America's Great Loop - Total Cost $$ - EP#37

[@johnschieffelin3226]

Hi Michael, thanks for the expense report. I believe you did the loop fairly reasonably -- many boaters would cruise faster than 9.5 knots, many cruisers would eat at restaurants more often than you (and drink!), and many boaters would spend more time at marinas. But you did it the way it suited you, and did it in style and comfort. I'm looking forward to hearing about your search for a new boat. I know you are leaning toward something like a Cutwater or Ranger, but I encourage you to take a close look at some true blue water boats from builders like Pursuit and Boston Whaler. The Pursuit OS325 and OS355 are tough, capable boats with decent accommodations (except no separate shower stall). Same for the Boston Whaler 325 Conquest which also has a side dive door, terrific for snorkeling and free diving. These boats can power through rough seas in the Bahamas and crossing the Gulf Stream. Plenty of used ones on the market. Rangers and Cutwaters seem like they have ultra-skimpy, dangerous side decks to me, not safe to traverse in a rolly anchorage.

[@karaDee2363]

Thank you Michael for breaking down the cost of doing the loop.. that was very informative and helpful.. Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year🎊

[@jasen851]

This series' contribution to the body of knowledege for looping has been priceless. Great job, really looking forward to the next video.

[@MV_Checkmate]

Awesome, thank you!

[@ΛευτέρηςΜπογιατζόπουλος]

Dear Michael,I follow you since your departure and saw all your videos. Your work was amazing and your information invaluable. Congratulations !!!!

[@MV_Checkmate]

Wow, thank you!

[@Lee-qp6gf]

All and all I would say the trip was priceless. I know I enjoyed it and I'm glad you were able to do it. Your breakdown was done very well. Looking forward to more, Cheers, Lee

[@MV_Checkmate]

I appreciate that, Lee, thank you!

[@michaellarkin201]

Hello Michael - I started watching several months ago and have been intrigued with your mission of doing the loop solo. I plan to start my solo trip this spring on my Mainship 390. Congrats on successful completion and thank you for the thoughtful details and video production too. Great content.

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thank you for the kind words, I’m glad you have enjoyed the videos and I hope you have a great time on your trip!

[@10java]

Thank you. You did very well I believe. That is a bargain. The one thing you did not mention was insurance.

[@karikarr6377]

Even though we will not ever be doing the Loop, this is still very useful and interesting information for boaters. Your time and effort putting it all together is much appreciated. In your final episode of the trip, my overriding thought while watching (even before you mentioned exactly what I was thinking) is that you were NOT doing the Loop alone. Not only did you have a lot of us along vicariously for the ride, but I suspect it was somewhat therapeutic for YOU to have conversations with the cameras, as it probably helped alleviate the boredom at times. In any case, it was an amazing adventure, and as you ring in the new year, I hope you’ll pause to celebrate and congratulate yourself on an extraordinary accomplishment that very few people would have the courage to even attempt. 😊

[@MV_Checkmate]

You are absolutely right, I think it was very therapeutic to be able to film and talk to the camera. Thanks for watching!

[@vernoneasterday9838]

Thanks Mike

[@christophertodd4514]

Thank, you again, really enjoy your videos. will miss you out on the water. ty

[@MV_Checkmate]

You are so welcome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@James2RTX]

Awesome! Followed you the entire trip! One of the most informative Cost videos. Thank you. Can't wait for the Bahama Trip!

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thanks for riding along, I’m excited about the Bahamas trip too!

[@mhoskins02]

Congratulations on crossing your wake! I have watched since the very first video and I will say im going to miss your loop updates. However, i do look forward to your future adventures! I also must say that the difference in you compared to the very first video, the loop has done you well! You look much happier and healthier! Look forward to many more adventures and maybe see you out on the water!

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thank you so much for following along, I’m glad you enjoyed the journey and I look forward to sharing more adventures with you!

[@kennethhacker3014]

Thank you for the information,been thinking about a trip..You did well on fuel cost!!

[@MV_Checkmate]

It’s a great trip! You can do it!

[@calimark7448]

Awesome!!! Thanks for the info, very helpful.

[@MV_Checkmate]

Glad it was helpful!

[@markkolenc4833]

Great video and information. Thanks so much from Ontario Canada

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thanks for watching from Ontario Canada!

