On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we bring you the second installment in our special series on finding a boat for the Great Loop. Gold Loopers Bill and Bobbie tell about how they selected their perfect Great Loop boat, a Mainship 400 they named "First Forty", including how they determined what features they wanted, how they went about purchasing it, and how they sold it after the Loop.
Jun 04, 2021•31 min•Ep. 27
In this bonus episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Bill & Mindy Ryan aboard the MV Harken! Share the tales of their Great Loop adventure. Bill and Mindy crossed their wake last week.
May 26, 2021•56 min
On this week’s episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we’re talking all about the pre-purchase boat survey. Our guest is Bill Trenkle, the President of the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors. Bill takes us through the ins-and-outs of the survey, including how to hire a surveyor, what to expect on survey day, and what should be included in the survey report.
May 21, 2021•35 min•Ep. 25
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we're releasing the audio from the "Best of the Loop" seminar presented during the AGLCA Spring Rendezvous. You'll hear about some of the Great Loop stats, the waterways that encompass the Great Loop route, and the "Best of the Loop" as rated by our members in categories like big cities, small towns, restaurants, historic sites, lighthouses, locks, and more.
May 14, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 24
Amy and David Deutl share the stories of their Great Loop adventure, including details on the challenges they faced, their thoughts on anchoring, details about their Looping boat and their new boat, and the social aspects of the trip.
May 12, 2021•1 hr
On this week’s episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we launch a new monthly series on “How I Found My Great Loop Boat”. We’ll talk to members about how they searched for, found, and purchased their Great Loop vessel. First up are Mark & Catherine Aboard “What’s Next”, a 42 Regal Fly.
May 07, 2021•38 min•Ep. 22
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we bring you part 2 of our mini series on different ways to try out the Looper Lifestyle before buying a boat and committing to cruising the Great Loop. On this episode, we talk to two AGLCA sponsors to find out how they can help you "try before you buy". First up is Jay Kraft from Trawlers Great Lakes who will share information on what to expect when chartering a boat. Second, we'll talk to Karen & Scott DeVoll of Capable Cruising abou...
Apr 30, 2021•31 min•Ep. 21
Harlan and Sarah Vince tell the tales of their Great Loop adventure aboard "In-Vince-ible", a 28' Sea Ray.
Apr 28, 2021•1 hr 2 min
This week, we start a two-week series on how to gain experience aboard and how to get your feet wet on the Loop before buying your own boat. This week’s episode is all about crew aboard. We’ll start with member Paul Goss, an experienced sailor who has taken on crew throughout his sailing career. He’ll talk about his current need for crew for the Great Loop, what makes someone a good crew member, and how the arrangement typically works. Then we’ll bring in Susan Pellett. Susan is a Gold Looper wh...
Apr 23, 2021•42 min•Ep. 19
Gold Loopers Ken & Celeste Freeman share stories of their Great Loop adventure on this bonus episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast. Ken & Celeste looped aboard a 1970 Hatteras and discuss details about the boat, their Looping timeframe and more.
Apr 16, 2021•55 min
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we focus on the AGLCA Harbor Host program. Learn about this network of volunteers who will provide local knowledge as you cruise your way around the Great Loop, including how to find them, what types of services they provide, and how to become one. We'll also have a conversation with Beth Tyler. Beth and her husband, Rip, are our newly selected recipients of the True North Harbor Host of the Year Award.
Apr 09, 2021•32 min•Ep. 17
Join us as Greg and Susan Costa aboard "Lucky Me" tell the tales of their Great Loop adventure, including information about the charitable giving they did along the way and their e-Books about the Bahamas and Ladies on the Loop.
Mar 31, 2021•1 hr 3 min
On this week’s episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Bob Malkin joins us to walk us through the process of daily cruise planning on the Great Loop. He’ll teach us how to plan for each travel day the evening before, including what information to gather, what factors to consider, and how to prepare for a stress-free day of cruising.
Mar 26, 2021•37 min•Ep. 15
On this week’s episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Mike Marsiglia of Chesapeake AED Services joins us to explain why Loopers should have these lifesaving devices aboard, and how and when to use them. He’ll also talk about any special considerations for using them aboard a boat.
Mar 19, 2021•39 min•Ep. 14
Join us as Mike & Sharon O'Malley aboard "My Sharona" (a 20' Robalo center console) tell the tales of their Great Loop adventure.
