Great Loop Radio Podcast

Gold Looper Kim Fleer joins us this week to talk about some of the options for sharing your Great Loop with those you leave behind. We'll discuss the pros and cons of sharing via Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, blogs, and other apps. We'll also share some things you should consider before selecting a platform and list some of the more popular Looper blogs, channels, and social media pages.

Links to many of the resources mentioned in this episiode are below:

Scho and Jo - https://www.youtube.com/@SchoandJo 

What Yacht to Do - https://www.youtube.com/@WhatYachtToDo 

The Perch - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL82Wyujruc-v-CQ4uRDdpfp1t9D-5gK2S&si=dkX_6O3vBl8XnZwZ

Cruising Cavaliers - https://www.youtube.com/@crusincavaliers7140 

Great Loop in a Shanty Boat - https://www.youtube.com/@backwatersandbackroads 

Stay Cool - https://www.youtube.com/@staycool123 

 Blogs: https://www.greatloop.org/interact/blogs-websites.html

Maps - https://www.aquamap.app/support/15-basic-features/14-markers 

This week we talk about watching your wake.  It's important for all Great Loopers to practice safe and courteous boating!  The biggest error we see in this area is boats not slowing enough in no wake zones, minimum wake zones, and when passing other boats, docks, marinas, and other shoreside infrastructure. We break it all down for you this week with our guest, Brian Brown. Brian is a Gold Looper who had a career in the marine industry.  Join us for this important episode. 

The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf of Mexico. Learn more at www.greatloop.org.

Kim Russo (AGLCA's Director) and Michael Martin share the story of their own Great Loop adventure aboard The Perch, a Silverton 410 cockpit motor yacht. They'll talk about why they did the Loop, their cruising preferences, and details about their boat.

The Great Loop is a 6,000-mile route through interconnected waterways that allow boaters to circumnavigate the eastern U.S. and part of Canada. Learn more at www.greatloop.org.

This week we wrap up our 2024 update series by talking about marine insurance. Jon Horton with Jack Martin and Associates joins us to discuss what to expect when seeking insurance for your Great Loop boat in the coming year. 

The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf of Mexico. Learn more at www.greatloop.org.

The results are in! Listen to find out how many boats completed the Great Loop in 2023 and which boat makes were most popular.  Brent Bowlin and Michael Martin of Great Loop Yacht Sales join us to share some of the features of the top boats for the Great Loop in 2023 and what makes them so popular. We'll also share details of the smallest and largest boats to complete the Loop last year.

The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Looper follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf of Mexico. Learn more at www.greatloop.org.

This week we talk about the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA) and the work they do to keep the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway navigable. Brad Pickel, AIWA's Executive Director, is our guest and he'll share details of why the AIWA was formed, its mission, how dredging projects are funded, and come creative ways the materials removed during dredging are being used.

Join us as Cindy Lewis of Sterling Associates shares her insight on what to expect if you're considering financing a boat in 2024.  Are interest rates really that high? What kinds of terms can I expect?  What are some of the limitations on the age of the boat if I hope to finance?  Cindy answers these questions and more as she shares why financing may be advantageous in the coming year.

Curtis Stokes of Curtis Stokes & Associates is back as our guest to provide an update on what to expect if you are buying our selling a boat in 2024. Our discussion includes marketplace trends, pricing, insurance concerns, and what Loopers are looking for in boats for their Great Loop adventure.

The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Looper follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf of Mexico. Learn more at www.greatloop.org.

Join us as the Home Port Crew from America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association gives a recap of happenings on the Great Loop in 2023 and previews what's to come in 2024. We'll talk about upcoming AGLCA efforts like Fleet of 2024 T-Shirts, Advocacy Fund Raising, recognition for Harbor Hosts, 2024 events, lock closures, and more.

The Gulf of Mexico crossing brings apprehension for many Loopers as they prepare for the Great Loop's longest open water crossing and seek a suitable weather window. Assistance is available to AGLCA members!  Dave Fuller, former AGLCA Volunteer of the Year, and Tsali Bentley, AGLCA's current Harbor Host of the Year, are our guests this week. They'll walk us through "YOU Make the Call". This daily report is Dave's brainchild, and Dave & Tsali will explain what goes into this weather resource designed to help Loopers decide what weather window suits them best, and what crossing route they should take. We'll cover a 170-mile daylight crossing from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs, an overnight crossing for the same route, and the "Big Bend" option which is a series of shorter hops closer to the coastline. Listen to learn more about this helpful resource available to our members.