[@bradroberts8629]

Thanks for Sharing . At the beginning I was having my doubts about completing the Loop with a bad back. So Congratulations, you completed the journey. Happy New Year.

[@MV_Checkmate]

You are so welcome! I definitely had my doubts about whether my back was gonna hold out. There were many days that I was not able to do much but take pain pills and lay down that I did not show on the video because I didn’t want to be a bummer to anyone watching. Happy new year!🎉

[@dreed7312]

I'm surprised, shocked, and impressed. I thought your fuel bill would be double that. I can't believe your average speed was that high. Your grocery bill was what I spend in 3 months. Your restaurant bill was what I'd spend in 6. You actually did much better than I would have guessed. I can definitely see the ratio of marinas vs free walls and Anchorage. You're alone and who can stand that for a year. I like alone, but I still go out and around a lot and burn gas going places. I would probably spend a lot of time at marinas, and even hit a few Airbnb's just to get off the boat.

[@MV_Checkmate]

I agree on your assessment of the fuel cost. I will go back and check my calculations and if I screwed up, I’ll do an update in the next video.

[@michaelgrimes8828]

Michael, thanks for the great information on your trip. You mentioned that you were gonna sell your boat in a previous video; when you’re ready please let us know . I’m interested in doing the great loop also.

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thanks! I will post about it when the time comes.

[@craigtucker3679]

Enjoyed every minute! Thank you!!! 😊

[@MV_Checkmate]

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@larrystrickland7176]

Great information Michael, and a big thank you! I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of your videos. The wife has even joined me in watching a couple of them. I was sitting here taking notes and looking at my loop planning spreadsheet. Looks like your ballpark average was $4700 per month. We've been loosely planning for a ballpark number of $7500 per month, average for the wife and I. Your info gives me the confidence to believe we'll be able to to do it at that budget. Thanks again good sir!

[@MV_Checkmate]

You’re welcome, thanks for watching! I’m glad it was helpful to you.

[@todddoster6487]

Great trip, great accomplishment single handed and thank you for sharing your journey with us as it was real and not all fluff and over-hyped normal issues all boaters face. Honestly, when you threw your back, we thought your chances of making the whole trip were slim. Proof positive that it can be done by anyone with common sense and some boating experience. The locks were impressive as my wife and I have struggled with two of us on some.

[@MV_Checkmate]

I’m glad you enjoyed the trip, it was tough for sure! There were days where I spent flat on my back with pain pills that I did not want to show in the video because I just didn’t wanna bum people out.

[@butchblum5676]

Enjoyed the whole trip experience

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thanks for riding along.

[@oshawalacrosse5475]

3 days of binge watching ... Congrats and good job Mike!!! And yes, Canadas marina fuel is about double of what we pay on the roads. Further, diesel has been unusually high in Ontario, Canada. Gas is close to $7.50 USD/gallon at the marinas, and about $3.75 USD/gallon on the highway. Be sure to fill up before leaving NY!!!

[@MV_Checkmate]

I’ll definitely do that if I ever do the trip again. Thanks so much for watching.

[@pappabigguy7684]

Excellent job !!! Enjoyed your content THANKS !!!

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thanks for watching!

[@reality1984-cf7jw]

Very informative thank you

[@MV_Checkmate]

You are very welcome!

[@james-fo1qx]

Thank you for the financial review. That is a lot to keep track of while you are going everything else.

[@MV_Checkmate]

It sure is!

[@canuckloyalist4681]

Current cost of diesel at the pumps here in Ontario is around $1.64 a litre. That converts to approximately $4.31 in your US dollars for a US gallon. I know it is more at the marinas but ours are currently frozen and not open. Loved every video. Thanks for a outstanding series.

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thanks for the fuel prices, I appreciate the info! Thank you so much for watching and riding along.

[@curtbrown9702]

Great info to have. Just got my boat, april 1 off and cruising. Difference, im not ....NOT.... going back to the hard. I will die on my boat, waited 66 yrs, well 58 yrs. First 8 don't count. If i need to i will anchor in the gulf for weeks, I'll be happy as hell on a snow day.

[@MV_Checkmate]

That sounds fantastic! I’m sure you will love it through the hard times and the beautiful times. Cheers.

