Great Loop Radio Podcast

USCG Navigation Rules – this is the official source.  https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/navigation-rules-amalgamated   Quick Reference guide to the NavRules.  https://www.whoi.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Abbreviated-Guide-To-Navigation-Rules-of-the-Road.pdf

This week's episode is all about marinas. Based on listener suggestions, the Home Port Crew shares insight on how to select marinas when cruising the Great Loop, how and when to make marina reservations, and how to find long term slips or storage for your boat before, during, or after the Great Loop. The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in thei...

There is an error in this episode. We discuss the Ohio River being the only inland river where Loopers going counter-clockwise (the more tyical direction) are upbound. That is incorrect.  Loopers are also upbound on the Cumberland River (if they take that route) and the Tennessee River.  Our apologies for the error.

Resources USCG Navigation Rules – this is the official source.  https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/navigation-rules-amalgamated Quick Reference guide to the NavRules.  https://www.whoi.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Abbreviated-Guide-To-Navigation-Rules-of-the-Road.pdf

There's been a lot of talk lately about Looping in record time, but how about completing the Loop over almost 13 years? And, what if you could compare a trawler, a powercat, and a motor yacht as liveaboard Looping boats? Bruce & Hilary recently completed the Great Loop after more than 12 years, and over that time, they did Loop segments aboard a Silverton, an Endeavor catamaran, and a Mainship. Th...

As Loopers prepare to head down the inland rivers, the Great Loop Radio podcast this week covers the part of the Great Loop route from Chicago, IL to Paducah, KY. This route section includes the Illinois Waterway, Mississippi River, and Ohio River. Wes and Amy Litsey join us to share the details. If you’re looking for more, AGLCA members can check out the article about this part of the route in th...

Lithium batteries are a hot topic! Every time the idea of converting your boat from lead acid to lithium batteries comes up on the Great Loop forum or Facebook group, controversy ensues. Are lithium batteries safe for Looping boats? Will you realize a return on your investment if you upgrade to lithium? This week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast covers lithium batteries. Gold Looper Mike...

Chances are you've heard about 71-year-old Robert Youens who recently completed the Great Loop on his jon boat, Ageless Wanderer, in just over 19 days. On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Robert joins us to share the story of his adventure. We'll talk about why he decided to try to break a Great Loop speed record and how his journey was similar in many ways to more "traditional...

More and more people are working aboard while doing the Great Loop. Why wait until retirement to cruise the Great Loop if you can do your job remotely? This week's episode features Alison Major, author of "Remote Work Afloat". Alison is a Gold Looper and founder of Loop Life Academy, an AGLCA sponsor. Join us as we discuss tips for setting yourself up for success when transition to working aboard....

What do you do after you've finished the Loop? Post-Loop blues is a real thing! For Rev & Sam, they turned Life After the Loop into a business where they help others fulfill their Great Loop dreams, and they also continue boating in new and different settings. Listen this week as we catch up with Rev & Sam and hear all about their Life After the Loop. Often described as the adventure of a lifetime...

Episode resources: USCG Navigation Rules – this is the official source: https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/navigation-rules-amalgamated Quick Reference guide to the NavRules: https://www.whoi.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Abbreviated-Guide-To-Navigation-Rules-of-the-Road.pdf

Join us as Eric Martin, our current Harbor Host of the Year and Manager at Donovan's Shady Harbor, provides tips on what to expect when needing work done at a boatyard while on the Great Loop. Eric will include suggestions on what parts to carry with you, how to go about planning for scheduled maintenance, and what to do when you need unexpected or emergency repairs.

We continue our Story of Our Loop series this week with our guests, Mike & Darlene. They did the Loop in a non-traditional way by traveling home every other weekend. They'll share how they made the frequent trips home work, how they arranged travel, and how their way of Looping may have changed their overall experience. Mike & Darlene provide inspiration for those who may need to travel home frequ...

Details about our sponsor program: https://www.greatloop.org/sponsors Refer a sponsor: sponsors@greatloop.org or submit a form here

Our popular "Story of our Loop" series returns this week as we feature Malcom & Rachel from "Stay Cool", a Mainship 390 that completed the Great Loop in 2023. Malcolm and Rachel share why their chose their boat, the details of their adventure, how they stayed in compliance with regualtions as Canadians traveling for an extended period time in the U.S. and advice for future Loopers. You can learn m...

Local Notice to Mariners are something that should be in every Looper's toolbox. Checking these reports can give insight into the local issues you may encounter on each movement of your boat on the Great Loop. Robert Rice joins us once again this week to discuss where to find Local Notice to Mariners and how you can use them to be more prepared for the Great Loop. RESOURCES MENTION IN THE EPISODE:...

Resources Here are a couple of articles from BoatUS on this problem  Testing Crew Overboard Maneuvers - https://www.boatus.org/findings/41 Getting that person back aboard is harder than you think. - https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2012/october/man-overboard-rescue-for-powerboats MOB tips - https://www.boatus.org/crew-overboard/tips LifeSling https://www.ussailing.org/wp-...

With the Erie Canal undergoing repairs between Locks E16 and E17, that route is not yet open to Loopers needing to transit the area to continue the Great Loop route. The Lake Champlain route option is a popular choice in most years, but even more Loopers are considering it this year instead of waiting for the Erie Canal to fully open. This week, AGLCA member Bill Ogilvie joins us to discuss this r...

AGLCA members can download the handout discussed. It is available in our Resource Library on the www. GreatLoop.org website.

Update on the New York Canals! Join us as Shane Mahar, Director of Public Engagement – Canals at the New York Power Authority & New York State Canal Corporation, discusses the status of the Canals, and the delayed opening of most sections, on what was expected to be opening day system-wide. We'll also discuss the Erie Canal's Bicentennial celebration happening this season. The Great Loop is a 6,00...

Learn more at about HB 481, why it's bad for boating, and how to get involved in our veto campaign: Website: https://boatersrightscoalition.org/veto Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoatersRightsCoalition The actual bill: https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/481/BillText/er/PDF Steps you can take now: Help us fund the effort: https://www.greatloop.com/product-page/advocacy-fund-contribution Ca...

If you enjoyed our episode a few weeks back on "Looper Lore", then you'll appreciate this episode as we bust some Great Loop myths. Kim & Ted from Pony are our guests as we explore some of those Looper sayings, or pieces of advice, that you might want to reconsider when planning and cruising your own Great Loop adventure. The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,...

How do you know how much boat you can afford? How can you be sure you'll have enough money left after the Loop for the rest of your retirement? And how can you make sure the money you've saved for the Loop goes as far as possible? Join us for this episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast as Cathy Aull, Certified Financial Planner with Edward Jones, discusses how to plan for the financial aspects of...

The Boaters' Rights Advocacy Coalition is a group of dedicated boaters associations representing more than 20,000 members committed to advocating for the rights of all active cruisers and boaters. Our mission is to ensure safe, equitable, and sustainable access to our public waterways.  Here's how you can help protect anchoring on Florida's waterways : Contribute to our Advocacy Fund . This fund h...

When Foster & Susan did the Great Loop, they decided not to follow the pack to the "usual" Looper stops. Instead, they asked 7 questions to locals around the Loop that helped them find the hidden gems, the waterways less traveled, and ultimately, make the Loop their own. Join us this week as Foster & Susan share their 7 questions that led them to the best food, drinks, places, and sights along the...