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Your VHF radio might be the most underrated piece of gear on your Great Loop—but it can make all the difference when it comes to safety, navigation, and communicating with other boats, bridges, and locks while on the water. This week, John Herlig from The Boat Galley joins us to break down the essentials: when to use the VHF, which channels matter, and the simple habits that can keep you safer and more confident underway. Whether you’re new to boating or just need a refresher, this episode will help you get the most out of this vital onboard tool.

The Great Loop is a 6,000-mile water route that Loopers cruiser aboard their own boats. At its essence, it's a circumnavigation of the eastern U.S. and part of Canada via mostly protected inland waterways. The Great Loop route follows the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the Chesapeake Bay, and the New York Canals northwards, goes across the Great Lakes, south on the Inland Rivers, and then east Gulf Coast to complete the Loop.

We continue our month-long Boat Buying in 2026 series with one of the most critical steps in the process—the marine survey. This week, Scott Miller of Miller Marine Consultant joins us to break it all down: how to choose the right surveyor, what really happens on survey day, and how to interpret the report you’ll receive afterward. Whether you’re buying your first Great Loop boat or preparing to sell, understanding the survey can save you money, headaches, and surprises. If a boat purchase or sale is part of your plans this year, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Boat buying in 2026 comes with big questions—and financing is one of the most important. This week, we continue our boat buying series with a deep dive into current marine financing. Cindy Lewis of Sterling Associates joins us to break down today’s financing rates and terms, explain why financing may make sense even if you can pay cash, and share what buyers need to know before making an offer. Whether financing is part of your plan or not, this episode offers valuable insight you won’t want to miss.

Buying a boat for the Great Loop in 2026? Marine insurance can be one of the most confusing — and critical — pieces of the puzzle. This week, we continue our 2026 boat buying update with a deep dive into today’s marine insurance market. Is coverage still hard to find? Are premiums stabilizing? And can first-time or newer boaters qualify for insurance on a Great Loop–ready yacht? Jon Horton of Jack Martin & Associates joins us to answer these questions and share expert insight on what buyers can expect this year. If a Great Loop boat is in your future, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Thinking about buying your Great Loop boat in 2026? We’re kicking off a new series dedicated to what today’s buyers really need to know. In this episode, Michael Martin of Great Loop Yacht Sales joins us to break down the current boat-buying landscape and what’s ahead for Loopers this year. Is it still a seller’s market? Are prices continuing to climb—or are new opportunities emerging for buyers? Get expert insight, practical perspective, and the latest market realities to help you buy your Great Loop boat. Tune in to find out what 2026 could mean for your boat search!

Your boat might be ready for the Great Loop—but is your body? In this episode, we’re joined by Gold Looper Kevin Williams, founder of Blue Tortuga Fitness, to talk about the often-overlooked side of Loop preparation: physical readiness. Kevin shares practical, Looper-specific fitness tips to help you stay strong, flexible, and safe on the water—whether you’re preparing to cast off or already cruising the Loop. From handling lines and locks to preventing injuries and fatigue, this episode will help you feel confident and capable every step of the journey.