Show us your boats!

We’re interested in boats that ended up in interesting places and/or with interesting people. Send us a photo of you and your boat(s). We’ll select the most interesting ones and “immortalize” them on our Website. We’d also like to hear from you if you just have an interesting story to tell about your boat.

Send them to: Dana McDill, World’s Greatest Bathboats, 2735 65th Ave., Princeton, MN 55371

 

Dear Bath Boats…
 

"The Essential Guide to Finding the Best and Safest American-Made Products for Your Kids" Published May 2009 and available from your local bookstore (ideally) or Amazon.com for $17.95.

BookDear Dana,

Thank you for the wonderful boat you made for my mother. You are included in the book and I will be ordering another BathBoat soon.

Bruce

 

 

 

 


BookScott Fox calls Dana McDill the "Niche Product Entrepreneur Number One" in his new book, Internet Riches (271 pages, $24.00 or $14.00 from Amazon.com, published by AMACON June 2006).

Go here for more information: www.InternetMillionaireSecrets.com

An excerpt:

The success of bathboats.com shows that you don't have to make a million dollars to positively change your life. Thanks to help from the internet, Dana and Mary McDill live on their own terms, fill orders from their home studio at their own speed, and enjoy the flexibility of an e-business enabled lifestyle that was unknown a few years ago.


Dana,

Just thought I would drop a line and tell you how much my son and (recently) daughter are enjoying your bathboats. A lot. I'm sharing an image of Reed with some bathboats from our flickr account to prove the point, which you may put on your website or otherwise exploit for commercial purposes:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13916522@N07/3760808426/in/set-72157621726068923/

Hope eveything is fine in bathboat world.

Ian McCullough

Thank you for such an amazing gift; my cousin said it brought her to tears. Love that! Kelly


Hi Dana. Several months ago I ordered a bathboat for my granddaughter, Ava, who lives in Maine. I received the bathboat within a few weeks and managed to hold on to it for two months before Ava's first birthday in July - that was difficult as I wanted to give it to her immediately.

The boat is lovely and is a big hit with my son and daughter-in-law. I am still trying to convince them that the boat is designed to be played with in the water, not just on the carpet. In any case, Ava plays with the boat in her room and hopefully she will be playing with it in the bathtub before too long.

Thank you for creating such a nice gift for my granddaughter. I already know what any future grandchildren will be receiving for their first birthdays.

Sincerely,


Susan Carll


Hello Mr. McDill! 
 
 I have been looking for your boats for many years.  I first bought 3 of them at an Art Fair-either the Nicollet Mall Art Fair or the Uptown Art Fair in Minneapolis and I think it was in the late 1970's or early 80's.  And I never found you again!  Last year I saw your little boats featured on Jason Davis' On the Road Again show and wrote down your address but promptly lost it.  Last night I went to the On the Road Again website and found the show you were featured in listed in his archives.  I brought it up and there you were!
 
I plan to order some boats from you but I also have a question.  Would it be possible to get a special request personalized boat by this June 13, 2009?  I know that is a shorter length of time than requested by you but thought I would ask.
 
I am planning an alumni picnic for June 16 at Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis.  I wanted to use the boat as a  prize for one of the retirees.  I would have asked sooner but just thought of it last night.  If you could let me know I could send you the information.  We worked at HCMC in the Lab and Pathology Departments. 
 
I also will be ordering one for my grand-nephew's 2nd birthday plus one for a cousin in Norway but those requests have no real urgency so I will give plenty of notice.
 
Anyway, if you cannot do it I understand.  I am just so glad I found you after all these years.  They are the cutest boats ever!
 
Thank you so much.
 
Sincerely,
Joanne LeBold

A short time later ...

Hi Dana.  I was out all day and just got home and decided I would write you! 
 
Thank you so much for the darling little boat!  I was so happy when I opened the box.  You did a fantastic job!  The microscope, gloves, and slides and tubes are perfect!  It looked just like that in the lab and when I saw the broken tube I had to laugh.  Because of course it did happen and we always had to wear closed toe shoes and stockings in case one of them broke.  So when I saw that it was so great because there were always some employees who balked at that rule!  And you sure got it right with the picnic food too because our theme is Hot Dogs!  We have a big hot dog balloon to tie to the shelter so people can find us so that is perfect too.  I love the little ants.  You read my mind.  I so far have shown my family the boat and they were as happy as I am.  The person who wins it will be very lucky indeed and I think it should be me :)  No, I will relinquish it but wish I could keep it.  I will have to get a boat for me to float in my bath. 
 
Oh, I forgot, the colors are perfect too - orange and blue.  You did a fantastic job and I want to thank you because it was probably not the most requested topic and by looking at it I'd swear you worked in a lab once!  You are a great artist.  Love the little fish on the sail too.
 
Thanks so much.  Our picnic is Tuesday and I'm going to float it in a shallow bowl of water and then draw the name of the winner. 
 
