November 2025 Great Loop Link
FROM THE EDITOR'S DECK
Welcome to the Gulf Crossing Issue!
We know crossing the Gulf is, arguably, the one portion of the Great Loop that causes the most sleepless nights for your crew. If you will be joining us in Orange Beach, Alabama for the Fall Rendezvous, Eddy & Linda Johnsen and Tsali & Jacque Bentley are presenting on the Gulf Crossing and how to determine which route is for you and when is the best time to go. But for those who aren't able to join us, we've got the information you need to determine which route you should take and how to determine the best weather window to make it happen.
First, we cover the basics of each of the Gulf Crossing routes: the direct route vs the Big Bend. Then we break them down so you can get an idea of what is involved in cruising each route and help you determine which route might be best for your vessel and crew members.
Next, Platinum Looper Tsali Bentley discusses You Make the Call (TMtC), the email series he authors along with Gold Loopers Keith Martin & Tim Vandersall, that runs in the AGLCA Forum daily during crossing season (November-February). They cover how to determine your go / no go criteria, wave ratio, wave height, wave/wind/current direction, weather buffers, staging for the crossing, and more.
Then, Eddy & Linda Johnsen tie it all together and share how they have crossed the Gulf drama-free fourteen times! After one less than perfect crossing, in an effort to keep the "pleasure" in pleasure boating, Eddy & Linda created their go / no go criteria and they stick with it each and every time they cross the Gulf. Use their criteria as an example for creating your own go / no go criteria and you'll be well on your way to your very own drama-free crossing!
Only you, as the captain of your vessel, can decide what conditions are best for your boat and crew. But with the information shared in this issue, you are well on your way to arriving comfortably in Tarpon Springs with amazing stories to share!
And as always, don't miss your fellow Loopers' Wake Crossing announcements.
In this issue:
Admiral Sponsors
Wake Crossings Reported in October:
Andromeda
Congratulations to Robert & Kathleen, who completed their Loop on May 31, 2024 aboard their Sea Ray 480, Andromeda.
Armadillo
Congratulations to George, who completed his Loop on October 21, 2025 aboard his Mainship 400, Armadillo.
"I didn't realize the time commitment when starting, but it has been a magical 11 months. It's hard to pick a favorite place or thing, overall the people I met, both Loopers and locals, made the trip."
Barefoot Jones
Congratulations to Eugene & June, who completed their Loop on August 17, 2025 aboard their Silverton 42C, Barefoot Jones.
"Everyone’s Loop is different. I guess you could actually say that it took us five years and over 12,000 miles to complete the Loop. Right at the top of our biggest challenges was the fact that we closed on the purchase of our Loop boat in March 2020 at Dinner Key, Florida, just as the U.S. shut down for Covid19. The marina closed the very next day, following mandatory Covid19 guidelines. Our objective was to get our boat home to Arkansas. The first week of adventure on our 'new to us' boat was epic, and a more than a bit risky. It included: leaving the Atlantic Intracoastal and cruising outside in the open Atlantic; anchoring overnight and experiencing tidal waters for the first time; crossing Lake Okeechobee; finding marinas that would rent a slip to us or even sell fuel to us during Covid shutdown; and the 170-mile crossing of the Gulf.
"Even with the purchase of a Loop-worthy boat, the Loop was a challenge we questioned if we could really complete and we began taking smaller trip excursions -- two winters down to Fort Myers, Florida and back; taking the boat up the Arkansas River to our home port; a trip down the lower Mississippi through New Orleans, Louisiana; and a side trip up the Tennessee River to Knoxville, Tennessee. These trips gave us the confidence and skills we felt we needed and in January 2024 we left for our Great Loop -- completing half of it in 2024, taking a break, and finishing the remaining half this year.
"The comradery among the boating community is second to none and even as we made fast friends and 'loop-frogged' with many boats, we were lucky to have several buddy boats for extended periods of time. Having friends and family join us at different U.S. ports and even for some segments of travel, made our trip even more special. We are very thankful to have been blessed with the resources to do this, and for encouragement from our mentors, the AGLCA, fellow Loopers, family and friends cheering us on.
"What is next? We will continue to enjoy the waterways as long as practical. Right now, the boat is on Barkley Lake and we are making plans to enjoy the next year on both Kentucky and Barkley Lakes. We will divide our time between the boat and our home in Little Rock, Arkansas. If you catch us at either location, reach out, as we are happy to share our experiences or offer help to any Loopers passing through."
