Information On Cruising The Great 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

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 accura

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.

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!

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!

Ever wonder how far you can cruise on different rivers off the main Great Loop route? Join us this week as David Fuller, a frequent AGLCA speaker, talks about the many side trips you can take as part of your Great Loop adventure. 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.

AGLCA members cruising in Michigan this season reported some challenges with the reservation system used by many marinas, so this week, we talk to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources about the marina reservation process to get some tips on finding and reserving a slip. 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.

Join the celebration of AGLCA's 25th Anniversary!  The Home Port Crew talks about how AGLCA started, how it's grown over the years, what has changed, and what's remained the same.  We also touch on plans for the future in this "Happy Annviersary" episode. The Great Loop is a circumnavigation of the eastern U.S., and part of Canada. The route includes the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the New York State Canals, the Canadian Canals, the Great Lakes, the inland rivers, and the Gulf of Mexico. "Loopers" take on this adventure of a lifetime aboard their own boat. Learn more at www.greatloop.org.

Gary & Lisa aboard PerfectSeas (a 42' Carver Aft Cabin Motor Yacht) are our guests this week. They share details about their 6,000 mile nautical adventure on America's Great Loop, including how they got started, what they found the most challenging, and what they learned along the way.   The Great Loop is a 6,000-mile route through interconnected waterways that allows boaters to circumnavigate the eastern U.S. and part of Canada. Learn more at www.greatloop.org.  

Door County, Wisconsin, is one of the Great Loop's gems.  Find out what there is to see and do in this area as local Gold Loopers, Pete & Cheryl Glassen (Varlabania), share the details about cruising Door County as part of your Great Loop adventure. 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.

All of us will, at some point, sell our boats.  This week, Michael Martin of Great Loop Yacht Sales joins us to talk about the boat selling process. He'll provide tips on how to get the boat ready for sale, what photos to include in the listing, the popular sites where you'll want your listing included, and pitfalls to avoid.  Whether you plan to sell your boat yourself or engage a broker, this episode includes practical information on ensuring the process goes smoothly. 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.

Our "Story of our Loop" series is back with Michael MacLeod sharing the stories of his two Great Loop trips. After a career in music that included travel around the globe, Michael began the Great Loop and completed it the first time aboard a 22' C-Dory and a second time aboard a 25' C-Dory. Join us to hear what drew Michael to the Great Loop, why his boats were perfect for his style of Looping, what leg he found most challenging, and more. The Great Loop is a 6,000-mile route through interconnected waterways that allows boaters to circumnavigate the eastern U.S. and part of Canada. Learn more at www.greatloop.org.

Join the Home Port Crew as we provide details on the many virtual and in-person events coming up this summer and into fall.  We'll cover our Virtual Docktails free events where AGLCA members can join Zoom breakout rooms to discuss specific topics, our "Must Have Apps for the Great Loop" webinar series that is free for members, our upcoming "Looper Lifestyle" seminar coming to Milwaukee, and our ever-popular Fall Rendezvous.  Find more information on all these events at www.greatloop.org and select Events from the menu. We'll also cover AGLCA's new app and our members only Facebook group.   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 Inlan

Mackinac Island has long been a Looper favorite stop. Get all the details of what you'll find on this unique, historic, and quaint island when stopping there as part of your Great Loop adventure. Tad & Libbie Sheldon talk about the Island and the waterways surrounding it on this episode. 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.

Some of the finest cruising on the Great Loop is found on Georgian Bay! Join us as Dale Anderson shares the details of cruising these waters that he calls home.  Our disussion includes likely stops for Loopers, favorite anchorages, things to see and do, and calming the anxiety of navigating the 30,000 Islands. 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.

Join us as Chris & Beth share the story of their Great Loop adventure aboard their 31' Camano. Our conversation includes details about their boat, their planning, and what they gained from taking on this challenge. 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.

Ever wondered if you should get a vessel safety check on your boat before starting the Great Loop? Rob Rice joins us on this episode to talk about vessel safety exams.  We'll cover what they are, why you should get one, and how to schedule it. Resources mentioned in the episode: List of required safety equipment can be found in this document: https://bdept.cgaux.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/420.pdfOnline form to request a vessel safety check: https://wow.uscgaux.info/i_want_a_vsc/index.phpRules for US boaters visiting Canadian waters. Mostly, you comply with your home (US) requirements as long as you are in Canada for 45 days or under. https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/preparing-operate-your-vessel/visitor-information?pedisable=trueCanadian boaters travelling in US waters: The situation is less clear. The US rules talk about foreign boaters "temporarily" in US waters. Temporarily is not defined in the US regulations.

Do you know Chad Pregracke? If not, you should! For 25 years he's been helping remove trash from America's inland rivers. Chad founded Living Lands and Waters in 1998 at the age of 25 when he realized nothing was being done to clean up the waterways. He is the winner of many awards and accolades, most notably, Chad was the recipient of the Jefferson Award for Public Service. Chad accepted this award in 2002 at the United States Supreme Court with other award recipients Rudolph Giuliani, Bill and Melinda Gates and Lilly Tartikoff. In 2013, he was named CNN's Hero of the Year. Chad is also the author of From the Bottom Up: One Man’s Crusade to Clean America’s Rivers.  Chad is the guest on this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast as we discuss what it takes to keep the inland rivers section of the Great Loop route free of trash and how Loopers can get involved.

From fire extinguishers to life rafts to personal locator beacons, distress and safety equipment is important for your Great Loop cruise. After presenting an enlightening seminar at our Spring Rendezvous, Jeremy McConnell of Northwest Creek Marina is our guest this week to talk about this important topic.  Northwest Creek Marina is an AGLCA sponsor, and Jeremy, a retired U.S. Coast Guard Master Chief, is the General Manager there. In his role in the Coast Guard, Jeremy managed and executed thousands of Search and Rescue operations. He'll tell us from his firsthand experience why having distress and safety equipment, and knowing how to use it, can make all the difference in the unlikely event that something goes wrong while your on the Great Loop.

Diane & Tim Vandersall earned their Gold Burgee and then decided to give back to the boating community and the waters they frequented while on the Loop. They've spent two months volunteering in some of Florida's beautiful state parks. While the work is sometimes strenuous, they've found it rewarding, and they earned free dockage during the period of their volunteer service!  Listen to this week's episode to learn more. 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.