 
All the best,
Joanne

Steve and I loved our anniversary boat. I was like a little kid when I opened it. I had been teasing Karen that we deserved a boat since we had our 30th anniversary. Both of our boys have a boat and now both grandsons have one and I was starting to feel left out. It will definitely be a keepsake. I can't wait to show it off to friends at work.

Thanks again.

Nancy Tix from Colorado


Dear Dana,

Merry Christmas, and thank you! We gave our boys their boats today, and they loved them. They had to take a bath and try out their new boats. I’m very happy with them. Also, wanted to add that my niece loved her boat! I’m expecting another niece in April, and I plan on getting a baby boat for her. Charlie has informed me that he wants to collect the boats now. Here is a picture of my boys and their boats. Thank you again, and happy holidays!

Charlie's boat Charlie's boats again


Dana:

I cannot thank you enough for getting these completed so quickly. Jane's parents ADORED the boat. They sent a note. Then they called to thank us AGAIN. It was their favorite gift. This is their third child (but first girl) so I am sure they have seen their fair share of presents, but it is so nice to receive something unique.
Thank you so much.

All the best,
Nancy

 

Re: Another fleet!

My husband is a director/producer and we split our time between Ky, Ny
and Ca. That is why we have so many friends coast to coast. Your boats
reside in the homes of some very cool people. Thanks again, you always
do such a great job and people LOVE them.

Elizabeth


Lucy's Boat

SHE LOVES IT!!!! Loves it, loves it, loves it --- I can't wait to get to NYC in a couple weeks and see it myself -- thank you again and again for your wonderful work and for making this boat so swiftly - I so appreciate it! Thank you and good night from Los Angeles.

Elizabeth

 

Dana,

Another grand slam…fabulous job. Thank you so much.

We just heard from Aurelia’s’ Mom and Dad and they absolutely love it – as much as we do - especially the “legen-dairy”.

The Lithuanian flag and bears logo were big hits too.

You are “da man”…

We honor your artistry.

Hope all is well with you and your family and you are enjoying the summer.

Your humble fans,

Kris and Mike Accardo, Chicago, Illinois

 

Dana, not sure how many boats we have ordered over the years - has to be over 15. Everyone loves getting them - and they last forever...which is great.


No, thank YOU, Dana! Fantastic! We sure appreciate the unique and quality craftsmanship. We received a boat from you and our dear friend Emma for our son, Andrew Henry (you may recall...AHAB and the white whale were great features on the boat), and immediately knew that this was the perfect gift for Otto. Thanks, again.

I hate to say it, but we would have gladly paid more for such a beautiful toy. Excellent deal, and you would be justified in charging more!

Mitchell

 

Dana,

The Grasshopper boat was a huge success as are all your boats — although the postal service here in San Francisco has never been the same since you left.

We intend to keep getting boats until we have a slightly larger fleet then the original Spanish
Armada.

Thank you once again for all your efforts, we really enjoy seeing the smile on the faces of the people we give the boats to, they are a very personal and unique gift to commemorate significant dates in a family's history.

Craig

 

Owen and boats

 

Happy Holidays guys,

Owen just wanted to show you how much he loves his boats. He baths with them almost every night! So thank you for the bath time fun!!
I hope you all are doing well.

Lonnie, Tiffany, Owen and Baby #2 on way (April 14)!!!
Feb. 12, 2008

 

 


 

 


you ROCK. i'm going to get boats from you forever now! i have so many friends with babies! and this is what they're ALL getting for their birthdays! unbelievable. you should charge more! (other people, that is:)

Frances Norge, Chesapeake, Virginia
Feb. 7, 2008


Hi Dana!

This email is LONG over due! My wonderful Aunt Helen, gave my daughter, Quinlyn, one of your amazing bath boats, when she was just 3 months old, and now she is 13 months old!

quinlynI was born and raised in Minneapolis, but have been living in Canada since I married my husband, André, in 2003. Helen prides herself on supporting not only artists, but local artists, so it was no surprise to me that when I to looked up your website, I found you are from Minnesota. (Great move putting your website address ON the boats).

I just ordered the first bath boat that I will be giving as a gift. It is going to my long time friends, Patty & Dominic, who live in Minneapolis, for their little boy who they are expecting in August. If Quin's delight in your beautiful little work of art is any indication, their son will have hours of fun with his.

PS I thought you might like to know that our little boat has already been from Minnesota, to Wakefield, Quebec, to Canmore, Alberta, and now to Banff, Alberta. We plan to stay in Banff, so if you are ever in the area, please let us know. Would love to meet the creator of these incredible, unsinkable crafts... and can give you some leads on some shops here that would sell them like hot cakes... Attached are some photos of Quin with her boat!

