minutes, and the first hour following an accident.

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UMD researchers tackle how to remove invasive species inside boats

John Myers — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 11:00:00 GMT

DULUTH — Anglers and other boaters can use their Shop-Vac, garden hose, an air compressor — and a few minutes of elbow grease — to better clean the nooks and crannies inside their fishing boats to slow the spread of aquatic invasive species.

That’s the finding of a two-year research project by scientists at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Natural Resources Research Institute.

What researchers found, after exhaustive field tests on a fishing boat and then extensive laboratory analysis of the results, was that the vacuum cleaner in your garage, along with your garden hose and the high-pressure air from a compressor, can all be used, along with simply using your hands to pick up big pieces of vegetation, to get aquatic invaders out of your boat so you aren’t spreading them to new lakes.

“Some basic tools and a little effort got pretty good results,” said Valerie Brady, NRRI researcher who led the project. “The vacuum was really successful. Vacuum up everything you can see — water, dirt, vegetation — and you likely will vacuum up the things you can't see.”

The research showed that just a few minutes of effort — up to seven minutes was the most time researchers spent on a cleaning — helped remove any water and weeds from inside the boat, NRRI researcher Holly Welland Kelly said. Even tiny amounts of water can carry zebra mussel babies, called veligers, and tiny spiny water fleas.

Researchers planted dead spiny water fleas in the boat along with noninvasive native plants and bits of ribbon to simulate invasive plants. Then they conducted tests using each cleaning method and then, after each test, rinsed the interior of a 16-foot Lund Alaskan boat and captured anything remaining to analyze what the cleaning effort missed.

They did this 10 times for each cleaning tool method, decontaminating the boat after each round, then replanting more invasives and their surrogates, Welland Kelly said.

They found a combination of garden hose washing, a vacuum cleaner and handpicking removed nearly 80% of potential invasive spiny water fleas from inside the boat. Even the order of what tool was used mattered, with vacuuming before rinsing working best. The cleaning could take place before leaving the boat landing, if the right tools are available, but can also easily be accomplished back home in the yard.

“The point is, it doesn't have to be perfect. You don’t have to get every spiny water flea out of the boat. … But if you reduce the total for any potential future spread, you reduce the odds that species will actually take hold in a new lake,” Brady said.

Using just a garden hose to clean out the entire boat was more than 70% effective in removing spiny water fleas, while a vacuum alone was about 65% effective at removing the invaders.

Just using your hands didn’t work well for getting rid of spiny water fleas, but it did pretty well removing simulated vegetation, nearly 90%, that was visible to the naked eye.

Using all cleaning methods combined removed nearly 95% of invasive plant surrogates.

The study found boaters should:

Use a compressed air tool to blow out the drain line of the live well, often corrugated plastic that can hide water and critters. Use towels or wipes to dry inside the live well and similar spaces. Use a vacuum before other tools to clean a boat. A garden hose rinse can remove missed invasive species after using other tools, but you still need to get any water out afterward, so vacuum, drain and then dry.

“What works well to clean the outside of your boat was pretty well established,” Brady said. "You pull the drain plug; you clean off your trailer. There are a lot of cleaning stations available (at boat landings) out there that can help you with those, pretty quick and easy. What we didn’t know until now was what worked to clean out the inside of your boat, where a lot of water can be hiding, and a lot of things in that water, in live wells, under the floor.”

It’s also already been established what the best options are for removing invaders from fishing gear like anchor ropes, downrigger cables and fishing line: wiping them off after each use.

The tests for the inside boat project were conducted in the fall over the last two seasons in a controlled area at the NRRI building near Duluth International Airport. Scientists then analyzed more than 700 samples over the winter to see which methods were most effective.

There are a few main points researchers want anglers and other boaters to take home from the results:

It’s not that hard. A few minutes of effort inside your boat, like you would clean out the inside of your truck when you wash the outside, makes a big difference. It works. Combining several cleaning methods can remove more than 90% of invasive vegetation and nearly 80% of spiny water fleas. It’s not a lost cause. There are invasive species confirmed in about 1,350, or 12%, of Minnesota’s 11,842 lakes, including about 610 lakes with zebra mussels or suspected of having zebra mussels. That means more than 10,000 of the state's lakes, 88%, are not infested yet.

The $110,000 boat-cleaning project was funded by Minnesota's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which gets funding from the state’s lottery profits.

