Great Loop Radio Podcast

Great Loop etiquette goes beyond what happens on the water! In Part 2 of our conversation about boating etiquette, AGLCA welcomes back Platinum Loopers Jacque and Tsali Bentley to discuss the unwritten rules and everyday courtesies that make cruising more enjoyable for everyone. From Docktails and boat cards to marina manners, dinghy storage, and traveling with pets, we cover the little things tha...

Good etiquette can make everyone’s time on the water safer and more enjoyable, but some of the courtesies that come with cruising aren’t always obvious to newer boaters. In Part 1 of this two-part series, returning guests and Platinum Loopers Jacque and Tsali Bentley join us to talk about the unwritten rules and common courtesies Loopers encounter along the way. Drawing on their extensive experien...

What does it really take to replace a boat’s generator with lithium batteries, and can you cruise the Great Loop without relying on a generator? On this episode of Great Loop Radio, we’re joined by current Looper and AGLCA Admiral Sponsor Cathy Aull, who shares a how the failure of the generator aboard Aspasia, her Meridian 341, led her to rethink the boat’s entire power system. Rather than replac...

In this episode of Great Loop Radio, Gold Loopers Ken and Cheryl Pfeiffer share the story of completing America’s Great Loop aboard their custom trawler. They discuss how their boating journey began, what led them to choose and customize their boat, and how they prepared for an extended adventure on the water. Ken and Cheryl reflect on some of the memorable destinations, experiences, and relations...

In this episode of Great Loop Radio, we’re diving into Looper Loot, AGLCA’s new loyalty points program designed to reward members for getting involved with the Association and the Great Loop community. We’ll explain how Looper Loot works, some of the ways you can earn points, where to find and track your points, and how you can redeem them for rewards. Whether you’ve already started collecting poi...

Cruising the inland rivers in 2026 will require some extra planning. In this episode of Great Loop Radio, the Home Port Crew breaks down several closures and service changes that could affect Loopers traveling through the region. We cover the closure at Brandon Road Lock and Dam, the Barkley Lock closure and the alternate route through Kentucky Lock, the loss of recreational vessel service from Lo...

Gold Loopers Bob and Cheryl Gilmore share the story of their Great Loop aboard Silver Lining, a Beneteau Swift Trawler 34. With their boating experience previously limited to a freshwater lake, they explain how they prepared for the journey, chose the right boat, and built the skills they needed along the way.   They share their Loop “by the numbers," along with a candid look at their total e...

Cruising through downtown Chicago is one of the most memorable experiences on the Great Loop! In this episode of Great Loop Radio, Mark Stevens, General Manager of Navy Pier Marina, joins us to share everything Loopers need to know about visiting the Windy City by boat.  We cover bridge clearance requirements for navigating the Chicago River, where to tie up, possible anchorages, and other importa...

Jacque and Tsali Bentley are back for Part 2 of our Great Debates on route choices! This time, we’re tackling more of the decisions Loopers face along the way—from how to cross the Gulf and which side of Lake Michigan to cruise, to navigating New York City and making time for unforgettable experiences like swimming with the manatees. Jacque and Tsali share their experiences and perspectives on eac...

There are several route choices you'll need to make on your Great Loop... and the perfect choice depends completely on you and your cruising preferences. In Part 1 of this point/counterpoint episode of Great Loop Radio, Kim Russo is joined by Tsali and Jacque Bentley to discuss some of the biggest route decisions Loopers face. Should you take the Virginia Cut or cruise through the Dismal Swamp? St...

Jenny's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSaltySideEye

In this episode of Great Loop Radio, the Home Port Crew shares everything you need to know about AGLCA's upcoming events and how to make the most of your membership. We cover details on the Fall Rendezvous, including what attendees can expect, who should attend, and why these gatherings are such a valuable part of the Great Loop community. We also introduce AGLCA's first Great Loop Discovery Semin...

Many experienced Loopers consider Georgian Bay to be one of the finest freshwater cruising grounds in the world—and once you've been there, it's easy to understand why. In this episode of Great Loop Radio, AGLCA member and longtime Georgian Bay cruiser Dale Anderson joins us to share what makes this remarkable region so special. From picturesque waterfront towns and unforgettable anchorages to stu...

What's the "right" boat for the Great Loop? Ask ten Loopers, and you'll probably get ten different answers. In this point/counterpoint episode of Great Loop Radio, Kim Russo is joined by Tsali and Jacque Bentley for a lively discussion of some of the most enduring debates in Great Loop boat selection. Is a single engine the smarter choice, or are twins worth the added complexity? Is a flybridge en...

If you're considering a side trip on the Rideau Canal during your Great Loop, this episode will help you decide if it's the right adventure for you—and show you how to make the most of it. Gold Looper and AGLCA Mentor Bill Ogilvie joins us to share his extensive knowledge of his home waters, one of the most scenic and historic inland waterways in North America. Bill explains where the Rideau Canal...

Article about Peter in the Shelter Island Reporter newspaper.: https://shelterislandreporter.timesreview.com/2026/06/01/a-years-voyage-with-help-from-his-friends/

Links to more details about the member benefits discussed: Member Directory: https://www.greatloop.org/interact/member-listing.html Harbor Guides: https://www.greatloop.org/great-loop-information/resource-library-search.html?sortBy=recent&information_type=harbor-guide GPX Files: https://www.greatloop.org/great-loop-route/great-loop-segments.html Sponsor Offers: https://www.greatloop.org/great-loop...

Planning to cruise into Canada during your Great Loop adventure? In this episode of Great Loop Radio, Home Port Crew members Karen Nettles and Kim Russo walk through the process of entering Canada by boat, helping Loopers understand what to expect before they cross the border. From when and how to check in with Canadian authorities to the documents you'll need onboard, Karen and Kim break down the...

In this installment of our “Story of Our Loop” series, we chat with Doug & Melissa about their Great Loop adventure aboard their Gemini 105MC catamaran. Cruising at about 4.5 knots, they completed the Loop in just over a year, proving that there’s no “right” speed or schedule for America’s Great Loop. Doug & Melissa share what life was like aboard a smaller catamaran with both a dog and a cat alon...

Happy at Law Document Services Inc. AGLCA Lieutenant Sponsor 131 Palm TRL, East Palatka, FL, 32131, United States hello@happyatlaw.com https://happyatlaw.com 386-385-3066

AGLCA's Interactive Map: https://www.greatloop.org/great-loop-route/great-loop-interactive-map.html

The resource Alan & Eleanor mention for the paperwork involved in buying a yacht is: All Yacht Documentation AGLCA Lieutenant Sponsor 26406 NW County Road 239, Alachua, FL, 32615-3330, United States connie@allyachtdoc.com http://www.allyachtdocumentation.com 3864621144

Looking for ways to make your Great Loop adventure more affordable without sacrificing the experience? In this episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew shares practical, real-world tips to help you stretch your cruising budget. From smart fuel strategies to creative approaches for reducing dockage costs, this episode is packed with ideas you can put to use right away. The crew a...

Electrified Marina AGLCA Lieutenant Sponsor 1305 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA, 23508, United States info@electrifiedmarina.com https://www.electrifiedmarina.com 757-206-2899

In this episode of Great Loop Radio, we’re joined by Terri and John D’Onofrio—Loopers who decided early on that their adventure wouldn’t be limited to the “standard” route. While still on their Great Loop journey, they’ve already added an incredible 4,000 miles by saying yes to side trips that many dream about but few actually take. From cruising the iconic waters of Long Island Sound to exploring...