On this week's episode of Great Loop Radio, Kevin Ewbank, Supervisory Park Ranger with the Illinois Waterway Project of the US Army Corp of Engineers, joins us to talk about the COE locks, how to handle them safely, and what to expect in terms of lock maintenance.
Sep 15, 2017•30 min•Ep. 320
As we brace Hurricane Irma, this week's Great Loop Radio podcast will feature weather expert Lee Chesneau giving us up-to-the minute details about the storm's expected impact. The episode will be coming to you live so you can call in with your questions. Lee Chesneau is a senior marine meteorologist, lecturer, & a graduate from one of the elite universities that offer degrees in meteorology, the University of Wisconsin (Madison). His B.S. Degree in Meteorology was Lee’s ticket to a distingui...
Sep 08, 2017•34 min•Ep. 319
Join us for a very special interview on this week's Great Loop Radio podcast. Connie Bowman, one of our new Gold Loopers, will tell the story of how she and her husband, Bill, started the Great Loop together. After Bill's unexpected passing, Connie completed the Great Loop without him, fulfilling the couple's dream of becoming Gold Loopers. Listen to hear this inspirational Looper tell the story of how she prepared herself for Looping without Bill and how it felt when she finished the Great Loop...
Sep 01, 2017•27 min•Ep. 318
On this week's episode of Great Loop Radio, we'll discuss what to do to prepare your fresh water boat for the salt water found on parts on the Great Loop route. Our guests, Captains Chris & Alyse Caldwell, will share tips about your engine coolant, anodes, and the age old question of whether fresh water boats hold their value better than salt water boats.
Aug 25, 2017•28 min•Ep. 317
On this episode of Great Loop Radio, Larry Dostal of the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee will join us to provide advice on safe boating to Loopers heading to Chicago.
Aug 18, 2017•30 min•Ep. 316
On this week's episode of Great Loop Radio, Tom Hale joins us to talk about common causes of fire aboard. Tom also shares what to do if fire breaks out.
Aug 11, 2017•25 min•Ep. 315
After the popular thread in the forum this week regarding when a sea trial should happen on a boat you're interested in purchasing, we thought it was a great time to do an episode of Great Loop Radio on what to expect from the boat buying process. Curtis Stokes of Curtis Stokes & Associates joins us to explain the ins and outs, including details on the sea trial, the survey, the closing, and more.
Jul 28, 2017•31 min•Ep. 314
Join us as Chris Kealey of the Canada Border Services Agency explains the procedure to follow when arriving in Ontario by boat.
Jul 21, 2017•30 min•Ep. 313
On this week's episode of Great Loop Radio, Boat U.S. Vice President of Public Affairs, Scott Croft, shares details about boating infrastructure grants (BIG) just awarded for facilities that cater to transient boaters. We also discuss two important current issues, electric shock drowning and keeping your outboard and electronics safe from theft.
Jul 14, 2017•28 min•Ep. 312
This week's episode is a rebroadcast of two episodes that originally aired in 2016 covering cruising both sides of Lake Michigan. Foster Schucker and Susan Wilson cover cruising the Wisconsin side, while Pat & George Hospodar cover the Michigan side.
Jul 07, 2017•51 min•Ep. 311
Join us as Chad Buchner, Manager of Canal Operations for the Trent-Severn Waterway, tells us what to expect along this historic canal as they prepare to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday.
Jun 23, 2017•27 min•Ep. 310
A new transient dock will soon open in Paducah, Kentucky, providing a much needed fuel stop for Loopers. Paducah's Director of Park Services, Mark Thompson, will be our guest on this episode to tell us more about the new facility and what services will be offered there.
Jun 09, 2017•21 min•Ep. 309
AGLCA members, Captains Ed & Sue Kelly, are two prairie-raised Iowans who sold everything, bought a boat, and sailed off into retirement. Sounds familiar to many Great Loopers, but this couple's first Great Loop was not in North America. It was the Great Loop of Europe! Listen to learn about this fascinating 6,000 mile trip aboard their 40' catamaran.
Jun 02, 2017•29 min•Ep. 308
It's National Safe Boating Week and Rachel Johnson, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council, is our guest! Rachel will share information on staying safe on the water, including tips on finding the right life jacket, the importance of safe boating courses, technology that can help keep you safe, and more!
May 26, 2017•20 min•Ep. 14
On this week's episode of Great Loop Radio, Captains Chris and Alyse Caldwell share tips on what to consider when searching for your perfect boat. They'll teach you how to KNOW whether a boat is perfect for you, including tips on considerations for budget, guests aboard, engine room access, boat handling, and more.
