Great Loop Radio Podcast

AGLCA members, Captains Ed & Sue Kelly, are two prairie-raised Iowans who sold everything, bought a boat, and sailed off into retirement.  Sounds familiar to many Great Loopers, but this couple's first Great Loop was not in North America.  It was the Great Loop of Europe!  Listen to learn about this fascinating 6,000 mile trip aboard their 40' catamaran.  

It's National Safe Boating Week and Rachel Johnson, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council, is our guest!  Rachel will share information on staying safe on the water, including tips on finding the right life jacket, the importance of safe boating courses, technology that can help keep you safe, and more!

On this week's episode of Great Loop Radio, Captains Chris and Alyse Caldwell share tips on what to consider when searching for your perfect boat. They'll teach you how to KNOW whether a boat is perfect for you, including tips on considerations for  budget, guests aboard, engine room access, boat handling, and more.  

On this week's episode of Great Loop Radio, Cindy Lewis of Sterling Associates gives tips on how to finance your dream boat.  Cindy was one of the most highly rated speakers at our recent Spring Rendezvous, and she'll cover everything from requirements for obtaining financing to tax benefits and consequences, plus much more.

This week's episode of Great Loop Radio features a discussion with Tom Van Benschoten of Waterside Marina in Norfolk.  The waterfront area of Norfolk has undergone a complete revitalization with the new Waterside District set to open.  The marina has also completed several improvements and more are planned.  Join us to learn more about this new not-to-be-missed destination for Loopers.

On this episode of Great Loop Radio, marine systems expert Steve D'Antonio tells us why we shouldn't go easy on our diesel engines and explains the damage that can happen when running at a light load for extended periods of time.

Join us on this week's Great Loop Radio podcast for a discussion on the Erie Canal and its bicentennial celebration.? Our guest is Steven Gosset of the New York Power Authority.  The NYPA assumed ownership of the NY State Canal Corporation, including the Erie Canal, earlier this year.

Join us as Jim Healy discusses AIS, what it is, and how to use it.  He'll also cover best practices for when to use (and not use) this technology.

Several recreational boating associations have come together to ensure that boaters' rights to anchor in Florida's public waterways are preserved.  The coalition has retained Jerry Paul of Capitol Access to lobby on our behalf.  Join us for this episode of Great Loop Radio as Jerry, along with Mike Bodin of the Marine Trawler Owners Association, gives us an update on the current status of the bill...

Join us for this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast with guests 10-year old Lucas Pronk and 7-year-old Marcos Pronk.  The boys will share details of their Great Loop adventure so far and talk about some of their highlights.  We'll also talk about a new program AGLCA is introducing to facilitate the sharing of information among special interest groups like families doing the Loop.

What color is your engine oil?  Join us as Captains Chris and Alyse Caldwell of Captain Chris Yacht Services tell us what to look for to determine if your fuel and oil are contaminated.  We'll include causes and cures for several common engine oil and transmission fluid problems.

Loopers will be heading up the Atlantic Intracoastal soon as they migrate north.  Join us as Brad Pickel, Director of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, gives us current information on the status of the Waterway after Hurricane Matthew and how changes in Washington will effect the waterway.

This week's Great Loop Radio podcast will provide a status update on the Dismal Swamp Canal which is currently closed due to damage sustained during Hurricane Matthew.  Our guest is Donna Stewart, the Director of the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center. 

There's been a popular discussion about dinghies in this forum? recently, so we thought it would be nice to cover that topic on our Great Loop Radio podcast this week.  Capts. Chris & Alyse Caldwell of Captain Chris Yacht Services will join us to discuss types of dinghies, outboard engines, required safety equipment, and where to stow your dinghy.

Kim Russo and Janice Kromer discuss the additional features and benefits AGLCA released in 2016 and share information on what we're working on for 2017.  Listen to learn more about the Association's new developments for both members and non-members.

This episode of Great Loop Radio gives details on the upcoming "Looper-palooza" events in Fort Myers, Florida.  Our guest this week is Robert Creech who is presenting at two of the three tracks during the event, and attending the third as a participant.  Join us for details on this event happening January 20-21, 2017.  More information is available at www.greatloop.org.

Our guests on this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast are AGLCA members Kate Payne & Tom DeBacco. Tom & Kate are not your average Loopers.  Listen to hear how these 30-somethings were able to leave life behind for a year while they take on the Great Loop.

On this week's Great Loop Radio podcast we'll be discussing engine room fire suppression systems with AGLCA members Blair Bugher and Curt Corda.  Blair will talk about some of the features and techincal information about these systems, and Curt will share his personal experiences with an engine room fire.

Are you confident in your maintenance skills? Do it yourself Maintenance aboard your boat can make the difference between cruising or waiting for the repairs to be completed while you are stuck at the dock. Captains Chris and Alyse Caldwell of Captain Chris Yacht Services share details about the systems you have aboard your boat and teach you which ones you can maintain yourself. This episode of G...

If you have the Great Loop on your bucket list but you or your mate need some help getting started then listen as Captains Chris and Alyse Caldwell of Captain Chris Yacht Services talk about cruising FUNdamentals! This episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast will open your eyes to the life of a Looper and all the essentials you and your crew should master before you leave the dock.

Join us as one of our Gold Loopers, Tom Ray, shares details of his most recent boating adventure, a cruise down the Lower Mississippi River. Tom talks about what it's like to be a pleasure craft on this area of the river system that many Loopers avoid. Spoiler Alert: It was an enjoyable trip!  Tom found a lot of typical Looper fears about the Lower Mississippi to be unfounded.

Listen to hear details about the 2017 Spring Rendezvous and its new home, New Bern, NC! My guest is Millissa True with New Bern Grand Marina and Yacht Club.  We'll discuss the marina, the hotel/meeting space, and details of what there is to see and do during your visit to New Bern.

The topic for this week's Great Loop Radio podcast is "Crossing the Gulf Without Drama".  Listen as Eddy Johnsen provides some of the information from his 90 minute seminar and shares details about his daily Weather WAG. 

Join us for information on the status of marinas, atons, and other marine infrastructure along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.  Our guest is Ed Tillett of Waterway Guide.  Waterway Guide has been collecting and verifying information on the storm's impact and providing regular updates for the boating community

We hope all of our Loopers and other listeners in the path of Hurricane Matthew are taking precautions and preparing their boats for the storm.  Listen now as Captains Chris & Alyse Caldwell of Captain Chris Yacht Services give advice on making your boat storm-ready.  You're bound to hear some tips you hadn't considered.