Story of our Loop - The Brown Family, 55' Marquis

In this episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we continue our “Story of My Loop” series with veteran mariner Peter Reich, who completed the Great Loop aboard his Lord Nelson Victory Tug. Peter brings a depth of experience rarely matched among Loopers, with a background that includes a degree in naval architecture, years as a commercial mariner, marina operator, and lifelong pleasure boater. Peter shares highlights from his Great Loop adventure, lessons learned from a Gulf crossing that didn’t go according to plan, and the ways his decades on the water shaped the strong culture of safety he maintains aboard his boat. From preparation and seamanship to decision-making underway, this episode is packed with practical wisdom that even the most experienced cruisers will appreciate. Whether you’re actively planning your Loop or already underway, Peter’s thoughtful advice and real-world perspective offer valuable takeaways for every boater.

In this installment of our “Story of Our Loop” series, we chat with Doug & Melissa about their Great Loop adventure aboard their Gemini 105MC catamaran. Cruising at about 4.5 knots, they completed the Loop in just over a year, proving that there’s no “right” speed or schedule for America’s Great Loop. Doug & Melissa share what life was like aboard a smaller catamaran with both a dog and a cat along for the journey, including the unique challenges and rewards of cruising with pets. While they originally planned to spend much of the trip anchoring out, they were pleasantly surprised by the incredible sense of community among Loopers. The friendships they made along the way became one of the greatest highlights of their adventure. Join us for a conversation about slow cruising, unexpected connections, and the special camaraderie that makes the Great Loop experience unlike any other.

Cruising the Great Loop is an adventure for anyone—but doing it as international visitors adds a whole new layer of planning and perspective. In this episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we chat with British Loopers Alan and Eleanor about their journey from the U.K. to the U.S. to tackle America’s Great Loop. They share the visa process they used, how they purchased a boat in the United States, and some of the unforgettable highlights from their travels along the Loop. Alan and Eleanor also compare the Great Loop experience to their previous cruising adventures aboard their sailboat through canal in France,, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and Greece. This episode offers a fascinating international perspective on the Looping lifestyle. Whether you’re dreaming of the Great Loop from abroad or simply enjoy hearing how cruising compares around the world, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

Tad and Libbie took a unique approach to completing America’s Great Loop—proving that the journey doesn’t have to be done all at once to be unforgettable. Aboard their Kadey-Krogen 39 Selkie, they tackled the Loop in three thoughtfully planned segments, balancing their love of cruising with time back on land. In this episode of Great Loop Radio, they offer an honest look at Looping—the highs, the challenges, and the realities of stepping away and coming back. They share how breaking the Loop into segments shaped their experience, the logistics of leaving and returning to the boat, and the surprising benefits of not rushing the journey. From seasonal strategy to lifestyle balance, Tad and Libbie provide a refreshing, real-world perspective for Loopers who want to make the adventure fit their lives—not the other way around.