Anybody complete the Great Loop?

Jack,

Best I recall I consider 17' from the water line with the Anchor light tilted over so it's no higher than the top of my open array Ray Marine radar. Sea Ray has the information on the thier site and I think it's like 16'8"+- so I gave myself a little extra margine.
 
SeadawgVB said:
Check youtube for some videos of the marine railway and the lift locks.... Nothing short of amazing!!

And I agree on the fuel costs being un-realized. I think that's currently where I'm stuck in the decision making process. Diesels in a 380DA seems to add 20-25K (or more) to the gas powered price tag.
Click to expand...

Started looking at 03/04 380's about a year ago. Really love that boat. 95% of them are gassers. Saw a couple of diesel 380's, but the big price difference didn't make sense to me. I guess that since they're pretty rare they demand a premium.
Started looking at 01/02 410's with diesels. 95% of them are diesels. They seemed like a better value than the 380 for us in that they are priced about the same as the 03/04 380's with gassers. We really don't need the extra 3 feet, but most of it is in the aft cabin which also contains a second head.
We're have a deposit on an 02 410 with diesels now with a survey scheduled for next week. Feeling like I love the 410 even more than the 380.
I think we would have been pretty happy with the right 380 with gassers, but we're 62 & 60 with the last kid being a junior in High School. When he goes to College we plan to do some longer range cruising around the Northeast, so the diesels make more sense for us.
I'd love to do the loop at some point, but not sure I could convince my wife to go for it. Hoping that she leans that way after doing more long range cruising in the Northeast.
 
We are in the Loop right now. We are taking our time and doing it in segments because we are still changed to the desk. Our next time around we will take the Loop much slower. Currently we are in Nashville.

Follow us at www.lapointes.ca/blog
 
Nice. We were practically neighbors when we bought our boat in September. Across the river from you just North of Rich Marine. But, it also looks like you stopped at our current marina up in Wilson, NY. Looks like you guys did a few side trips, including the Nashville one.

So here's my question. Obviously our boats are of similar configuration. Could you imagine this being a more...what....enjoyable trip in a trawler-type of boat, with more of your facilities up on the main deck?
 
We are mostly on Lake Erie. We did pass through Wilson on our way back from Boston when we bought the boat.

You absolutely can do the loop in the 38. I agree we like the galley on the main level. Going into the dungeon to cook on those summer nights is a pain. I grill a lot so a good one is a must. A dingy is a must. So many places you cannot get to in the North Channel and Georgian Bay area without one. We like our twin diesels over gas mainly because gas is underpowered compared to diesel for our size.

We will be doing the loop again when we are retired so that more time can be spent on the route. I don't see us in a trawler. I find them compartmentalized and inefficient but that's just me. We like the open feeling of a full main area with no canvas, galley up and aft. We don't have that now but still did do the loop no problem. There were times when it was so hot that it was nice to get away from it all in the closed area down in the dungeon.

It really comes down to so many factors that work for you and what you are willing to compromise on.
 
The Loop can be done in just about any boat that falls within the physical limitations of air and water draft of the route you choose to complete your journey. The largest we have seen out here are power boats in the 55' range and the smallest has been a 24' sailboat. There are and will be larger and smaller, gas and diesel, all you have to do is plan and go.
For those thinking of looping, if you haven't already, join the AGLCA. When it begins to seem as though you will be able to realize your dream, I would suggest attending an AGLCA rendezvous. The spring rendezvous is held on the east coast (2017 will be in New Bern NC near the end of April) and the fall rendezvous is usually held at Joe Wheeler state park in Rogersville AL on the Tennessee River mid October. These events are where and when they are because the loopers are "migrating" through those areas at those times, and the location has a marina and a hotel so Current Loopers are there with their boats and planning Loopers can come for a 4 day "vacation" and learn a great deal about looping. The days are filled with seminars for loopers and separate seminars for planners. Afterwards there are activities that range from entertainment to "Looper crawls", this is where loopers open our boats for inspection. It's the ultimate boat show for folks wanting to loop. You can see all different kinds of boats currently looping, outfitted to loop and we are living on them, Great stuff for those that are boatless or looking to buy a different boat to loop. Some of the planner seminars cover how to buy a looper boat, insurance, reluctant spouses, what to expect in costs, galley 101, boat maintenance, etc. etc. The best part is it's all great fun.
If you want to do the loop, plan and do it.
www.greatloop.org

