Information On Cruising The Great Loop

Debbie and Capt. Steve Russell tell the tales of their Great Loop and other cruising adventures aboard their power catamaran, Gypsies Palace.

On this week’s episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we continue our series on “How I Found My Great Loop Boat”.  Pete & Cheri Washburn join us to share how they found and purchased their 2006 Cruiser Yacht 415, and why they chose this boat over some of the others they considered, including a Beneteau Swift Trawler and Mainship 400.

Gold Loopers Phil & Lynne Rains share the tales of their Great Loop adventure in this bonus episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast.  Fins is a Mainship 400.

On this week’s episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Captain Karl Weber of At the Helm gives us tips on dealing with tides, including helpful hints for docking, anchoring, and timing your cruising.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio Podcast, join us for the Part 2 of the recorded Open Q&A session from the recent Virtual Spring Rendezvous. A panel of Gold Loopers--including Kay & Robert Creech, Claudia & Dave Fuller, and Laura & Ben Stein--takes questions from attendees on all things related to the Great Loop!

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio Podcast, join us for the first half of the recorded Open Q&A session from the recent Virtual Spring Rendezvous. A panel of Gold Loopers--including Kay & Robert Creech, Claudia & Dave Fuller, and Laura & Ben Stein--takes questions from attendees on all things related to the Great Loop!  

Karen & Ken Stark completed the Great Loop in 2018 aboard their Bayliner 3888, Island Girl.  They're now in the midst of their second Loop, and they share the tales of their Great Loop Adventure on this bonus DockTales episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we bring you the second installment in our special series on finding a boat for the Great Loop. Gold Loopers Bill and Bobbie tell about how they selected their perfect Great Loop boat, a Mainship 400 they named "First Forty", including how they determined what features they wanted, how they went about purchasing it, and how they sold it after the Loop.

In this bonus episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Bill & Mindy Ryan aboard the MV Harken! Share the tales of their Great Loop adventure.  Bill and Mindy crossed their wake last week.

On this week’s episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we’re talking all about the pre-purchase boat survey.  Our guest is Bill Trenkle, the President of the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors.  Bill takes us through the ins-and-outs of the survey, including how to hire a surveyor, what to expect on survey day, and what should be included in the survey report.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we're releasing the audio from the "Best of the Loop" seminar presented during the AGLCA Spring Rendezvous.  You'll hear about some of the Great Loop stats, the waterways that encompass the Great Loop route, and the "Best of the Loop" as rated by our members in categories like big cities, small towns, restaurants, historic sites, lighthouses, locks, and more.

Amy and David Deutl share the stories of their Great Loop adventure, including details on the challenges they faced, their thoughts on anchoring, details about their Looping boat and their new boat, and the social aspects of the trip.

On this week’s episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we launch a new monthly series on “How I Found My Great Loop Boat”.  We’ll talk to members about how they searched for, found, and purchased their Great Loop vessel.  First up are Mark & Catherine Aboard “What’s Next”, a 42 Regal Fly.  

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we bring you part 2 of our mini series on different ways to try out the Looper Lifestyle before buying a boat and committing to cruising the Great Loop.  On this episode, we talk to two AGLCA sponsors to find out how they can help you "try before you buy".  First up is Jay Kraft from Trawlers Great Lakes who will share information on what to expect when chartering a boat.  Second, we'll talk to Karen & Scott DeVoll of Capable Cruising about how you can get a "Taste of the Loop" before going all-in.  

Harlan and Sarah Vince tell the tales of their Great Loop adventure aboard "In-Vince-ible", a 28' Sea Ray.

This week, we start a two-week series on how to gain experience aboard and how to get your feet wet on the Loop before buying your own boat.  This week’s episode is all about crew aboard.  We’ll start with member Paul Goss, an experienced sailor who has taken on crew throughout his sailing career.  He’ll talk about his current need for crew for the Great Loop, what makes someone a good crew member, and how the arrangement typically works.  Then we’ll bring in Susan Pellett.  Susan is a Gold Looper who started out aboard her own boat but finished the Loop as crew and co-captain aboard boats owned by other Loopers. Susan will tell her story and share details about what it’s like to crew for someone else.

Gold Loopers Ken & Celeste Freeman share stories of their Great Loop adventure on this bonus episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast.  Ken & Celeste looped aboard a 1970 Hatteras and discuss details about the boat, their Looping timeframe and more.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we focus on the AGLCA Harbor Host program. Learn about this network of volunteers who will provide local knowledge as you cruise your way around the Great Loop, including how to find them, what types of services they provide, and how to become one. We'll also have a conversation with Beth Tyler. Beth and her husband, Rip, are our newly selected recipients of the True North Harbor Host of the Year Award.

Join us as Greg and Susan Costa aboard "Lucky Me" tell the tales of their Great Loop adventure, including information about the charitable giving they did along the way and their e-Books about the Bahamas and Ladies on the Loop.

On this week’s episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Bob Malkin joins us to walk us through the process of daily cruise planning on the Great Loop.  He’ll teach us how to plan for each travel day the evening before, including what information to gather, what factors to consider, and how to prepare for a stress-free day of cruising.