Information On Cruising The Great Loop

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we discuss some of the basic knowledge and skills needed to safely cruise the Great Loop.  If you've been watching our forum and social media discussions, you know that there are varying opinions on how much preparation should be done.  Some say "just do it" while others prefer extensive preparation, knowledge & skills.  We invited Gold Looper Dave Fuller to join us for this discussion.  Dave serves as the Deputy Director of Education for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at the national level.  His group is responsible for producing all public education content for the Auxiliary, so he is an ideal person to share his thoughts on this topic. This week's discussion is part 1.  The rest of the discussion will air on December 13th.

With the holidays upon us, it seems like a good time to talk about having guests join you for part of the Great Loop.  So, on this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Scott & Karen DeVoll of Capable Cruising give tips on how to prepare your guests for spending time with you aboard your boat.  

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we're joined by Mike Walsh, Chief, Lock and Dam Section, Illinois Waterway.  Mike will share lessons learned from the 2019 lock closures on the Illinois Waterway and give us an overview of the closures planned for 2020.  Listen to learn what to expect during the 2020 "Looping Season" on this inland river. The site Mike mentions during the podcast that lists closure dates is available here: https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/Navigation-Status/

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Cherie Ve Ard and Chris Dunphy share tips on how to do the Great Loop in small segments over a long period of time.  Listen to learn the benefits and potential drawbacks of this type of Great Loop plan.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Kim Russo and Karen Nettles from the Home Port Crew give all of the details of the upcoming Looper-palooza event.  Whether you're new to the idea of the Great Loop, you're cruising the Loop now, or you've completed the route, there's something at Looper-palooza for everyone!  Kim & Karen share all of the details of the agendas, what's included, and how to register.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Gold Looper Dave Fuller shares the details of his recent cruise of the Down East Loop.  TThe discussion covers information about the Down East Loop route including distances, weather concerns, favorite stops, and whale sightings!  Dave and fellow Down East Loopers Vicki and Mack McGahee have also shared their cruise plans for the Down East Loop.  AGLCA Members may download them by visiting the Document Library on our website (https://www.greatloop.org/content.aspx?page_id=86&club_id=574480)  and selecting the Down East Loop folder near the bottom of the file navigation on the left.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Curtis Stokes of Admiral Sponsor Curtis Stokes & Associates joins us to talk about a topic of recent interest on the GreatLoop.org members' forum -- what to expect for sales and use taxes when buying a boat and cruising the Great Loop.

It's been a tough year for the Tenn-Tom Waterway.  After historic spring floods that left the waterway closed for several weeks earlier this year, more than 100,000 gallons of crude oil spilled in one of the locks on the Tenn-Tom last month.  On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Mitch Mays, Administrator of The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority, updates us on the Tenn-Tom's recovery.  Spoiler-alert:  They're ready for Loopers to come through!

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Tom Hale tells us about different types of marine sanitation devices.  Tom also clears up misconceptions about No Discharge Zones (NDZs), what they are, and where they are located.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Captains Chris and Alyse Caldwell of Captain Chris Yacht Services share some timely advice and information on how to use whistle signals to communicate with other vessels on the waterways.  

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.