www.ourcaptainschoice.blogspot.com/
 
We plan to do the Loop when I retire, in about 5 years, God willing... My wife would like to do it with a group. I would like to do it on a bigger boat, we will see what is available as the time approaches... I will put a shout out a year out, to see if any other CSR people planning to do the Loop at that time...
 
my3sons said:
The Loop can be done in just about any boat that falls within the physical limitations of air and water draft of the route you choose to complete your journey. The largest we have seen out here are power boats in the 55' range and the smallest has been a 24' sailboat. There are and will be larger and smaller, gas and diesel, all you have to do is plan and go.
For those thinking of looping, if you haven't already, join the AGLCA. When it begins to seem as though you will be able to realize your dream, I would suggest attending an AGLCA rendezvous. The spring rendezvous is held on the east coast (2017 will be in New Bern NC near the end of April) and the fall rendezvous is usually held at Joe Wheeler state park in Rogersville AL on the Tennessee River mid October. These events are where and when they are because the loopers are "migrating" through those areas at those times, and the location has a marina and a hotel so Current Loopers are there with their boats and planning Loopers can come for a 4 day "vacation" and learn a great deal about looping. The days are filled with seminars for loopers and separate seminars for planners. Afterwards there are activities that range from entertainment to "Looper crawls", this is where loopers open our boats for inspection. It's the ultimate boat show for folks wanting to loop. You can see all different kinds of boats currently looping, outfitted to loop and we are living on them, Great stuff for those that are boatless or looking to buy a different boat to loop. Some of the planner seminars cover how to buy a looper boat, insurance, reluctant spouses, what to expect in costs, galley 101, boat maintenance, etc. etc. The best part is it's all great fun.
If you want to do the loop, plan and do it.
www.greatloop.org

www.ourcaptainschoice.blogspot.com/
Click to expand...

Yep, I joined about a week or so ago. Seriously tight knit group of folks there. I'll try to make this year's rendezvous if possible.

rcknecht said:
We plan to do the Loop when I retire, in about 5 years, God willing... My wife would like to do it with a group. I would like to do it on a bigger boat, we will see what is available as the time approaches... I will put a shout out a year out, to see if any other CSR people planning to do the Loop at that time...
Click to expand...

I *might* be ready in 5 years, but will keep an eye on this forum in the meantime. There has never really been an activity/event/experience that I'd lament missing once it's too late. This is the first, and I won't let it go by.
 
For height it depends on if you wish to use the western Erie Canal instead of Oswego Canal and Lake Ontario. If you are going throught the Trent or Rideau the lowest bridge is in Chicago. You can take the alternate route there and bypass the city and that low bridge.

However if you wish to do the Erie Canal on the west side to Buffalo and Lake Erie then you must clear a bridge at 16 ft.
 
Also if you are considering doing the Loop there is a group of us on the America's Great Loop Cruiser's Association. AGLCA.

I would say 95 % of the Loopers on there are doing or have done the loop in different ways.

Registration is minimal and the info is second to none for doing the Loop.

I can't imagine gas. Diesels are so efficient and better mileage. Twins are our choice. The larger the boat the more power needed. If your upgrading your 38 I'd say go diesel. Much better power for the dollar.
 
Bresco said:
Also if you are considering doing the Loop there is a group of us on the America's Great Loop Cruiser's Association. AGLCA.

I would say 95 % of the Loopers on there are doing or have done the loop in different ways.

Registration is minimal and the info is second to none for doing the Loop.

I can't imagine gas. Diesels are so efficient and better mileage. Twins are our choice. The larger the boat the more power needed. If your upgrading your 38 I'd say go diesel. Much better power for the dollar.
Click to expand...


I'm on there now, and yeah, the info and message boards are great.
 
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