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.
Chances are you've heard about 71-year-old Robert Youens who recently completed the Great Loop on his jon boat, Ageless Wanderer, in just over 19 days. On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Robert joins us to share the story of his adventure. We'll talk about why he decided to try to break a Great Loop speed record and how his journey was similar in many ways to more "traditional" Loopers who complete the route in over a year. Robert also talks about the extensive research and planning he did before starting the 6,000-mile route, and why taking on an adventure of this nature is a privilege that must be earned. 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.
More and more people are working aboard while doing the Great Loop. Why wait until retirement to cruise the Great Loop if you can do your job remotely? This week's episode features Alison Major, author of "Remote Work Afloat". Alison is a Gold Looper and founder of Loop Life Academy, an AGLCA sponsor. Join us as we discuss tips for setting yourself up for success when transition to working aboard. Remote Work Afloat - https://www.remoteworkafloat.com/ 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.
What do you do after you've finished the Loop? Post-Loop blues is a real thing! For Rev & Sam, they turned Life After the Loop into a business where they help others fulfill their Great Loop dreams, and they also continue boating in new and different settings. Listen this week as we catch up with Rev & Sam and hear all about their Life After the Loop. Often described as the adventure of a lifetime, America's Great Loop boasts a 'low risk, high reward' travel experience. Boaters journey over 5,000 miles around the Eastern part of the United States and into parts of Canada. The Great Loop was once a route known only to lifelong boaters and long-distance cruisers, but the secret is out. Join us as we unpack the Great Loop planning steps, from buying a boat to securing boat insurance; dive into a variety of stops and excursions along the way; share the highlight of Loopers who've crossed their wake; and of course, answer all of your questions about how to make this dream a reality. Enjoy our podcast, join America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association (AGLCA), and add this adventure to your bucket list! Our website (www.greatloop.org) is your one-stop-shop for information about the Great Loop.
Episode resources:USCG 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
Join us as Eric Martin, our current Harbor Host of the Year and Manager at Donovan's Shady Harbor, provides tips on what to expect when needing work done at a boatyard while on the Great Loop. Eric will include suggestions on what parts to carry with you, how to go about planning for scheduled maintenance, and what to do when you need unexpected or emergency repairs.
We continue our Story of Our Loop series this week with our guests, Mike & Darlene. They did the Loop in a non-traditional way by traveling home every other weekend. They'll share how they made the frequent trips home work, how they arranged travel, and how their way of Looping may have changed their overall experience. Mike & Darlene provide inspiration for those who may need to travel home frequently while Looping to handle family, work, or health obligations.
Details about our sponsor program: https://www.greatloop.org/sponsorsRefer a sponsor: sponsors@greatloop.org or submit a form here
Our popular "Story of our Loop" series returns this week as we feature Malcom & Rachel from "Stay Cool", a Mainship 390 that completed the Great Loop in 2023. Malcolm and Rachel share why their chose their boat, the details of their adventure, how they stayed in compliance with regualtions as Canadians traveling for an extended period time in the U.S. and advice for future Loopers. You can learn more about Malcolm & Rachel on their YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@staycool123. 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. #greatloop #aglca #boatlife #bucketlist #greatloopers
Local Notice to Mariners are something that should be in every Looper's toolbox. Checking these reports can give insight into the local issues you may encounter on each movement of your boat on the Great Loop. Robert Rice joins us once again this week to discuss where to find Local Notice to Mariners and how you can use them to be more prepared for the Great Loop. RESOURCES MENTION IN THE EPISODE: Subscribe to LNM by email https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Featured-Content/Mariners/Local-Notice-to-Mariners-LNMs/ Click on one of the areas in the list on the left side, then choose “Please subscribe to receive email updates here: ” to sign up for a weekly email. Graphical Point & Click Map – generate your own list Read the userguide: https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/msi/MSI_UserGuide.pdf https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/msi Canadian Coast Guard NAVWARNs https://www.notmar.gc.ca/index-en https://e-navigation.canada.ca/topics/notices/index-en
ResourcesHere are a couple of articles from BoatUS on this problem Testing Crew Overboard Maneuvers - https://www.boatus.org/findings/41Getting that person back aboard is harder than you think. - https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2012/october/man-overboard-rescue-for-powerboatsMOB tips - https://www.boatus.org/crew-overboard/tipsLifeSlinghttps://www.ussailing.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2023.SAS-advisory-night-use-lifesling-1.pdfhttps://www.ussailing.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/safety_lifesline_prep_guide.pdfhttps://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/lifesling-inspection-tips
With the Erie Canal undergoing repairs between Locks E16 and E17, that route is not yet open to Loopers needing to transit the area to continue the Great Loop route. The Lake Champlain route option is a popular choice in most years, but even more Loopers are considering it this year instead of waiting for the Erie Canal to fully open. This week, AGLCA member Bill Ogilvie joins us to discuss this route, the specifications of boats that can clear the bridges and fit in the locks, and what to expect as you navigate this scenic route option.
AGLCA members can download the handout discussed. It is available in our Resource Library on the www.GreatLoop.org website.
Update on the New York Canals! Join us as Shane Mahar, Director of Public Engagement – Canals at the New York Power Authority & New York State Canal Corporation, discusses the status of the Canals, and the delayed opening of most sections, on what was expected to be opening day system-wide. We'll also discuss the Erie Canal's Bicentennial celebration happening this season. 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
Learn more at about HB 481, why it's bad for boating, and how to get involved in our veto campaign:Website: https://boatersrightscoalition.org/vetoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoatersRightsCoalitionThe actual bill: https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/481/BillText/er/PDFSteps you can take now:Help us fund the effort: https://www.greatloop.com/product-page/advocacy-fund-contributionCall Governonr DeSantis's office and urge him to veto HB 481: (850) 488-7146Email the Governor using this site: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/vetohb481Send a letter to the Governor: Compose a letter and mail it to this address. See the website above for talking points.Rosanna Catalano/VETOArrow Group215 S. Monroe Street,Suite 601Tallahassee, FL 32301Record a video asking the Governor to veto HB 481 and telling how much money you spend boating in Florida. Email videos to BoatersRights@gmail.comQuestions? Contact us at BoatersRights@gmail.com or call us at 843.879.5030.