We are David and Tasha Mann, and our spunky senior golden retriever, Remy. We hail from Columbus, Indiana and have called Jeffersonville, Indiana (across the river from Louisville on the Ohio River) our home port for twenty plus years.
Both David and Tasha were born and raised in Ohio, and grew up on Ohio waters, David on Lake Erie and Tasha on Indian Lake and Lake Erie. And of course, Remy, loves the water no matter where she is as long as it isn’t while getting a bath.
David- The Captain David purchased his first boat at 18 and has owned too many boats to count in his 45+ years of boating. David is a retired career law enforcement officer having spent 40 years serving and protecting. David holds a USCG Captain’s license and has been dreaming of this trip for years. David handles all the systems and maintenance on the boat, keeping the diesels running, the electronics up to date, and the shine on the fiberglass. David has spent the last few months prior to departure upgrading many systems on the boat and has found himself in some tight places he didn’t think he could maneuver through. Projects preparing for the loop included replacing most of the black water lines, upgrading our auto pilot, adding a water filtration system, adding a grab bar on the stern, and replacing the front berth lighting. He is most at home at the helm with the breeze in his face (we would have said hair – but you know!)
Tasha – The First Mate Tasha spent her youth on Indian Lake, Ohio and was driving the family boat long before the family car. She was also a boating instructor (albeit canoes and row boats) at a Camp Fire Girls camp. Tasha spent her career with a legal services not for profit who and in radio broadcasting. Having worked up until the last days before departure, she almost missed the boat. Tasha has spent the last couple years making Now or Never our home. Several sewing projects were happening right up until our launch date including window panels, a screen door, aft cabin window screens, and shade screens. Tasha is most at home on the aft deck hanging out with Remy. She is looking forward to traversing waters unknown, seeing the heartland of America and all its wonders, and sharing the journey with friends and family.
Remy – The Boat Dog
RIP July 1, 2008 – March 27, 2023
Remy is a spunky, vivacious golden retriever, who loves the water life, swimming, fishing, floating, and meeting old and new friends. We will be celebrating her 14th birthday (7/1/21) as we head out on our trip! Remy came to us as a wild one year old from Indiana’s golden rescue, Golden Retriever Rescue and Community Education (GRRACE). We picked her up and took her straight to the boat with her golden brother, Tucker. She was crazy for swimming from the get go and loves nothing more than floating on her raft “fishing” or hanging on the dock with her peeps. She has been the best boat dog and have we said? – loves the water! RIP sweet Remy. We lost our beloved boat dog in March of 2023, just shy of her 16th birthday. Remy loved the loop life, those we met, and being on the water. We cruise on with Remy forever in our hearts.
We have been planning for this trip for the past 6 years and dreaming of it even longer. Our journey is dedicated to Tasha’s dad, Kurt, an adventure boater himself, who spent most of his boating time on the Great Lakes, but also fell in love with the rivers. We so wish he were with us today to join us in this journey of a lifetime. We hope you enjoy cruisin’ along!