Port Captain finds summer home in Escanaba

Port Captain Lori Sprague (Escanaba, M-101) and her husband, Jim, became boat owners in 2021 during an acute bout of pandemic-induced cabin fever. 

When their children were younger, the Spragues had enjoyed self-piloted canal boat vacations in England, Wales and Sweden. Lori and Jim’s current (and first) powerboat is the M/V Perseverance, a hand-built 49-foot, steel-hulled trawler, built in Escanaba, MI. 

 

Their previous boat was a 14-foot Sunfish they learned to sail on the Long Island Sound. As a couple of engineers (electrical and mechanical), they find maintaining and operating their boat and its many systems an engaging and entertaining pastime.

Lori and Jim planned to keep Perseverance in Escanaba (M-101) for a season or two while they learned the ropes but found “Esky” to be a friendly and welcoming port. 2026 will be their sixth season in there. They are members of the Escanaba Yacht Club. Favorite nearby ports of call are Fayette State Park (M-91) and Jackson Harbor (M-88) (Washington Island). Perseverance winters in a warm barn in Marinette, WI. 

Lori was the co-chair of the 2024 GLCC Rendezvous in Escanaba. She was also named Escanaba Yacht Club Yachtsman of the Year for 2024, sharing the honor with past GLCC Port Captain and Rendezvous co-chair Marilyn Kinsey.

When not in Escanaba or cruising the Great Lakes, the Spragues reside in southeast Michigan (Dexter) where they coach their local high school robotics team. Lori also plays cello in the local community orchestra. You can read more about Perseverance at naval-gazing.com.

Lori notes that Perseverance is easy to find at its spot on the wall at Escanaba Municipal Marina and encourages Club members to stop by when in town.