Stomping Grounds

From the bayou to the Rocky Mountains, and the depths of the Pacific to the sandbars of New England, Stomping Grounds is an exciting new video series from Boat Trader that features boaters across America showcasing why they love their boat and what features make it the perfect vessel for their neck of the woods.

Each episode of the Stomping Grounds video series takes a documentary-style approach to exploring a new geographic locale, delving deeply into the local boating styles, traditions and stories that are unique to the area. Host Ryan McVinney interviews boaters about their local culture, history and the types of vessels that they use, exploring what key features make them the ideal watercraft for their purposes.

In this inaugural episode, host Ryan McVinney takes viewers to the outer reaches of Cape Cod, Massachusetts to meet a local group of boaters affectionately referred to as the "The Tin Boat Mafia". This heart-warming family story of aluminum boat owners who share a love for the outdoors and nature is particularly moving during the COVID-19 pandemic. From fishing and surfing to sun bathing and collecting driftwood, this episode chronicles the group's passion for the water and demonstrates why light-weight, easy-to-handle, shallow draft aluminum fishing boats are their vessels of choice for navigating the sandbars of Cape Cod, MA.

From country music star Brian Kelley's big 56' Sunny Briggs Sportfishing Yacht, to getting caught in a storm aboard a small Hurricane deck boat in the Gulf of Mexico, this episode of Stomping Grounds has host Ryan McVinney exploring boat culture in Florida's Panhandle region, from the Emerald Coast to The Big Bend and the Forgotten Coast. Brian Kelley, aka "Beach Cowboy", or BK for short, makes up one half of the country music group Florida Georgia Line (FGL) and has just released his own solo album Sunshine State of Mind. Kelley invites viewers aboard his vessel the "Brittney Marie" which was named after his wife, for a look at the couple's Stomping Grounds. Songs from his album play on the boat's sound system - including a tune about shopping for a boat on Boat Trader.

In this episode, we visit the coast of North Carolina where host Ryan McVinney meets up with filmmaker Jonas Pate and his family to discuss the real life inspiration behind his hit Netflix show Outer Banks. We learn about Carolina Skiffs and visit Grady-White in Greenville, then meet some professional boat cinematographers and local custom Carolina sport fishing yacht dealers. Finally we stop in Washington to reminisce about the early days of powerboat racing with champion race boat driver Reggie Fountain, the founder of Fountain Powerboats, who regales viewers with tales of beating Don Johnson, Kurt Russell, Al Copeland and Chuck Norris while setting speed records and capturing the title of the fastest V-bottom boat in the world. From go-fast speed boats to family cruising we see some of what makes North Carolina's storied boating culture unique and special.

Host Ryan McVinney takes Boat Trader fans on an in-depth exploration of Florida flats fishing deep in the backcountry of Islamorada. Featuring Captain Eric Lund, a Wall Street Broker turned backcountry fishing guide, this episode reveals the key design features of the world's best flats skiffs and how they are built for targeting some of the most exciting sportfish species on the planet. Also covered are bay boats and their versatility for families exploring Florida's coastal waterways, along with a detailed study of fish species and wildlife in the region. Some of the area's most beautiful and secret locales show why Islamorada has earned the nickname of the Sportfish Capital of The World.

In Stomping Grounds Episode 5, our crew follows the road all the way down to where it ends on the tropical sun-baked island of Key West at the southern tip of the Florida Keys. Surrounded by water, Key West is a boater's paradise with historic seaports and marinas offering a bustling waterfront with historic schooners, dive boats, sport fishing charters, parasailing adventures and scenic coastal excursions. Host Ryan McVinney hops aboard a custom hybrid diesel-electric power catamaran with solar panels, called "Squid" for an in-depth eco-tour of Key West National Wildlife Refuge, including snorkeling in a sponge garden with tropical fish. Next a quick stop in Dry Tortugas National Park via the 110-foot Gladding Hearn power catamaran the "Yankee Freedom III" to visit historic Fort Jefferson, then we jump on a 2020 Sea Hunt 255 Ultra center console boat for a ride through the dolphin playground to a secret local boating spot known as Snipe Keys with pristine white sandbars. Back in town we we board the Nau Santa Maria - a replica of Christopher Columbus' sailboat. Finally we head 50 miles offshore to ply the wakes of the shrimp boats with fishing charter captain Chris Trosset aboard his Contender 35ST center console boat.

