Information On Cruising The Great Loop

This week's Great Loop Radio podcast is a rebroadcast of one of the most popular episodes of 2015.  Bud Lloyd, Cruising Editor for Waterway Guide's Southern Edition, will tell us what we need to know to successfully navigate the waterways of South Florida. Loopers will soon be heading north, and Bud will guide us through the two routes they're taking to Stuart, Florida: Lake Okeechobee and the ICW in southern Florida.

Join us as member John Martin provides a lesson on anchoring including basic gear like types of anchors and rode, techniques, and tips.

Find out what's planned for our annual Spring Rendezvous happening May 2 - 5, 2016 at the Sheraton Norfolk and the adjacent Waterside Marina.

On this episode of Great Loop Radio, we’ll be talking about the Florida Sea Grant organization and the progress they’ve made on removing derelict vessels as a result of a public/private partnership.  Our guest will be Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent, Bill Mahan.

This week's Great Loop Radio podcast features member Dave Skolnick discussing changes in aids to navigation.  Dave has a degree in naval architecture and marine engineering from Webb Institute and has worked in support of military and civil long and short range communications, electronics, and navigation.

Join us for this week's podcast as Ed Tillett, Editor-in-Chief of Waterway Guides, shares details about how Americans can visit Cuba aboard their own vessels.  With timely information from the publication earlier this month of "Cuba Bound – The North Coast: Ports of Entry and Anchorages", Ed will discuss ports of entry, what to see and do when going ashore, and how to find information about current regulations for Americans wishing to travel to Cuba. 

Chuck Baier, author of the popular "Great Book of Anchorages..." series and the Trawler Beach House Blog (http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com/) will be our guest.  Chuck will share information on the current status of regulations for going to Cuba by boat, including who can go, what to expect when "checking in" upon arrival by boat, what you can bring back, what facilities are available, and more.

Captains Chris & Alyse Caldwell of Captain Chris Yacht Services join us to share information on cruising to the Bahamas as a side trip to the Great Loop.

Join us as Platinum Loopers and authors Patricia and George Hospodar tell us about the Florida Keys.  You'll learn what to see, where to go, and what to do while spending the winter aboard your boat in paradise!

Chuck Baier is our guest. He will be talking about what you need to know if you are cruising from Florida to the Bahamas as part of your Great Loop cruise.

Season's Greetings!  Listen as your fellow Looper call in to share their favorite memories of holidays aboard!

This week's episode will feature Harbor Host Kitty Nicolai and Coast Guard Auxiliary Coxswain Carol Irvin telling what to expect while cruising in and around Fort Myers. 

Planning to leave your boat and head for land for the holidays?  This week's guest, Jim Healy, will share his checklist for leaving your boat.  Get the information you need to prepare your boat before you leave it.

Happy Thanksgiving!  While our staff enjoys some time with their families, we're replaying an episode from this time last year on what to see and do while cruising Florida's panhandle.  We thought this might be helpful to Loopers out there who are waiting in that area for a suitable weather window to cross the Gulf.  Enjoy!

America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association will transition to a new platform for our website and Members' Discussion Forum on Monday, November 23, 2015.  Listen for important information for Members on accessing the new site and how to use its features.

As Loopers finish their Gulf Crossing, they're landing in Tarpon springs.  Listen as Harbor Host Herb Seaton tells us what to see and do when visiting Tarpon Springs by boat.  Join us as we learn more about this unique town along the Great Loop.

Join us as Bob Schwarz of Dog River Marina guides us from the end of the Tenn-Tom waterway at Demopolis to Mobile Bay.  Bob shares suggestions on marinas where Loopers can tie up for the night or have repairs made and what there is to see and do in Mobile.

Join us as Eddy Johnsen shares details of his daily Weather Wag reports that help Loopers choose a suitable weather window for crossing the Gulf of Mexico.  He'll give information on why, and how, he analyzes weather sources each morning and determines whether his recommendation for the day is to "go" or "stay put".

This week's guest is Phil Werndli of the Concerned Cruisers Committee of the Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA).  We'll be discussing the new "Boaters Heritage Freedom Political Action Committee" recently formed by SSCA, AGLCA, and the Marine Trawler Owners' Association to help with advocacy efforts undertaken on behalf of our Members.  Listen now to learn more, or contribute to the PAC by mailing a check to: Boaters Heritage Freedom PAC c/o PAC Financial Management 8489 Cabin Hill Road Tallahassee, FL  32311

This week, AGLCA Member Services Coordinator Janice Kromer and Director Kim Russo discuss details of two new tools released to the GreatLoop.org website to help our Members plan their Great Loop adventure.  Our Loop Cost Calculator helps estimate the financial investment needed to do the Great Loop based on your boat and cruising preferences.  And our Great Loop Interactive Map lets you zoom in on any area of the route, find Sponsors, events, Harbor Hosts, and more.  Join us live to hear the details and call in with any questions you have.