Explore every episode of the podcast Great Loop Radio Podcast

This week we share stats about boats completing the Great Loop in 2024. Brent Bowlin of Great Loop Yacht Sales will be our guest as we unveil our list of top 10 boat makes that crossed their wakes last year, the average boat size, and the overall number of Loop completions reported to AGLCA. Visit our sponsor, Great Loop Yacht Sales, at www.GreatLoopYachtSales.com 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.

For several years, obtaining insurance has been one of the bigger challenges in buying a Great Loop boat. This week, Jon Horton of Jack Martin & Associates returns to our podcast to update us on what to expect in 2025. Is it becoming easier to get insurance your Great Loop boat? Listen to find out! The Great Loop is a waterway route followed by "Loopers" who cruise the 6,000-mile Great Loop route aboard their own boats completing a circumnavigation of the eastern U.S. and part of Canada via mostly protected inland waterways. The Great Loop route follows the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the Chesapeake Bay, and the New York Canals northwards, goes across the Great Lakes, south on the Inland Rivers, and then east Gulf Coast to complete the Loop.

Join us as we discuss the recent issues at the Wilson Lock on the Tennessee River with Cline Jones, Executive Director of the Tennessee River Valley Association and the Tennessee-Cumberland Waterways Council. Cline provides information on past and current issues with this lock and why we should be concerned about similar problems that could happen throughout the nation's system of locks. We'll also explain the economic impact of locking delays on the commerical sector, and what Loopers can do to help get much needed lock maintenance and replacements funded.

The details Clive provides for texting to let elected officials know you support funding for lock maintenance are:

Text "LOCKS" to 202-979-0993.

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! Visit us at www.greatloop.org

Karen and Lee completed the Great Loop aboard their 38' Chung Hwa Trawler.  Starting from the Houston area of Texas, they had a journey just to join the Great Loop route. Hear their story, along with the challenges they faced as they took on this epic adventure.

Here is the link to the video of this podcast so that you may review the slides: https://youtu.be/p-1IL4p2oAU

The railroad bridge at Mile 300.5 on the Illinois Waterway is the lowest fixed bridge on the Great Loop for which there is no alternate route. Currently charted at 19.7', you must pass under this bridge if you plan to do the entire Great Loop route. Have you ever wondered why the bridge is so low? Or why it no longer opens to allow taller traffic to pass? Patrick Hynes has, and he's our guest on this week's podcast. He'll share the results of his research on the history of this bridge and what its future may be.

Curtis Stokes of Curtis Stokes & Associates joins us to talk about how different conditions and different hull designs can affect how your Great Loop boat acts at anchor. After a comment from a Gold Looper on a Story of Our Loop episode of this podcast regarding their boat being especially "active" at anchor, we received a lot of questions. This episode provides more information on which boats are more likely to roll or swing at anchor.

Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle in 2018, leaving homes and businesses destroyed and a shortage of dockage for Loopers transiting the area.  After some delays due to Covid, marinas are completing the rebuilding process and are open for business for Loopers this season. Get the details from our guest, Justin Bannerman from Point South Marina-Bay Point.

Deb & Fred completed America's Great Loop in May of this year aboard a Navigator 4400. They share the story of their Great Loop including their cruising preferences (anchorages vs. marinas, average miles per day, etc), what inspired them to do the Great Loop, and what they gained from the experience.

As Loopers spend time in late summer and early fall on Lake Michigan, is there any truth to the idea that you should be off the Lake by Labor Day?  Gold Looper and former Harbor Host of the Year, Foster Schucker, shares his data on the weather on Lake Michigan in the fall and gives details on how to determine the weather for yourself before heading on to the Lake.

*During the discussion we mention the Illinois Waterway Lock closures. The date when work is scheduled to be complete and the lock is operational 24/7 is September 8, 2022. The 2023 Closures are scheduled for June 1 - September 30.