In Episode 6 of Stomping Grounds, we visit Florida's Treasure Coast, where host Ryan McVinney shows viewers why the charming seaside city of Stuart is an outdoorsman's paradise. Widely known as "The Sailfish Capital of the World", we embark on a day of sailfishing with Captain Scott Fawcett on his 31 Contender center console boat, to learn why Stuart is the place to be to catch these prized billfish year-round. With great sportfishing, comes great sportfish boats; so next, we take you to Stuart's "Dreamboat District", where some of the world's greatest custom boat builders reside. Then, we join the owner of a classic 20 Seacraft center console boat, custom-built for Stuart's plethora of fisheries, on a boat ride through the expanses of the St. Lucie River. Here, we learn more about Stuart's famous snook fishery and diverse ecosystem. Along the way, a stop at the old Evinrude test facility uncovers some unique maritime history. For proper education regarding the environmental challenges the St. Lucie River faces and how the community has banded together to protect this valuable resource, we meet with Indian Riverkeeper, Mike Connor. Last, but not least, Ryan takes the day off on the Stuart sandbar. Here, when the water is clear and the sun is shining, hundreds of boaters bow up to the bar to show off their rides and enjoy their backyard boating paradise.

Downeast Lifestyle: Cruising the Coast of Maine

From Lobster boats and windjammers to downeast style yachts and classic wooden vessels, Stomping Grounds 7 has the Boat Trader crew visiting the coast of Maine to explore the rich heritage behind one of the meccas of wooden boat building in the United States. Highlighted is a very special boat constructed at the Brooklin Boat Yard named LEGEND, a stunning 38-foot wooden boat that is a well-researched and accurate reproduction of Ernest Hemingway's fishing boat, PILAR built by Wheeler Yachts, the same family-run company that built his original yacht. Next is a stop to the nearby WoodenBoat Magazine that keeps tradition alive by teaching a new generation of students how to build wooden boats. Next the crew stops in Camden to learn about Windjammer sailboats, hopping aboard Capt. Dennis Gallant's Windjammer ANGELIQUE, a steel hull "Brixham trawler" that takes adventurous guests around Maine's many natural archipelagos. From there, host Ryan McVinney visits Bar Harbor to chat with lobster boat captain Dallas Hodgkins, a third generation lobsterman who runs the Lulu lobster boat. He explains what makes a good lobster boat and lobstering in general, a quintessential Maine pastime. Viewers learn some of the ins and outs of this "dirty job" that can be both dangerous and rewarding. Finally we learn about modern "downeast style" yachts, often referred to as lobster yachts, and the venerated Hinckley Yachts company who is a beloved Maine boat builder.

Boating In Montana's Big Sky Country

In Episode 8, the Boat Trader crew heads to Big Sky Country—out to the untamed wilderness of Montana to explore boating culture in one of the last unspoiled, natural areas in America. Montana's shining mountains, high wide open spaces and crystal clear waters make it one of the country's favorite boating regions. From exploring Flathead Lake on a pontoon boat, to fishing the mountain rivers aboard drift boats and white water rafting in Glacier National Park, host Ryan McVinney delves into the traditions, history and culture of Montana. Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi in the lower 48 states, offering 185 miles of shoreline and over 200 square miles of water. One of the highlights of Flathead Lake is Wild Horse Island, an unspoiled island on the Southern side of the lake where horses still roam free and boaters can pull up to explore the serene, natural landscape. Next we stop at a tribal longhouse to learn about the history of the Salish and the Kootenai tribes in this region, what their relationship with the lake and the waterways was like and what kind of canoes and kayaks they used. From there, we meet up with long-time Flathead Lake resident Bruce Young, son of Stanley C. Young. who co-founded StanCraft Wooden Boat Company on Flathead Lake, back in 1933, constructing early wooden runabout boats. Finally we visit Glacier National Park to experience some of the best white water rafting areas in the world. With over 1,500 miles of glacier-fed streams, bounded by the North and Middle Fork of the Flathead River, spring time here arrives with a rush of water raging down the mountains creating white water rapids that recreational boaters come from around the world to conquer. The streams here are also corridors for spawning fish, eagles, ducks, otters, beavers and numerous other species.

