Great Loop Radio Podcast

Thank you to Cindy Lewis & Sterling Associates for their AGLCA sponsorship!cindy@recreationfinance.comhttp://www.recreationfinance.com410.903.6611

Thank you to Jack Martin & Associates for their AGLCA sponsorship! Here's how to reach Jon Horton:Email: jon.horton@jackmartin.comPhone: O 410-626-1000 | M 443-336-6838 

Thank you to Great Loop Yacht Sales for their AGLCA sponsorship! You can reach them at:Website: https://www.greatloopyachtsales.com/Tel: 855-826-4597Email: info@greatloopyachtsales.com

Blue Tortuga FitnessSome of these exercises may seem simplistic, maybe even easy.  However, when done consistently over time they will indeed produce results.  If you have questions feel free to contact me at bluetortugafitness@gmail.com.Everyone should be cleared by their medical practitioner to begin or sustain an exercise program.Sample Exercises:-Quarter Pickups: https://youtu.be/jWBFIBYo7I4?si=XHlAv1uYldNLdwrR-Shoulder Flexibility: https://youtube.com/shorts/0j0-3QUdJVY?si=fTEOhTaYN0l6ZH3j-Lower Back Strengthening: https://youtu.be/65HhjCtMJqM?si=V6Sx6vtWFrFEs3me-Relieving constricted shoulder movement: https://youtu.be/ary93mbg1AY?si=BTI7kF5n1wUlf3Le-How to use resistance bands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEpRV5larvw

AGLCA Upcoming Events: https://www.greatloop.org/ems-event-calendar.htmlAdd your boat name to the Fleet of 2026 T-Shirt: https://www.greatloop.org/2026-fleet-shirts.htmlOrder your Fleet of 2026 T-Shirts: https://www.greatloop.com/Contribute to our Advocacy Fund: https://www.greatloop.com/product-page/advocacy-fund-contributionNominate someone for Harbor Host of the Year: https://www.greatloop.org/interact/harbor-hosts.html

What does it really take to turn a true fixer-upper into a Great Loop-worthy cruiser? When Mike Smith discovered the boat that would carry him around America’s Great Loop, it had spent a decade as a dock queen—and didn’t even run. But with determination, creativity, and a whole lot of help from friends, Mike brought her back to life and transformed her into a sound, safe, and comfortable home for his 6,000-mile adventure. On this week’s episode, Mike shares the highs, lows, surprises, and lessons learned from resurrecting his Looping boat. If you've ever wondered whether a project boat can make the journey, this is one you won’t want to miss. The Great Loop is a 6,000-mile circumnavigation of the eastern U.S. and a part of Canada. Loopers undertake this adventure of a lifetime aboard their own boats, often taking a year or more to complete the route. America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association provides information and inspiration for those planning for, currently cruising, or dreaming about a Great Loop adventure. Join us for events, members-only forum access, marina and fuel discounts, and more! www.greatloop.org/joinus

New anchoring regulations are coming to Florida—and they could change the way Loopers plan their cruise, especially around Biscayne Bay. On this episode, we break down what’s changing, why it matters, and what you need to know before you drop the hook. Tune in to get clear, practical guidance so you can cruise Florida with confidence. Want to learn more about the Great Loop? How about building camaraderie with others who have done the whole route so you can find out what it's actually like? Join AGLCA for accurate and thorough Great Loop information and access to other members. Find out more at www.greatloop.org/joinus.

Blue Mind, Bold Heart on Amazon

Solo female Loopers are still rare, but Michele proves it can be done — and done with confidence and grace. This week, she joins us to share the story of her Great Loop completing aboard her 31' Camano Trawler. You’ll be inspired by Michele’s adventurous spirit, practical approach, and refreshingly matter-of-fact attitude toward single-handing one of the greatest boating adventures there is. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf of Mexico. Learn more at www.greatloop.org.

Included AGLCA Sponsors:Timeless Yacht: https://www.timelessyacht.com/Trawlers Great Lakes: https://trawlersgreatlakes.com/LeBoat: https://www.leboat.com/boating-vacations/canada

This week’s guests, Mark and Cinda Boomershine, didn’t just cruise the Great Loop—they brought their two kids along and turned the entire adventure into a hit YouTube series. Join us as they share their family’s unforgettable journey aboard SeaShine, their 56' Ocean Alexander. You’ll hear how they made the boat their own, the highs and challenges of Looping as a family, and what they learned from seeing America’s waterways together, one mile at a time. You can find the Boomershines at https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoomershines Want to learn more about the Great Loop? How about building camaraderie with others who have done the whole route so you can find out what it's actually like? Join AGLCA for accurate and thorough Great Loop information and access to other members. Find out more at www.greatloop.org/joinus.

