The Great Loop 021 Interesting People

When you travel you are bound to run into all kinds of characters. Everyplace we stop we find some interesting people. Some are ok. Some are exceptional. Some become friends for life. Some you hope you'll never see again. There haven't been too many of the latter so far, thank goodness. This video brings us into LaBelle's City dock. The crew aboard Knot Quitters helped me drag my stumbly vessel into a slip and then we later got Good Times tied up beside me. My thanks to Tim and Tawnya. They had been living aboard for about three years and had done nearly the whole Loop so far. I'll remember their advice to not say goodbye to the people we meet but rather to say, 'Until we meet again!'
The other two people we met here fall into the category of inspirational. Evan and his sister Arianna pulled into the end of the dock with their little Dory named, 'Cod'. Our new neighbors aboard their 45 foot trawler recalled seeing the small wooden boat out in a wide section of the ICW and said they slowed to pass so not to make too big a wake. I had to go over and say hello and I'm glad I did. I won't forget this young pair of adventurers and I'm sure the memories of their journey will last their lifetimes.

[@bennettsjb]

Like they say, it's not the destination it's the journey. Thanks for taking us along, Marty!

[@jbeemz5554]

i hate when these videos end i just want to keep watching

[@josephpecoul6532]

Too much fun for just one guy and a couple of pups.

[@NCshooter1213]

Nothing would make me happier and be more fun than to load up the family on a decent boat and head out an adventure like this. Looks like an amazing trip

[@MorbidOrangeCat]

You two cruising side by side is so gangster

[@leversforever9748]

huh what?

[@KowboyUSA]

LaBelle is one belle of a city.

[@verdellparentaaawink268]

I have to admit the calusahatchee river is really nice and the people who live and play on it are also good people I'm proud to call it home

[@trampster7306]

Another great update thanks Marty - hope all is going good. Stay safe & well. 👍👍

[@BoxcarJerry]

That was awesome meeting the brother and sister boaters that traveled over 1k miles in that small boat . Takes a lot courage to take on a trip like that , sure would make for some great KZbin content . Safe travels Marty and the Pups .

[@yakncast7530]

Jerry, the Great Loop has been done on all manner of small craft. Nathaniel Stone did it in a 12' row boat. He wrote a book called "On the Water." It's good read if you like that sorta thing. Also has been done on a jet ski. Google that and read his story. Been done a on tandem kayak by twin sisters & more than once solo kayaking.

[@Slick2462]

Brother and sister adventure strikes me as novel. I guess there are no sibling rivalry there? Beautiful situation there!!👍😊

[@austinitor]

White Stripes schtick? lol

[@mvintrigue-trawlerdiy1101]

You guys are great. Cant wait till you hit the road again with new engines.

[@loadedbladder5240]

Cool boat ,cool dude ,two cool dogs. Solar panels ,bamboo top. A 64 oz strawberry dacerie is the only thing missing, besides girls.

[@RRFISHING1]

Glad to see you posting again. Keep them coming.

[@chriscannon5822]

So glad I’m on journey with you guys!

[@d.faulkner8210]

Reminds me of I-4 about 8 am on a Monday, Great Video, Thanks for Sharing..

[@ronrother]

Great video Marty! Really interesting fellow travellers and super cool dock Thanks for sharing.

[@hvacr24]

Travelling through Detroit right now watching your video Marty! 8:33 a.m. Thursday morning

[@SkunkMonkey991]

More local movie trivia for you, the Ft Denaud bridge, it can be seen in the movie Just Cause. Sean Connery drives across it visiting Ed Harris's family whose house is actually off one of the river oxbow there in Labelle. In the 70's, Burt Reynolds kept a boat in Labelle and used to run up and down the river. Trus story, he ran around town like a local and no one hardly would recognize him because he would go without his toupe.

[@Pudi1224]

Imagine having a house or cottage on that waterway and having to listen to those boats all day. no thank you.

[@rolindowndriver]

Props to you Marty! Well done! Great Video!

[@mattpelekanos4818]

Good luck on your journey Marty!! Awesome to always see you overcome any challenges thrown your way!!! Hope the engine installs are going smooth!!

[@SoFloCamejo]

You caught the Scream and Fly Alva river run! It was a huge turnout this year!

[@dougsergent275]

This is the first video of yours that I have watched. We met in Moore Haven Florida. Thank you for helping get my fishing magnet freed from underwater. Best of luck on your travels.

