Members only
September 2025 Great Loop Link
FROM THE EDITOR'S DECK
The first day of fall is September 22. Another season of boating in the beautiful waters of the North Channel, Georgian Bay, and the Great Lakes is coming to an end. Loopers are beginning to head south on Lake Michigan towards the inland rivers, in pursuit of warmer temperatures. But there is still plenty to enjoy!
First up...Wisconsin. The discussion about which side of Lake Michigan's shoreline you should cruise on your way to Chicago is much debated. The conversation often compares Michigan's sandy beaches vs. Wisconsin's more rocky terrain. But one topic you might want to include when you make your decision is the food! Gold Looper Malissa Marsden gives a shout out to some of Wisconsin's most iconic foods...one bite at a time. If you've never had a Kringle pastry, make sure you give them a try. Seriously. SO GOOD. And you can get them shipped to you once you get back home!
After eating your way through The Badger State, Wes Litsey will help you navigate the inland rivers from Chicago to Paducah, including some of his and Amy's favorite stops along the way. There are some special considerations as you begin this portion of the route, like communicating with tows. You will also find the longest distance between fuel stops on the river system. But after the hustle and bustle of Milwaukee and Chicago, the peace and quiet you can find along the rivers will be a welcome change.
AGLCA is all about boater safety and recently in our website forum, a topic came up that we wanted to share with the entire membership. An article was shared in the forum about electric shock drowning (ESD) and it led to an in-depth discussion of what ESD is and how to keep yourself safe. Gold Looper Jim Healy wrote a resource for us to keep on the website about this very dangerous phenomena and we've exerpted portions of it here with a link back to the full article so you can find it on our website. It is always best to be aware so you can be prepared!
It's time to submit nominations for Sponsor of the Year!
In 2018, AGLCA created an award to honor the outstanding service and support AGLCA Sponsors provide Loopers. We know there are a lot of AGLCA Sponsors providing great service to Loopers and we want to hear what they are doing to make your Loop even better! Tell us why they are so deserving of Sponsor of the Year. You may nominate a particular member of a Sponsor’s staff or the Sponsor as a whole. You may also nominate as many Sponsors as you’d like, but we do ask that you submit a separate form for each nomination. AGLCA Sponsors are not allowed to make nominations. We are now accepting nominations through Sunday, September 14th for this year’s Sponsor of the Year Award. Learn more and submit your nomination here.
And as always, don't miss your fellow Loopers' Wake Crossing announcements.
In this issue:
Members only
Members only
Admiral Sponsors
Wake Crossings Reported in August:
Blue Moon
Congratulations to David & Brenda, who completed the Loop on August 13, 2025 aboard their 45' Sea Ranger Raised Pilot House, Blue Moon.
"It’s not all rainbows and dolphins but it was definitely worth the troubles and the people made the Loop!"
Elizabeth
Congratulations to Pam & Bruce, who completed their Loop on July 17, 2025 aboard their 1985 Grand Banks Classic, Elizabeth.
"It has all been said before, but 'the trip of a lifetime' does not even come close to describing the experience of traveling on and completing America’s Great Loop. The highs were higher, the lows were not so low as to be insurmountable, and the day-to-day, well, let’s just say that every day was a new and wonderful experience that will be treasured in our collective memories forever.
"Pam commented at the outset of our Loop adventure as she began perusing the blogs and stories of those who had completed the Loop 'all everyone talks about is it’s all about the people. What a crock! I will definitely not be saying THAT when we finish this thing!' Suffice to say that thought did a complete 180 as we soon realized a huge component of this trip is about the people. Our new forever friends from all across Canada the U.S. are certainly among the greatest benefits we have received, and we never saw it coming.
"Many people asked about living in such close quarters for an extended period of time. To that end we noticed another unexpected benefit of the trip; we grew closer together as a couple, as we learned to rely on each other, communicate better, and work through whatever was thrown at us together as a team. Another great unexpected benefit!