[@ronrae18]

This was a great account of costs Michael. TBH I would have expected it to have cost you more than that. Considering it was 2/3 of a year, it is not that unreasonable when you think about it as replacing your living expenses at home. What you got out of it was truly priceless - at least that's the way we all saw it! 😉 I realize you have to own a boat and cover the cost of your home at the same time so it is well beyond just replacing at home living cost but still reasonable. Thanks for taking us along. Amazing! Glad you had a great time in Canada! Our cottage country through central Ontario never disappoints!

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thanks for the support, I had a great time in Canada as well! Such a beautiful piece of earth.

[@mikemartin3204]

Thanks for the update. Would you do it all again? What if anything would you do differently?

[@MV_Checkmate]

I’m putting together answers to that and much more in an upcoming video. Please standby and watch for that video to be published possibly in two weeks.

[@ThomasKuhar]

Great information! An hour watch AIN'T nothin'! You're the one doing the HARD PART!

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thanks for the support!

[@craigaustin4779]

Your boat handling skills changed remarkably between your first lock and your last. Your home Harbour looked as difficult as anything you encountered enroute.

[@MV_Checkmate]

I agree. Spending day after day maneuvering this particular boat created a high level of confidence that I didn’t have when I first purchased her. Every boat handles differently.

[@craigaustin4779]

@MV_Checkmate My biggest take away was a remote or at least lower deck helm controls. That up and down business looked painful.

[@tomirwin4819]

Great information, thanks 👍

[@MV_Checkmate]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jetlag4754]

Thanks for sharing you costs for the trip. I had a number in my head of between $40,000 and $45,000 to do this trip. It would be a trip of a lifetime and worth every penny spent.

[@MV_Checkmate]

You're welcome. It's definitely a once in a lifetime trip and I think you'll have a great time if you do it!

[@uSlackr]

Did you cover the cost of the boat? Are you planning to keep it?

[@RF-ci7ng]

Thanks for the video, very informative. Out of interest what was the cost of the Mantus Anchor (or what size it is and I’ll do the maths). No need to apologise for length of videos, love them all.

[@MV_Checkmate]

It was a 55 pound mantis M1. I think it was about $850 if I remember correctly.

[@Paladun100]

This is wild , your close to a year on a boat is about the same for rent/mortgage

[@MV_Checkmate]

Yep.

[@TheBlackHawk1515]

Hi..Have enjoyed your videos. Informative and intriguing. Which anchor and what size did you add? Hope you have an enjoyable New Year's.

[@kellyc4199]

He got himself a 55 lbs Mantis anchor.

[@MV_Checkmate]

@@kellyc4199 yep, you are spot on. Thanks.

[@Rev1Kev]

It was a great trip following along, big question, would you do it again, slightly different route, ie taking the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes via Lake Erie Detroit , Port Huron, and venture into Lake Superior ?

[@MV_Checkmate]

I’m putting together answers to that and much more in an upcoming video. Please standby and watch for that video to be published possibly in two weeks.

[@dreed7312]

Ditto on the drinking. Don't care for it and may have 1 beer in a year, and don't finish that.

[@MV_Checkmate]

Life is good!

[@uSlackr]

Also - what's next for you? Can we ask?

[@noreennesler2869]

Thank you for this. Being so current, it really helps with estimating costs! Happy New Year! Is your boat for sale?

[@MV_Checkmate]

Thanks and happy new year! Yes, as soon as I get all my stuff removed and have my certified Cummins mechanic go through her to make sure she is in tip-top mechanical condition before I officially put her up for sale. Why are you asking? Are you interested?

[@noreennesler2869]

Yes, I may be interested and I was planning to begin shopping this spring for my Loop Boat. Do you know a ballpark amount you may ask?

[@noreennesler2869]

Email sent

[@steverobinson9988]

Congrats on completing the loop. Outstanding achievement single handed. Was just curious about generator use. I saw you used generator when cooking etc. did you run generator while cruising? I know many people who never go off ac power. From shore to gen back to shore. Was you frig on 12 volt cruising. Did you have additional refrigeration or freezer on board. We are planning a 2026 trip on the loop and just want to understand how others are doing it. Thank you, I really enjoyed your trip and the videos.

