BoatUS Names Winner of 60th Anniversary Sweepstakes
BoatUS has named Nicholas Braun of Vandalia, Ohio, the grand prize winner of its 60th Anniversary Sweepstakes, awarding him a Grady-White Freedom 215 boat, sponsored by GEICO.
Launched in April to commemorate BoatUS’ 60th anniversary, the nationwide sweepstakes drew more than 165,000 entries from across the country, according to the organization, celebrating six decades of helping make recreational boating safer, more accessible and more affordable.
For Braun, the prize represents far more than a new boat. His wife Megan’s family has gathered for generations at their lake house on Kentucky’s Lake Cumberland, the organization notes, where the new Grady-White will be kept. Now, the high school sweethearts and their two young children, ages 5 and 3, are continuing that tradition while creating new memories of their own.
“It was pure disbelief. Even now, it still feels unreal,” said Braun in a news release. “When I told my wife, her first reaction was, ‘Are you serious, or are you messing with me?’ It took some time for the news to sink in, but it’s been exciting to know we’ve won a boat.”
Braun continued, “When we told our daughter we were getting a boat, her first question was, ‘Can we go on it now?’ Our son is especially excited and ready to get out on the water immediately. We showed the kids a video of what the boat looks like, and they haven’t stopped talking about it since. Seeing their excitement has made this experience even more special for our family.”
“For 60 years, BoatUS has been dedicated to helping families enjoy the water safely while protecting the future of recreational boating,” added Heather Lougheed, Vice President of the BoatUS Association. “Nicholas and his family embody what boating is all about—creating lasting memories and bringing people together. We couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate this milestone than helping them continue that legacy aboard their new Grady-White.”
In addition to the grand prize, the 60th Anniversary Sweepstakes rewarded boaters nationwide with a collection of boating and travel prizes, according to the organization, including a Star Clippers cruise, a $3,000 West Marine gift card, a five-year BoatUS Towing Membership and two ACR ResQLink 400 Personal Locator Beacon Survival Kits.
