Great Loop Radio Podcast

Robert Rice with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary joins us this week to talk about the Basic Rules of the Road. This is must-know information before starting the Great Loop. Whether you're a new boater or ready for a refresher, don't miss this episode. Want to learn more about the Great Loop? How about building camaraderie with others who have done the whole route so you can find out what it's actuall...

AGLCA's Director, Kim Russo, shares one of her favorite areas on the Great Loop, the Thousand Island. This area along the St Lawrence River near where it meets Lake Ontario straddles the U.S./Canada border and includes scenic cruising, quaint towns, and castles you can tour. Here are some additional resources about the Thousand Islands: Great Loop LIfestyle Video on the Thousand Islands: https://y...

With Hurricane Season upon us, we brought in John Fitzgerald, President and CEO of Saunders Yachtworks, to share what you should do now to be ready in case a storm heads your way. We'll talk about options like hauling out, moving to a safer location on the water, what to remove from a boat that is in the path of a storm, and more.

AGLCA Director, Kim Russo, shares why the Hudson River was one of her favorite parts of the Great Loop. She'll share suggested stops and things to see and do along this 150-mile stretch that takes you from New York City to the start of the Erie Canal. Want to learn more about the Great Loop? How about building camaraderie with others who have done the whole route so you can find out what it's actu...

Chris & Roger share the story of their Great Loop adventure aboard their Mainship 400 including details about the boat and why it was the perfect Great Loop boat for them. They'll also share how they went from being new to boating to being comfortable and competent handling their boat and what they think are the highlights of cruising the Great Loop. America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association...

Are you (or your partner) reluctant to jump aboard for the Great Loop? This episode of our podcast offers advice for those who may not share their partner's enthusiasm about the Great Loop.  Jacque Bentley and Claudia Fuller are our guests, and they give their best suggestions on how to address some of the fears or apprehensions some have about cruising the Great Loop. The Great Loop is the boatin...

What's the best boat for YOUR Loop?  Brent Bowlin and Michael Martin of Great Loop Yacht Sales share some things all Loopers should consider when buying their Great Loop boat and talk about some of the more popular makes and models. They also talk about specific makes and models for different non-negotiable needs, like those cruising with a family, those cruising solo, those on a budget, and more.

Curious about the best way to stay connected on the Loop? This week, Ben Stein of Panbo.com join us to talk about Starlink. He'll share which service plans and which hardware options are applicable for Loopers. We'll also cover Starlink's recent changes and what could be down the road as the service continues to evolve.

Randy and Cathy share the story of their Great Loop adventure aboard their 58' West Bay Sonship including why they chose their boat, how they carry a motorcycle aboard, and how having it flagged in Honduras affected their Great Loop. 

At the request of one of our listeners, this week's episode talks about what a "standard" day is like on the Loop, what makes a great day, and what makes a stressful day.  Michael Martin is our guest and the two of us tackle this topic by sharing experiences on our own Loop. We'll also update you on the status of my planned wake crossing.

Most Loopers will encounter more than 100 locks on their Great Loop adventure. On this episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Kim Russo shares some tips she learned along the way on how to handle all those locks.

Wendy & Hal share the story of their Great Loop adventure aboard their Grand Banks 42 Classic, Patriot. They'll tell why they chose the Grand Banks, what they did to prepare for the trip, their cruising preferences like how many miles they traveled per day and at what speed, and offer their best advice to future Loopers. America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association offers information and inspira...

Join us as platinum Looper, Herb Seaton, shares information on Looping solo.  Herb is in the midst of his 3rd trip around the Great Loop solo.  He'll share some of the things he's learned along the way that make locking and docking without crew aboard easier.

On this week's episode, Nate Gilman of MM-SEAS talks about the requirements for obtaining a captain's license and helps you avoid some of the pitfalls in the application process. He'll also share how having one can benefit Loopers.

Stan & Dana share the story of their Great Loop adventure aboard their MJM 40z. They discuss details about the boat and what made it ideal for them. They also talk about why they decided to do the Loop, their cruising preferences, and the best parts of the trip.

Have you ever wondered when and why AGLCA was founded?  How has it changed over the years? What's next for AGLCA?  By listener request, your Home Port Crew tells you all about AGLCA on this week's podcast.

Cindy Lewis of Sterling Associates brings us up to date on the details of financing your Great Loop boat in 2023. Our discussion includes information on how the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes are affecting boat loans, what requirements the banks have, and what you can expect for loan terms.

The AGLCA Home Port Crew takes on the topic of security aboard with a discussion on how to keep your vessel, your belongings, and the people aboard secure while Looping.  

Our "Story of our Loop" series continues with Craig and Niki telling us about their Great Loop aboard their 42' Nordic Tug, "Joy Girl".

For newer boaters, obtaining insurance coverage for a Great Loop boat has been a challenge for the past few years. Jon Horton of Jack Martin & Associates joins us this week to share what he expects from the marine insurance marketplace in 2023.

The past few years have presented challenges to new Loopers looking to buy their perfect Great Loop boat. Will those challenges continue in 2023? Join us on this week's podcast as Curtis Stokes of Curtis Stokes & Associates shares his insight on what to expect in 2023.

Captain Alyse Caldwell of Ask Captain Chris joins us this week to share details on celebrating the holidays aboard your boat. We'll discuss how to adapt your holiday traditions from your "dirt life" to life aboard, decorating tips, ideas for gift giving, and how to spearhead a group gathering to celebrate with other boaters.  

Thinking about purchasing a dinghy for your Great Loop?  Dustin Kidd of Bourbon City Yacht Tenders, who also happens to be a Gold Looper, is our guest this week to talk about things you should consider when purchasing a new tender.

Jake Krancic did the Loop aboard a 32' sailboat. When his wife wasn't interested in joining him, he took on crew and did some of the Loop solo.  What it's like to Loop aboard a sailboat with a small diesel engine at an average speed of less than 5 mph? Listen to find out!

For some couples, one's desire to do the Great Loop and the other's reluctance can lead to an impasse. Hube & Chris came up with a solution. Chris did the parts she wanted and Hube took aboard crew for the other legs. They'll share the details and logistics of finding 11 different crew members and getting them to and from the boat so Hube could fulfill his goal of completing America's Great Lo...