Great Loop Radio Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.