Join AGLCA March 27th & 28th in the greater Houston area to learn about the Great Loop cruising lifestyle!
Registration opens Monday, December 29th at noon eastern.
What is the Great Loop? It's a 6,000-mile boating adventure of a lifetime that circumnavigates the eastern U.S., and a small part of Canada, via an interconnect series of waterways including the intracoastal waterway, historic canals, the Great Lakes, the inland rivers, the Gulf of Mexico, and more.
This event is an introduction to the Great Loop. We'll start by explaining how to find and buy the perfect boat for you. Then, we'll provide an overview of the Great Loop route and how to do it, and start to prepare you for your own Great Loop adventure. The seminar includes practical advice for planning and preparing for the Great Loop with sessions about the route and general boating topics with a Great Loop focus. You'll also hear stories from Gold Loopers (members who have completed the Loop) about their adventures. Sessions begin Friday afternoon at 2:00 pm and wrap up around 5:00 pm on Saturday.
Workshop: How to Find and Buy Your Perfect Great Loop Boat
Sponsored by Great Loop Yacht Sales
Friday, March 27, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
This optional workshop includes seminars from experts on each aspect of the boat buying process including how to find and buy the boat, how to secure financing and insurance and what to expect from the survey.
This optional workshop includes lunch and is FREE thanks to our sponsors, Great Loop Yacht Sales, but pre-registration is required during the registration process.
Main Seminar: Great Loop Cruising-A Guide to the Looper Lifestyle
Friday, March 27, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., continuing on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
What Is It Really Like to Cruise America's Great Loop?
If you have asked yourselves any of these questions, this seminar is for you!
• How much time and money will it take?
• What kind of boat do I need?
• Is it safe?
• How will I know what to do in an emergency?
• What can I expect to see and do on the Loop?
• How do I leave my home/family for that long?
• How much boating experience do I need?
Get the answers to these questions and so much more! You'll hear from industry professionals as well as Gold Loopers. Sponsors will also be exhibiting to showcase their products and services that can help you accomplish your dream of cruising the Great Loop.
Registration is $149/person and includes a one-year AGLCA membership (or membership extension) per registrant (so a couple who shares a membership and both register for the seminar will receive a two-year joint membership) as well as a cash bar reception (Friday) and one lunch (Saturday).
After registering for the event, the complimentary membership will be set up within a few days to a week by the Home Port Crew and details will be sent to you about your new membership (or membership extension). You do not need to create a new membership for yourself to register for this event.
Registration will be open through Wednesday, March 18th or whenever we reach capacity for the event.
"The seminar was both informative and inspirational. At one point Saturday morning my wife looked over at me and said, 'Why aren't we starting right away?' Our plans have moved up a full year! Thank you."
"Overall, we enjoyed the seminar and found it to be informative. Pushed me over the edge to make the decision to go for it!"
"It was great to meet people and make new friends as well. Thank you for this opportunity. I feel much more prepared and am even more excited about starting our Loop."
"The seminar was specifically tailored to those embarking on this new 'looping' chapter of their lives and that is exactly where we were."
"It's hard to pick the best thing because I found it all to be so informative and loved the stories of the experienced Loopers!"
Event Facility & Hotel Information
This event will be held at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas, which is in the greater Houston area. Lakewood Yacht Club is situated on 38 acres on the north shore of Clear Lake, adjacent to Galveston Bay, with more than 300 slips to accommodate vessels of any size. Their event space offers fabulous panoramic marina and lake views, impeccable service and outstanding cuisine.
A discounted room block has been reserved for AGLCA registrants at the SpringHill Suites Seabrook, which is a 3-minute car ride or 9-minute walk from the Lakewood Yacht Club. The discounted rates are $134 for a king studio suite and $124 for a double queen studio suite. The reservation deadline is Thursday, February 26, 2026. You can use this link to make an online reservation. You may also phone them to make a reservation by calling 281-474-3456 and mentioning AGLCA Looper Lifestyle to receive the discounted rate. After February 26th, rooms can still be reserved, if space is available, but it will be at the prevailing rate, not the discounted rate. There is complimentary on-site parking.
Located in Seabrook, SpringHill Suites is conveniently located near many points of interest in the greater Houston area. SpringHill Suites has spacious suites, modern décor, complimentary WiFi and convenient workspaces. They offer free hot breakfast each morning with a lobby bar in the evening. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed at this facility but service animals are welcome as is the case with the yacht club. SpringHill Suites is closest to the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), which is approximately 20 miles away.
About the Area
Just 30 minutes from Houston, Seabrook is part of Bay Area Houston along with Clear Lake Shores, League City, Nassau Bay and Texas City. These communities are situated on Clear Lake, a 2,000-acre lake connected to Galveston Bay. The area offers some of the freshest seafood, plenty of water recreation, stunning nature preserves and popular attractions. The Clear Lake area is also home to the nation’s third largest number of pleasure boats.
In Seabrook, you’ll be greeted by the Pelican Path Project. It’s a public art project that has grown to include 75 pelicans made of fiberglass that are 6-8 ft. tall and painted by local artists. These pelicans pay tribute to the town’s status as a bird and wildlife sanctuary. Seabrook has 13 miles of hiking and biking trails showcasing beautiful parks and spectacular water views. You’ll find hundreds of bird species on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, which weaves its way along the 600-mile Texas coast, including Seabrook. And, there is more nature to explore in the 2500-acre Armand Bayou Nature Center, which is one of the largest urban wilderness preserves in the U.S.
While in the area, you’d be remiss if you didn’t visit Space Center Houston, the official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center, where you can learn all about America’s human spaceflight program. With over 400 space artifacts there’s something for everyone. The NASA Tram Tour, the most popular attraction, takes you on-site to Johnson Space Center where you can get a behind-the-scenes look at human space exploration.
For entertainment, be sure to visit Kemah Boardwalk. It’s a 60-acre waterfront district with themed restaurants, retail shops, amusement rides and a 400-slip marina among other things. In addition to restaurants at Kemah Boardwalk, you’ll find that fresh seafood is the star in the charming communities that make up Bay Area Houston. But, if seafood isn’t your vibe, you’ll find anything from fine dining to international cuisine.
As they say, everything is bigger in Texas so learn more to plan your stay to Bay Area Houston.
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations received by March 18th the registration fee will be refunded less a $50 processing fee. For cancellations received after March 18th, the registration fee will be refunded less a $50 processing fee if seat(s) can be filled. If the seat(s) cannot be filled, no refund will be issued.