"As others have noted, there are just too many highlights of the trip to try to list them all but a few do stand out: passing by the Statue of Liberty, the quilt museum in Paducah, our time in the Florida Keys, the Trent-Severn Waterway, the Halloween party at Clifton Marina, and each and every one of the docktails that we experienced along the way. It is also worth noting that when we did require assistance from marinas and repair yards the folks on shore were always helpful and accommodating, which gave us confidence knowing that when trouble arises ~ and it will ~ there were literally hundreds of places along the Loop that can help you out in a pinch. A special shout out to Irish Boat Shop on Lake Michigan for their great fiberglass work on our keel.
"Two special words of thanks, first to the home crew of AGLCA for operating a great website and providing tons of information and support, and to Mike and Bobbi Hopkins (currently looping) for all their sage advice and support.
"A common question is 'would you do it again?' The unequivocal answer is Yes! Absolutely! And that says it all."
Hiatus Too
Congratulations to Beth & Doug, who completed the Loop aboard their Ocean Alexander 45 Sedan, Hiatus Too.
"Don't hesitate or overthink it, just do it! The Great Loop was so much more than we expected. The people we met, both Loopers and locals, made the adventure so much more fun and enlightening. We appreciate each and every one we met along the way and are so thankful that you were a part of our journey. It's impossible to choose a favorite part of the Loop as every part and every day was special ~ there was always a silver lining or a lesson learned even on the longest, hardest days. Whether sunshine, light breezes and smooth waters, or gray, windy and rocking waters, living aboard and visiting the lake, river, and coastal towns of the United States and Canada along our way was truly amazing and we are forever grateful for this incredible Looportunity."
JOURNEY
Congratulations to John & Jane, who completed their Loop on August 9, 2025 aboard their 42' President Classic Trawler, JOURNEY.
"August 9th, 2025 the winds were 15 to 17 miles an hour out of the south. The seas were 3-5 ft on Lake Michigan. It wasn’t the weather we had hoped for our crossing but it was the day we had planned for several years. We were hesitant to cruise in those conditions. After much thought and consideration we decided our boat could handle the wind and seas and we would be safe to proceed. Several of our family members rode with us on JOURNEY that day. It was an exciting ride. Our boat cut through the waves like a workhorse. We officially crossed our wake aboard JOURNEY that day. August 9th, 2025 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, we became Gold Loopers.
"It all began on September 23, 2016. We were bound for the Fall Rendezvous at Joe Wheeler State Park. Since that time we have cruised just over 6,000 miles during the past 9 years. Family and friends have joined us along the way and were at Southport Marina to help us celebrate the crossing and raise our gold flag.
"Cruising the Loop has been an unforgettable, grand adventure. We visited places we never knew existed, anchored in out-of-the way niches, docked at a few 'rustic' marinas and lounged at awesome resort locations. Saw wildlife up close. We did things we never thought we could do. Cruising through the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and the Canadian UNESCO waterways were all so memorable and unique. The scenery was beautiful in areas, the sunrises and sunsets were amazing. We do have to mention there were many great restaurants along the way.
"We took our time completing the Loop… partly because we did not want it to end. Plus, Covid entered the scene about halfway through and gave us a good excuse to keep JOURNEY in Florida for four winters. For us, there was no reason to hurry. We worked to keep a balance of home time, family time and JOURNEY time. On many occasions we were able to combine family/JOURNEY time. It was such a bonding experience to share our adventure with family members on JOURNEY as we traveled.
"Loopers always talk about the wonderful people they meet along the way: marina staff, local residents, and other Loopers recognized by their white, gold, and platinum burgees. We had the good fortune of being hailed on the radio by Gold Loopers Doyle and Christy Miller as we cruised by the Saint Louis Arch. They recognized our white burgee and asked if we would like our picture taken under the arch? 'Yes' we replied…and in turn we took their picture under the arch. That evening we rafted at Hoppies, shared photo data, exchanged boat cards and began a special friendship that continues today."
Just Bob'n
Congratulations to Bob & Pam, who completed the Loop aboard their Tiara 3500 Open, Just Bob'n.
"What we valued most was the history and geography lessons and the support of family and friends."
Just Relax
Congratulations to Mike & Mary, who completed the Loop on August 16, 2025 aboard their SeaRay 400 Sedan Bridge, Just Relax.
"Just Relax has crossed her wake and returned to her homeport at Great Lakes Steel Boat Club, 398 days after setting off. Many have said the trip is a journey of discovery, connection and transformation. That is true ~ I believe we are better people because of the experiences and people we met on our journey. If you are considering this trip, set aside the anxiety and do it!!
