AGLCA could not continue without support from our sponsors and assistance from our volunteers. This episode starts with an interview with Tim Konkus from the 2022 Sponsor of the Year, Delaware City Marina. You'll learn about the special services this marina provides that make it a "must stop" on the Great Loop. Then, we'll feature Dave & Claudia Fuller, winners of the 2022 Ron & Eva Stob Volunteers of the Year Award. Hear about the many things Dave & Claudia have done to support AGLC...
Oct 07, 2022•43 min•Ep. 33
After 10 years of boating, Ron & Jan upgraded to a Nordic Tug 34 and completed the Great Loop over the course of 3 years, storing the boat for the winter between cruising seasons. On this episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, they share the story of their adventure.
Sep 30, 2022•31 min•Ep. 32
Considering winter storage for your Great Loop boat? Tom Pirro and John Lombardi from Winter Harbor Marina talk about winter storage. They share how boats are prepared for heated storage and relaunched in spring. They also share tips on winterizing boats that will be cold stored.
Sep 16, 2022•24 min•Ep. 31
Karen and Lee completed the Great Loop aboard their 38' Chung Hwa Trawler. Starting from the Houston area of Texas, they had a journey just to join the Great Loop route. Hear their story, along with the challenges they faced as they took on this epic adventure.
Sep 09, 2022•38 min•Ep. 30
Here is the link to the video of this podcast so that you may review the slides: https://youtu.be/p-1IL4p2oAU The railroad bridge at Mile 300.5 on the Illinois Waterway is the lowest fixed bridge on the Great Loop for which there is no alternate route. Currently charted at 19.7', you must pass under this bridge if you plan to do the entire Great Loop route. Have you ever wondered why the bridge is so low? Or why it no longer opens to allow taller traffic to pass? Patrick Hynes has, and he's our ...
Sep 02, 2022•46 min•Ep. 29
Curtis Stokes of Curtis Stokes & Associates joins us to talk about how different conditions and different hull designs can affect how your Great Loop boat acts at anchor. After a comment from a Gold Looper on a Story of Our Loop episode of this podcast regarding their boat being especially "active" at anchor, we received a lot of questions. This episode provides more information on which boats are more likely to roll or swing at anchor.
Aug 26, 2022•31 min•Ep. 28
Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle in 2018, leaving homes and businesses destroyed and a shortage of dockage for Loopers transiting the area. After some delays due to Covid, marinas are completing the rebuilding process and are open for business for Loopers this season. Get the details from our guest, Justin Bannerman from Point South Marina-Bay Point.
Aug 19, 2022•24 min•Ep. 27
Deb & Fred completed America's Great Loop in May of this year aboard a Navigator 4400. They share the story of their Great Loop including their cruising preferences (anchorages vs. marinas, average miles per day, etc), what inspired them to do the Great Loop, and what they gained from the experience.
Aug 12, 2022•37 min•Ep. 26
As Loopers spend time in late summer and early fall on Lake Michigan, is there any truth to the idea that you should be off the Lake by Labor Day? Gold Looper and former Harbor Host of the Year, Foster Schucker, shares his data on the weather on Lake Michigan in the fall and gives details on how to determine the weather for yourself before heading on to the Lake. *During the discussion we mention the Illinois Waterway Lock closures. The date when work is scheduled to be complete and the lock is ...
Aug 05, 2022•40 min•Ep. 25
Registration is open for both "Great Loop Cruising: A Guide to the Looper Lifestyle" seminar in Chicago, and the Fall Rendezvous is Tennessee. Which is right for for? We'll help you decide by discussing the agenda details, who each is aimed toward, and costs for each event. Listen for all the details!
Jul 22, 2022•32 min•Ep. 24
Greg & Cait did the Great Loop aboard their 37' Jeanneau sailboat. The couple, in their 30s, left Chicago aboard Firefly in late 2020, returning 8 months later after more than 6,000 miles underway. Their sailing included passages to the Bahamas, the Dry Tortugas, and more. Hear the stories of their Great Loop adventure including tips on anchoring, what they learned from running aground, and what's next for these Gold Loopers.
Jul 15, 2022•32 min•Ep. 23
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we give you details about two of the towns that are "must-sees" on the Western Erie Canal. First up is Bob Stopper from Lyons and second is Nancy Ragus from Fairport. They'll each tell you why their town is special and why boats that can clear the 15' bridges should consider the Western Erie Canal as part of their Great Loop adventure.
Jul 01, 2022•32 min•Ep. 22
On this episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Chad Buchner, Manager of Canal Operations at Parks Canada, gives us an update on the recent closure on the Trent Severn and also shares some of the highlights of this historic waterway known as one of the highlights of the Great Loop.
Jun 24, 2022•35 min•Ep. 21
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, we launch a new monthly series called "The Story of Our Loop". Each episode will feature Gold Loopers who will share details about their own Great Loop adventure. This week, our guests are Brian and Karen who completed the Great Loop in 2021 aboard their 25' Ranger Tug, "Tug Life". Brian and Karen are on their second Loop and join us from aboard in Clayton, New York.
