If you are SERIOUS about the loop, look at your costs on a spreadsheet.
Once you see the total cost difference between diesel and gas you will likely consider a different route than a gasoline powered inboard vessel.
Outboard gas might be an alternative if you are trying to stay trailerable, but then at what cost and do you need twins.
Lots of choices here, Sea Ray might not fit your needs as well as a Ranger Tug for example.
Numerous Loopers have done the loop and even the Bahamas on these versatile vessels which have an unbelievable amount of features packed into a small space.
Fuel and marinas will likely be your biggest cost on the Loop.
The spreadsheet will be very telling.
Depending on what boat you choose, and the related total fuel cost, you might find that moving into a Ranger tug type gasoline outboard boat, or an older, smaller diesel powered boat, perhaps with a single Perkins engine might be more affordable and practical than a smaller Sea Ray Sundancer which at best is a day boat or an overnighter for but an overnight or two.
If it takes you a year to do the loop, that Dancer might become a bit confining and range will be limited.
BEST !
RWS
Great Advice. I started a spreadsheet.
Fuel is far and away the biggest cost. I began collecting the equipment as well. Here's what I came up with on fuel: 1.2-2 mpg. So at the worst $16000-$20000 for gas. We will rarely use a marina for slips. We already know that we like anchoring the most. Bad Storms and boat repairs will necessitate using marinas. We're working out food, insurance, taxes tags and titles. Final costs approach 35-50k..
I've been an ALGCA member for a year and many have shared their insights and sent me their actual budgets. I wanted a 30 or 34 Pilot(Main Ship diesel) but my wife, who camps with me but has never boated beyond a short 10 day vacation, She wants to be in a trailer boat. We are completely enamored with the larger C-dory, Acadia, Northeast boats like the Rossi and the Tugs you mention. They all tow well. But after working my whole life for peanuts the last thing I want to do is have a boat loan in retirement. But we Simply won't afford these better boats for another yr or two when some things change in our life financially. I simply don't want to go through 2025 without a boat like I did last year.
2025 will be our shake down year. where we will go on a bunch of short trips up and down the Hudson, maybe Mystic, Surely some canals. I think about any of these old cruisers will be fun and we will learn lots. Most of our time will be at Hull Speed.
If the boat we're going to see tomorrow, nearby, is as good as the dealer says (he is a respected man in the squadron here) then we will be getting a single owner well maintained 268 with one 7.4 and a new Bravo Drive. If the NAMS survey doesn't find rot the nice boat will be ours for 12-13K Cash. Insurance will be cheap, comparatively speaking. Apparently all systems work fine and the owner had a detail orientation. It only has to work one year though it appears to be ready for much more. Well, come to think of it, it may not be anything like he said and it may not be for us. But the thing I like about the old 268's is how the furniture folds away. lots of room.
In 2026 or 27 we will re-examine our finances and see if some better options exist but I must say it will likely also be some sort of gasser as the diesels haven't made many inroads into trailer boating yet. For now I realize that gas is what it is. 100 miles is the range by the law of thirds.
If this boat turns out to be a bust then no big deal. We're working with 25K maybe 30. Not much out there. There used to be nice older C-Dory 23's and 25's out there used for that but they've gone through the roof.
We have Aquamaps on several devices. We will buy AIS capable radios. With the big swim deck any small and simple Dinghy will add the the convenience of the boat. So I agree Gas and Range will be the ugly part.