"What did we learn?
- People are truly good. The Loop restores your faith in humanity.
- Waves will always be larger than expected, so strap the dinghy down well.
- Diversity makes life better: Each region is different and we met people from all walks of life. All were special & we would not want to have skipped any section of the Loop or missed any of the people we met.
- Swimming in cold water actually feels great. Swim every chance you get!!
- We make a pretty good team: being together 24/7 taught us to understand and accept each other's weaknesses and to lean into our strengths. Our marriage is stronger due to this trip (captain may disagree :).
- Adventure awaits, grab hold of it! Thank you to the ones who showed us life is so full of possibilities. The lucky ones are those that embrace those possibilities and make dreams come true.
- Living a winter without snow is not so bad, maybe the snowbirds are on to something.
- And last but definitely not least: We have amazing family and friends (both old & new), whose support throughout this trip meant the world to us. Whether it was helping with boat issues, calling or visiting, interacting with us on the Just Relax on the Great Loop FB page or praying for our safe travels, you all contributed to making this trip possible and fun for us. Thank you!
"What’s next?
I always ask this of those who finish the Loop because I wonder how I will fill the void. For us, we will move back to land but continue boating as we have some incredible cruising areas not too far away: extended exploration of Lake Superior, the North Channel, and Georgian Bay will definitely happen in future summers. Who knows what else ~ but I sure don’t want the adventures to end!!
"Wishing all past, current and future Loopers along with the homeport crew smooth seas. Thank you all for the encouragement, help, and support throughout this journey. If you cruise up the Detroit River, don’t hesitate to contact us."
Katahdin
Congratulations to Chuck & Jackie, who completed the Loop aboard their Sabre 45, Katahdin.
"The adventure of a lifetime. Fabulous birds and wildlife. Wonderful and kind people of all political persuasions. Only sad note is the state of so many main streets in struggling towns and villages."
Lady A
Congratulations to Jack & Angie, who completed their Loop on March 31, 2025 aboard their 44' Endeavor Power Catamaran, Lady A.
Oyster
Congratulations to Jeff & Trish, who completed the Loop on August 27, 2025 aboard their DeFever Passagemaker 40, Oyster.
Plan B (formerly OUR PLAN)
Congratulations to Mike & Chris, who completed the Loop on August 17, 2025 aboard their Cruisers Yachts Cantius 48, Plan B.
"We started our Loop on Sept. 30, 2021 with the intention of completing it within 1 year. We did the first 5,000 miles in 11 months. We then put our boat on the hard in Holland, Michigan, sold it, then bought a new-to-us boat on Lake Michigan the next spring. (Thus the 2 boat names.)
"We fell in love with Lake Michigan and spent the summers of 2023 and 2024 in Strugeon Bay at CenterPointe Marina. (There are a lot of great marinas, but CenterPointe was by far our favorite.)
"We were glad to spend time exploring the Great Lakes and wished we would have spent more time on the Chesapeake and the North Channel.
"The Loop was an experience of a lifetime that we will always cherish. We met so many wonderful people along the way and built new friendships. And after 4 years we were very excited to cross our wake.
"There are many ways to do the Loop, just start and create your own story!"
Redbow V
Congratulations to Lee, who completed the Loop on July 20, 2025 aboard his Mainship 390, Redbow V.
"OMG where to start….
"Starting the Loop in 2023 with Kathy at the helm and finishing 2 years later with Ellen Anderson, Kathy’s oldest daughter (my oldest bonus daughter) under Kathy's heavenly guidance was so fun, exhausting, fulfilling and sad all bundled into one pile of emotion. It is still hard to write this release without a flood of emotions.
"I want to thank the family and friends that emotionally, physically, and nautically carried me through the last year of the Great Loop Journey after my life partner, Kathy, passed away. Kathy and I with our canine partners, Jack and Roxie, started the Loop together aboard our Mainship 390 – Redbow V in June of '23. We then decided to winter the boat in Benton Harbor, Michigan, due to the drama unfolding with the delayed opening of the Illinois River locks that fall. (Ironically, Kathy and I went to high school together on the Illinois River, in Morris, Illinois, and had many friends who worked on the waterways and locks in our area.) Soon thereafter Kathy unexpectedly and suddenly passed away. She left her mark on so many students of hers, friends, and, of course, her loving family.
