Great Loop Radio: Story of our Loop-Bob & Mary, Ranger Tug

[@petertarantola786]

Congratulations. Great story and information

[@danielsalazar8835]

Great interview We are 2 days away from completing our loop in Mobile, Alabama Our boat is similar to the ranger tug 27 (Proline 251wa) with Yamaha 250 SHO (think all mechanical 300hp) You touch on a number of issues we also experienced. Boat speed: The proline is designed as a bluewater fishing boat with a deep vee hull design. Our normal fuel efficient cruseing speed was 25-30 mph (1.5mpg). We had a few people comment that that we are going to fast to properly "experience the loop" Hogwash. We spend 1/3 of the time at the helm and more time exploring onshore. Forgetting to eat breakfast was a big learning curve for us. My girlfriend suggested I was getting grouchy!!! Seriously, making sure we ate a little something by midday made for a better day. We used onshore lodging with adjacent dock about 30% of the time. We only anchored out 3 nights total. All the balance were full service marinas. A advantage of a smaller boat is the marina usually have you closer to the marina facilities Final note: We spent 4 days at Myrtle Beach Yacht Club and considered it one of our best stops.

[@ThePhilcam]

I have been a boatie for years and currently motorhoming in Europe, but considering the great loop. As an overseas person, what would I need maritime wise to enable me to run a boat on the great loop?

[@GreatLoop]

There is no licensing requirement in the U.S., but a few states you will transit require you to have a NASBLA approved course (NASBLA.org) or higher credential, so if you have an advanced mariner credential from your home country, that is likely sufficient.

[@stevetadlock5223]

What's your home post Bob? I'm from Santee/Lakeside 364!