Breakaway
Congratulations to Greg & Debbie, who completed their Loop on September 30, 2025 aboard their 1988 Carver Californian, Breakaway.
"Breakaway has seen us through it all - through the bumps and bruises, the sunshine and ever-changing water, rainbows after a storm and moonlight and stars that can only be seen from a boat. Over 6,000 miles, two countries, seventeen states, 106 locks, and so many amazing people along the way! Between the kindhearted marinas and tie-ups, the local diners and shops and the Looper community of boaters, the people along the way truly make this experience a time we will cherish for the rest of our lives. For those of you dreaming, planning, or underway, take your time and savor the moments. It's all so sweet, especially while holding the hand of your best friend and soul mate."
Fool's Errand
Congratulations to Peter, who completed his Loop on October 20, 2025 aboard his 17' 1982 Sawyer Loon Canoe, Fool's Errand.
"This journey for me, had been the most arduous but equally incredible experience I could have asked for at my age. I started this when I was 22, I am now 24, but feel I’ve lived a lifetime in the past 16 months. I’m honored to have been able to share it with you all."
Grateful
Congratulations to Ralph & Colette, who completed their Loop on September 21, 2025 aboard their Mainship 400, Grateful.
"A wonderful adventure we would love to do again. So many friends we've made will always be in our hearts and minds.
"Many thanks to AGLCA!"
Hawkins Landing
Congratulations to Bob & Ronda, who completed their Loop on April 20, 2025 aboard their Carver 450 Voyager, Hawkins Landing.
Hoppy Trails
Congratulations to Jason, Morgan & Willow, who completed their Loop on October 10, 2025 aboard their Ranger Tug R31CB, Hoppy Trails.
"After 2 years, 1 month, and 3 days (with a 9-month break in the middle) we’ve crossed our wake and completed America’s Great Loop! We are pleased to report that, after deliberate research and rigorous testing, we can confirm that “hoppy libations” are readily available throughout the journey 😉
"What an amazing, life-changing adventure. We began this trip with a 3-year-old toddler and finished it with a 5-year-old kid who has developed into a wonderful, outgoing, imaginative little person! Her physical growth also reflects how much we’ve grown as a family:
- We’ve found reward in trading the comforts and routine of home for the variety and challenge of boat life.
- We watch more sunsets and less TV.
- We’ve learned to make time and space for each other in the pressure cooker that is a 35-foot boat.
- We also find ourselves reimagining our plans for the future so that we can keep the wonder of this journey alive!
"We’ve also been blessed to meet some extraordinarily kind and generous people out there who have reached out in person and online to offer their help, friendship, and support. We very much look forward to our paths meeting again!
"Finally, a debt of gratitude to the AGLCA for their resources and ongoing advocacy to keep The Great Loop accessible to anyone crazy/lucky enough to take it on.
"This chapter may be coming to a close for us, but the Hoppy Trails story is far from over - starting with a road trip to Florida after the holidays. Hope to see some of you there."
Just A Dream
Congratulations to Tony & Angela (and KoKo the cat), who completed their Loop on October 28, 2025 aboard their Absolute Navetta 58, Just A Dream.
"There were challenging days whether exploring the unknown, weather, enough voltage on the power pedestal, anchoring, ducking under low bridges to dinging props in the 'ditch'. It was definitely at times high adventure and boating the Great Lakes was a dream come true and absolutely beautiful. We enjoyed meeting up with family and friends along the way and will cherish all the new friends we have made on this great adventure. We appreciate so many Loopers that shared their knowledge with us, docktails (to include our very first with Patrick and Dana 'Exhale'), laughs, dinners, little beers, Harbor Hosts, dock masters that accommodated us, and marina restaurants that kept the lights on for us. Shout out to Ted and Beth on 'Wastin Away', our buddy boat, who traveled over 2,700 miles with us and to Ron and Jess on 'Blue Lobstah' for compiling all the pictures and videos to capture our wake crossing. We appreciate the AGLCA and all the sponsors that help many boaters each year to accomplish such a great adventure."
Katinsky
Congratulations to Greg & Jennifer, who completed their Loop on October 25, 2025 aboard their 2023 Aquila 44 Power Cat, Katinsky.
