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October 2026 Great Loop Link
Fall, Rivers & a Little Extra Time
There are few things more beautiful than cruising down the river in the fall, surrounded by Mother Nature’s spectacular display of gold, red, and orange. And this year, thanks to the various lock closures along the route, you may find yourself with something Loopers don’t always have: a little extra time. So why not make the most of it?
Instead of simply waiting for the locks to reopen, take some time to explore the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. There’s plenty to see beyond Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville—from abundant wildlife and charming river communities to beautiful stretches of water and the spectacular gorge as you make your way toward Chattanooga. This month, we’re giving you an overview of both rivers, along with links to additional resources on our website to help you plan your adventure. And don’t forget about the Discussion Forum! Just search the river name or the towns you’re interested in, and you’ll uncover past conversations packed with firsthand information from fellow Loopers.
Planning Guide #8: There’s an App for That!
The next stop in our Planning Guide series is #8—and this one fits nicely in your pocket. We’re talking about mobile apps!
There are apps for just about everything these days, and boating is no exception. From navigation and weather to marinas and anchorages, the right apps can make life on the Loop a whole lot easier. Of course, every Looper has their favorites, so we’ve rounded up some popular options to get you started. Try a few, see what works for you, and before long, you may have a collection of apps you wouldn’t leave the dock without.
Not Ready to Stop Looping? Look Across the Pond!
The post-Loop blues are absolutely a thing. So, if you’re a Gold or Platinum Looper wondering, “What’s next?” we have a suggestion: look across the pond!
DBA—The Barge Association—is, in many ways, the European equivalent of AGLCA, with that same wonderful sense of community and a shared love of exploring by water. And the waterways? They’re pretty spectacular, too. A network of connected canals and rivers can take you through the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, offering a whole new adventure without giving up the cruising lifestyle you’ve come to love.
Be sure to take your AGLCA mobile app along for the ride, too. You might just bump into some of our overseas members while you’re there! And whether you’re cruising the Great Loop or exploring European waterways, you’ll be carrying on a tradition that started right here: seeing the world from a different viewpoint than most people ever will—by water.
And Finally… Let’s Celebrate!
As always, be sure to check out this month’s Wake Crossings. There’s nothing quite like celebrating fellow Loopers as they complete their Great Loop adventures—and imagining the day you’ll make your own crossing. Maybe you’ll even spot a familiar name and think, “Hey… I remember them!”
In this issue:
Admiral Sponsors
Wake Crossings Reported in September:
AdventureUs
Congratulations to Kevin & Cressie, who completed their Loop on August 18, 2026 aboard their 42' Carver 406, AdventureUs.
"There is something deeply satisfying when you accomplish a big goal you set over a decade earlier! The Great Loop has been an incredible adventure, covering 6,361 miles, 173 travel days out of 342 days total, 19 States, 1 Province, and 80 locks.
"We learned to go with the flow and watched our route morph as life and trips home changed our schedule. We really enjoyed taking some of the less travelled routes and side trips too. This included the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan, Nashville on the Cumberland River, the St. Johns River, Washington, DC and the Western Erie Canal including Seneca Falls and Watkins Glen on Seneca Lake.
"We have met so many great people along the way, some for just a few moments and others like Chris and Deb on Bucket List whom we were blessed to meet in the Dismal Swamp and mostly travel with until Lake St. Claire in Michigan. The friendships we developed along our route were definitely a highlight of the trip!
"We truly enjoyed each section of the Loop and find it hard to narrow down what our favorite places were. A huge highlight was being anchored behind the Statue of Liberty celebrating America’s 250th Birthday!
"We loved our Great Loop experience so much we don’t want it to end so we are already on Loop #2! Our big goals on this Loop are the Tennessee River side trip to Chattanooga, the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, the Champlain and Rideau Canals along with the Trent-Severn Waterway down to Georgian Bay and the North Channel. Lots of new places to see along with revisiting our faves from the first circle."
Annticipation
Congratulations to Tim & Ann, who completed their Loop on September 11, 2026 aboard their 2006 Carver 43, Annticipation.
"We crossed our wake in Grafton, IL on September 11, 2026, having started there on September 29, 2025, and it has turned out to be everything we 'Annticipated'. One thing that really opened our eyes is the warmth and kindness of other Loopers. We met so many people on the way that were eager to hear our story, teach us something to make our journey better, and at times climb into the depths of our boat to help us with a mechanical issue or challenge. We will always treasure those people and fond memories. On Monday we turn back north 265 miles to go back to our homeport. It was an honor to Loop with the fleet of 2025/2026!"