[@MV_Checkmate]

I am putting together a question and answer video that will be published in two weeks. I will add that to the video. Please stay tuned.

[@jodiplock4784]

No need for apologizing for long videos, at least for me. I’ve enjoyed every single one.

[@MV_Checkmate]

I appreciate that!

[@733DMPILOT]

Great analysis. One thing you did not mentioned was the cost of the boat itself, Insurance, Starlink. Food to me is something you would need to buy either way, so as you mentioned some people will do more cooking or more eating out. The things that are loop specific are boat supplies and equipment. The boat coast and insurance are definitely loop specific. You did a great job, very genuine. Thank you for sharing your journey. God speed!

[@MV_Checkmate]

Appreciate it, I was trying to keep it focused on loop-specific costs, but you are right, I should have talked about that aspect.

[@danielsalazar8835]

Great cost breakdown Your fuel cost was surprisingly low. Our trailerable outboard averaged 2 mpg 6000 miles (3 side trips) @ $5 = $15K Typical cruise speed 25+ mph.

[@MV_Checkmate]

I agree with your fuel cost assessment. I will go back and check my figures to see if I messed up. If I did, I will let you know in the next video.

[@rhark25]

@@MV_Checkmate I expect your numbers are OK. His cruising speed was more than twice yours plus if he has outboards he's burning gasoline as opposed to your diesel. Looks like in most places gas is noticeably more expensive than diesel.

[@danielsalazar8835]

Michael I think your numbers are good The Cummins diamond series are very efficient and you were at the perfect normal cruising speed (square root of 36' waterline =6 × 1.34 = 8.02 knots x 1.15 = 9.3 Optimum hull speed in statute miles per hour)

[@donfinlayson5962]

I am curious, and some may says nosey. There are more than one crew of Loopers who create their own KZbin channels. Did you earn any income from your Loop videos or channel? If so, could you share a ballpark figure? I am glad I watched the whole trip, I was mighty worried a few times watching the early lock attempts, the fender follies, and even your first draw bridge upon your departure, but well done ! Sorry we miss you while you were on the Trent in Ontario. Good luck moving forward.

[@MV_Checkmate]

I’m putting together answers to that and much more in an upcoming video. Please standby and watch for that video to be published possibly in two weeks.

[@mfhairstream6812]

Not cheap in the keys. Just got back and was $300 per day for RV site.

[@MV_Checkmate]

Dang!!

[@johnreuteman2724]

Was that restaurant the Anchor INN at Little Current?

[@MV_Checkmate]

Yes it was! Good eye!

[@GordonBerkenpas]

Could you tell us your MPG please. I know this can very a lot. Thanks for all the info.

[@MV_Checkmate]

The numbers show an average of about 2.7mpg. Be advised that almost half of the trip was downstream with a huge current. There were times on the Mississippi that I saw a 3 knot current. On the East Coast I timed all my passages to coincide with the tides, again getting that valuable boost. That made a huge almost unbelievable difference.

[@JohnLee-im7iu]

Are you going to continue to do the loop again?

[@MV_Checkmate]

I don’t know at this time. I want to sell this 40ft boat and get something a bit smaller first, then who knows.

[@LivinTheDreamAtSea]

Not sure if you said it in a previous video and I missed it but what did you purchase checkmate for?

[@Rev1Kev]

Depending on year and condition, I see these on yacht trader going anywhere from $195,000 to $350,000

[@MV_Checkmate]

I didn’t say.

[@nedflanders7352]

I have heard 100k for the boat and 100k for the loop. You did this on a budget.

[@MV_Checkmate]

I really did.

[@edmcdonough4515]

What was your favorite section of the loop?

[@MV_Checkmate]

The North Channel of Georgian Bay Canada hands down! Second would be the Hudson River near Kingston.

[@LeeUtke]

Great info so thanks for sharing. I was surprised your fuel costs were not higher, but like you said, every boat is unique. So, for our proposed trip, I was forecasting around $19K while assuming our average cruising speed would be similar to yours. So, I hope we come in closer to your results. Thanks again.

[@Joehellyea]

I had a diesel volvo penta d6 go bad on a crusers yacht 385 in April it was 62k! Never buy a volvo penta 😢

[@MV_Checkmate]

Ouch!