AGLCA is all about Loopers helping Loopers—and YOU Make the Call is a perfect example of that spirit in action. Each fall/winter, this daily post helps Loopers determine when conditions are right for their Gulf crossing. In this episode, Tsali Bentley joins us to explain what goes into each YOU Make the Call update, where you can find it, and why he’s so dedicated to volunteering to provide this invaluable service. He also shares how the idea began and how it’s evolved to support today’s Loopers. Want to learn more about the Great Loop? How about building camaraderie with others who have done the whole route so you can find out what it's actually like? Join AGLCA for accurate and thorough Great Loop information and access to other members. Find out more at www.greatloop.org/joinus.

This week on the podcast, we continue our “Story of Our Loop” series with a special father-son edition! Richard and Jacob recently completed the Great Loop together, and they’re joining us to share their incredible journey. Hear how they chose their boat, the highlights of their adventure, and what they gained—both individually and as a family—by taking on the Loop side by side. The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf of Mexico. Learn more at www.greatloop.org.

USCG Navigation Rules – this is the official source. https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/navigation-rules-amalgamated Quick Reference guide to the NavRules. https://www.whoi.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Abbreviated-Guide-To-Navigation-Rules-of-the-Road.pdf

This week's episode is all about marinas. Based on listener suggestions, the Home Port Crew shares insight on how to select marinas when cruising the Great Loop, how and when to make marina reservations, and how to find long term slips or storage for your boat before, during, or after the Great Loop. The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf of Mexico. Learn more at www.greatloop.org.

There is an error in this episode. We discuss the Ohio River being the only inland river where Loopers going counter-clockwise (the more tyical direction) are upbound. That is incorrect.  Loopers are also upbound on the Cumberland River (if they take that route) and the Tennessee River.  Our apologies for the error.

ResourcesUSCG Navigation Rules – this is the official source. https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/navigation-rules-amalgamatedQuick Reference guide to the NavRules. https://www.whoi.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Abbreviated-Guide-To-Navigation-Rules-of-the-Road.pdf

There's been a lot of talk lately about Looping in record time, but how about completing the Loop over almost 13 years? And, what if you could compare a trawler, a powercat, and a motor yacht as liveaboard Looping boats? Bruce & Hilary recently completed the Great Loop after more than 12 years, and over that time, they did Loop segments aboard a Silverton, an Endeavor catamaran, and a Mainship. They'll share their unique insight into Looping slowly, and the features of the three very different boats they used to complete their Great Loop. Want to learn more about the Great Loop? How about building camaraderie with others who have done the whole route so you can find out what it's actually like? Join AGLCA for accurate and thorough Great Loop information and access to other members. Find out more at www.greatloop.org/joinus.

As Loopers prepare to head down the inland rivers, the Great Loop Radio podcast this week covers the part of the Great Loop route from Chicago, IL to Paducah, KY. This route section includes the Illinois Waterway, Mississippi River, and Ohio River. Wes and Amy Litsey join us to share the details. If you’re looking for more, AGLCA members can check out the article about this part of the route in the September Great Loop Link e-magazine (https://www.greatloop.org/great-loop-information/great-loop-link.html) and join us for our Virtual Docktails on September 17th (https://www.greatloop.org/ems-event-calendar.html) where one of the breakout rooms will also cover this topic. The Great Loop is a 6,000-mile circumnavigation of the eastern U.S. and a part of Canada. Loopers undertake this adventure of a lifetime aboard their own boats, often taking a year or more to complete the route. America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association provides information and inspiration for those planning for, currently cruising, or dreaming about a Great Loop adventure. Join us for events, members-only forum access, marina and fuel discounts, and more! www.greatloop.org/joinus

Lithium batteries are a hot topic! Every time the idea of converting your boat from lead acid to lithium batteries comes up on the Great Loop forum or Facebook group, controversy ensues. Are lithium batteries safe for Looping boats? Will you realize a return on your investment if you upgrade to lithium? This week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast covers lithium batteries. Gold Looper Mike Bell is our guest. He helps explain the technology behind lithium batteries, what types of cruisers might benefit from the conversion to lithium, and answers some of the questions regarding safety issues. Join us for this enlightening discussion on lithium batteries on the Loop. Want to learn more about the Great Loop? How about building camaraderie with others who have done the whole route so you can find out what it's actually like? Join AGLCA for accurate and thorough Great Loop information and access to other members. Find out more at www.greatloop.org/joinus.