Jun 17, 2022•32 min•Ep. 20
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew shares information on visiting New York City by boat as part of your Great Loop adventure. Kim Russo and the rest of the crew aboard The Perch spent several days in the past week in New York City. She'll give suggestions on where to tie up or anchor, how to get around town, and things to see and do.
Jun 03, 2022•30 min•Ep. 19
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew gives you up-to-date information on the process for U.S. citizens to clear Canadian customs as you enter Canada aboard your boat. We'll cover how to check into Canada when you arrive there, and how to check back into the U.S. when your cruising in Canada is over.
May 27, 2022•29 min•Ep. 18
It's not all sunshine and rainbows! Cruising as a couple on the Great Loop can be challenging, and can sometimes put a strain on your relationship. On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Bob and PM Amidon join us to discuss this topic. They are Gold Loopers, but they bring an interesting perspective to the discussion because Bob is also a licensed marriage counselor.
May 17, 2022•39 min•Ep. 17
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Jay Kraft of Trawlers Great Lakes joins us to give some suggestions on maintenance tasks aboard that can be done by the boat owner. From oil changes to belts and impeller replacements, you can save thousands of dollars with DIY maintenance.
May 06, 2022•34 min•Ep. 16
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Dave Fuller, Director of Education for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, is back to provide details on the proper usage of the VHF radio while on the Great Loop. He'll include which channels to use for which purposes, the correct procedure for hailing another vessel and much more.
Apr 29, 2022•38 min•Ep. 15
On this episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew of America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association shares some of the benefits of membership with a special focus on what you gain by joining AGLCA while you're in the planning stages for your Great Loop adventure. We also give details on the newly released Great Loop map on the www.greatloop.org website.
Apr 22, 2022•30 min•Ep. 14
On this episode of the Great Loop Radio Podcast, Kim Russo (AGLCA's Director) shares more details about the boat she's Looping board, "The Perch", and Michael tells the story of how he selected this boat for his first Great Loop. If you've been following Kim's Great Loop, here are the details you've been waiting for about "The Perch". She's a 2001 Silverton 410 with two staterooms, a split head, galley up, and twin Cummins diesels. More details in the podcast! *We apologize for the over-modulati...
Apr 08, 2022•32 min•Ep. 13
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Ted Stehle of Waterway Guide joins us to talk about how to find the best fuel prices while cruising. Ted, who is also a Gold Looper, will share how Waterway Guide compiles their fuel price reports, and will also give other tips for finding the best deal when filling up and conserving fuel while Looping.
Apr 01, 2022•24 min•Ep. 12
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Brenda & Wally join us to talk about how they found their Great Loop bought, a Carver Voyager 530. They'll cover their required features, their "nice-to-haves" and where they had to make compromises to find "the one".
Mar 25, 2022•31 min•Ep. 11
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Gold Looper Dave Fuller, who is the current Coast Guard Auxiliary Director of Education, shares details on the courses available through the Auxiliary and other places that Loopers should take before starting their Great Loop adventure.
Mar 18, 2022•31 min•Ep. 10
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, the Home Port Crew discusses our 2022 Advocacy efforts and provides the background and current status of efforts to fight anchoring limitations in Florida and to keep the New York Canals open for through-navigation. Please contribute to our Advocacy Fund at www.greatloop.org/advocacy. Read more about the Florida bill that funds the removal of derelict vessels (mentioned during the podcast) here.
Mar 04, 2022•37 min•Ep. 9
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Bill Parlatore joins us to talk about his recent article titled "Getting Ready for the Great Loop". We discuss the proper way to execute a slow pass on the waterway, how to determine the air draft of your boat and why that's important, and other tips for those getting ready to begin the Great Loop. You can reach Bill's article here: https://www.seattleyachts.com/news/getting-ready-for-the-great-loop If you appreciate this content, please co...
Feb 25, 2022•38 min•Ep. 8
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Ian & Trina share the details of how they found and purchased their DeFever 44 to complete the Great Loop. Ian & Trina purchased the boat nearly 8 years ago and have since moved it from Chesapeake Bay to Chattanooga and have made several upgrades in preparation for the rest of the Great Loop and more cruising.
Feb 22, 2022•29 min
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Scott & Karen DeVoll of Capable Cruising walk us through some of the points to consider when getting ready to move aboard full-time. Whether you're selling your "dirt" home or planning to return there after the Loop, this episode gives tips on things to consider first, such as: Health insurance and obtaining medical care and prescriptions while on the LoopHow to set up residency someplace while living a transient life style (for things ...
Feb 18, 2022•46 min•Ep. 7
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Brian & Jennifer share the details of how they found and purchased their Ranger Tug 27 in October of 2021. They're coming to us from the Florida Keys where they are currently aboard as part of their Great Loop adventure.
Feb 04, 2022•31 min•Ep. 5
On this week's episode of the Great Loop Radio podcast, Ken Marks of Marks Marine Insurance is our guest. Ken will update us on the status of the Marine Insurance marketplace in 2022 and what insurers are requiring of boaters in terms of boat size and previous boating experience.
Jan 28, 2022•33 min•Ep. 4