"Not sure how to proceed after Kathy's passing, family and friends did not hesitate and all said 'We got you, Lee, let's finish this thing called the Great Loop'. Most of these cheerleaders knew less about a Mainship, red-right-returning, slow passing, Navionics, etc., than I did when the team started coming together. Highly functioning nautical misfits to say the least.
"I think it is best not to mention the enormous support team by name; as I am sure I will forget someone that was critical to our success on any given week, day, or hour of our journey. I do not want to leave anyone out, so I will leave everyone out. But the level of support from a simple fuel man at a dock with a word of advice, a fellow Canadian Looper working with me on my anchoring technique, AGLCA forums that helped us solve a problem or to silence an alarm on the boat as it was happening, the GOA crossing team on that magical night, the Looper and non-looper friends that just dropped a text or made a short call from time to time to offer support, the Looper toasts and small beers, the Loopers before us that gave solid advice and counsel, to the herculean repair team in Port Sanilac that pulled miracles to rehab a 20-year-old boat in weeks to keep us moving, the men’s Looper prayer group (Tsali and the group can darn near solve any challenge – spiritally and mechanically), the family and friends that jumped on Redbow to take a segment and get us to the finish line.
"OMG it already seems like a miraculous dream, with brother, sister, sons, daughters, niece, high school classmates, college fraternity brothers, neighbors, fishing/hunting buddies and friends of friends (I now call friends) joining Roxie and me as we completed the Loop.
"The picture is of the wake crossing celebration with Ellen, her husband TC, his parents from nearby Detroit, and Gary and Jill Quick. Gary and I were roommates during our last year at Rose-Hulman Institute a few decades ago. Gary jumped on several legs with me and kept an eye on my other legs to help us finish the Loop.
"So blessed to have started and completed this epic journey and looking forward to the next 'segment' of life’s expedition."
SeaDooner
Congratulations to Amy, who completed her Loop on July 26, 2025 aboard her 12' 2025 Sea Doo Explorer Pro, SeaDooner.
"I was introduced to the concept of 'The Loop' 35 years ago while in high school by my dad. He had always talked about the Loop and how cool it would be to circumnavigate the eastern half of the U.S. by boat. He finally decided to embark on this bucket list quest and bought a boat a few years ago. I spent much time helping him prepare and he set off in May of 2024 aboard 'Intuition.' The thought of such an adventure had been marinating inside of me for a long time, but I don't like being on boats for extended periods of time and my level of seasickness is off the charts. Hmmmm, had anybody ever completed the Loop on a jet ski? After a quick google search, I quickly came up with the name Mike Straub and his Sea Doo Looper YouTube channel. That's it! I'm going to complete the Loop on a jet ski!
"After careful consideration of the right craft, I purchased a 2025 SeaDoo Explorer Pro and started on the many modifications. I wanted to fit in with the mainstream boat crowd as much as possible. The modifications made included a 10-gallon auxiliary fuel tank in the hull, Nebo, AIS, a waterproof tablet tower, navigation lights for added visibility and a holder for the AGLCA flag to proudly be displayed at the bow of the boat. My journey began on April 21, 2025.
"Even with the extensive research I'd done and the 'trail map' given to me by my jet ski Looper predecessors, I wasn't expecting the shift in my thinking that took place. I thought I set out on a very long jet ski ride where I would see beautiful country and meet a few folks along the way. As it turns out, I set out on an adventure where meeting and interacting with the people were the highlights of the trip with the scenery as a mere backdrop for the occasion. I LOVED talking with all the different folks as our paths crossed. Whether it be a fellow boater, marina staff, lock worker, hotel receptionist, Uber driver, waiter/waitress or anybody walking by, I enjoyed hearing their stories and I shared mine if they cared to listen. I wanted to inspire others to do something a bit outside of their comfort zone and see the things from a new angle because I certainly was!
"I was fortunate enough to share this journey with multiple partners at various points. I had the opportunity to ride with Kasey 'Solo Ventures' for a short time and who will complete her Loop in August 2025. I also rode over half of the Loop with my brother, Brian, who decided to join me on a whim. I enjoyed spending quality time with him.