Here are the links to the weather resources Foster mentions during our discussion:

His favorite is the Lake Michigan and Huron Operational Forecast System.  https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ofs/lmhofs/lmhofs.html

Passage Weather: https://www.passageweather.com/

Windy: https://windy.app/forecast2/spot/538070/Bay+of+Green+Bay

 

 

Registration is open for both "Great Loop Cruising: A Guide to the Looper Lifestyle" seminar in Chicago, and the Fall Rendezvous is Tennessee. Which is right for for? We'll help you decide by discussing the agenda details, who each is aimed toward, and costs for each event. Listen for all the details!

 

Greg & Cait did the Great Loop aboard their 37' Jeanneau sailboat. The couple, in their 30s, left Chicago aboard Firefly in late 2020, returning 8 months later after more than 6,000 miles underway. Their sailing included passages to the Bahamas, the Dry Tortugas, and more. Hear the stories of their Great Loop adventure including tips on anchoring, what they learned from running aground, and what's next for these Gold Loopers.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we give you details about two of the towns that are "must-sees" on the Western Erie Canal. First up is Bob Stopper from Lyons and second is Nancy Ragus from Fairport. They'll each tell you why their town is special and why boats that can clear the 15' bridges should consider the Western Erie Canal as part of their Great Loop adventure.

On this episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Chad Buchner, Manager of Canal Operations at Parks Canada, gives us an update on the recent closure on the Trent Severn and also shares some of the highlights of this historic waterway known as one of the highlights of the Great Loop.

This week we share another installment of our popular series where Gold Loopers share the stories of their Great Loop adventure. In this episode, Bob & Mary, who were new to boating when they decided they wanted to cruise the Great Loop, share the details of their Ranger R-27 and why it was the prefect Great Loop boat for them. They also tell us about their cruising preferences and the festivals and volunteer opportunities they found along the way that helped them immerse themselves into the places they visited.

The Great Loop Route is a 6,000-mile nautical adventure that takes you through some of North America's greatest cities, historic sites and heartlands. At its essensce, it's a circumnavigation of the U.S. and part of Canada that Loopers cruise aboard their own boats, often taking a year or more to complete the journey.  

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.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we launch a new monthly series called "The Story of Our Loop". Each episode will feature Gold Loopers who will share details about their own Great Loop adventure. This week, our guests are Brian and Karen who completed the Great Loop in 2021 aboard their 25' Ranger Tug, "Tug Life". Brian and Karen are on their second Loop and join us from aboard in Clayton, New York.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew shares information on visiting New York City by boat as part of your Great Loop adventure. Kim Russo and the rest of the crew aboard The Perch spent several days in the past week in New York City. She'll give suggestions on where to tie up or anchor, how to get around town, and things to see and do.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew gives you up-to-date information on the process for U.S. citizens to clear Canadian customs as you enter Canada aboard your boat. We'll cover how to check into Canada when you arrive there, and how to check back into the U.S. when your cruising in Canada is over.

It's not all sunshine and rainbows!  Cruising as a couple on the Great Loop can be challenging, and can sometimes put a strain on your relationship.  On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Bob and PM Amidon join us to discuss this topic.  They are Gold Loopers, but they bring an interesting perspective to the discussion because Bob is also a licensed marriage counselor. 

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Jay Kraft of Trawlers Great Lakes joins us to give some suggestions on maintenance tasks aboard that can be done by the boat owner. From oil changes to belts and impeller replacements, you can save thousands of dollars with DIY maintenance.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Dave Fuller, Director of Education for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, is back to provide details on the proper usage of the VHF radio while on the Great Loop.  He'll include which channels to use for which purposes, the correct procedure for hailing another vessel and much more.

On this episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew of America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association shares some of the benefits of membership with a special focus on what you gain by joining AGLCA while you're in the planning stages for your Great Loop adventure. We also give details on the newly released Great Loop map on the www.greatloop.org website.

