Members only
May 2026 Great Loop Link
FROM THE EDITOR'S DECK
May in The Bay!
This will sound familiar to many of you—but if it doesn’t, “May in The Bay” is one of our general rules of thumb for Loopers cruising on the traditional one-year timeline.
To arrive at the New York State Canals around opening time and make the most of summer on the Great Lakes, the goal is to be somewhere on the Chesapeake Bay by May.
For those of you joining us this weekend at the Spring Rendezvous, whether you’re beginning your Loop in Norfolk or continuing your journey, you’re exactly where you want to be—in the right place at the right time.
For those of you still in the planning stages, we’re continuing our Great Loop Planning Guide series with Step 3: Get Educated.
If you’ve never captained a boat the size of a typical Loop vessel, now is the time to build those skills. We strongly encourage you to:
- Spend time with a training captain
- Review key boating safety principles
- Complete your NASBLA certification
Even experienced boaters benefit from a refresher—especially before heading into unfamiliar waters.
As you make your way north toward the Great Lakes, another classic side trip comes into view: Washington, D.C.
For history buffs in particular, it’s well worth the detour. There’s no shortage of things to see and do in our nation’s capital—and many of them are free. The crew of Wilma May enjoyed their stay so much that Diane is ready to move there! If you love big cities, this is the ultimate destination.
Gold Loopers Diane and Tim Vandersall share highlights from their extended stay in D.C. in this issue.
Your Home Port Crew often talks about “making the Loop your own.” But how do you do that when everyone is following the same 6,000-mile route?
The answer lies in alternate routes.
From small detours to major variations, there are countless ways to travel from Point A to Point B. It’s one of the reasons so many Gold Loopers head out again—to experience the routes they missed the first time.
Platinum Loopers Tsali and Jacque Bentley share 16 (yes, 16!) of the most common alternate routes, giving you more options than ever to customize your adventure.
As always, don’t forget to check out the March wake crossings. There’s nothing quite like celebrating fellow Loopers as they complete their journey—and imagining the day you’ll make your own crossing.
In this issue:
Members only
Admiral Sponsors
Wake Crossings Reported in April:
Bad Parents
Congratulations to Brad & Julie, who completed their Loop on April 26, 2026 aboard their Carver 444, Bad Parents.
Esmeralda
Congratulations to Terry & Rod (and Buddy!), who completed their Loop on April 23, 2026 aboard their 1997 Grand Banks 46 Classic, Esmeralda.
"What an amazing experience this has been! We bought our boat in February, 2025 and started our Loop from St. Simon's Island, Georgia on April 6, 2025. We learned so much in the last year about running a boat and working together. Our trip took us through 17 states, 103 locks, 3 countries, and 5 side trips. We saw some amazing sights and met some incredible people along the way. We can't list them all here but do want to call out Steve and Janeen from Toes In The Water. We travelled with them from Joliet, IL to Key West, FL. We now have lifelong friends. If you are thinking of doing the Loop, just do it. It will change your life.
"While we have completed the Loop, we are not done with the cruising life. We will be heading up to the Chesapeake Bay for the summer, then back down to Florida and the Bahamas for the winter."
Galway Girl
Congratulations to Tim & Mary Beth (and Holly!), who completed their Loop on April 15, 2026 aboard their Ranger Tug R27, Galway Girl.
"It was the trip of a lifetime! We did The Great Loop with Canada and The Bahamas and many extra side trips! After completing the Loop, our friends and family hosted a great party for us at our homeport marina restaurant, Mackeys Ferry Landing! We decided to surprise everyone and renew our wedding vows in honor of our upcoming 40th anniversary!"
Heidi-HO
Congratulations to Brian & Lauren, who completed their Loop on April 21, 2026 aboard their Kadey-Krogen 42, Heidi-HO.
Inception II
Congratulations to Jonathan & Claire, who completed their Loop on April 20, 2026 aboard their 1980 Monk 36, Inception II.
LeighWay
Congratulations to Tom & Leigh, who completed their Loop on April 16, 2026 aboard their Ocean Alexander Altus 48, LeighWay.
LI'L G
Congratulations to Gina & Don, who completed their Loop on March 22, 2026 aboard their Sea Ray 40, LI'L G.
