Updates

Stop talking. Start wrenching.

The Great American River Race returns August 7, 2027, with the gun at 9:00 AM Central from Harriet Island in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The window closes eight days later. Whatever is still floating by then has finished.

What has not changed

$5,000. That is the whole boat — acquisition and preparation, every part, including the ones that were free, donated, or already in yo…

TGARR 2026 didn’t last nearly as long as I hoped—but what a ride. Tons of searching, wrenching, planning, testing, and turning the boat into something we believed (and I still do believe) could run 1,590 miles to the Gulf… followed by one unforgettable day on the Mississippi. My run may have been short, but the adventure was much bigger than the miles covered. Preparing the boat, getting to the…

Boat's fine. Skipper's spent. If anyone had a bet on the race, like my kids - someone just won!

It's been a blast, I appreciate the support and go try to do something hard - the reward is immense!

Stop for the night.

No my boat didn’t fly home, I had an encounter with a wing dam that prematurely ended my race. I think my attached reel says enough…. If you’re gonna be dumb you gotta be tough!

Cruising...

Passing through Lacrosse, Wi and officially farther than last year's effort.

From earlier...

Finally made it to my second lock with zero wait time slid right in should make up some time, I have keep hustling!

Looks like Braden has trouble with lower unit and is out for now. 15 minutes in, I’m only boat

Last sunset before we point the bow down river.

Tomorrow we leave St. Paul and attempt to run nearly 1,500 miles to the Gulf in under eight days—in a $5,000 boat.

Time to see if all the planning was enough.

Follow along.

#TGARR #Adventure #BoatLife