Long Legs ?

Steve Craig

Member
Jul 26, 2011
453
Saint John, N.B.
Boat Info
'07 260 Sundeck
Engines
6.2l & Bravo III / Corsa
We're considering The Great Loop in 3-4 years. Big step for us but we can't stop bringing it up! Friends of ours has a sister & husband who completed it about 2 years ago, 12 month trip. We'll be meeting them soon.
We're currently running a 260 Sundeck in our local river system & have been avid boaters since 2011. Our plan is to step into a 36'-40' boat in a year or two. Run it & learn the boat on the river system over the following 2 years. Locally, our "years" are really 2-3 month boating seasons. We'll start taking the occasional trips out into the Bay of Fundy from there & decide if we still want to proceed. One option would be to have it moved to New York for us, still too much debate from the Admiral and it's very early in our plan.
One thought we had was operating costs, maintenance & fuel.
I'm thinking diesel power will be the most fuel efficient way to go & may also be the choice for maintenance intervals. Drive systems I'm very unfamiliar with other than our Bravo III stern-drive.
Comments/suggestions/opinions all appreciated.

Thank You,
Steve C
 
There are a couple of spots where you need long legs... down around the tip of IL there are no fuel spots so with a gas boat you will need to arrange for fuel... talk to your friends and check out ‘greatloop.org’
Many people look at single engine, diesel boats like tugs.
 
Steve, I think you are starting the right way. I have not done this trip but I was planning to and did a lot of research. My wife and I had bought the boat and were getting it ready and the a job retirement issue forced us to alter our plans.

I think you need to do a lot more research. I would read everything I could find including an online search for "the best boat for the great loop." Some say a diesel powered trawler is the most economical way to make the trip. Personally I hate trawlers and would never own one so what's next. A diesel boat would be the most economical. There are more than 100 locks on the 6000 mile trip and you need a boat that can be handled by the crew on your boat. Locking through is not a one-man procedure so if it will be just you and your wife you need a boat with decks that are easy to get around on.

There is one fixed bridge on the Loop in the Sanitary Canal in Chicago. The height is 19" and change so you need a boat low enough to clear that bridge. I personally thought (hating trawlers) that a late '90s Sea Ray 44' Express Bridge might work well. It has diesels, a big cockpit with stairs to the bridge and no ladders, access to the foredeck from the bridge and great living space with a decent 2nd stateroom for guests.

Most people start the loop in the Spring from Florida with the knowledge that they need to be out of Lake Michigan by Sept. 1st. Our plan was to do the trip in one year. You could go to NYC to start or you could also go up and take the St Lawrence into the great lakes. I almost see you wintering in the South (Gulf Coast, Florida) before heading back up the East Coast to get back to NB in early to mid summer.

You guys have lots to think about. Best of luck.
Shawn
 
Steve, I think you are starting the right way. I have not done this trip but I was planning to and did a lot of research. My wife and I had bought the boat and were getting it ready and the a job retirement issue forced us to alter our plans.

I think you need to do a lot more research. I would read everything I could find including an online search for "the best boat for the great loop." Some say a diesel powered trawler is the most economical way to make the trip. Personally I hate trawlers and would never own one so what's next. A diesel boat would be the most economical. There are more than 100 locks on the 6000 mile trip and you need a boat that can be handled by the crew on your boat. Locking through is not a one-man procedure so if it will be just you and your wife you need a boat with decks that are easy to get around on.

There is one fixed bridge on the Loop in the Sanitary Canal in Chicago. The height is 19" and change so you need a boat low enough to clear that bridge. I personally thought (hating trawlers) that a late '90s Sea Ray 44' Express Bridge might work well. It has diesels, a big cockpit with stairs to the bridge and no ladders, access to the foredeck from the bridge and great living space with a decent 2nd stateroom for guests.

Most people start the loop in the Spring from Florida with the knowledge that they need to be out of Lake Michigan by Sept. 1st. Our plan was to do the trip in one year. You could go to NYC to start or you could also go up and take the St Lawrence into the great lakes. I almost see you wintering in the South (Gulf Coast, Florida) before heading back up the East Coast to get back to NB in early to mid summer.

You guys have lots to think about. Best of luck.
Shawn
Also depending which route you follow, there is a low bridge on the western end of the Erie Canal. Not a game stopper as there are other routes.
I am planning on going with my 400DB.
 
I've had the pleasure of seeing about 1/2 of the loop helping friends move boats around between seasons. I'm hooked on the trawler design for a few reasons. Like Shawn said, there are a ton of locks. There are also countless opportunities to anchor. You can't beat having safe walkways all the way around the boat. Range is also a big consideration. A bridge is nice for seeing the sights, but so is an inside cockpit for cold, rainy days and crossings.

I love the Grand Banks, especially the 42, but find them a little pitchy in choppy waters. You'll find that the average weekend boat is a different animal than the best loop boat. You'll find good advice from the America's Great Loop Cruisers' Assoc: http://www.greatloop.org
 
Read a few articles on The Great Loop site & yes, much more research to do. Trawlers tend to be a popular vessel on the sites I've seen. Closest staring point for us would be the Hudson River, St. Lawrence is a long run around Nova Scotia.
Possibility of another couple coming so I'll have at least one or two other able-bodied sailors on board.
 
For me 2 separate staterooms with 2 heads was a must. We have friends all over the country and while we didn't want anyone with us for the entire trip there were different people that would do parts of the trip with us. Some boats can get real small after a while.
 

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