Mar 17, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 13
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, our guests are Scott Croft of BoatUS and Peter Wiles who is on the Board of Directors of Canal New York. Scott & Peter will help explain what's happening with the oversight of the New York State Canals and the current bill before the New York legislature that would make changes to the current structure of canal management. This is an important topic for Loopers since the Loop can't be done without these vital waterways.
Mar 12, 2021•53 min•Ep. 12
On this week’s episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the AGLCA Home Port Crew answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the Great Loop. We’ll cover the specifications required for a Great Loop boat, popular boats for the Loop, “traditional” Great Loop time frames to be in different places based on the seasonality of the route, AGLCA events, and more.
Mar 05, 2021•34 min•Ep. 11
Join us as two-time Harbor Host of the Year winners, Robert & Kay Creech, tell the tales of their Great Loop adventure live!
Mar 03, 2021•1 hr
Each Dock-Tales session features one Gold Looper boat whose owners share the stories of their Great Loop advenuture. Our guests on this episode are Gold Loopers Dan & Jodi Symes aboard "Done Diggin'".
Mar 02, 2021•55 min
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, our guest is Sarah Bowlin, also known as Mom With A Map. We'll provide background on the status of the Welland Canal during COVID, explain some of the discrepancies you may be hearing about procedures, and share the experiences Sarah and her family had getting their boat through the Welland in 2020. Sarah will also share some of her family's favorite ports on Lake Erie, which they visited after finishing the Welland Canal. This is the route...
Feb 26, 2021•32 min•Ep. 7
On this week’s episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Gold Loopers Sam & Rev Crouse aboard “Here’s to Us!” tell how they shared their Great Loop adventure on their YouTube Channel, “What Yacht to Do”. They’ll include how they started, how the channel grew, and tips for those considering sharing their adventure on social media.
Feb 19, 2021•30 min•Ep. 6
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Steve Arnt of Columbus Marina shares what to expect from marinas during Covid. We'll include tips on keeping yourself and the marina staff save and share information on what amenities may be unavailable due to Covid.
Feb 12, 2021•28 min•Ep. 5
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Ken Marks of Marks Marine Insurance joins us to provide an update on the status of the marine insurance marketplace. Ken will discuss the current challenges for those seeking to insure their Great Loop boat and provide useful information to help you work your way through the process.
Feb 05, 2021•37 min•Ep. 4
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Cindy Lewis of Sterling Associates joins us to share her expertise on how to finance your Great Loop boat. Cindy will talk about current requirements for financing and share some of the reasons why financing may be the best option, even if you're able to pay cash.
Jan 29, 2021•27 min•Ep. 3
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, yacht broker and AGLCA Admiral Sponsor Curtis Stokes joins us with a status update on the boat buying market. He'll share insight on inventory, pricing, deposits, and how the process of bringing buyers and sellers together working during the pandemic.
Jan 22, 2021•30 min•Ep. 2
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew delivers information on the "State of the Association" by wrapping up 2020 on the Great Loop and giving you a look at what's ahead for 2021. Topics include stats for 2020, AGLCA events planned for 2021, advocacy issues, membership dues, planned waterway closures, and more.
Jan 15, 2021•32 min•Ep. 1
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we'll be talking about wintering in the Florida Keys with Gold Looper, Wendy Wilson. Wendy & Bobby Wilson and their four daughters have made the Keys their winter home since completing their first Loop in 2017. Wendy will share tips on where to tie up, what to do, and how to save money during your stay in the Keys as part of your Great Loop adventure.
Dec 11, 2020•39 min•Ep. 35
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio Podcast, we discuss how to best work with a boatyard to avoid surprises when it's time to pay the bill. Our guest is Brian Donovan of Donovan's Shady Harbor Marina. Brian brings a unique perspective to the topic as both a marina owner with a boatyard on site and the owner of a 75' Hatteras he cruises between Florida and New York each year.
Dec 04, 2020•37 min•Ep. 34
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Dave Fuller teaches us what to do if someone falls overboard. Dave is a Gold Looper and the new U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Education Director. He'll walk us through how to prevent a "man overboard (MOB)" incident, how to be prepared to handle the situation, and the steps to take in the unlikely event that it happens during your Great Loop.
Nov 20, 2020•36 min•Ep. 33
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Mark and Sherri Rinkel share the details of their emergency at anchor. When a health issue incapacitated Mark, Sherri was left to take on tasks aboard the boat that she had never tackled before. We hope listeners will learn from their experiences and be inspired to ensure "cross-training" of the different roles aboard your boat.
Nov 13, 2020•34 min•Ep. 32