[@kathywrightjohnson6804]

I am such a ninny! I was thinking wow talk about overly safe with two smoke detectors up on the top of the boat. Then thought what good would that be if the fire is down below. Duh! I watched you wire and put those LIGHTS in up there! Sometimes I worry myself!😬😬😬😂😂😂

[@SLO-Ride]

That dory reminds me of my 24' sailboat. 700lb torpedo skeg ballast, hand carved tiller, all re-bar railing, carved dolphins for the port hole frames, 15 horse Honda outboard, all teak deck, 5/8" marine ply hull, 30' mast, two main sails, two spinnakers, and my dog. Just enough room for a Coleman stove, a very large ice chest, big bag of dog food, and every other space filled with provisions and clothes. I did have an emergency marine radio, but no Lowrance or anything else electric (solar nav lights and mast strobe though) Sailed from Port San Luis Ca., south to Santa Barbara and Ventura. Took a full Summer day to sail to Santa Barbara, and three days to get back uphill with a headwind! But, the dog loved it! Best years of my unmarried life!

[@adventureonwithchris9092]

Good stuff Marty! Safe and adventurous travels to you and Mike. 🌴🤙🌴

[@trueteam1313]

The wooden boat is an oversized kayak totally awesome carefree way to travel.

[@FishiganMilligan]

Yup! The world is full of “interesting” people. You’re awesome Marty! 🙌🏼

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

hey Marty, I hope you do more videos of the places and people you meet along the way.

[@Vegvisir_Oceanis]

At 1:10 I can relate to your kind of "autopilot" I do the same thing lol

[@christianhaugland2104]

What an awesome meet up

[@jimefflandt9609]

Hi Marty I have to say this is a very injoyable video. I know when I lived in Sarasota people were always friendly when I would go to Siesta Beach ⛱. I think people in Florida are friendly.

[@tribalncgaming1091]

Bath is one of my favorite launch areas ...

[@WarrenCrowder]

Here's to the land of the long leaf pine

[@michaelragsdale4797]

“As zesty as it gets”. Perfect.

[@dclark6449]

So this had me confused as I thought it was after engine installs...😉

[@thejuanderdude7911]

This man is just an inspiration to us all!!! I think I will end up being him when I grow up!

[@heyjules2008]

Thank you for providing some much needed Florida sunshine this morning with my coffee! Nice video. Hope all is going well with your motor(s) repairs. Looking forward to an update

[@nickmarino2033]

This appears to be old seems he is still on one motor.

[@imho7250]

I thought the same when I saw the position of the engine controls, then @3:25 he confirmed it.

[@nickmarino2033]

@@imho7250 that's what gave it away first second was the siblings on the tent boat he mentioned them before. Siblings that seemed weird

[@jorgegmendez6241]

Thank you nice video

[@mecheledawson4262]

Wow those Florida waterways are extremely busy and people just scream by....my goodness! Batten the inside hatches! I'll bet you will meet wonderful people all around the great loop. Most travelers are very gracious, warm, and caring individuals. Good to see Kon-Tiki moving again...continued safe mooring and travels!

[@cheza7061]

Good to see you back on your way.🎣😎🐟

[@FINfinFINfinFINfin]

FYI, this video was from a couple weeks ago. They are still working on Marty's engine swaps atm.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

It’s little places like Labelle that I’m looking forward to exploring when I make the trip South. It’s amazing those 2 you introduced are making that trip on essentially an open boat.

[@smileszlovesz8145]

It's like your foot never grew lol (steering)

[@EricUdell]

Hope your travels are going well. You're going to find the occasional large wake that you can't turn into for one reason or another, so securing stuff is a good idea. We've been caught out a few times. Also, often when we're traveling with a buddy boat, we don't use the VHF radios, we use a set of rechargeable FRS walkie talkies. The range is about as fars as you can see your traveling companions, but you can configure them to not hear other radios, it frees up your VHF to monitor other channels and you're not using a VHF channel so you can talk as much as you like. Maybe we'll meet up in VA!

[@trampster7306]

I think Marty or Mike said they now have a set of walkie talkies - this video is one of many that Marty said he was trying to find time to edit & upload, from back near the start of the month.

[@EuropeanMapping]

Great video Marty!

[@chrishidalgo5998]

Moters running:-):-):-):-):-)

[@erikyoutube5692]

Pretty cool!!

[@braveswin1]

Hahahaha...I thought you said the name of the boat was not "Clitoris"...turns out you were right!

[@jamescherry6921]

How are the engines coming along Marty?

[@tonykazz2779]

Ok Mr.Zoffinger, a great story, thank you, beer would've ruined the wholesomeness of it. Tony in Venice Florida

[@tonybarnes3858]

Only Bud Light would ruin the wholesomeness of it.

[@willadventures2152]

Love your videos

[@warrensun5999]

Nice video marty

[@wojomojo]

Half of Flroida is nice. The other half of Florida is not so nice. Thanks for showing us the better half.

