Great Loop Radio Podcast

Several things on the Great Loop are easier if you maintain a good fitness level. Our guest this week is Doreen Sharpe. She is a Gold Looper and a Physiotherapist, and she shares the reasons why maintaining fitness is important on the Great Loop and offers some tips on when and where to fit in fitness while Looping.

This week's episode focuses on our friendly and helpful Harbor Hosts! The Home Port Crew shares more about the Harbor Host program and the True North Harbor Host of the Year award. Then, the 2022 and 2023 Harbor Hosts of the Year (Tsali & Jacque Bentley and Eric & Lynda Baumer) share why they love this program and what they did that earned them the True North distinction.

Considering Looping on a fast boat? In this episode, Gold Looper Tom Gutowski joins us to share details on how and why he and Jan chose to cruise the Great Loop on a faster boat. Our discussion focuses primarily on how to be sure you operate safely and courteously while cruising at higher speeds, but also includes details about how often you can travel at faster speeds and the potential additional fuel burn.

Gold Looper Kim Fleer joins us this week to talk about some of the options for sharing your Great Loop with those you leave behind. We'll discuss the pros and cons of sharing via Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, blogs, and other apps. We'll also share some things you should consider before selecting a platform and list some of the more popular Looper blogs, channels, and social media pages.

This week we talk about watching your wake. It's important for all Great Loopers to practice safe and courteous boating! The biggest error we see in this area is boats not slowing enough in no wake zones, minimum wake zones, and when passing other boats, docks, marinas, and other shoreside infrastructure. We break it all down for you this week with our guest, Brian Brown. Brian is a Gold Looper who had a career in the marine industry. Join us for this important episode.

Kim Russo (AGLCA's Director) and Michael Martin share the story of their own Great Loop adventure aboard The Perch, a Silverton 410 cockpit motor yacht. They'll talk about why they did the Loop, their cruising preferences, and details about their boat.

This week we wrap up our 2024 update series by talking about marine insurance. Jon Horton with Jack Martin and Associates joins us to discuss what to expect when seeking insurance for your Great Loop boat in the coming year.

The results are in! Listen to find out how many boats completed the Great Loop in 2023 and which boat makes were most popular. Brent Bowlin and Michael Martin of Great Loop Yacht Sales join us to share some of the features of the top boats for the Great Loop in 2023 and what makes them so popular. We'll also share details of the smallest and largest boats to complete the Loop last year.

This week we talk about the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA) and the work they do to keep the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway navigable. Brad Pickel, AIWA's Executive Director, is our guest and he'll share details of why the AIWA was formed, its mission, how dredging projects are funded, and cover creative ways the materials removed during dredging are being used.

Join us as Cindy Lewis of Sterling Associates shares her insight on what to expect if you're considering financing a boat in 2024. Are interest rates really that high? What kinds of terms can I expect? What are some of the limitations on the age of the boat if I hope to finance? Cindy answers these questions and more as she shares why financing may be advantageous in the coming year.

Curtis Stokes of Curtis Stokes & Associates is back as our guest to provide an update on what to expect if you are buying our selling a boat in 2024. Our discussion includes marketplace trends, pricing, insurance concerns, and what Loopers are looking for in boats for their Great Loop adventure.

Join us as the Home Port Crew from America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association gives a recap of happenings on the Great Loop in 2023 and previews what's to come in 2024. We'll talk about upcoming AGLCA efforts like Fleet of 2024 T-Shirts, Advocacy Fund Raising, recognition for Harbor Hosts, 2024 events, lock closures, and more.

The Gulf of Mexico crossing brings apprehension for many Loopers as they prepare for the Great Loop's longest open water crossing and seek a suitable weather window. Assistance is available to AGLCA members! Dave Fuller, former AGLCA Volunteer of the Year, and Tsali Bentley, AGLCA's current Harbor Host of the Year, are our guests this week. They'll walk us through "YOU Make the Call". This daily report is Dave's brainchild, and Dave & Tsali will explain what goes into this weather resource designed to help Loopers decide what weather window suits them best, and what crossing route they should take. We'll cover a 170-mile daylight crossing from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs, an overnight crossing for the same route, and the "Big Bend" option which is a series of shorter hops closer to the coastline. Listen to learn more about this helpful resource available to our members.

On this week's episode, current Looper Dan Pease shares his unique perspective on dealing with commercial traffic on the Great Loop. Dan is a former tow captain who joins us from his Looping boat currently in Florida. Dan will share what you should know about communicating with tow captains based on his commercial experience and his time on the rivers during his own Great Loop adventure.

The America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association Home Port Crew tackles some of the special considerations and skills to master before cruising the Florida segments of the Great Loop. Our discussion includes information on: Marina Reservations The Gulf Crossing Sojourners Permit/Temporary Registration Required Everglades Boating Course Courteous Passing/Minding Your Wake and more as we discuss the resources available in the Segments area of the www.GreatLoop.org website.

Tom & Joyce share the story of their Great Loop adventure. They and their friends, Lee & Jan, Looped aboard a 45' Californian. Two couples...one boat. Can it work? Tom & Joyce explain how with the right attitude, the right personalities, and lots of communication, two couples can share one boat for the Great Loop and have the time of their lives.

What's it like to travel 7,000 miles on a jet ski? Find our when Gold Looper Mike Straub shares the details of his Great Loop adventure aboard his personal watercraft, "Y Wait". Mike shares how he handled basic needs like where to sleep, when to eat, and what to wear to protect himself. He'll also talk about logistics like what gear to carry, ensuring he had enough fuel, and how he determined where he would stop. Find Mike's book on Amazon or Etsy.

Bruce and Maggie share the story of their Great Loop adventure that begins when they emerge from Covid isolation worse for the wear. They set out on the Great Loop in hopes of rediscovering their adventuresome spirits aboard "Currently" a Ranger Tug 29. This episode covers their journey and their new book, Currently Away.

Loopers on the inland rivers this year have experienced lock closures, low water levels, and a few other obstacles, but they have persevered! Planning, organization, and attitude make all the difference! Join the Home Port Crew as we share what you need to know about this year's journey on the inland rivers and what those still in the Great Loop planning stages can learn from these events.