Information On Cruising The Great Loop

Join us as the Home Port Crew from America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association gives a recap of happenings on the Great Loop in 2023 and previews what's to come in 2024. We'll talk about upcoming AGLCA efforts like Fleet of 2024 T-Shirts, Advocacy Fund Raising, recognition for Harbor Hosts, 2024 events, lock closures, and more.

The Gulf of Mexico crossing brings apprehension for many Loopers as they prepare for the Great Loop's longest open water crossing and seek a suitable weather window. Assistance is available to AGLCA members!  Dave Fuller, former AGLCA Volunteer of the Year, and Tsali Bentley, AGLCA's current Harbor Host of the Year, are our guests this week. They'll walk us through "YOU Make the Call". This daily report is Dave's brainchild, and Dave & Tsali will explain what goes into this weather resource designed to help Loopers decide what weather window suits them best, and what crossing route they should take. We'll cover a 170-mile daylight crossing from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs, an overnight crossing for the same route, and the "Big Bend" option which is a series of shorter hops closer to the coastline. Listen to learn more about this helpful resource available to our members.

On this week's episode, current Looper Dan Pease shares his unique perspective on dealing with commercial traffic on the Great Loop.  Dan is a former tow captain who joins us from his Looping boat currently in Florida. Dan will share what you should know about communicating with tow captains based on his commercial experience and his time on the rivers during his own Great Loop adventure. 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.

The America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association Home Port Crew tackles some of the special considerations and skills to master before cruising the Florida segments of the Great Loop. Our discussion includes information on: Marina ReservationsThe Gulf CrossingSojourners Permit/Temporary RegistrationRequired Everglades Boating CourseCourteous Passing/Minding Your Wake and more as we discuss the resources available in the Segments area of the www.GreatLoop.org website. 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.

Tom & Joyce share the story of their Great Loop adventure. They and their friends, Lee & Jan, Looped aboard a 45' Californian.  Two couples...one boat.  Can it work?  Tom & Joyce explain how with the right attitude, the right personalities, and lots of communication, two couples can share one boat for the Great Loop and have the time of their lives. The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Looper 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.

What's it like to travel 7,000 miles on a jet ski? Find our when Gold Looper Mike Straub shares the details of his Great Loop adventure aboard his personal watercraft, "Y Wait". Mike shares how he handled basic needs like where to sleep, when to eat, and what to wear to protect himself.  He'll also talk about logistics like what gear to carry, ensuring he had enough fuel, and how he determined where he would stop. Find Mike's book on Amazon or Etsy. America's Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime! Loopers cruise the waterways in their own boats, traveling up the eastern seaboard into New York Harbor, the Hudson River, the Erie Canal, the Great Lakes, the inland rivers, and the Gulf of Mexico. Learn more at www.greatloop.org.

Bruce and Maggie share the story of their Great Loop adventure that begins when they emerge from Covid isolation worse for the wear. They set out on the Great Loop in hopes of rediscovering their adventuresome spirits aboard "Currently" a Ranger Tug 29. This episode covers their journey and their new book, Currently Away.  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.

Loopers on the inland rivers this year have experienced lock closures, low water levels, and a few other obstacles, but they have persevered!  Planning, organization, and attitude make all the difference! Join the Home Port Crew as we share what you need to know about this year's journey on the inland rivers and what those still in the Great Loop planning stages can learn from these events.

Find out why Nebo is a Looper favorite app!  Nebo is part automated log book and part social sharing app. Loopers use it to find one another on the water, send messages, and share information while we cruise. Stephen WInter, Nebo's Managing Director, is our guest. What is the Great Loop? It's a 6,000 mile route that circumnavigates the eastern part of the U.S., and a small part of Canada if you choose. Loopers cruise aboard their own boats, mostly on protected waterways, along the east coast, the New York Canals, the Great Lakes, the inland rivers, and the Guld of Mexico. 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

Join us as Bill & Molly share the story of their Great Loop adventure aboard their 25' Rosborough. They tell us why they selected that boat and how they made their small boat more liveable for the 300+ days they stayed aboard. They'll also share some of the highlights and challenges of their Great Loop.