"For me, the Gold Burgee once stood as a symbol of achievement. I now see it as a reminder to the friends I've made and the personal interactions I've had along the way.
"As my Loop has come to an end, I can't wait to watch my dad cross his wake and fulfill a bucket list item he's so longingly worked for."
Tasha Lynn
Congratulations to John & Gayle, who completed their Loop on July 3, 2025 aboard their DeFever 44 Coastal, Tasha Lynn.
TEVA
Congratulations to Molly & David, who completed their Loop on June 13, 2025 aboard their 2004 Cruisers 375, TEVA.
"TEVA finishes America's Great Loop and Crosses her Wake...AND on our 43rd Anniversary!
"After 5 1/2 years of traveling to (and spending time in) quite a few locations along the Loop, we've returned to Kingfisher Bay Marina in Demopolis, AL!
"It's true what everyone says that one of the best things about the Loop are the people you meet along the way ~ those we met once or twice, those we got to know in places we stayed a while (Brunswick Landing Marina), and those we traveled with or met up with on stretches along the way.
"We are thankful for the vast amount of knowledge provided by the AGLCA and its members at the Rendezvous and Facebook group and web site.
"Some of our favorite places on the Loop are a side trip to St. Catharine's in Canada where two longtime friends live and two other longtime friends met us for an unforgettable visit, Georgian Bay/North Channel for the scenery, and Brunswick Landing Marina for the topnotch-amenities and awesome opportunities to socialize.
"Every place we went had so much to enjoy, learn and experience ~ the history, natural beauty and, of course, all the ice cream and fudge stores! And, yes the butter tarts in Canada! 😋
"On top of all that is the sense of accomplishment we feel surviving the good and not quite as good, and that we SURVIVED and neither of us threw the other overboard! Yet." 😄❤️🙏
Til You Can't
Congratulations to Chuck & Kim, who completed the Loop on July 29, 2025 aboard their Monk 36, Til You Can't.
"In the 400 days we cruised America’s Great Loop, we've locked up, locked down, been pushed by the current & swung with the tide. We've learned so much history & visited too many museums to count. We've been stretched & challenged beyond our comfort zones. We've grown as individuals & as a couple. We've done a lot of hard things on this journey & we’ve accomplished them together. We've made life-long friends & so many new memories! It truly was an adventure of a lifetime. We're boaters now. Although we don't know exactly what's next, you can find us at the docks or walking along the water's edge. We'll be looking for critters & watching the sunset. If you arrive in time for docktails, just bring whatever you drink & come with a story to tell. We'll laugh about your blunder & share one of our own. Because one thing we've learned this year is that life is an adventure. And the best part is the people we meet along the way."
Trouvaille
Congratulations to Dustin & Becky, who completed the Loop aboard their Lagoon 380 Catamaran, Trouvaille.
"Our Loop was anything but conventional, but it was truly spectacular! For starters, we began the Loop in our 30's and we did it on a catamaran. We took the mast off in Chicago and ended up never putting it back up because we enjoyed using it as a trawler, and it was more fuel efficient than any other trawler we found. We worked M-F 8-5 remotely the entire time. We anchored out most of the trip rather than getting slips at marinas and saved a lot of money because of it. We used a portable generator from Harbor Freight instead of solar because that is what came with the boat. We didn't invest in a bunch of expensive electronics and in fact, used a $100 phone from Walmart with Navionics on it to navigate our entire Loop. We never had radar since it was on the mast we took down. If it was foggy, we just had to wait it out. We didn't transmit AIS, only received and that was all we needed. We took 3 years to complete our Loop instead of the typical 1 year. We traveled over 12,000 nautical miles rather than the typical 5-7,000.
