Captain Joe Freeman grew up sailing, power boating, and canoeing the waters of Minnesota and Wisconsin, and the impact of these childhood experiences left their mark.  Later sailing on San Francisco Bay rekindled his love of sailing, but on larger boats and in more powerful winds!  While enjoying a successful winemaking career in Sonoma County, California, the lure of returning to the Land of 10,000 Lakes grew impossible to resist.  A move to Duluth in 2020, and purchase of MECO, a classic Great Lakes sailboat, provided a return to familiar places and access to our “fresh water sea”!

After earning his US Coast Guard commercial captain’s license, and extensive sailing on western Lake Superior, MECO Sailing was launched.  Joe has a passion for introducing others to the experience of sailing, and MECO allows him to share the incredible sights and variety of experience that the waters around Duluth provide.

In addition to skippering MECO, Joe engages in many of the outdoor activities that make Duluth unique, skiing and curling in the winter, and mountain biking in the summer.  With a focus on safety (Joe is a certified Wilderness First Responder), he also has a great appreciation for those who choose adventure, making Captain Joe a great guide for your sailing experience on Lake Superior!