"Really appreciated the help from AGLCA and support from other Loopers."
La Mer Veille IV
Congratulations to Robert & Claudette, who completed their Loop on August 12, 2024 aboard their Carver Aft-Cabin Fly Bridge, La Mer Meille IV.
Nibbler
Congratulations to Todd & Jennifer, who completed their Loop on October 12, 2025 aboard their 2005 C-dory 25 Cruiser, Nibbler.
Now or Never
Congratulations to David & Tasha, who completed their Loop on September 24, 2025 aboard their Carver 440, Now or Never.
"What an incredible journey—filled with memories to last a lifetime!
"We soaked up every mile - nearly 12,000 over the past four-plus years - taking in the beauty and history of our great country and Canada.
"We cruised off the beaten path, taking more than a dozen side trips, and loved every minute of it.
"We'll forever cherish dinners on lock walls, fires on rocky shores, quiet nights in salt marshes, and the laughter and friendships shared with fellow Loopers who made this trip truly magical and unforgettable.
"Each day, our mission was to be present and embrace the moment - and we did just that.
"Because it's Now or Never."
Partner Ship
Congratulations to Brian & Rachel, who completed their Loop on September 30, 2025 aboard their 1998 Hatteras 52, Partner Ship.
"Well, we did it! Yep, we crossed our wake where the Illinois River meets the Mississippi. We completed the big circle of crazy fun, scary adventure, weather apps that lie, shoaling that is unforgiving, bridges that modify the height of VHF antennas, boaters that are beyond awesome and some that cause a massive vowel movement that would make a salty old sailor blush, tow captain’s that have a language of their own, and the Coast Guard navigation alerts that you can only hear about 25%.
"It was 5,718.7 miles of meeting awesome people and lifelong friends, visiting dive bars and listening to the stories of locals, visiting the historic places and finding the out-of-the-way gems. It was hot, cold, wet, and dry ~ sometimes all on the same day. It was 2” thick pork chops and 32oz prime ribs, Little Beers, porch-tales, dock-tales, wall-tales, and tall-tales. It was 7,634 gallons of diesel-fueled, memory-making adventure that I wish more people would experience but not until I have my slips booked. It was maritime museums and the quest for live music, to exploring a new town at sunrise and watching it come alive. It was perfect cruising days that all run together, to the not-so-perfect ones that you remember every second of. It was Waterway Guide and BOB423, Aqua Map and Argo, Nebo and AIS, Marv’s and Chris Parker. It was go or no-go, go fast or go slow. It was discovering that watching a double lock through is way more fun in an anchorage drinking a beer than waiting to lock through so you can get to the anchorage. It was learning you don’t always get to watch the show; sometimes you get to perform in it! It was 2 footers on the beam on Lake Michigan to 1 footer at 6 seconds on the nose on the Atlantic. Really it was a year-long lifetime of expensive memories that are priceless.
"PS: We’re not done! 😊"
Sea Cottage
Congratulations to Keith & Malinda, who completed their Loop on October 1, 2025 aboard their 43' 1987 Hatteras, Sea Cottage.
"This has been an adventure we had been looking forward to for many years. The continuous challenges - physical, mental, intellectual, social, emotional, etc - are what we thought we understood prior to beginning the Loop 23 months previously. The reality of those thoughts were exceeded which is what makes this adventure worth the time, effort, and money invested. What surprised us the most, were the many, many people we met along the way. As, one of our dear friends put it, 'Strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet!' How true it is! Thank you for all the support from the AGLCA leadership, members, fellow boaters/cruisers, Harbor Hosts, and service providers we met along the way. Can’t wait to start our next Loop adventure to become Platinum. B.O.A.T. = Best Of All Times! So that you don’t mind the 'Bring On Another Thousand'!"
Sloth
Congratulations to Jack & Lina (and family!), who completed their Loop on August 27, 2025 aboard their Jeanneau 43DS Sailboat, Sloth.
"We made it back to Manitowoc. We are officially Gold Loopers! Though, not what we set out to accomplish, America's Great Loop has been an awesome adventure. What an amazing way to see the eastern half of the United States. Our final leg of the trip from Mackinac Island to Manitowoc started out with a sporty 14-hour sail in 15-25 knot winds. Followed by motorsailing overnight with no wind and eventually motoring the last 10 miles with the wind directly in front of us. Man what an adventure. Thank you everyone for following along on our journey. I will have some more posts in the near future of more pictures and thoughts of our travels this year. The one thing I can 100% say, is anyone who enjoys being on the water should look into the Great Loop. I highly recommend it. The people you meet along the way and the places you get to see are both amazing."