St. Johns "River Rats" - Boatgating in Jacksonville's 1st Coast

Come along with Stomping Grounds host Ryan McVinney and the Boat Trader crew as they embark on an exciting journey to the First Coast Region of Northeast Florida and discover a flourishing boating culture. Explore the beauty of Jacksonville, a city built along the banks of the St. Johns River, with its rich history and vibrant waterfront culture. Discover the highly productive ecosystem, abundant wildlife and the only known calving grounds for the North Atlantic right whale. Experience the excitement of "boatgating", a uniquely American tradition held on the river at the Jacksonville Jaguars home stadium along with a group of recreational boaters known as the "River Rats". Go fishing with NFL player Logan Cooke on his 26-foot Yellowfin center console boat and cruising with local personality Lisa "The Boatanista" Almeida on her family cabin cruiser. Witness the precision and power of naval aviation with the Blue Angels flight squadron. Learn about the country's largest and oldest boat club, Freedom Boat Club, offering members access to the beautiful waters of the Intracoastal Waterway, St. John's River, and Atlantic Ocean. Boating is more than just a pastime here—it's a way of life. Don't miss this unforgettable episode!

Lone Star Boating: Exploring Central Texas Lakes & Rivers

In Episode 10 Boat Trader heads to central Texas to explore boating culture in the lone star state. Second only to Alaska in size, Texas is known as the place where everything is bigger. From big college football games to endless oil fields and vast wind farms, Texas is home to more than 30 million Americans. But the state is about more than just big oil, college football and cattle farms - it's also home to some of the best boating in the country. Boasting a myriad of waterways, boaters here enjoy hundreds of lakes, rivers and streams that provide recreational opportunities, abundant wildlife and plenty of fishing. From Austin Texas to San Antonio host Ryan McVinney and the Boat Trader crew explore the laid-back Texas lake life including boat up restaurants along the Colorado River, watersports in Austin and the history of the waterways throughout the region. Boat manufacturers highlighted in this episode are Tige Boats and ATX Surf Boats, two premium Texas-based wake boat brands known for their high-quality, cutting-edge vessels that come equipped with advanced wake shaping technologies and equipment ideal for water skiing, wake surfing and wakeboarding. There's even a wake surfing dog!

Alaska's Massive Marvels: A Boating Expedition through America's Last Frontier

Join host Ryan McVinney and the Boat Trader crew as they embark on a thrilling boating adventure to explore the untamed wilderness and waterways of Alaska, known as "America's Last Frontier". From battling towering 12-foot waves in the Gulf of Alaska, to reeling in colossal 200 lb. halibut, they discover firsthand the rugged beauty of America's 49th state. Embarking on a fishing quest in Resurrection Bay the gang snares an extremely rare white king salmon and cooks it up back at the docks in Seward. From exploring ancient glaciers to chasing spawning salmon up remote rivers, this unforgettable journey through Alaska's majestic landscape reveals how the state is home to the ten tallest mountain peaks in the United States, huge bore tides, untouched harbors and bays, endless wilderness, world-class fisheries and many species of fish and wildlife including caribou, brown and black bears, wolves, moose and fox. This episode highlights Lindell Yachts as a top builder of rugged offshore sportfishing yachts, as well as Radon Boats as great pilothouse fishing and guide boats.

Watch Boat Trader's Stomping Grounds on YouTube and on select video-on-demand and streaming platforms. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes clips and exclusive content, including giveaways, sneak peek previews, outtakes and special premieres.