May 19, 2017•31 min•Ep. 13
On this week's episode of Great Loop Radio, Cindy Lewis of Sterling Associates gives tips on how to finance your dream boat. Cindy was one of the most highly rated speakers at our recent Spring Rendezvous, and she'll cover everything from requirements for obtaining financing to tax benefits and consequences, plus much more.
May 05, 2017•31 min•Ep. 12
This week's episode of Great Loop Radio features a discussion with Tom Van Benschoten of Waterside Marina in Norfolk. The waterfront area of Norfolk has undergone a complete revitalization with the new Waterside District set to open. The marina has also completed several improvements and more are planned. Join us to learn more about this new not-to-be-missed destination for Loopers.
Apr 21, 2017•27 min•Ep. 11
On this episode of Great Loop Radio, marine systems expert Steve D'Antonio tells us why we shouldn't go easy on our diesel engines and explains the damage that can happen when running at a light load for extended periods of time.
Apr 14, 2017•23 min•Ep. 10
Join us on this week's Great Loop Radio podcast for a discussion on the Erie Canal and its bicentennial celebration.? Our guest is Steven Gosset of the New York Power Authority. The NYPA assumed ownership of the NY State Canal Corporation, including the Erie Canal, earlier this year.
Apr 07, 2017•21 min•Ep. 9
Join us as Jim Healy discusses AIS, what it is, and how to use it. He'll also cover best practices for when to use (and not use) this technology.
Mar 31, 2017•31 min•Ep. 8
Several recreational boating associations have come together to ensure that boaters' rights to anchor in Florida's public waterways are preserved. The coalition has retained Jerry Paul of Capitol Access to lobby on our behalf. Join us for this episode of Great Loop Radio as Jerry, along with Mike Bodin of the Marine Trawler Owners Association, gives us an update on the current status of the bills filed in Florida.
Mar 17, 2017•28 min•Ep. 7
Join us for this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast with guests 10-year old Lucas Pronk and 7-year-old Marcos Pronk. The boys will share details of their Great Loop adventure so far and talk about some of their highlights. We'll also talk about a new program AGLCA is introducing to facilitate the sharing of information among special interest groups like families doing the Loop.
Mar 10, 2017•19 min•Ep. 6
What color is your engine oil? Join us as Captains Chris and Alyse Caldwell of Captain Chris Yacht Services tell us what to look for to determine if your fuel and oil are contaminated. We'll include causes and cures for several common engine oil and transmission fluid problems.
Feb 24, 2017•29 min•Ep. 5
Loopers will be heading up the Atlantic Intracoastal soon as they migrate north. Join us as Brad Pickel, Director of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, gives us current information on the status of the Waterway after Hurricane Matthew and how changes in Washington will effect the waterway.
Feb 17, 2017•27 min•Ep. 4
This week's Great Loop Radio podcast will provide a status update on the Dismal Swamp Canal which is currently closed due to damage sustained during Hurricane Matthew. Our guest is Donna Stewart, the Director of the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center.
Feb 10, 2017•24 min•Ep. 3
There's been a popular discussion about dinghies in this forum? recently, so we thought it would be nice to cover that topic on our Great Loop Radio podcast this week. Capts. Chris & Alyse Caldwell of Captain Chris Yacht Services will join us to discuss types of dinghies, outboard engines, required safety equipment, and where to stow your dinghy.
Jan 27, 2017•30 min•Ep. 2
Kim Russo and Janice Kromer discuss the additional features and benefits AGLCA released in 2016 and share information on what we're working on for 2017. Listen to learn more about the Association's new developments for both members and non-members.
Jan 06, 2017•33 min•Ep. 1
This episode of Great Loop Radio gives details on the upcoming "Looper-palooza" events in Fort Myers, Florida. Our guest this week is Robert Creech who is presenting at two of the three tracks during the event, and attending the third as a participant. Join us for details on this event happening January 20-21, 2017. More information is available at www.greatloop.org.
Dec 23, 2016•20 min•Ep. 45
Our guests on this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast are AGLCA members Kate Payne & Tom DeBacco. Tom & Kate are not your average Loopers. Listen to hear how these 30-somethings were able to leave life behind for a year while they take on the Great Loop.
Dec 16, 2016•33 min•Ep. 44
On this week's Great Loop Radio podcast we'll be discussing engine room fire suppression systems with AGLCA members Blair Bugher and Curt Corda. Blair will talk about some of the features and techincal information about these systems, and Curt will share his personal experiences with an engine room fire.
Dec 09, 2016•32 min•Ep. 43