Preventing or at least slowing the spread of invasives is far more effective, and more cost-effective, than trying to remove them once they are established.

“We’ve dramatically slowed the spread of aquatic invasive species in Minnesota because of the actions people are taking and because we are paying attention,” Brady said. “If you look at states like Michigan, zebra mussels were essentially everywhere before they knew what was happening. Now, they have pretty much given up. Minnesota doesn't have to give up.”

How invasive species spread

It’s not birds that spread the most invasive species. It’s people, usually in and on boats, canoes, kayaks, boat trailers, mobile docks, fishing and diving gear and waterfowl hunting boats and gear.

The sheer number of potential vectors, or means of spreading, is high in Minnesota, where there were 822,450 watercraft of all kinds registered as of last year, the most of any state except Florida, which has just over 1 million boats. About 1 of every 6 Minnesotans owns a boat of some type.

Aquatic invasive species in Minnesota waters

Critters: zebra mussel, quagga mussel, common European carp, grass carp, silver carp, bighead carp, faucet snail, New Zealand mud snail, spiny waterflea, eastern mosquitofish, golden clam, Asian jumping worm, round goby, Eurasian ruffe, signal crayfish, rusty crayfish.

Plants: Eurasian water milfoil, flowering rush, starry stonewort, Brazilian waterweed, European common reed, waterthymes, purple loosestrife, water hyacinth, Carolina fanwort.

Recommendations from NRRI study Agencies such as the DNR, lake associations and counties should provide cleaning tools, especially vacuums, at more boat launches. Maintain vacuums at boat cleaning stations to ensure maximum sucking power. Boaters should use as many tools as possible because they are more effective together. Agencies should place targeted signage at boat launches to explain how and when to use tools. Is your favorite lake or river infested with invasives?

You can find out using this interactive map from the Minnesota DNR: eddmaps.org/project/midwest/tools/infestedwaters/?page=map.

Decontaminate between lakes

Find free boat decontamination stations at mndnr.gov/decon.

It’s the law

In Minnesota, you may not:

Transport watercraft without removing the drain plug. Arrive at lake access with drain plug in place. Transport aquatic plants, zebra mussels or other prohibited species on any roadway. Launch a watercraft with prohibited species attached. Transport water away from Minnesota lakes or rivers. Release bait into the water. Starry stonewort found in Pokegama Lake

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources this week confirmed the invasive algae starry stonewort in Pokegama Lake, near Grand Rapids in Itasca County.

Specialists from Itasca County and the DNR found starry stonewort interspersed with native plants on and around a boat ramp on the southwest end of the lake. The DNR has updated signs at public accesses and is working with Itasca County to provide decontamination and expanded watercraft inspections. Follow-up surveys are being conducted to determine starry stonewort distribution in the lake.

Starry stonewort can form dense mats, which can interfere with recreational uses of a lake and compete with native plants. It is most likely spread when fragments have not been properly cleaned from trailered boats, personal watercraft, docks, boat lifts, anchors or other water-related equipment.

Starry stonewort is usually identified by the star-shaped white bulbils for which it is named. These bulbils typically don’t become visible until late summer but were observed on the starry stonewort in Pokegama Lake and in other locations this spring. The early visibility of bulbils might be due to unusually warm winter temperatures and below-average snowfall this past winter.

Starry stonewort has now been confirmed in 30 water bodies in Minnesota. It was first confirmed in Minnesota in 2015.

If you find starry stonewort or any other invasive species new to a lake or river, report it to the Minnesota DNR by contacting the closest area invasive species specialist at mndnr.gov/invasives/ais/contacts.html.

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DNR announces $35 million to modernize boat accesses

Dispatch staff report — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 20:00:00 GMT

BRAINERD — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources identified more than 40 public water access sites throughout the state for extensive upgrades; smaller-scale improvements to more than 75 additional accesses are also anticipated.

The work is part of the once-in-a-generation Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) investments approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Tim Walz in 2023.

The sites identified for extensive upgrades span Minnesota, from Lake of the Woods in the north to Rice Lake in the south and many points in between.

Examples of typical projects include Whaletail Lake in Hennepin County, where stormwater management will be improved, an accessible parking space added, and the aquatic invasive species inspection and cleaning area enhanced; and Lake Carlos in Douglas County, where a second boat ramp will be added along with an AIS cleaning area, stormwater management, and accessible parking. A map and list of the major project sites can be found on the “modernizing boating access” segment of the Get Out MORE webpage of the DNR website at mndnr.gov/aboutdnr/get-out-more.