"We couldn't leave the country because we found out that our little doggie is allergic to the rabies vaccine, so instead, we took our time exploring our own country and learned more about it firsthand than we ever could've learned in school or through books. We let our curiosity lead us and took many side trips that ended up being some of our favorite places. We spent a week in the Dry Tortugas where we saw some of the bluest water we've ever seen, witnessed bioluminescence, turtles, frigates, Goliath Grouper, explored our own island, and snorkeled shipwrecks. We saw wild horses running free amongst the ruins of the Carnegie Mansion and found a handful of shark teeth on the magical Cumberland Island. We went spelunking deep in a cave in Alabama that required a permit to enter due to its dangerous entry point a mile into the forest, drove our boat through the absolutely stunning Tennessee River Gorge near Chattanooga, ate pizza at Mystic Pizza in Connecticut and visited the seaport museum, spent a week in Martha's Vineyard and Block Island, saw humpback whales and seals off the coast of Cape Cod, and ended up all the way in Bar Harbor, Maine where we saw the sunrise from the very first place in the United States that it is visible each morning atop Cadillac Mountain and climbed rock faces in Acadia National Park! We attended the Annapolis Boat Show with our own boat and toured many beautiful vessels and met some of the most famous sailing YouTubers out there (SV Delos, SpearItAnimal, MJSailing, etc). There have been too many wonderful moments to mention every highlight of this journey.
"We are so grateful for all the amazing people we've met along the way and the many incredible experiences God has blessed us with. There are so many good people out there in the world and it's been so nice to see the random acts of kindness in humanity. Our wonderful families were on the pier cheering us on and welcoming us home as we finished, and many locals welcomed us home as we returned to our home port a couple of weeks later ❤️ Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us along the way!
"There are so many ways to do the Loop and everyone does it differently. You can work remotely, take a sabbatical, wait until retirement, you can sell everything and go all in like we did, or you can keep your land home and complete the Loop in segments. You can do it in 19 days or 35 years. You can do it on a kayak, a jet ski, a jon boat, a trawler, a catamaran, or a mega yacht. You can do it with zero experience or a lifetime of boating under your belt. Don't let anyone tell you the way you want to do it is wrong because the only correct way to do the Loop is Your Way! 😀
"Now, to figure out what is next. We are definitely not done exploring! 😉"
UpNorth
Congratulations to Jay & Sandy, who completed the Loop aboard their Bayliner 4588, UpNorth.
"On August 15, 2025 we crossed our wake in DeTour, Michigan on our Bayliner 4588.
"Our Loop from DeTour Village was 6,644 miles in 341 days, with 185 stops. Another 1,080 miles across Lake Superior to and from our home port of Duluth, MN. We are currently on route back to Duluth.
"We have had amazing adventures and new experiences. Always busy exploring and planning for the next stop.
"Different sections of the Loop we traveled with some great buddy boats, which made the journey so much better.
"Will miss the great scenery, sunsets and friends. We will remember this trip for a lifetime."
We Got This
Congratulations to Brian & Janet, who completed the Loop on August 5, 2025 aboard their Silverton 352, We Got This.
"To say this trip was amazing would be an understatement. It truly was a journey of a lifetime.
"So many amazing memories and friendships made that will last forever.
"Every day was a new adventure, and yes there were days that challenged us. But the amazing good days outshine the bad days.
"We want to thank all our family and friends for all their love and support!"
WILLOW
Congratulations to Paul, who completed his Loop on August 13, 2024 aboard his Ranger R25-LE-OB, WILLOW.
"I completed the Loop solo in 8 segments, cruising approximately 1 week on, 3 weeks off. As a segment Looper, I often traveled in less than ideal weather (small craft and weather warnings). Given that reality, my wife decided she would not be participating in my excellent adventure, so my goal changed to traveling lots of miles every day. And I did. I would start at grey light, and put in long hours behind the wheel at pretty good speed (+/- 25kts where I could). I also tried to clear as many locks per day that I could on the Erie and T/S canals by being on the wall when they opened, and the last one through before the lock closed in the evening. I have each day of my trip detailed in my captain's log, including all of the receipts. My journey was 5021 miles, 278.6 engine hours, 40 travel days on the water. I have lots of stories and advice (mostly cautionary regarding weather) for any interested Loopers. WILLOW and I started our journey in Perdido Key, FL (PNS). I parked the boat in Clearwater, FL (TPA); Melbourne, FL (MLB); Wilmington, NC (ILM); Tarrytown, NY (HPN); Salmon River, NY (SYR); Lefroy Harbor, ON (YYZ); and Grafton Marina, IL (STL). (Airports that I used are in parentheses.) It was a heck of a trip."
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