On this episode of the Great Loop Radio Podcast, Kim Russo (AGLCA's Director) shares more details about the boat she's Looping board, "The Perch", and Michael tells the story of how he selected this boat for his first Great Loop. If you've been following Kim's Great Loop, here are the details you've been waiting for about "The Perch". She's a 2001 Silverton 410 with two staterooms, a split head, galley up, and twin Cummins diesels. More details in the podcast!

*We apologize for the over-modulation on the audio!  We'll do better next time.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Ted Stehle of Waterway Guide joins us to talk about how to find the best fuel prices while cruising.  Ted, who is also a Gold Looper, will share how Waterway Guide compiles their fuel price reports, and will also give other tips for finding the best deal when filling up and conserving fuel while Looping.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Brenda & Wally join us to talk about how they found their Great Loop bought, a Carver Voyager 530.  They'll cover their required features, their "nice-to-haves" and where they had to make compromises to find "the one".

 

Heritage Harbor Marina on the Illinois River is AGLCA's Sponsor of the Year! Find out why Loopers selected this marina as the sponsor most deserving of this award as we interview Jeff Heimsoth and Bryce & Samantha Wallace. Many thanks to the entire Heritage Harbor community for their outstanding support of Loopers!

America's Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime! Loopers cruise the 6,000-mile Great Loop route aboard their own boats completing a circumnavigation of the eastern U.S. and part of Canada via mostly protected inland waterways. The Great Loop route follows the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the Chesapeake Bay, and the New York Canals northwards, goes across the Great Lakes, south on the Inland Rivers, and then east Gulf Coast to complete the Loop.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Gold Looper Dave Fuller, who is the current Coast Guard Auxiliary Director of Education, shares details on the courses available through the Auxiliary and other places that Loopers should take before starting their Great Loop adventure.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew discusses our 2022 Advocacy efforts and provides the background and current status of efforts to fight anchoring limitations in Florida and to keep the New York Canals open for through-navigation.

Please contribute to our Advocacy Fund at www.greatloop.org/advocacy.

Read more about the Florida bill that funds the removal of derelict vessels (mentioned during the podcast) here.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Bill Parlatore joins us to talk about his recent article titled "Getting Ready for the Great Loop".  We discuss the proper way to execute a slow pass on the waterway, how to determine the air draft of your boat and why that's important, and other tips for those getting ready to begin the Great Loop.  You can reach Bill's article here: https://www.seattleyachts.com/news/getting-ready-for-the-great-loop

If you appreciate this content, please consider joining us! www.greatloop.org/joinus.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Ian & Trina share the details of how they found and purchased their DeFever 44 to complete the Great Loop.  Ian & Trina purchased the boat nearly 8 years ago and have since moved it from Chesapeake Bay to Chattanooga and have made several upgrades in preparation for the rest of the Great Loop and more cruising.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Scott & Karen DeVoll of Capable Cruising walk us through some of the points to consider when getting ready to move aboard full-time.  Whether you're selling your "dirt" home or planning to return there after the Loop, this episode gives tips on things to consider first, such as:
Health insurance and obtaining medical care and prescriptions while on the LoopHow to set up residency someplace while living a transient life style (for things like car registrations and voting)What to do with all of your "stuff"Handling your mailand much more!
 

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Brian & Jennifer share the details of how they found and purchased their Ranger Tug 27 in October of 2021.  They're coming to us from the Florida Keys where they are currently aboard as part of their Great Loop adventure.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Ken Marks of Marks Marine Insurance is our guest.  Ken will update us on the status of the Marine Insurance marketplace in 2022 and what insurers are requiring of boaters in terms of boat size and previous boating experience.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew summarizes details of the boats that completed the Great Loop in 2021 and brings you up to speed on the many things happening for AGLCA members in early 2022.  We'll also note the associated deadlines.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Jeff & Doris share the details of their Magna Marine Nova Scotia 47 trawler and how they went about finding and buying this boat for their Great Loop.

