The Great Loop in a 260, 270 or 280?

D

dgg

New Member
Nov 19, 2008
3
We're new to forum and would like to hear from anyone who has made the Great Loop in a 260, 270 or 280. We are looking for a boat to cruise on Lake Travis in Austin, TX and also do the Loop. Thanks in advance for any info.
 
I think one of the problems you might encounter with these boats is their range. I think there are a few spots that I read about the loop where there were some long stretches between fuel stops.
 
The bigger you can go the better. I'd go for twin screws and diesel. We met some folks on the Tenn. River who were on the loop trip. They have a lot of experience. They have a web site detailing the trip. www.saltyturtle.com you may find the site informative.:thumbsup:
 
Loop in a 280 Sundancer?

Possible? Yes. Feasible? Not very.

Buy one boat for the loop then sell it when you’re done. A long range cruiser is the preferred boat.

A used Mainship 34 is an economical choice.
http://www.mainship.com/models/34trawler/34T.html
Again, buy used, use it for the loop then sell it.
 
I read a story in one of the mags about a guy who did the loop in a 29'. I would attempt it if i could get the time off work.
 
I read the book "Only in America" this summer. The book is about four 20 somethings that took an open whaler on the great loop trip. They waterskied a good part of the trip and spent many nights on the boat.

Just depends on what you are looking for.
 
It's also been done on a jet ski, but not me. Go to enjoy and be safe while cruising. It's about 6000 miles and takes most cruisers about a year.
 
SearayPaul said:
I read the book "Only in America" this summer. The book is about four 20 somethings that took an open whaler on the great loop trip. They waterskied a good part of the trip and spent many nights on the boat.

Just depends on what you are looking for.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a neat book. I've heard of a couple different ways of doing the loop in small boats, but had not heard about the book. Thanks for sharing Paul.
 
There's a guy here who's planning to do the loop by canoe -- he's already done the Mississippi from its source to New Orleans by canoe (over several summers): http://studioeastnashville.com/ . Personally, our plans to do the Loop envision a 36'-40' diesel trawler or sedan, but that's in five years. I'd rather have a smaller, more nimble boat for local lake cruising, so I agree with the previous posters on buying a used boat specifically suited for the Loop.
 
Thanks for the information. We had considered doing the loop in a trawler. I agree with Tom about having a more nimble boat for lake cruising and would like to do the loop in a boat that I am familiar with and that is faster than the typical trawler. While I would like to do the loop in a "smaller" boat, I will leave the jet ski and canoe approach to others. The fuel problem is a real issue, particularly on the Mississippi River. Hopefully, there is a solution.
 
dgg said:
The fuel problem is a real issue, particularly on the Mississippi River. Hopefully, there is a solution.
Click to expand...

Don't use the lower Mississippi. In addition to lack of marinas to take on fuel, there is a tremendous amount of commercial barge traffic you will have to avoid. Take the Tenn-Tom Waterway instead.
 
Tom:
You might consider doing a smaller portion of the loop in the 26-28 foot boat. Last summer we did the Tennessee River starting from Knoxville and ending in Nashville on the Cumberland in our 268 on a 4 week cruise. There are some great places to see on the rivers, plenty of gas stops, marinas to stay at and plenty of places to anchor out. We had a fabulous time and met some really nice people.
 
Keep in mind I'm new to boating so take this with a grain of salt......

I love spending quality time with my wife but the great loop in a 280? or smaller? Let me think for a second. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa, No.
 
Hey Gary
Come on everybody knows you can only do the open ocean or the Bahamas in a bowrider!

On a serious note....Doing the great loop in a small boat..If comfort is not an issue, sure. You won't have enough range, enough storage, nor enough space....in my humble opinion of course.

Ray
 
A friend of mine did Louisville-Mobile and back via the Tenn-Tom in 7 days in a 17' Maxum bowrider. They slept on the boat using sleeping bags and a can of Off. They had a 3.0L engine, a small fuel tank, and 3 five-gallon jugs of extra fuel. They were able to make 30 mph in between the locks.

The point is that you can use almost anything for the trip depending on how adventurous you want to be. I could do the same trip with my son, but if I take the wife, we'll need at least a 40' boat.
 
Kameroo said:
The point is that you can use almost anything for the trip depending on how adventurous you want to be. I could do the same trip with my son, but if I take the wife, we'll need at least a 40' boat.
Click to expand...


2 thumbs up on needing a big boat if we take the girls. Some times the adventure makes the trip.:thumbsup:
 
Thanks again for the information and suggestions. We've decided to do portions of The Loop in a 280. As a post script, a friend has suggested the following arm chair adventures for those intereted in reading, if not doing The Loop and the Inside Passage in a small boat:

Patrick & Mary Fowks log of their adventures on The Loop in a 25' C Dory "Cosmic C"
http://web.mac.com/patrickfowles/LoopLeg4/Welcome.html

"The Ultimate Small Boat Adventure" - Gary R. Alburn III an his dog "Maggie" - daily journal of 1,000 mile voyage of a 60-year-old and his dog to and from Alaska in the Inner Passage in a 20-year-old Sea Ray open ruanabout.

DGG
Austin, TX
________

Previous Boats

1980 16' Thundercraft
1975 36' Cal
1969 22' Gulf Coast
 
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