"We really enjoyed our Loop. Highlights include the historic towns of the east coast, Georgian Bay and the North Channel, Chicago, and Nashville. Since crossing our wake we have continued to the Keys and are planning to continue up the east coast again. Maybe Loop two?
"We enjoyed socializing with fellow Loopers and sharing the experiences via group chat with our friend group from home. We also enjoyed meeting friends and family along the way, some of whom we had not seen in 20 to 50 years!
"We had really good weather overall, and many beautiful sunsets. We joke that Gina brings the good weather with her wherever she goes…but I’m starting to really believe it. Maybe appropriate planning helped a bit.
"We bought our boat and started almost immediately, so our Loop was flavored, more than some, by the need to do repairs and upgrades as we went. But, while we got delayed, we didn’t get stopped. The challenge of finding repair services when needed can be kind of fun in its own way if seen with a patient eye.
"We appreciate the AGLCA organization for all the shared knowledge and resources."
Lie Lo
Congratulations to Doug & Melissa, who completed their Loop on April 18, 2026 aboard their 34' Gemini 105MC, Lie Lo.
"How do you summarize the completion of a dream?!
"We purchased Lie Lo with the intent to lie low and slow down the pace of life for a year while completing America's Great Loop. We let loose our lines three weeks later with no experience. However, we had just enough determination and passion to not only survive, but to exceed any expectations we might have had.
"When we began, we just knew that we would be on a journey by ourselves, traveling at 4.3 knots while everyone passed us. We had fun sharing pictures of Loopers on Nebo as they overtook us on port or starboard side. We were content; just the two of us, our dog, Witt, and our cat, Tiki. We explored small towns and checked famous landmarks off our list.
"Our boat gave us advantages that few Loopers had. With an air clearance of less than 8 feet, we were able to drift under most bridges without the need to have them raised and we locked through the historic Lachine Canal through downtown Montreal! With Lie Lo's draft of 18 inches, we were granted honorary membership in the Shallow Drafters Shanty Boat Club and were able to walk to shore while anchored in the Georgian Bay! We enjoyed intriguing historical sites, raw nature, and unimaginable wildlife. Little did we know, the best memories would be made with fellow Loopers. We shared docktails and adventures, even some holidays, while becoming close friends. Some also helped shape the outcome of our journey. With no defined plan, each of our destinations became fluid, much like the waterways we traveled.
"At the end of our incredible trip, we had the mast lifted back onto Lie Lo. Then, after 370 unbelievable days, we pulled into our home port at Marineland Marina. We were greeted not only by family and friends from our Flagler Beach community, but also Loopers who had gathered to help us celebrate our momentous return! Our hearts couldn’t be more full!
"We look forward to paying forward the same warmth to other Loopers who come through our area until we are able to begin planning our next Loop!"
Love Me Fender
Congratulations to Ed & Allison, who completed their Loop on April 10, 2026 aboard their Beneteau Swift Trawler 34, Love Me Fender.
"This was a bucket list item and now it's complete. The Loop was an amazing adventure. We loved it all and loved all the segments. We met people that are now lifetime friends. We are sad to finish but proud of the accomplishment. We are already planning our next Loop! Thanks AGLCA!"
Mary Elizabeth
Congratulations to Stuart, who completed his Loop on March 27, 2026 aboard his 60' Matthews Wheelhouse Cruiser, Mary Elizabeth. The boat was built of wood in 1919!
Next Chapter
Congratulations to Paul & Carllene, who completed their Loop on March 2, 2026 aboard their Symbol Flybridge 56, Next Chapter.
"We are delighted to announce that we have successfully completed the Great American Loop aboard Next Chapter. We are now embarking on the next boating Chapter still aboard Next Chapter. This journey has been an incredible adventure, filled with breathtaking sights, unforgettable experiences, and great friends. As we set sail on this new chapter, we look forward to new discoveries and exciting moments ahead. Thank you for being a part of this remarkable journey."
Only Child
Congratulations to John & Melinda, who completed their Loop on April 20, 2026 aboard their Jeanneau NC 895, Only Child.