Arabella
Congratulations to Ken & Wendy, who completed their Loop on September 24, 2026 aboard their Meridian 459, Arabella.
"It was a great time. So glad we did it. So thankful to all the fellow Loopers and family that supported us and helped us along in the journey. We couldn't have done it without all of you. Love you all, Ken and Wendy".
Aurora
Congratulations to Scott & Lyn, who completed their Loop on July 28, 2026 aboard their 2001 Sea Ray 540, Aurora.
Avontuur
Congratulations to Bryan & Kathy, who completed their Loop on September 24, 2026 aboard their 2000 Cruisers Yachts 4450, Avontuur.
"We officially completed America's Great Loop! 🛥🌊🇺🇸🇨🇦🌟🥂🍾
"Looking back from last summer, it’s hard to believe how far we’ve come. Before we threw off the lines to start this journey, our grandest boating experience consisted of short trips around our home marina. We hadn't even stayed overnight at another dock yet! Even with our limited experience, we could feel the thrill (and let's be honest, a healthy dose of nerves) of being on the cusp of the biggest adventure of our lives.
"Thousands of miles, countless locks, incredible sunrises (mostly sunsets), and a lifetime of new friendships later, we’ve crossed our wake. The scale of what we just accomplished hasn’t even fully settled in yet. We went from dreaming about the horizon to actually navigating it.
"Significant Stats:
- COUNTRIES: USA & Canada
- STATES: 17 (IN, IL, MO, KY, TN, AL, MS, FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, MD, DE, NJ, NY, MI)
- MILES: 6,360 SM
- LOCKS: 115
- FUEL: 5,530 gals diesel
- ENGINE HRS: 803
- ENGINE SERVICES: 6
- NIGHTS IN MARINAS: 227
- NIGHTS AT ANCHOR: 29
- NIGHTS AT FREE WALL/DOCK: 25
- NIGHTS IN HOTELS: 10
- DAYS UNDERWAY: 154
"Thank you to everyone who cheered us on, supporting us from near and far, and shared a few docktails with us along the way. We did it!"
Bird's Nest
Congratulations to Michael & Juliana, who completed their Loop on September 24, 2026 aboard their Jefferson 45 Sundeck, Bird's Nest.
Black Diamond
Congratulations to Gordon & Shelli, who completed their Loop on September 20, 2026 aboard their Sea Ray 38 Aft Cabin, Black Diamond.
"We have met the most amazing people. The places we've been, the food, everything was wonderful. Can't wait to go again!!"
Buddies for Life
Congratulations to Eric & Cathi, who completed their Loop on September 24, 2026 aboard their Jefferson Riviana 56, Buddies for Life.
CAVOK
Congratulations to Giff & Susan (& Oto!), who completed their Loop on August 22, 2026 aboard their Ranger Tug 31CB, CAVOK.
"From the Great Lakes to the Gulf, the Atlantic and back again, it’s been an extraordinary journey filled with beautiful places, unexpected adventures, and memories we’ll never forget. And let's not forget all the amazing fellow Loopers we met along the way that made this amazing journey extraordinary. What a ride, and what a great way to see America."
Cool Change
Congratulations to Doug & Maureen, who completed their Loop on September 5, 2026 aboard their Carver 440, Cool Change.
"One of our highlights of the Loop was sharing it with family and friends...22 overnight guests stayed a total of 86 nights. We had visitors in Georgian Bay, the rivers, the Keys, the Bahamas, and New York City."
- 7695 Miles
- 109 Locks
- 197 Travel Days
- 3 Countries
- 19 States
- 220 boat cards
Crew Rest II
Congratulations to Scott & Mindy (& Piper!), who completed their Loop on September 15, 2026 aboard their Ranger Tug 31CB, Crew Rest II.
"Amazing trip that we completed much faster than even we anticipated. We enjoyed sharing the experience with family and exploring so many new places along the way. Washington DC was an absolute highlight and Beavertails should never be passed up. We really appreciated all the support and wisdom from fellow Loopers and Harbor Hosts along our journey."
Easy Rider
Congratulations to Brian & Sue (and Gigi!), who completed their Loop on August 26, 2026 aboard their Grand Banks 42 Classic, Easy Rider.
Erin's Grace
Congratulations to Bill & Linda, who completed their Loop on September 28, 2026 aboard their 37' Beneteau Antares 11, Erin's Grace.