The AGLCA Home Port Crew fills you in on what to expect as the 120-day lock closure on the Illinois Waterway comes to and end and traffic starts moving. Looper Flotillas are expecting to start through the area on October 1st. This episode helps you understand the process of locking through after re-opening and explains how AGLCA helps our members get through this challenge. The concepts explained will help not only this year's Loopers waiting to come through the area, but is also good information for future Loopers who might experience similar closures. 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.  

The Boat U.S. Foundation was just awarded a large grant to help resolve the growing issue of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) on our waterways. Join us as Alanna Keating, the Foundation's Director of Outreach, gives the details of the grant including how it will help remove many derelict vessels and hopefully prevent the addition of more ADVs to our waterways. 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.

Mike & Lisa share the story of their Great Loop adventure aboard their 40' Sea Ray. Lisa started off as a reluctant spouse, but after attending an AGLCA Rendezvous, finding a boat, and getting some training from a captain, she became their primary boat handler for all close quarters maneuvering including docking and locking! Learn more about their adventure on this week's Great Loop Radio podcast.

Robert Rice is back this week to talk about AIS for the Great Loop. He'll cover the different types of AIS, price points for some of the options, and why you should consider adding AIS for the Great Loop if your boat is not already equipped with this helpful technology. 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.

The Upper Mississippi (from Port Charles to the Twin Cities) is a Great Loop side trip that may be considered "the road less traveled". Join us as Dick Heusinkveld shares the details of the side trip he and Louise took aboard their Endeavor Cat, Nine Lives, last summer. Dick joins us from the Ohio River which is this year's side trip to his Great Loop adventure. Learn why you might want to consider taking the time to cruise to Minneapolis/St. Paul in this week's episode. 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.

Reviewing anchorages and marinas helps all boaters coming behind you and is also a great way to "pay it forward" for help you received along the way. Ted Stehle from Waterway Guide is our guest this week.  Ted shares how to post reviews on Waterway Guide and the process he goes through to vet all crowd sourced information received.  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.  

The International Seakeepers Society joins us this week to tell us how Loopers can help with marine science research while Looping. They'll also share details on how Loopers can be more environmentally friendly (and save money!) with tips from their Green Guide to Boating. 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.

Our "Story of our Loop" series continues with Lee & Bake. They share the story of their Great Loop adventure aboard their 42' Grand Banks. Former sailors, Lee & Bake Looped in segments over three years. They'll talk about why they opted for a power boat for their Loop, how they handled the logistics of returning home and leaving the boat behind at the end of each segment, and much more.   What is the Great Loop? It's a 6,000 mile route that circumnavigates the eastern part of the U.S., and a small part of Canada if you choose. Loopers cruise aboard their own boats, mostly on protected waterways, along the east coast, the New York Canals, the Great Lakes, the inland rivers, and the Guld of Mexico. 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

Cruising the Great Loop can be strenuous for the body and mind. Soon-to-be-Looper and live aboard fitness expert, Kevin Williams, joins us this week to discuss how to stay (or get) fit while Looping.  Whether you're looking to increase strength and balance for line handling, lifting things on and off the boat, or other Loop-y tasks, or you're already fit and want to know how to maintain that while Looping, Kevin has suggestions for you. 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 year's Loopers may have time for extra side trips while they wait for the Illinois Waterway locks to reopen. Mike & Deb Hervey, who have made multiple trips to the largest of the Great Lakes, tell you why you should consider cruising Lake Superior. They'll share the details on visiting the south shore and what you'll find there, as well as the more rugged and remote north shore. Join us for more on this amazing side trip to your Great Loop adventure. 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 #GreatLoop #Greatloopers #bucketlist #adventureofalifetime #boating #loo