SEVENTH WAVE
Congratulations to Brian & Connie, who completed their Loop on February 3, 2026 aboard their 42' Present Yacht, SEVENTH WAVE.
"We did it! We crossed our wake and completed the adventure of a lifetime! So many great memories, exciting places and new experiences, as well as challenging opportunities. We never knew what a new day would bring our way, but one thing we came to know, new friends were just a boat away! And, that is what made this experience AWESOME and achievable… the people!
"We enjoyed a comfortable, reliable boat, great weather (for the most part), the wonders of mother nature….dolphins, manatees, alligators, frogs, turtles, other sea creatures (was that a Mermaid!?), numerous birds, and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. We could have passed on the non-poisonous snake that decided to join us on the boat…LOL! The changes in scenery and experiences from the sunny, sandy coastal areas along the ICW, to the stunning beauty in Canadian waterways, the power of the Great Lakes and navigating the barges in the river ways down to the Gulf of America…all brought awe and humility. We were blessed with a successful, safe, and delightful journey. So VERY glad we took on the challenge….and if you are thinking about it, think no more….GO FOR IT!!"
Stanger
Congratulations to Kent & Bob, who completed their Loop on March 30, 2026, aboard their Gulfstar 44 MC, Stanger.
"One day while talking about doing the Loop, my father-in-law Bob looked at me and said, 'You’re running out of time' and with that, Erica, Bob, and I began a search for a Loop boat. We visited four states while inspecting 13 boats in person before settling on a Gulfstar 44 MC Sundeck trawler in Satellite Beach, Florida. A project from the get-go, we have endured our share of hiccups but overcame and continue to head home, this year by way of the Trent-Severn. Erica will be an official Gold Looper once we hit Lake Huron on the way home."
Summer Breeze
Congratulations to Greg & Angie, who completed their Loop on April 1, 2026 aboard their Mainship 390, Summer Breeze.
"So, just like that 'Summer Breeze' has crossed her wake(s)! Yes, plural. There was a bit of a disagreement on the boat as to where the actual wake crossing was. We bought the boat in Amelia Island, FL (it was not yet the 'Breeze') and immediately moved it to St. Simons, GA with the previous owner. Over the next three or four months it was rechristened 'Summer Breeze' and made Loop-ready for our April 15th, 2025 departure. So… in the Admiral’s mind we crossed our wake when we passed the Amelia Island Marina on March 30th. In the Captain’s mind we crossed our wake when we tied up at the St. Simons Marina on April 1st and the Captain was relieved of captaining duties. We decided we’d call Amelia Island the 'soft crossing' and St. Simons the 'hard crossing'. Looper compromise!
"What to say about America’s Great Loop that already hasn’t been said by far better storytellers than us? There are the usual stats we have in Greg’s daily log, but stats we couldn’t even begin to quantify that truly enriched our journey are the number of friends we met, number of docktails, rocktails, bartails and dinghytails we enjoyed, the number of stories we swapped, problems we solved, advice we gave and received, and the number of great adventures (and a few mis-adventures!) we had.
"For those of you that we have had the pleasure to Loop with, we truly appreciate you and will miss seeing you on the water. Your friendship, companionship, and comradery made our 11 ½ month voyage much more than just a boat trip. You provided a sense of community and comfort, and your presence continually reminded us that we are doing something bigger than just a 6,000-mile boat ride. We thank you for that. Being from Arizona we think of our fellow Loopers as compadres, simpatico with us, and just really cool people.
