Cold weather, ice and fuel costs stop homemade houseboat captain’s journey to Chicago

Heather Wright/The Independent

The captain of a homemade houseboat which captured the attention of people along the St. Clair River and Lake Huron has paused his winter trip to Chicago.
The vessel attracted the attention of both the US and Canadian Coast Guard Nov. 23 after it seemed to have trouble heading upstream on the St. Clair River under the Bluewater Bridge.
Captain Steve Mylrea and his dog, Mexicallie, from Harrow, spent part of the summer on the St. Clair River by Fawn Island between Sombra and Port Lambton before beginning the trek up the river in November.
The self-made boat is 60 feet long and 22 feet wide and is powered by five outboard motors. It was built on 110 plastic 55-gallon barrels in six rows, three per side. It includes solar and battery electric heat, diesel heaters, is fully insulated and has a sauna and hot tub on board.
Nov. 23, he was helped into the Sarnia Harbour but later made his way to Port Sanilac where he was moored during the high winds. Mylrea stayed in Port Sanilac for a couple of days, then travelled up to Port Austin – an 88 kilometre journey Dec. 2.
When he arrived, local sheriffs reported he planned to haul the boat out for the winter.
In a disjointed 5,500 word post Mylrea said the weather was causing issues.
“During the night when I went to refuel the engines, it was freezing rain and I nearly fell off the slippery deck – and would have had the pole not been there to save me. And I thought when putting it there originally it was sort of in the way for refueling and engine work.”
A thin-layer of ice greeted the Neverlanding in Port Austin.
But his Facebook post also indicates he wants to upgrade the houseboat.
“Long story short, her fuel bill is very, very big. The electric motors would have cost a fraction of the fuel to get here and I knew that while building; but everything happens for a reason. She will need very little fuel in the future and soon you will all see her become so much more.”
Mylrea seemed intrigued by the Facebook page chronicling his journey for the 15,000 people who joined it. He says he’s usually unaware of what is going other than in his life, since he never watches the news.
“To me this really isn’t a big deal, I am humbled that you are interested,” the captain said. “I like to explore. Life on the hook, its precious so very precious.”
He didn’t seem too concerned about the naysayers who said he was crazy to try the trip in the winter. “I don’t need anyone to stick up for me, I’ve lived a wild life. I hope you have fun getting to know about it.
“The reality is it’s a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type of life I live and the plan is my dreams come true…they have already. I’ve been doing that for as long as I can remember thanks to GOD.”
And he dispensed some wisdom to his Facebook followers.
“I think ultimately I am meant to prove to you God is real and teach you how you can speak to Him,” the adventurer wrote.
“Let’s teach each other kindness and laugh in the face of those who say can’t…it’s just a word I’ve never liked.”