The Lower Place
Congratulations to Charlie & Robin, who completed their THIRD Loop on September 24, 2025 aboard their Carver 4207, The Lower Place.
"Wow! Third time around is certainly a charm!! The best part of the Loop is discovering new places with familiar faces!! We spent a lot of our time visiting and reconnecting with Loopers on land. So naturally, we saw many towns for the first time. We continue to be amazed by the fact that there is still so much more to see! Special thanks to the Home Port Crew, Sponsors, Harbor Hosts and fellow Loopers for everything you do - we see you!!!"
Time Well Spent
Congratulations to Bill & Shelly, who completed their Loop on November 3, 2024 aboard their 39 Kadey Krogen, Time Well Spent.
"We loved our Loop! We saw too much to take in! We met the nicest people, which was the greatest thing that happened on the Loop. Thanks to the friends that advised us and helped make this happen!"
Two Far Gone
Congratulations to Dick & Sandy, who completed their Loop on September 29, 2025 aboard their Carver 466, Two Far Gone.
"We began our Great Loop journey (the most significant goal on our Bucket List) on October 1, 2011 - 14 years ago. The first leg took us from the St. Croix River in Minnesota to Cape Coral, Florida where we lived/stayed for 6 years. We continued our journey in July 2017 when we departed Cape Coral to cruise up the east coast. On August 24th of that year, Two Far Gone was struck by lightning just north of Charleston, SC. The strike took out all of the electronics. After a year's worth of repair work, we restarted our journey up the east coast in late August 2018. Two hurricanes slowed our progress that year so we concluded the journey on the Sassafras River at the north end of the Chesapeake Bay. Then life really got in the way of progress - Covid, family events, and business. After 6 more years, we restarted the journey again in August of 2024 without incident and spent the winter in Brewerton, NY. Once the New York Canal System opened this year, we embarked upon the last leg of our journey. On September 29, 2025 we completed the Great Loop and crossed our wake in Grafton, IL!
"It has been an amazing experience filled with adventure, beauty, challenges, fun and new friendships. We will cherish it all forever!"
Voyager
Congratulations to Mike & Sue, who completed their Loop on October 17, 2025 aboard their Kadey Krogen 48 Whaleback, Voyager.
"There were a few challenges along the way, but the rewards were many. Meeting locals and fellow boaters was a definite highlight. It has given us a new appreciation of America."
We're Schur
Congratulations to Ken & Karen, who completed their Loop on September 17, 2025 aboard their Meridian 408, We're Schur.
"As everyone has said, 'what an adventure'! The Great Loop was a great way to transition from working to retirement. We left Superior, WI on August 1, 2024. Ken officially retired August 2. We completed the Loop back in Superior, Wisconsin September 17, 2025. Our Loop has stretched us physically, mentally, and spiritually. It helped our marriage become stronger. We learned to communicate more proactively and to rely on each other’s judgement. We both are in better physical condition than when we left, although we attained a few extra scars.
"Our learning throughout our trip included coping with things as they came up, along with enjoying and learning more history of the United States.
"In every town the people in the churches accepted us. Although, not all tiny towns have a church.
"The people we met have been phenomenal making some lifelong friends for sure. We found the boating community to be fantastic. At almost every marina another boater was there to grab our lines and help. People loaned you their car after just meeting you, took us to the store, or whatever was needed along with sharing a rental car or the many meals and ice cream we had with others. We found the boat problem-solving discussions to be very helpful, too.
"We learned to think for ourselves and make decisions while checking several sources, especially when involving weather and checking it multiple times. Some simple things like being told NOT to say 'go to port or starboard' while docking, but to SAY 'closer to the dock' or 'away from the dock' instead. A big thanks to the Gold Looper couple for this really, great tip!
"While we are taking a break this winter to get some repairs done on our boat, we will be making plans to start our upcoming June 2026 journey for our Loop #2. We look forward to meeting everyone that will be a part of our next adventure.
"If you are near Superior, WI or Duluth, MN or even the Minneapolis area be sure to reach out to say hi. We would love to meet you."
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