“Time on the water is a cherished activity for so many Minnesotans and visitors to our state, and we take pride that Minnesota DNR is a leader in providing access to those waters. We also know that our public water accesses need significant investment,” said DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, in a news release. “I’m excited for Minnesotans to start seeing upgrades in the coming months and years as a result of these investments and our commitment to ensuring people of all abilities and interests can enjoy our waters.”

The DNR manages about 1,700 public water accesses, and typically has enough funding to complete large-scale upgrades to only a few sites each year. However, many of the state’s public accesses currently do not meet the needs of today’s users.

The historic Get Out MORE initiative is providing a significant boost in the DNR’s ability to address these needs, and will be coordinated with ongoing baseline investments to ensure the efficient use of all funds, the DNR reported. Of the $149.9 million Get Out MORE investments, $35 million will go toward modernizing boating access, including:

$30 million for large-scale projects, which will include accessible features, stormwater improvements, enhanced facilities for aquatic invasive species prevention, restoration to improve shoreline health and accessible ramps for non-motorized boats. $5 million for small-scale projects, including longer launch ramps, wider drive lanes, wider and longer parking stalls and improved stormwater treatment.

“We’re making critical investments throughout Minnesota,” said Parks and Trails Division Director Ann Pierce. “These projects are essential to making Minnesota waters accessible to all users, meeting the needs of modern watercraft, protecting our public waters from stormwater runoff and invasive species, and enhancing climate resilience.”

The historic, one-time Get Out MORE investments center on five key areas

Enhancing fisheries and fishing infrastructure ($60 million), Enhancing access and welcoming new users to public lands and outdoor recreation facilities ($35.4 million), Modernizing boating access ($35 million), Restoring streams and modernizing water-related infrastructure to support outdoor recreation ($10 million), Modernizing camping and related infrastructure ($9.5 million).

To learn more about how these investments will improve outdoor experiences in the state, go to the Get Out MORE webpage of the DNR website at mndnr.gov/aboutdnr/get-out-more.

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Boat, RV sales down in 2023, could jump if interest rates fall

John Myers — Sat, 10 Feb 2024 12:00:00 GMT

DULUTH — The U.S. spending spree on boats and recreational vehicles that soared during the pandemic fell back to Earth in 2023, with sales down in nearly all categories as interest rates jumped and buyers backed off.

RV and boat sales rose to record or near record levels from 2020-22 as Americans rushed to get outdoors to have their fun.

But sales of big, new, fun stuff fell in 2023 to the lowest level in a decade: boats down 5%-25%, depending on the type, and RVs down 20% year over year, according to Recreational Vehicle Industry Association and National Marine Manufacturers Association year-end reports.

The one category that saw an increase in sales was personal watercraft: up more than 20%.

Industry analysts are split on whether sales of RVs and boats will go up in 2024, with interest rates falling some but still above the historic-low levels of a few years ago.

“With jumps in interest rates and inflation in 2023, we saw more boating consumers being price sensitive and deciding to wait things out before buying their next boat, and in the meantime, picking up a personal watercraft to enrich their time spent on the water,” Frank Hugelmeyer, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, said in a statement.

“The nearly 1 million people who purchased a boat for the first time during the height of the pandemic continued to spend record time on the water in 2023, helping drive an economic impact of $230 billion," he said.

Winter is a traditionally strong selling season for the recreational boating industry, with dozens of boat shows around the country in January and February, such as the Duluth Sport Show on Feb. 15-18. Industry officials say boat shows spur a spurt in sales as spring approaches.

RVs and boats were in unusually high demand in 2020 and 2021 as consumers shifted to outdoor activities such as camping and boating as a way to more safely enjoy time with friends and family during the pandemic.

In 2021, the RV industry shipped a record 600,240 units to dealers, a 19% jump over the previous record set in 2017. And while sales started to cool in 2022 as interest rates started to climb, RV manufacturers continued to pour out new units, leading to an oversupply by 2023.

With that inventory now under better control, some industry experts say they expect 2024 sales to bounce back to 2022 levels. Others say high interest rates could keep many buyers on the sidelines for another year or more.