On this bonus episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, join us as Gold Looper Scott Meyers, his daughter, and friends Andre and Joel share the tales of their Great Loop adventure aboard a tritoon.

We often get questions about what's included in AGLCA membership, so in response, this episode talks about what America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association provides to anyone interested in the Great Loop. We also give details on what membership offers to those who are still planning, those who are currently cruising, and those who have completed the Great 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. Enjoy this video, join America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association (AGLCA), and add this adventure to your bucket list!

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Curtis Stokes of Curtis Stokes & Associates joins us to provide a preview of what we can expect from the boat buying market in 2022.  We'll cover the current challenges you might face while searching for and purchasing your Great Loop boat and some tips for ensuring a smooth process.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we share the "DockTales" session that was streamed live on our social media platforms on Tuesday featuring Jack Huff and JoAnn Harper aboard "Jackpot" sharing the tales of their Great Loop adventure.

 

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Sue & Craig share how they found their Rosborough 246 and their plans for taking their boat on the Great Loop.

On this bonus episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we welcome Rick & Rhonda aboard R&R to "Dock-Tales". Rick & Rhonda recently completed the Great Loop and they shre the tales of their adventures.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast we provide details on upcoming lock closures that will affect Loopers in 2022 and 2023 including one on the Okeechobee Waterway and several on the Illinois Waterway.  Our guest it Doug Morgan, Chief of Locks for the Rock Island District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we continue our series on "How I Found My Great Loop Boat".  This time, we talk with David & Debra who bought their Carver 430 Cockpit Motor Yacht with plans to tackle the Great Loop. Find out what they like best (and least) about their boat!

 

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Platinum Looper Eddy Johnsen shares information about the return of Eddy's Weather Wag.  The Weather Wag provides information to assist Loopers in identifying a good weather window for crossing the Gulf of Mexico, which is a 20 hour overnight passage for boats that cruise at 7 to 8 miles per hour like Eddy & Linda do aboard Spiritus.  Eddy helps Loopers to be confident about their selected Gulf Crossing night by providing his insight into what to expect from the weather.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew gives you a preview of next week's Fall Rendezvous and shares details about the upcoming Winter Rendezvous in Fort Myers, Florida.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we cover what's new in the U.S. Customs & Border Protection ROAM App.  Port Director Jared Olafson with CBP is our guest, and he'll share how U.S. Citizens use ROAM to check back into the country when they cross the border aboard their boats.  He'll also cover some new developments to the ROAM app that will make checking in and reporting much easier for our Canadian members and other non-U.S. citizens.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we continue our series on "How We Found our Great Loop Boat".  AGLCA members Erica & Hawk Thompson, who will be working aboard while Looping with their toddler, share the details of how they selected their 34' Gemini sailing cat as their Great Loop boat.

We continue our popular "Story of Our Loop" series this week with Gold Loopers Terri & Aubrey Smoot sharing the tales of their Great Loop adventure aboard their Aspen C108 Power Cat, "ShoreBilly Too".

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. Enjoy this podcast, join America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association (AGLCA), and add this adventure to your bucket list!

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we share details about visiting Paducah, Kentucky as part of your Great Loop adventure.  Paducah made the "Best of the Loop" list in three categories this year, and the transient dock located in the heart of the downtown area makes this a must-stop while on the Loop.  Pam Spencer, Communications Manager for the City of Paducah, provides everything you need to know to enjoy your stop!

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Steve & Carol aboard JADIP, a 37' Great Harbour, share the stories of their Great Loop adventure. Steve & Carol just crossed their wake on a clockwise Loop, but their unique circumstances have them heading towards crossing their wake again, this time in the counter-clockwise direction, in the coming months.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, join us for a side trip to Nashville. Zyg Durski, a Gold Looper whose home waters are the Cumberland River, shares helpful information for planning a visit to Nashville during your Great Loop. The discussion includes details on navigation, where to tie up or anchor, and what to see and do along the way.