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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.

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.

Weather forecasts may be the most important piece of information you can gather before heading out for a day on the water. This week, Kennard "Chip" Kasper, Meteorologist-in-Charge at NOAA/Florida Keys National Weather Service, joins us to talk about NOAA's mission and the important work they do in marine weather forecasting. With hurricane season right around the corner, we'll also discuss how storms are tracked and what the implications are for boaters.

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.