ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (June 28, 2022) — Since 1996, Chad Pregracke and his Living Lands and Waters organization have picked up millions of pounds of litter and debris from Midwest rivers. That has taken thousands of volunteers and an impressive fleet of tows, barges, and jon boats.
Chad is quick to point out, LL&W’s Navarro Canoe, a donation from a decade ago, offers the greatest pound-for-pound utility. “The Navarro Canoe can get in and out of shallows easily, and it can do it without a lot of noise or fuss. It won’t disturb wildlife, and I don’t have to worry as much about accidents, even if it’s being operated by volunteers.”
LL&W’s Navarro canoe has seen better days, after all, if the LL&W fleet is on the water, so is the canoe, all day, every day.
In celebration of National Canoe Day and in honor of LL&W volunteers' important work, Navarro Canoe Co is building and donating a specially-crafted Loon model to Living Lands and Waters.
According to Navarro Director of Manufacturing Jeff O’Hern, “The Loon is our largest platform and it has a carry capacity of a thousand pounds. It is incredibly stable. We don’t recommend the practice, but Japanese commercial fisherman like them because they’re easy to stand in.”
Navarro canoes are known for their durability, but being part of the Living Lands and Waters fleet has special requirements. According to Pregracke, “On a clean-up day, the canoes are the first scouts and they stay in the water all day. They ferry volunteers and carry trash just like all our boats and they come back just as muddy and sandy. Then they get boosted onto a barge and skidded across the deck. That happens at least 100 days a year.”
To meet those requirements, O’Hern has some special plans. The Loon was designed by Bob Foote for both day-trip touring and wilderness expeditions. "We have all of the resources and talent to readily upgrade this model while remaining true to its classic origins," said O'Hern.
These upgrades will undoubtedly make this LL&W Loon slightly heavier than the original. Since LL&W's won't be portaging their new Loon, the new fortifications are a welcome feature.
"Our team is stoked about adding another even better Navarro Canoe to our fleet. We promise we won't only paddle refuse and recyclables in it," said Chad Pregracke.
Learn more about Living Lands & Waters at livinglandsandwaters.org.
For more information about Navarro Canoe Co, e-mail info@navarro-x.com or call 563-265-1492.
Navarro Canoe Co's manufacturing facility and showroom is located in downtown Rock Island, Illinois at 2219 Third Ave. The nearly fifty-year-old canoe company is opening a retail and outfitting office in downtown Land o' Lakes, Wisconsin, at 4218 County Road B.
Learn more at navarrocanoe.com.