“While the past year has presented macroeconomic challenges for the industry leading to shipment declines, this latest forecast indicates a poised recovery with anticipated moderate increases in 2024 and a subsequent accelerated growth trend in the latter half of the year,” said Craig Kirby, president of the RV Industry Association.

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Lake Itasca public water access closed through 2023 summer season

Pioneer Staff Report — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:40:46 GMT

LAKE ITASCA, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced that as of Tuesday, July 11, the Lake Itasca Public Water Access in Itasca State Park is closed through the 2023 summer season, due to the construction of a new public water access facility.

During the project, visitors will not be able to launch boats from the Lake Itasca drive-in access sites and will have limited access to launch carry-in watercraft, such as canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. Itasca Sports bike and boat rental will remain open with limited parking for customers.

The project will include expanding and paving the existing parking lot and creating two drive-in access ramps, a designated carry-in access site, an accessible dock, a watercraft inspection area, and a modern restroom facility.

Visit the Itasca State Park website at mndnr.gov/stateparks for visitor alerts or call the park at 218-699-7251 for more information.

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Coast Guard data shows Minnesota is the safest boating state

John Myers — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 15:01:42 GMT

GALVESTON, Texas — Minnesota leads the nation as the safest state for boating, according to one recent study that looked at fatal boating accidents for every 100,000 boats registered.

The data used in the study came from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Recreational Boating Statistics, covering the five-year period from 2018-2022. The survey was conducted for the online fishing guide booking service Captain Experiences.

Minnesota suffered just 1.8 fatalities annually for every 100,000 boats on the water, far below the national average of 5.6 deaths per 100,000 boats.

North Dakota is the second-safest state at 2.5 deaths annually for every 100,000 boats, with Iowa third at 2.6; Nebraska fourth at 2.7; Michigan fifth with 2.8; and Wisconsin sixth at 3.1.

An estimated 100 million Americans — nearly one-third of the total U.S. population — go boating each year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, recreational boating and fishing is the largest conventional outdoor recreation activity in the U.S., adding nearly $31 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product in 2021.

The study found Minnesota had 459 reported serious boating accidents between 2018 and 2022 with 73 deaths for an average of 11.2 deaths per year.

A big increase in boating interest during the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to a rise in the number of boating-related accidents as tracked by the U.S. Coast Guard. From 2019-2020, the total number of reported boating accidents spiked by 26%, while boating-related injuries and deaths both increased by 25%.

Although the number of boating accidents has fallen since 2020, boating is still an activity that carries some degree of risk, and boating-related fatalities and accidents are more common in some parts of the country than in others.

Alaska was by far the most dangerous state for boating, with 33.6 fatalities annually per 100,000 boats registered. Hawaii was second-most dangerous with 23.8 deaths per 100,000 boats.

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Boat strikes and kills 1 person in NW Minnesota

Matt Henson — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 01:48:02 GMT

OTTER TAIL COUNTY, Minn. — One person is dead after a person was struck by a boat on Six Lake just southwest of Frazee, Minnesota, on Thursday, June 22.

The Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office said they received a 911 call around 4:15 p.m. on Thursday regarding a report of an individual struck by a boat on Six Lake, according to a report from the Sheriff's Office.

The individual had life-threatening injuries at the time of the call, but was pronounced dead following attempted life saving measures.

Police are not releasing their name, age, sex or relationship between the driver of the boat and the victim.

Authorities would not say what the person was doing in the water at the time of the incident.

No foul play or alcohol is suspected, according to the report, as police say this appears to be a tragic accident. No charges are anticipated.

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US boat sales expected to remain strong in 2023

John Myers — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 12:30:00 GMT

DULUTH — Boat sales across the U.S. were down some in 2022 after record years during the height of the pandemic, but were still above the average from pre-pandemic years, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

New powerboat retail unit sales for 2022 hit 250,000 new units sold, down about 17% from an all-time record in 2021, but still 25% above the 2008-14 average.

In fact, industry experts predict 2023 will beat 2019 boat sales by 2%. That would bring the number of projected new boat sales to approximately 285,900 boats this year. That amounts to 782 new boats sold per day, or about one boat sold every other minute.

Boats will be one of the big draws to next week’s Duluth Sport Show, with boat retailers nationally saying they generate 30%-50% of all new sales at boat shows.

Industry experts say Americans having been buying boats at a breakneck pace as they continue the pandemic-fueled rush to get outdoors and have fun, with the industry led by so-called entry-level boats like personal watercraft, pontoons and smaller (26 feet and under) aluminum and fiberglass boats used on freshwater lakes.