"Highlights? Here are a few…
Loopers we met on Day 1 who invited us on their boat for celebratory champagne (you know who you are); Dismal Swamp; Chesapeake Bay; C&D Canal and Delaware Bay; our picture in front of the Statue of Liberty; all the NY City sites and a last minute Broadway play; 4th of July fireworks on Lake Champlain in Burlington VT; our first Canadian locks on the Chambly Canal; the wild river current on the St. Lawrence River getting into Montreal; the naked bicycle ride in Montreal (don’t ask, we were unwitting bystanders, not participants!); Ottawa and the Rideau Canal; the Trent Severn; the bathtub locks and the 'Big Chute'; Georgian Bay and the North Channel (which we would love to have spent more time in!); Labor Day on Mackinac Island and the Mighty Mac bridge walk; being 'stuck' in Charlevoix due to weather (which is not a bad place to be stuck); taking the boat through downtown Chicago; the U.S. rivers, locks, and all the small towns along the way; picture in front of St. Louis Arch; the Gulf and a Gulf crossing from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs (that we’d like to forget along with 8 other boats that night); all the stops along the west coast of Florida; Key West; the Dry Tortuga’s with an experienced guide (not naming names so let’s just call him…John Smith); up the east coast of Florida and trying not to travel through crazy places like Miami and Ft. Lauderdale on the weekends; and then, the finale, the conflicting feelings as we got within a few hundred miles and a few weeks of our wake crossing and realizing we’re close to being done and hoisting the Gold Burgee. As we got close and even when we finished, we were asked by many how we felt, and it always came down to the same answer: Bittersweet.
"So, for those you who have done the Loop, we are proud to join your ranks. For those who are currently on the Loop, enjoy the adventure and don’t sweat the small stuff. And for those thinking about it, if it’s in your wheelhouse, do it sooner than later.
"Love and miss you guys.
"This is Greg and Angie on Summer Breeze signing off… and oh yea... BTW… ♫♫ SUMMER BREEEZE … MADE US FEEL FINE!!! ♫♫"
Sweets
Congratulations to Megan, who completed her Loop on January 2, 2026 aboard her 26' Nordic Tug, Sweets.
"My husband, a boat captain, and I had always dreamed of doing the Loop together in retirement. We even bought a 42-foot trawler to make it happen. But life had other plans—he passed away before we could begin.
"After some time, I made a decision: I would go anyway.
"I sold that boat and found one I could handle on my own. With help from my husband’s friend, who patiently taught me how to dock, maneuver, and maintain her, I had gained the confidence to set out. I wasn’t entirely alone though, my two 16-year-old cats, seasoned sailors who loved life on the water, came along as my first mates.
"I also traveled in the company of two other boats—one carrying my husband’s sister Bette and my brother-in-law Ron. The other boat with their two friends. What we thought would be a two-year adventure stretched into five unforgettable years. I began in 2021 and completed the journey in 2026, cruising mostly in the summers, with the final stretch from Mississippi to Florida carrying me through November into January 2026.
"We took our time, savoring the stunning waterways of the United States and Canada, never in a rush to leave a beautiful anchorage or a welcoming harbor. Along the way, I met fascinating people, some of whom became lifelong connections. I shared parts of the journey with family and friends, hoping to give them memories as meaningful as the ones I was collecting.
"Life, of course, didn’t pause for the voyage. There were joyful milestones—marriages and new babies—and there were losses. I said goodbye to my mother and uncle and later, to my two beloved feline crew members who had sailed so many miles by my side.
And yet, looking back on those five years, I wouldn’t change a thing. Whether or not I ever do the Loop again, I know I embraced every mile, every harbor, every moment. It was an adventure filled with beauty, resilience, and love —and I lived it to the fullest."
VALKYRIE
Congratulations to Mark & Cynthia, who completed their Loop on April 21, 2026 aboard their 1991 56' Ocean Yachts Cockpit, VALKYRIE.
"We cruised over 5,600 miles in 11 months. It was a voyage of winding waters, stubborn currents, and just enough mischief to keep things interesting. We saw incredible sights, learned a ton, and came back richer in stories, sharper in spirit, a little salty, and very grateful.
"Who knew driving the boat and conquering all the unplanned challenges that come along with cruising would be some of our favorite parts? However, the absolute best part was sharing this journey with fellow Loopers, friends, & family who came aboard along the way—and feeling all the love and support from those cheering us on. It meant everything and made the whole adventure even more special."
Weezer
Congratulations to Brad & Kim, who completed their Loop on March 22, 2026 aboard their Fleming 55, Weezer.
Wild Rover
Congratulations to Mike & Bonnie, who completed their Loop on March 12, 2026 aboard their Albin 36 DC Trawler, Wild Rover.
"6,000 miles, countless destinations, and one unforgettable year! Beyond the amazing sights, it was the camaraderie and new friendships that made this adventure special. We will cherish the many memories we’ve built along the way and look forward to creating more. The journey is not over!"
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