Thank you again! Tiffany, André, & Quinlyn

Dana,

Just wanted to say thank you for making such a great little boat. It is a BIG hit with our little 20 month old "Brady" and definitely unsinkable. It's nice to find such quality products made right here in out own back yard of good 'ol Minnesota, ya you betcha.

Hope you and your family have a happy, healthy & prosperous New Year.

Take care,

Dave Nygren

Dana —

The boat was delivered yesterday, 1/18. My wife had no idea and was blown away when I let her open it. It's wonderful!! Everything about it. It's better than what I expected. Nice touch with the hungry caterpillar stamp too.

Many Thanks — Aaron


OH-MY-GOD!....The boat was just delivered to me and I almost screamed in delight when I saw the box...Okay, I did scream (at work, but I don't care...priorities) — and I hadn't even opened the box yet....Thank you so very much for getting it here before Opening Night...I know it was a special
order on a short timeframe and I'm just so darned tickled.

And then I opened the box....ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!!!!  I couldn't have asked for anything better...You are a Master at your craft.  I am your biggest fan (but I promise not to stalk you ala Kathy Bates), but you do have my undying devotion to your sheer genius (yes, there it is, I said it) at craftsmanship and design. Everything on the boat is just so fun and so perfect for this show — great job...and it looks like you had fun putting it together....I love it. I can't wait for him to see it.  This is the best opening night gift ever.

Dana, you're the greatest....and this is the World's Greatest Bath Boat.

I will try to get a digital photo of Mike in costume on stage with the Boat and send it to you.

The show is in previews, saw it the other night and went very well — it truly is a silly parody and spoof of Agatha Christie mysteries and characters. Silly is good. Line load holding up well.  Can't wait for Opening Night.

Okay, I'll stop gushing...but thank you again...this is the best.  And so are you.

Your devoted fan,
Kris

 

Dear Dana,

The three boats, for our children William, Andrew, and Therese, just arrived in today's mail. They are beautiful! I am so pleased, and I am so excited to give them to them. I'm thinking they will be St. Nicholas Day gifts, because I can't wait for Christmas! I am also thinking that even though our two older kids are no longer "babies," perhaps I should order boats for them as well -- for a complete family fleet of five! :) They seem like such great heirlooms.

Thanks for your wonderful service and beautiful boats! You will definitely be receiving future orders from me!

Elizabeth Leone

 

Hello Dana,

Pictured is my 12 year old son Tony with his bath boat collection.  We have been buying the boats since 1995 and now have a total of 17 bath boats.  Tony is holding 2 older ones from 1986 and 1989...that we adopted (rescued) off e-bay.

I have also had a few "specialty" ones made (waterskiing, fishing, band-music) for my son and also some personalized baby ones to give as gifts as these are THE GREATEST!

Kathy Newman, South Dakota

Dana — Here are the long overdue photos of our kids with their bath boats. Simon & Max loved their personalized boats for their birthdays. They are very proud, as you can tell. Paige, who is now 6, got her boat as a toddler when we visited the Renaissance Festival.

Thanks again for the time and talents you put into creating these works of art. We will be purchasing more in the future as gifts. I can't think of another gift that is as cherished as these one-of-a-kind bath boats. Kids never tire of them, they don't wear out and they are as beautiful as they are functional. God bless you and yours this holiday season!

— The Kamins, Shakopee, Minn.
 

Dana —

Thanks for the beautiful bath boat for Hazel. Looks great!

As you can see, the girls are very pleased with them.

Thanks.

Perrie, Arden Hills, Minnesota

“We just received one of your darling boats as a baby gift for our son Devin. We were absolutely delighted with it and plan to send one as a baby gift too. They are creative and unique and we wanted to share our thoughts with you. Congratulations on a successful business and much luck and smooth sailing in the future.”


Kristin Moore, Seattle



Where does this adorable child use her new boat?
To be specific, across the Pacific.

Dear Dana,

Our Jake is growing so quickly and so is his boat collection. It is hard to believe we purchased our first boat in 1995 in anticipation of Jake's birth and now, eight boats later, we are ordering a boat in celebration of jake's eighth birthday.

...Thank you for creating such a wonderful keepsake. Every boat is beautiful and totally unique. they will be treasured forever.

Wishing you and your family smooth sailing...

Love, Nan, Craig & Jake Jaeger

"The boat for Sam was fantastic. We usually have the boats sent directly to the recipient, but this time the Mister wanted to make the delivery himself. This allowed us to see the boat for ourselves and, as anticipated, it was just what we wanted. Sam, and especially his new Dad and Mom, were all thrilled with the boat. Thanks for your continued excellent craftsmanship. We'll be back for more!"

Happy New Year to you and yours,
Kris Accardo Chicago, Illinois

It’s always great to hear from customers. Send any comments you have to: Dana McDill, World’s Greatest Bathboats, 2735 65th Ave., Princeton, MN 55371, or Email us at danamcdill@earthlink.net

 

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