According to data from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesotans registered 822,126 watercraft in 2022, down just a bit from the pandemic-fueled high of 830,767 in 2021. That was the highest number of boats registered in the state in more than a decade, with the all-time high set in 2008 at 868,348.

The recession then hit hard and registrations plummeted to just 812,325 by 2009.

Minnesota ranks fourth behind California, Michigan and Florida for most boats registered in the U.S., with Wisconsin coming in fifth. But Minnesota has the most boats per capita of any state.

U.S. recreational boating by numbers Annual U.S. sales of boats, marine products and services totaled $56.7 billion in 2021, up 12.7% from 2020. An estimated 1.15 million pre-owned boats were sold in 2021, up 9.2% over 2020. 95% of boats sold in the U.S. are made in America. An estimated 100 million Americans go boating annually. 61% of boat owners have an annual household income of $100,000 or less. 95% of boats on the water in the U.S. are less than 26 feet — boats that can be trailered by a vehicle to local waterways. 2021 boat sales: Minnesota 5th, Wisconsin 8th*

Leading the nation in sales of new powerboat, engine, trailer and accessories were the following states:

Florida: $5.4 billion up 3.7% from 2020 Texas: $2.4 billion, up 2.6% Michigan: $1.5 billion, up 16.3% North Carolina: $1.24 billion, up 2.8% Minnesota: $1.2 billion, up 13.8% New York: $1.16 billion, up 10.5% California: $1.1 billion, up 17% Wisconsin: $1 billion, up 17% Georgia: $924 million, up 1.9% Alabama: $898 million, up 7.4%

*Most recent data available
Source: National Marine Manufacturers Association ]]>

What you need to know about the Duluth Sport Show

John Myers — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 12:00:00 GMT

DULUTH — It’s time for the annual warmup for spring: the Duluth Sport Show is set for Feb. 16-19 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.

Here’s your chance to kick some tires on a new camper, pick a summer fishing destination or dicker on a new boat.

The show has been an annual event in Duluth since 1966, except for 2021, when it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Duluth Sport Show is a combination of the Duluth Boat, Sports, Travel & RV Show and the Northland Outdoors Duluth Deer Classic. Each day includes a packed schedule of fishing, hunting and RV travel seminars from local and national experts in each field.

Twiggy, the "world-famous waterskiing squirrel," is back again for yet another performance as the main stage act.

This year, you can save a couple bucks by purchasing your admission tickets online. The cost is $10 for adults and $6 for ages 6-17; younger kids are free. Tickets at the door are $12 and $7. Readmission later that day or on a later day is free if you sign up before leaving the show.

The boat show runs Thursday from 3-8 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, the schedule of seminars and stage shows and to buy tickets, go to duluthboatshow.com.

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The Great Loop: A north-central Minnesota man’s 6,000-mile journey

Tim Speier — Sat, 24 Dec 2022 19:23:37 GMT

BRAINERD — Purchasing a boat only three weeks prior and attempting to follow the warm weather as the Brainerd lakes area started to chill, Craig Lida headed down the Mississippi river on a 360 day, 6,000-mile journey, America’s Great Loop.

“In the past, I used to do a lot of trips with my father, sailing all over the western hemisphere,” said Lida, a 51-year-old Pillager resident. “And years ago, I kind of started looking for my own trip and heard about this trip, The Great Loop.”

America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association website states the Great Loop is a circumnavigation of the eastern U.S., and part of Canada. The route includes the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the New York State Canals, the Canadian Canals, the Great Lakes, the inland rivers, and the Gulf of Mexico.

“You're kind of ‘chasing 70,’ that's what they call it,” Lida said. “You're chasing 70 degrees the whole time. So if you dress right, you've just got shorts and a T-shirt on.”

Lida said he grew up around the water and would go on “a lot of adventures” with his father when he was younger.

“First time I was on a bigger boat, a sailboat, was with my father,” Lida said. “I was 21 years old and we sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from Port Canaveral, Florida to Lisbon, Portugal.”

Jokingly, Lida said most of his trips with his father involved at least 1,800 miles and a tropical storm, as he mentioned another trip where they traveled from Bayfield, Wisconsin, through the Caribbean to the Panama Canal, before heading up to San Diego.