"We crossed our wake on Erin’s Grace at Southport Marina, Kenosha, Wisconsin, on September 28. We left Southport on September 30 of last year. The phrase 'have a plan, not a schedule' applied to us at practically every turn! Our plan was to be back at Southport before it closed in mid-October this year. So many things came up this past year that we didn’t expect—a wedding, a funeral, a daughter in a war zone…. It’s amazing we even got back this season, let alone early!
"Like just about all Gold Loopers, our favorite part was all the great people we met on the way. We know some of those wonderful folks are going to be our friends for life! We also loved seeing so much of the country from the water, and we feel a great sense of accomplishment from completing such a big undertaking.
"We are going to take the winter off from boating so that we can get in some land-based travel, then next summer we plan to do some Great Lakes cruising. In the fall, if all goes well, we’ll join the ‘27-‘28 Looper fleet on the rivers as we take Erin’s Grace down to our new home in Florida.
"Hopefully we’ll see some of you out there, and if you see us first be sure to stop and say hi!"
Gianna
Congratulations to Shon & Marilyn, who completed their Loop on September 7, 2026 aboard their Cruisers Yacht 5000 Sedan Sport, Gianna.
Hull in One
Congratulations to Kevin & Tara, who completed their Loop on September 1, 2026 aboard their Mainship 37, Hull in One.
"This was a trip of a lifetime. It had its challenges but it was worth it. We met so many amazing people along the way. We made some friends that will be friends for the rest of our life. We are grateful for the support from our friends and family."
Just Be
Congratulations to Bruce & Emily, who completed their Loop on September 12, 2026 aboard their Beneteau Swift Trawler 35, Just Be.
"A journey carried by the kindness of people, the character of unique places, and the stories tucked inside small museums — interrupted by the challenge of open‑heart surgery — yet completed with a hard‑earned and unforgettable sense of achievement at crossing our wake."
Lake Effect
Congratulations to Peter & Sue, who completed their Loop on August 12, 2026 aboard their Mainship 430 Aft Cabin, Lake Effect.
"A trip of a lifetime! We loved making new friends, seeing beautiful places new to us, visiting museums, learning about history, and discovering it by water. It was especially fun to be only the second boat to cross our wake in our beloved Sackets Harbor, NY on Lake Ontario!"
Last Mango
Congratulations to Dave, who completed his Loop on September 5, 2026 aboard his Mainship Pilot 30, Last Mango.
"Many thanks to the buddy boat crews I traveled with along the way, I couldn't have done it without you! Joe and Diane (Lunasea Too), Mike and Karen (Stella Maris), Lance and Natalie (Jakks), and last, but not least, Zack (Sea-n-Red)."
Meandher
Congratulations to Randy & Gini, who completed their Loop on August 9, 2026 aboard their Grand Banks Classic 36, Meandher.
Nautic Jen
Congratulations to Troy & Jennifer, who completed their Loop on September 2, 2026 aboard their Cruisers Cantius 46, Nautic Jen.
Prospector
Congratulations to Marcel, who completed his Loop on August 7, 2026 aboard his MacGregor 26X sailboat, Prospector.
"It was an amazing experience and equally amazing group of fellow Loopers. However, it was more than I expected going solo with Parkinson's disease on a sailboat. I was always trying to be safe and took lots of weather windows. Thanks to the home crew for their support. I DID it!"
Quanta
Congratulations to Ken & Bev, who completed their Loop on September 12, 2026 aboard their Kadey-Krogen KK42, Quanta.
"Experiencing America's Great Loop was so much more than a big boat excursion! Every day is different and each one holds an amazing gift. It’s a story that writes itself. The people, the natural beauty, the wildlife, and even the weather hold special significance.
"It was about challenging ourselves more intensely than we ever have, executing plans we made and being ready to modify those plans regularly! It’s about friendships that felt familiar from the first hello and are now bonds you can’t imagine life without. Our Great Loop story is one that we hope becomes a gift to our children, grandchildren (and beyond!) and we hope will serve as an example to others to pursue their dreams as well."
River Girl
Congratulations to Steve, Julie, & Kathryn (and the Doodle Crew!), who completed their Loop on June 7, 2026 aboard their DeFever 49 RPH, River Girl.
"Our family had a wonderful adventure on the Great Loop! There were many great days and a few rough days, but it was an amazing journey filled with places we explored, people we met, and great friendships we made. The time we spent with our daughter on her gap year was a true gift.
"We crossed our wake in June in Kent Narrows, MD, and had planned to cruise back to the Great Lakes this summer. Instead we finished the season early so that we can focus on getting Kathryn off to the University of Oregon this fall.
