Great Loop Radio Podcast

Thank you to Jack Martin & Associates for their AGLCA sponsorship! Here's how to reach Jon Horton: Email: jon.horton@jackmartin.com Phone: O  410-626-1000 |  M 443-336-6838 

Thank you to Great Loop Yacht Sales for their AGLCA sponsorship! You can reach them at: Website: https://www.greatloopyachtsales.com/ Tel: 855-826-4597 Email: info@greatloopyachtsales.com

Blue Tortuga Fitness Some of these exercises may seem simplistic, maybe even easy.  However, when done consistently over time they will indeed produce results.  If you have questions feel free to contact me at bluetortugafitness@gmail.com. Everyone should be cleared by their medical practitioner to begin or sustain an exercise program. Sample Exercises: -Quarter Pickups: https://youtu.be/jWBFIBYo7...

AGLCA Upcoming Events: https://www.greatloop.org/ems-event-calendar.html Add your boat name to the Fleet of 2026 T-Shirt: https://www.greatloop.org/2026-fleet-shirts.html Order your Fleet of 2026 T-Shirts: https://www.greatloop.com/ Contribute to our Advocacy Fund: https://www.greatloop.com/product-page/advocacy-fund-contribution Nominate someone for Harbor Host of the Year: https://www.greatloop....

What does it really take to turn a true fixer-upper into a Great Loop-worthy cruiser? When Mike Smith discovered the boat that would carry him around America’s Great Loop, it had spent a decade as a dock queen—and didn’t even run. But with determination, creativity, and a whole lot of help from friends, Mike brought her back to life and transformed her into a sound, safe, and comfortable home for...

New anchoring regulations are coming to Florida—and they could change the way Loopers plan their cruise, especially around Biscayne Bay. On this episode, we break down what’s changing, why it matters, and what you need to know before you drop the hook. Tune in to get clear, practical guidance so you can cruise Florida with confidence. Want to learn more about the Great Loop? How about building cam...

Blue Mind, Bold Heart on Amazon

Solo female Loopers are still rare, but Michele proves it can be done — and done with confidence and grace. This week, she joins us to share the story of her Great Loop completing aboard her 31' Camano Trawler. You’ll be inspired by Michele’s adventurous spirit, practical approach, and refreshingly matter-of-fact attitude toward single-handing one of the greatest boating adventures there is. Don’t...

Included AGLCA Sponsors: Timeless Yacht: https://www.timelessyacht.com/ Trawlers Great Lakes: https://trawlersgreatlakes.com/ LeBoat: https://www.leboat.com/boating-vacations/canada

This week’s guests, Mark and Cinda Boomershine, didn’t just cruise the Great Loop—they brought their two kids along and turned the entire adventure into a hit YouTube series. Join us as they share their family’s unforgettable journey aboard SeaShine, their 56' Ocean Alexander. You’ll hear how they made the boat their own, the highs and challenges of Looping as a family, and what they learned from...

AGLCA is all about Loopers helping Loopers—and YOU Make the Call is a perfect example of that spirit in action. Each fall/winter, this daily post helps Loopers determine when conditions are right for their Gulf crossing. In this episode, Tsali Bentley joins us to explain what goes into each YOU Make the Call update, where you can find it, and why he’s so dedicated to volunteering to provide this i...

This week on the podcast, we continue our “Story of Our Loop” series with a special father-son edition! Richard and Jacob recently completed the Great Loop together, and they’re joining us to share their incredible journey. Hear how they chose their boat, the highlights of their adventure, and what they gained—both individually and as a family—by taking on the Loop side by side. The Great Loop is...

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...