Information On Cruising The Great Loop

On this episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Chad Buchner, Manager of Canal Operations at Parks Canada, gives us an update on the recent closure on the Trent Severn and also shares some of the highlights of this historic waterway known as one of the highlights of the Great Loop.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we launch a new monthly series called "The Story of Our Loop". Each episode will feature Gold Loopers who will share details about their own Great Loop adventure. This week, our guests are Brian and Karen who completed the Great Loop in 2021 aboard their 25' Ranger Tug, "Tug Life". Brian and Karen are on their second Loop and join us from aboard in Clayton, New York.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew shares information on visiting New York City by boat as part of your Great Loop adventure. Kim Russo and the rest of the crew aboard The Perch spent several days in the past week in New York City. She'll give suggestions on where to tie up or anchor, how to get around town, and things to see and do.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew gives you up-to-date information on the process for U.S. citizens to clear Canadian customs as you enter Canada aboard your boat. We'll cover how to check into Canada when you arrive there, and how to check back into the U.S. when your cruising in Canada is over.

It's not all sunshine and rainbows!  Cruising as a couple on the Great Loop can be challenging, and can sometimes put a strain on your relationship.  On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Bob and PM Amidon join us to discuss this topic.  They are Gold Loopers, but they bring an interesting perspective to the discussion because Bob is also a licensed marriage counselor. 

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Jay Kraft of Trawlers Great Lakes joins us to give some suggestions on maintenance tasks aboard that can be done by the boat owner. From oil changes to belts and impeller replacements, you can save thousands of dollars with DIY maintenance.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Dave Fuller, Director of Education for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, is back to provide details on the proper usage of the VHF radio while on the Great Loop.  He'll include which channels to use for which purposes, the correct procedure for hailing another vessel and much more.

On this episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew of America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association shares some of the benefits of membership with a special focus on what you gain by joining AGLCA while you're in the planning stages for your Great Loop adventure. We also give details on the newly released Great Loop map on the www.greatloop.org website.

On this episode of the Great Loop Radio Podcast, Kim Russo (AGLCA's Director) shares more details about the boat she's Looping board, "The Perch", and Michael tells the story of how he selected this boat for his first Great Loop. If you've been following Kim's Great Loop, here are the details you've been waiting for about "The Perch". She's a 2001 Silverton 410 with two staterooms, a split head, galley up, and twin Cummins diesels. More details in the podcast! *We apologize for the over-modulation on the audio!  We'll do better next time.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Ted Stehle of Waterway Guide joins us to talk about how to find the best fuel prices while cruising.  Ted, who is also a Gold Looper, will share how Waterway Guide compiles their fuel price reports, and will also give other tips for finding the best deal when filling up and conserving fuel while Looping.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Brenda & Wally join us to talk about how they found their Great Loop bought, a Carver Voyager 530.  They'll cover their required features, their "nice-to-haves" and where they had to make compromises to find "the one".  

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Gold Looper Dave Fuller, who is the current Coast Guard Auxiliary Director of Education, shares details on the courses available through the Auxiliary and other places that Loopers should take before starting their Great Loop adventure.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew discusses our 2022 Advocacy efforts and provides the background and current status of efforts to fight anchoring limitations in Florida and to keep the New York Canals open for through-navigation. Please contribute to our Advocacy Fund at www.greatloop.org/advocacy. Read more about the Florida bill that funds the removal of derelict vessels (mentioned during the podcast) here.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Bill Parlatore joins us to talk about his recent article titled "Getting Ready for the Great Loop".  We discuss the proper way to execute a slow pass on the waterway, how to determine the air draft of your boat and why that's important, and other tips for those getting ready to begin the Great Loop.  You can reach Bill's article here: https://www.seattleyachts.com/news/getting-ready-for-the-great-loop If you appreciate this content, please consider joining us! www.greatloop.org/joinus.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Ian & Trina share the details of how they found and purchased their DeFever 44 to complete the Great Loop.  Ian & Trina purchased the boat nearly 8 years ago and have since moved it from Chesapeake Bay to Chattanooga and have made several upgrades in preparation for the rest of the Great Loop and more cruising.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Scott & Karen DeVoll of Capable Cruising walk us through some of the points to consider when getting ready to move aboard full-time.  Whether you're selling your "dirt" home or planning to return there after the Loop, this episode gives tips on things to consider first, such as: Health insurance and obtaining medical care and prescriptions while on the LoopHow to set up residency someplace while living a transient life style (for things like car registrations and voting)What to do with all of your "stuff"Handling your mailand much more!  

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Brian & Jennifer share the details of how they found and purchased their Ranger Tug 27 in October of 2021.  They're coming to us from the Florida Keys where they are currently aboard as part of their Great Loop adventure.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Ken Marks of Marks Marine Insurance is our guest.  Ken will update us on the status of the Marine Insurance marketplace in 2022 and what insurers are requiring of boaters in terms of boat size and previous boating experience.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew summarizes details of the boats that completed the Great Loop in 2021 and brings you up to speed on the many things happening for AGLCA members in early 2022.  We'll also note the associated deadlines.

On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Jeff & Doris share the details of their Magna Marine Nova Scotia 47 trawler and how they went about finding and buying this boat for their Great Loop.