"For now we have transitioned back to yard work and following college football. Although we have completed our Loop, we look forward to getting back to River Girl in the spring and many new adventures with the friends we made along the way."
Rusty Nail
Congratulations to Jeff, who completed his Loop on September 10, 2026 aboard his 42' Beneteau Antares 12, Rusty Nail.
"Awesome!"
Salty Mitten
Congratulations to McKenzie & Hannon (and Loki!), who completed their Loop on August 13, 2026 aboard their Ranger Tug R27, Salty Mitten.
SEA-n-RED
Congratulations to Zack, who completed his Loop on September 10, 2026 aboard his Ranger Tug R25, SEA-n-RED.
"This trip is a challenge as a Solo Looper. I did have some friends travel for a week or so. I found Looper friends that will be lifelong. In this world of social media, it has made us less social. (As I post this to social media). I have been home for a week and I still wake up and look out the bedroom window, looking for my swing of the anchor. I'm assuming this will pass in time. I loved the small towns (especially on the Western Erie Canal). I also like the photo shots of the big cities. By the end of the trip I was so in tune with my boat that I could guess the gallon of the fill up. (float gauge). I wish I had auto-pilot installed."
- 6,014 miles
- 20 States
- 2 countries
- 205 days
- 952 gallons of diesel burned
Serenity
Congratulations to Greg & Susie, who completed their Loop on September 4, 2026 aboard their Mainship 47, Serenity.
"What a year! We had been planning this trip for 5 years waiting for retirement. As everyone says, this is a trip of a lifetime! We cast off lines on August 13, 2025 from Silver Bay, MN. We transited 4 Great Lakes, the inland river system, Chattanooga and beyond to the foothills of the Smokey Mountains, New Orleans, Florida Keys, Bahamas, St. Lawrence Seaway to Montreal, and the canal waterways to beautiful Georgian Bay and the North Channel in Ontario, Canada. We met the coolest people from Loopers, marina staff, lock operators, town folks, and islanders. Overall the boating community is amazing.
"We traveled 3 countries, 19 states, and 164 locks in 388 days. We are continuing back down the river system to spend the winter in Florida and the Bahamas.
"Amazingly my husband Greg says his highlight was getting to know me and love me even more."
Serenity II
Congratulations to Chris & Denise (& Zephyr!), who completed their Loop on September 8, 2026 aboard their Monk 36, Serenity II.
"We did it! We’re GOLD LOOPERS! Over 6,000 nautical miles, over 200 locks, numerous new friends, incredible places, and even saved a man’s life in the Everglades!!! What a journey!"
The Dash
Congratulations to Lance & Susan (& Si-Si!), who completed their Loop on September 4, 2026 aboard their SeaRay 420 Sedanbridge, The Dash.
"An amazing adventure experiencing all the different waterways that we travelled. We met so many kind people, both on boats and land, that were eager to help us on our way. So many things were actually easier to manage than we had expected, a few a bit more challenging. A once in a lifetime dream we are so grateful to have accomplished!"
Tortue de Mer
Congratulations to Mike & Bobbi, who completed their Loop on July 12, 2026 aboard their Grand Banks 36CL, Tortue de Mer.
"On July 12, 2026, we, along with our faithful boat dog Tucker, officially crossed our wake in our home waters of Tobermory, Ontario, on beautiful Georgian Bay.
"We traveled almost 8,100 miles, witnessed unforgettable sunsets, transited over 100 locks, made countless new friendships, had incredible adventures, experienced magical dolphin and manatee sightings, and made memories that will last a lifetime.
"The swapping out of our white burgee for the Gold Looper Burgee was an emotional moment—the symbolic end of an extraordinary journey.
"The Great Loop was so much more than a boating trip. It challenged us, inspired us, introduced us to amazing people, and took us to places we never imagined we’d see and then to experience them from the water made it all even more memorable.
"We are incredibly grateful to everyone who encouraged and supported us along the way. And thank you to all who followed along with our travels on Instagram and Facebook.
"Loopers are always asked, 'What was your favorite part of the Loop?' For us, the answer is simple. It’s the people we met. The shared experience of the Loop allows friendships to form quickly. We feel so fortunate that many of these friendships will sustain into the future.
"Fair winds and following seas to those still chasing their gold burgee. Maybe we’ll see you again somewhere on the water!"
Why Knot
Congratulations to Steve & Karen, who completed their Loop on September 3, 2026 aboard their Ocean Alexander 430 Pilot House, Why Knot.
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