Information On Cruising The Great Loop

It's been a challenging season with locks on the inland rivers!  The work on Illinois Waterway locks that has run behind schedule has caused issues for Loopers, and the dates for full closure keep changing.  An oil spill on the Tenn Tom will keep the Whitten Lock closed for a few weeks.  This week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast gives you up-to-date information to avoid delays on the waterways.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we're covering a recent topic of discussion from our forum -- How to handle mail, drivers' licenses, vehicle registration, voting, and banking when you're a full time traveler without a "dirt" home address.  Our guest is Amber Hobert of AGLCA Sponsor, DakotaPost.  She'll share what you need to know to handle these things that are simple at home, but more challenging on the Loop.

We thought this would be a good time to share some storm-related information, so this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast is a re-broadcast of a previous episode. Captains Chris & Alyse Caldwell of Captain Chris Yacht Services  share how to prepare your boat for a storm.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Scott & Karen Devoll, Gold Loopers and owners of Capable Cruising, talk about various topics related to daily life on the Loop.  The discussion includes information on what clothing to bring, how to get in some exercise, the need for a dinghy, how to fill your prescriptions, and more.

AGLCA's 20th birthday celebration continues this week on the Great Loop Radio podcast with a conversation with former AGLCA Directors, Janice & Steve Kromer.  Janice & Steve talk about their roles in the organization, and how AGLCA has changed over the years.

Ron & Eva Stob, founders of AGLCA, are our guests on this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast.  Ron & Eva help us celebrate AGLCA's 20th anniversary by sharing the details of why and how they wrote their book, Honey, Let's Get a Boat!, and started America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association.  Join us as we reminisce about the early days of AGLCA and what it was like to do the Great Loop in 1994.  

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, our guest is Michael Walsh, Chief, Illinois Lock & Dam Section, Illinois Waterway Project.  Mike will fill us in on the current partial closures at Marseilles and Starved Rock locks, as well as the full closures happening in September/October of this year at Marseilles, Starved Rock, and Lockport.  We'll hear what acommodations are being made to lock through pleasure craft.  We'll also hear more information on the planned 2020 closures that will impede progress on the Great Loop for four months next year.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Graham Lacy of Wright's Marina in Britt, Ontario, joins us to talk about Georgian Bay, focusing specifically on the small craft channel from Britt to Killarney.  He'll update us on the status of the region after last year's devastating forest fires and share his favorite places to visit and best anchorages along the way.  

Dave Fuller is our guest on this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast. This is the time of year that many Loopers are cruising Georgian Bay and the North Channel.  As you wrap up the North Channel, Dave recommends taking a side trip to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario for a train tour to Agawa Canyon, and then heading to Lake Superior to visit Whitefish point.  Listen to learn why this is a unique and fascinating side trip to your Great Loop adventure!

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Chris Dunphy & Cherie Ve Ard, also known as "Technomadia", are our guests.  They'll be discussing the best options to ensure internet connectivity while Looping.

The tables are turned on this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast!  Kim Russo is interviewed by Mark Philpott in this re-broadcast of the Global Travel Channel's podcast.  Kim answers questions about the Great Loop route, Loop-capable boats, and the people who do the Loop each year.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Ed Tillett, Editor-in-Chief and General Manager of Waterway Guide Media, joins me to discuss Georgia's new anchoring law.  The law requires boaters to obtain permits to anchor, to keep a log of pump-outs, and to anchor only in areas approved by the Department of Natural Resources.  Listen for information on the law's provisions, the current implementation status, and how you can get involved in the commenting process.

This week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast is all about dogs!  Join us as Looper Janice Nagle shares tips on bringing your furry friends on your Great Loop Adventure.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we cover the dangers of electric shock drowning (ESD).  Our guest is Gold Looper & Waterway Guide Cruising Editor, Bob Kunath.  Bob will explain what ESD is and how to prevent it.  He'll also share his personal experience with ESD.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we'll provide a wrap-up of the recently ended legislative session in Florida.  Our guest is Jerry Paul of Capitol Access who lobbied on our behalf in Tallahassee.  Jerry will update us on the efforts to prevent additional anchorages from closing, and will share details of the boating-related bill that passed in the Legislature and will soon be presented to the Governor for signature.

On this episode of Great Loop Radio, Rick Bagnall, Senior Vice President at Gowrie Group, joins us to address the complex issue of health insurance while on the Loop.  Listen to find out more about how to ensure your medical needs are covered while you're cruising.  

Our guest on this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast is Mitch Mays, Administrator of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority.  Mitch will share details about the history of the Tenn Tom, and also talk about the recent unprecedented flooding and subsequent shoaling  the waterway has experienced.  He'll also tell us what Loopers can expect on the Tenn Tom this fall.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Jon Horton of Jack Martin & Associates joins us to share the insurance considerations you should keep in mind when preparing for the Great Loop.  Our discussion includes things that can cause your premiums to be higher, how to handle hurricane season, what level of boating experience you need, and more.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Curtis Stokes of Curtis Stokes & Associates joins us to talk about what to expect when you engage a buyer's broker.  Curtis will address the basics of the broker/buyer relationship and provide suggestions on how to know whether you're dealing with a reputable broker.  He'll also touch on the pros and cons of engaging a buyer's broker when getting ready to purchase a boat or yacht.    

On this week's episode of the Great Loop  Radio podcast, Chad Buchner returns as our guest.  Chad is the Manager of Canal Operations in Ontario for Parks Canada, and he'll share information about the discount being offered through March on season passes for the Trent, as well as what you can expect from cruising the Trent Severn in the upcoming season. Chad will also reference a link to a website during the podcast.  Here it is:  http://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/trent From there Loopers can begin to trip plan, purchase their permits and do the final countdown to a memorable trip to Ontario.