Great Loop Radio Podcast

The Boat U.S. Foundation was just awarded a large grant to help resolve the growing issue of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) on our waterways. Join us as Alanna Keating, the Foundation's Director of Outreach, gives the details of the grant including how it will help remove many derelict vessels and hopefully prevent the addition of more ADVs to our waterways. The Great Loop is the boating ad...

Mike & Lisa share the story of their Great Loop adventure aboard their 40' Sea Ray. Lisa started off as a reluctant spouse, but after attending an AGLCA Rendezvous, finding a boat, and getting some training from a captain, she became their primary boat handler for all close quarters maneuvering including docking and locking! Learn more about their adventure on this week's Great Loop Radio podc...

Robert Rice is back this week to talk about AIS for the Great Loop. He'll cover the different types of AIS, price points for some of the options, and why you should consider adding AIS for the Great Loop if your boat is not already equipped with this helpful technology. Want to learn more about the Great Loop? How about building camaraderie with others who have done the whole route so you can find...

The Upper Mississippi (from Port Charles to the Twin Cities) is a Great Loop side trip that may be considered "the road less traveled". Join us as Dick Heusinkveld shares the details of the side trip he and Louise took aboard their Endeavor Cat, Nine Lives, last summer. Dick joins us from the Ohio River which is this year's side trip to his Great Loop adventure. Learn why you might want...

Reviewing anchorages and marinas helps all boaters coming behind you and is also a great way to "pay it forward" for help you received along the way. Ted Stehle from Waterway Guide is our guest this week.  Ted shares how to post reviews on Waterway Guide and the process he goes through to vet all crowd sourced information received.  The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime....

The International Seakeepers Society joins us this week to tell us how Loopers can help with marine science research while Looping. They'll also share details on how Loopers can be more environmentally friendly (and save money!) with tips from their Green Guide to Boating. The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the...

Our "Story of our Loop" series continues with Lee & Bake. They share the story of their Great Loop adventure aboard their 42' Grand Banks. Former sailors, Lee & Bake Looped in segments over three years. They'll talk about why they opted for a power boat for their Loop, how they handled the logistics of returning home and leaving the boat behind at the end of each segment, and muc...

Cruising the Great Loop can be strenuous for the body and mind. Soon-to-be-Looper and live aboard fitness expert, Kevin Williams, joins us this week to discuss how to stay (or get) fit while Looping.  Whether you're looking to increase strength and balance for line handling, lifting things on and off the boat, or other Loop-y tasks, or you're already fit and want to know how to maintain that while...

This year's Loopers may have time for extra side trips while they wait for the Illinois Waterway locks to reopen. Mike & Deb Hervey, who have made multiple trips to the largest of the Great Lakes, tell you why you should consider cruising Lake Superior. They'll share the details on visiting the south shore and what you'll find there, as well as the more rugged and remote north shore. Join us f...

Jay Kraft from Trawlers Great Lakes is back to give advice on how you can learn to better handle your boat during docking and other close quarters maneuvering. He'll share ideas on how to master these skills in preparation for your own Great Loop adventure.

Listen to hear the stories of Karen & Dave's Great Loop adventure aboard their Maine Cat P47. Karen & Dave talk about why they wanted to cruise the Great Loop, how they found their boat, how they prepared for the trip, and their highlights and challenges. Listen now! America's Great Loop is a 6,000-mile boating route that includes the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Chesapeake Bay, the coa...

The Great Loop will take you through some busy waterways, including New York Harbor. Our guest this week is Joseph Moceri, a Tug Captain who operates in New York. Joe will share his background and some insight into what his job is like. He'll also share what he wants Loopers and other recreational boaters to know about encountering commercial traffic in a busy harbor.

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.