Couple Sails 3,700-miles to Winter at Spirit Lake Marina

Will Brave Frigid Temps to Live in Their Sailboat

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3,700 miles later and an adventurous couple have landed in Duluth to spend the winter on their sailboat.

It’s not unheard of to spend the winter months on a sailboat, but usually you think of warmer water.

This is the story of Gary and Jodi Bratton.

They had originally set sail on different paths in life.  

“It was 10 years ago when I met Jodi and she was dancing competitively and retired from dancing and said I’d like to try a sailboat. We started sailing together 10–years ago,” said Gary Bratton, Captain of Country Dancer.

The couple’s passion for salt water breezes turned into a way of life.

“We left Tampa on this boat in April 2013,” said Bratton.

Bon Voyage! Into the sunset Gary and Jodi sailed and they haven’t been back to Tampa since.

Free-spirits, the duo are living life how they want too and it’s full of exploration.

“We went all the way to Maine the first year. From Maine we went back down to the Bahamas and spent the first winter, then back up to South Carolina, back down to the Florida Keys and then back up to the coldest point we could find in the USA – Duluth, MN,” said Bratton.

 Yep, you read that right.

Gary and Jodi have docked their boat for the winter at Spirit Lake Marina.

“Everyone that we have spoken to says that we are crazy,” said Bratton.

What they originally set sail the North Shore of Lake Superior was never their intention, but along the way plans changed.

“Running in the Atlantic on a Sailboat is an adventure. Spending a winter near Embarrass, Minnesota, which is the coldest point I understand on the planet, will be an adventure,” explained Bratton.

With frigid temperatures soon to set in the Bratton’s are busy winterizing their boat, Country Dancer.

“If we keep de–icers that bubble up water from the bottom so there is no ice, then the bottom of the boat can never get colder than 32–degrees,” explained Bratton.

The couple has also insulated the outside with 2-inches of foam, covered it with plastic for a greenhouse effect and will put 10-inches of fiberglass over the deck.

“Which brings our heat requirement down to where three small electric heaters, even in minus 30 degrees will keep us warm,” said Bratton.

With their determination Mother Nature might have a hard time getting in their way of this adventure.

“Challenges are something that we enjoy. Adventure is something we enjoy, outdoors is something we enjoy. This is just another way to express that,” explained Bratton.

An interesting thing to note is that Jodi has strong ties to the Northland even helped kick-start the Beargrease and Great Northern Classic Rodeo.

The Bratton’s plan to set sail again next May taking in more of the North Shore before heading back to the Gulf.

To follow their journey: http://www.svcountrydancer.com/