McFeely: Pandemic drove people outside, so Lund boat factory needs workers The National Marine Manufacturers Association said consumer demand for new boats surged across the United States in 2020 and sales reached a 13-year high. 11:17 am, Feb. 4, 2021 × A sharp increase in boat sales due to the COVID pandemic has led to a need for workers at the Lund boat factory in New York Mills, Minn. Contributed photo NEW YORK MILLS, Minn. — If you were on a Minnesota lake last summer, you know why the Lund Boats plant in this northwestern Minnesota town needs workers. There were boats on the lakes in 2020. Fishing boats. Ski boats. Wake boats. Runabouts. Pontoons. Boats, boats and more boats.