The Boat Called the Neverlanding Has Been Grounded

Just got back from photographing that wild homemade boat that pulled up on the beach in Port Austin — and wow, the story behind it is even crazier than it looks.

The guy who built it, Steve Mylrea, has been attempting to sail this hand-built floating house — made with 55-gallon barrels, wood framing, and multiple outboard motors — all the way around the Great Lakes. He’s been traveling with his dog, stopping in towns along the route as he works his way toward Chicago.

But when he hit Lake Huron, the weather turned rough. Strong winds and 3-foot waves were more than the boat could safely handle, and after an overnight stretch from Port Sanilac, he pulled into Port Austin. Local officials stepped in over safety concerns and ended up pulling the boat onto the beach at Bird Creek Park, where it’s now sitting high and dry.

For now, his journey is paused for the winter.

It’s one of the strangest, most fascinating things I’ve photographed in a long time. If you’re in the area, it’s worth seeing — you can’t miss it.“

Doug Julian @ Facebook

Read the Scuba News Canada’s Article “Chicago by Christmas: His Ultimate Goal is to go Across the Ocean to Madagascar“

The sheriff said the lake was far rougher than the boat was built to withstand. Winds of 10–12 knots and waves reaching three feet or higher were forecast for the middle of Lake Huron, making the choice to turn back a smart one.