Always bringing along two friends for each leg of his journey, Lida said he took off from St. Paul on Oct. 7, 2021, headed down the Mississippi, chasing that 70-degree weather.

At a speed of around 10 mph, Lida said he completed the trip in multiple legs, ranging from 1,000 to 1,900 miles each leg at around four to six weeks each. He left his boat, a Viking Convertible Sport Fish 47 powerboat named “Son of a Sailor,” docked for a few months as he visited with family and enjoyed his first warm winter in Fort Myers, Florida.

Photos from the lock

Craig Lida aboard his boat, a Viking Convertible Sport Fish 47 powerboat “Son of a Sailor,” which he took on a 360-day, 6,000-mile journey called America’s Great Loop.

Craig Lida, right, and friends aboard his boat, a Viking Convertible Sport Fish 47 powerboat “Son of a Sailor,” which he took on a 360-day, 6,000-mile journey called America’s Great Loop.

Before making it to Fort Myers, Lida said he was waiting for his turn to go through Coffeeville Lock and Dam on the Tombigbee River in Choctaw County, Alabama, when the boat in the lock sank.

Finding himself stuck in Alabama for a week as a salvage crew, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency all worked to clear the wreck, Lida rented a car and headed down to Bourbon Street in New Orleans, making lemonade out of lemons.

One of the biggest changes from sailing around the world as a young adult compared to now was Lida’s ability to get food, he said.

“Between Instacart, DoorDash. Amazon and Walmart, you can actually have anything delivered,” Lida said. “At one point, actually, on the Erie Canal, we had a couple of gallons of milk and Slurpees delivered to the boat.”

Along with deliveries to the boat and being a big fan of Thielen Meats, Lida said one benefit of doing the trip in legs was his ability to fly back to his boat with around 20 pounds of pre-cooked meat and bacon. Though he did receive some comical looks from Transportation Security Administration when he was running late to make one of his flights back.

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Craig Lida stops on his 360-day, 6,000-mile journey called America’s Great Loop.

Craig Lida aboard his boat, a Viking Convertible Sport Fish 47 powerboat “Son of a Sailor,” which he took on a 360-day, 6,000-mile journey called America’s Great Loop.

Craig Lida, right, and friends aboard his boat, a Viking Convertible Sport Fish 47 powerboat “Son of a Sailor,” which he took on a 360-day, 6,000-mile journey called America’s Great Loop.

Craig Lida aboard his boat, a Viking Convertible Sport Fish 47 powerboat “Son of a Sailor,” which he took on a 360-day, 6,000-mile journey called America’s Great Loop.

Craig Lida, left, and friends aboard his boat, a Viking Convertible Sport Fish 47 powerboat “Son of a Sailor,” which he took on a 360-day, 6,000-mile journey called America’s Great Loop.

The view out of Craig Lida's boat, a Viking Convertible Sport Fish 47 powerboat “Son of a Sailor,” on Oct 7, 2021, in St. Paul, as he started a 360-day, 6,000-mile journey called America’s Great Loop.

Anchored out, Ashtabula, Ohio, Craig Lida enjoyed some beautiful views aboard his boat, a Viking Convertible Sport Fish 47 powerboat “Son of a Sailor,” which he took on a 360-day, 6,000-mile journey called America’s Great Loop.

Craig Lida aboard his boat, a Viking Convertible Sport Fish 47 powerboat “Son of a Sailor,” which he took on a 360-day, 6,000-mile journey called America’s Great Loop.

One of the things he did not expect was the amount of planning he had to put in to complete his trip safely, Lida said. And between watching for marinas and learning the tides, his biggest takeaway was learning patience — at 10 mph.

Headed back up the coast after a nice Florida winter, Lida said one of his fondest memories was making sure he had his boat in Baltimore, Maryland, in time for his niece’s graduation.

Lida completed his 6,000-plus mile journey on Oct. 2, 2022.

Though he has no future trips planned at this time, in the spring, Lida said he will head down to grab his boat from a dock in Nashville and “decide where to go from there.”

Lida’s trip stats

Duration: Oct 7, 2021 - Oct 2, 2022

Total trip: 6,300 miles

States visited: 22

Number of locks and dams: 97

Paid marinas: 51

Anchorages and free docks: 51

TIM SPEIER, staff writer, can be reached on Twitter @timmy2thyme, call 218-855-5859 or email tim.speier@brainerddispatch.com.

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