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On this episode of Great Loop Radio, we’re talking about something every Looper will face—but not everyone fully understands—tides and currents. Join us as we welcome Captain Craig Allain of Captain Craig's Boat Services for a practical, real-world conversation about how moving water can impact your Great Loop adventure. From the big tidal swings to Georgia and south Carolina to tricky marina approaches, Captain Craig breaks down: -Where Loopers are most likely to encounter the largest tide changes -How currents affect boat handling in close quarters -Smart strategies for anchoring in tidal waters -Tips for tying up at marinas when water levels are changing Whether you’re still planning your Loop or already underway, understanding tides and currents can make the difference between a smooth arrival and a stressful docking. Captain Craig shares confidence-building advice that will help you work with the water instead of fighting it.

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.

Is 2026 the year you take on the Great Loop? Whether you’re aiming to untie the lines next year or want to make real progress on your planning, this episode is your roadmap to what’s ahead. Join us as we share everything coming up at AGLCA in the New Year—from can’t-miss in-person gatherings and virtual events to new opportunities to connect, learn, and stay inspired alongside fellow Loopers. If the Great Loop is on your horizon, this episode will help you make 2026 your year to move closer to the dream.

What does it really take to turn a true fixer-upper into a Great Loop-worthy cruiser? When Mike Smith discovered the boat that would carry him around America’s Great Loop, it had spent a decade as a dock queen—and didn’t even run. But with determination, creativity, and a whole lot of help from friends, Mike brought her back to life and transformed her into a sound, safe, and comfortable home for his 6,000-mile adventure. On this week’s episode, Mike shares the highs, lows, surprises, and lessons learned from resurrecting his Looping boat. If you've ever wondered whether a project boat can make the journey, this is one you won’t want to miss.

New anchoring regulations are coming to Florida—and they could change the way Loopers plan their cruise, especially around Biscayne Bay. On this episode, we break down what’s changing, why it matters, and what you need to know before you drop the hook. Tune in to get clear, practical guidance so you can cruise Florida with confidence.

Mike Tackett wasn’t running away—he was chasing something. After years of building businesses and raising a family, he felt the pull of something more: freedom, clarity, and the wide-open water. So he bought a boat named PATIENCE, convinced his wife to come along, and set out to tackle America’s Great Loop—a 6,000-mile voyage that would test, stretch, and ultimately transform him. In this episode, Mike joins us to share the story behind his memoir, Blue Mind, Bold Heart. He opens up about the storms and stillness, the near disasters and quiet revelations, and the unexpected moments that reshaped how he sees life. With honesty, humor, and a refreshing vulnerability, Mike takes us inside the journey that changed everything—from the rhythm of his days to his sense of purpose. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Is this all there is?” you won’t want to miss this conversation.

Solo female Loopers are still rare, but Michele proves it can be done — and done with confidence and grace. This week, she joins us to share the story of her Great Loop completing aboard her 31' Camano Trawler. You’ll be inspired by Michele’s adventurous spirit, practical approach, and refreshingly matter-of-fact attitude toward single-handing one of the greatest boating adventures there is. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!

Thinking about tackling the Great Loop but not sure if the lifestyle—or the boat—is right for you? Buying a Looping boat is a big commitment, and many future Loopers want a way to try before they buy. In this episode, we talk with three AGLCA sponsors who offer unique ways to experience the Great Loop firsthand—before making that major investment. From joining a Looper who offers cruises aboard their own vessel, to attending “Trawler School” and earning a certification, to chartering along some of the Loop’s most iconic waterways, you’ll discover several hands-on ways to see what Looping is really like. Tune in to explore your options for testing the waters of the Great Loop lifestyle!

This week’s guests, Mark and Cinda Boomershine, didn’t just cruise the Great Loop—they brought their two kids along and turned the entire adventure into a hit YouTube series. Join us as they share their family’s unforgettable journey aboard SeaShine, their 56' Ocean Alexander. You’ll hear how they made the boat their own, the highs and challenges of Looping as a family, and what they learned from seeing America’s waterways together, one mile at a time.

AGLCA is all about Loopers helping Loopers—and YOU Make the Call is a perfect example of that spirit in action. Each fall/winter, this daily post helps Loopers determine when conditions are right for their Gulf crossing. In this episode, Tsali Bentley joins us to explain what goes into each YOU Make the Call update, where you can find it, and why he’s so dedicated to volunteering to provide this invaluable service. He also shares how the idea began and how it’s evolved to support today’s Loopers.

This week on the podcast, we continue our “Story of Our Loop” series with a special father-son edition! Richard and Jacob recently completed the Great Loop together, and they’re joining us to share their incredible journey. Hear how they chose their boat, the highlights of their adventure, and what they gained—both individually and as a family—by taking on the Loop side by side.

Day Shapes are required by the rules of navigation to be displayed under certain circumstances, but recreational vessels seem to rarely use them. Robert Rice joins us once again this week to tell us all about Day Shapes, what they mean, and when to use them.

This week's episode is all about marinas. Based on listener suggestions, the Home Port Crew shares insight on how to select marinas when cruising the Great Loop, how and when to make marina reservations, and how to find long term slips or storage for your boat before, during, or after the Great Loop.

As this year's fleet of Loopers heads south on the inland rivers, we pick up this week where we left off in early September. Carolyn and Pete Westbay are our guests this week and they provide tips on navigating from Paducah, KY along the Ohio River to Mobile, Alabama on the Gulf Coast. We'll cover strategies for communicating with lock operators and tow captains and provide some ideas for where to stop and what you'll see along the way.