Mission

We dive in and buy a 1971 Starcraft Holiday. Armed with a fresh boat cover and poles,  feeling confident, we’re ready to Batten Down...or so we think.

The first storm strikes. Poles go rogue and our confidence (and cover) take a hit. After bailing out 20 gallons of rainwater, we swap covers and poles...Repeat, rip, swap again. Hope flickers—but so do the wasps, who’ve set up camp.

Déjà vu, Enter cover #4, plus a trip to the hardware store for some PVC for a DIY frame build. Great, Just a quick 30-minute setup and takedown each time. Bonus discovery: some mice join the party.

A breeze stirs and waves of frustration have formed. Time to rethink the game plan. I buy Cover #5—heavy-duty this time, no more “budget” approach.

The waves persist: Water pooling…wasp nest...mouse nest...and wait, is that mildew on my seats? What's that smell?

The waves of problems overtake each other. Surely someone makes something better, like an inflatable ball that can't tip over…online search… fruitless.

The waves finally organize. A Swell begins to form. The first concept sketch appears on a whiteboard.

Prototype #1— It technically works, but not quite what we are fishing for Dr. Frankenstein… Time to learn to sew. Enter a beginner sewing machine (yes, the kind for kids).

Prototypes start to look like they might float that boat.

The swell gains momentum. A Patent is filed; we’re onto something here.

Batten Down LLC officially hits the map.

Website launch, pre-orders open.

The Swell makes landfall.