[@valeriwaldron3690]

I live like three minutes away from the Alva Bridge and my granny lives right on the Labelle bridge

[@dsofilms9334]

5:30 best karma I've ever heard

[@peteraikens8151]

You better have everything tied down when you get into the Atlantic Marty! No joke!

[@eyeconspiracy]

Yeah hopefully he gets over complaining about every wake...or it's gonna be a long 5000 miles.

[@chrisjohnson2536]

I think you guys should be called “4Legged Adventures” 🙂

[@benzproducts]

Good video footage, Florida is the best. My 25ft Four Winns is covered up on land with snow on it now, miserable here in New York. Hopefully I can meet up with you guys when you get to Long Island this summer. I am on the North shore on Long Island Sound. I could meet you with my boat and we could cruise through the sound, hit Connecticut or Port Jeff LI for a couple of days..

[@montneymon-ta-knee6810]

they should be filming there adventure

[@parkerottoackley5587]

Now this is a Marty video that I've grown to like. 👍 . Easy, Peaceful, and no Problems. Safe travels Marty

[@TheJibs911]

Hello good sir.

[@TheDomin8rr]

That couple is like 9to5less here on YT motoring thru ICW near St. Augustine now but started way north w/ like a 5 hp outboard on a 24' homebuilt catamaran.

[@jimk351c]

Ha, I follow that one too...

[@pauljensen8781]

East side, it is different.

[@johnkline9683]

If you think that that place had a lot of boat traffic lake st Clair is obnoxious with boats in some areas there are 5 to 6 foot waves so just a heads up once you do get to st clair in a year watch out.

[@justinrisley5734]

If you keep posting these videos, it will force me to get on a plane and come home to LaBelle

[@roymichael851]

Wait, so KonTiki is fixed? Posted video today so what am I missing?

[@jebsdaddy141]

I think this was a few weeks ago.

[@SwitchbackXThunter]

It appears those large insects are trying to “overcompensate” for something they may be lacking. 😉😉 Great to see you underway again guys!! Safe travels!!

[@johngrabinski4873]

zoffinger/Marty when will you be hitting the Chesapeake bay area?

[@foreverfixin]

good video buddy

[@jamesm5285]

I live in CT near NY so if you need help I am good with boats

[@Power5]

The guy who straps jet engines and outboards to kayaks and peddle boats doesn't like go fast boats having their fun?

[@seansimons7043]

So many go fast boats

[@birdhunter2754]

Thought both eng were getting replaces.

[@brianderby145]

Curious if that's a Jeff Spira boat?? He has a great channel on building wooden boats and has several Dory designs. It's a great channel to check out. I'm sure he would love to link to your video if it is one of his, he does a lot of feature clips from folks that build his designs.

[@KennyRiley]

Man, I vacation in St. Pete every year and was hoping to stop by your shop and meet you. Permanently closed!?! Not coming back? Where are you moving to?

[@trampster7306]

Marty has sold the Kayak business to his mate at the same location so is still open. Marty is planning to spend some time in NYC when they get up there later in the year to visit family. After that, even he doesn't know where he's going until they restart the loop in 2022.

[@kyhermit]

New subscriber here ... can someone explain the plan here? Start point, end point, approx. overall trip duration. Thank you

[@jimk351c]

Starting point is Tampa, ending point is Tampa, timeline is however long it takes. :-)

[@daan5918]

At least those tiny go fast boats do not make a huge wake.

[@Vetteman372]

I take it your engine are done I just stARTED MINE from sitting since April AND WITH GOOD OIL PRESSURE MOTOR LOCK UPi am in Punta Gorda fl where is your, engine Mechanic at

[@leighstevensmusic]

great video - any time you feel like just pointing the camera out front and letting it roll for a few minutes, that would be just fine

[@shize9ine]

Time lapse?

[@leighstevensmusic]

@@shize9ine no need for that, just good old fashioned Slow TV

[@CLCIII]

Content from before overhaul I guess.

[@zoffinger]

Yup. Trying to catch up.

[@CLCIII]

@@zoffinger That'll work. Hope you are back on two motors soon.

[@travisgibbs1272]

Are those Nascar drivers on vacation flying by you? Lol

[@hoosiercrypto9955]

Damn reckless power boaters

[@dja4981]

What about the mothers what happened

[@ssoltys4128]

timeline is confusing

[@michiganengineer8621]

I'm pretty sure this is from well before the haulout and engine replacement. I'm going to guess somebody forgot to upload it a few weeks ago LOL

[@mkarpov08]

@@michiganengineer8621 I think Marty mentioned in one of his Live videos that he was working on editing and uploading of the cruising portion of the trip, and there would be a slight delay in uploading. The engines seem reserved for Live or engine specific uploads.

[@trampster7306]

@@michiganengineer8621 It wasn't a case of "forgot to upload" - Marty's laptop died so he had to wait for a new one, and he just hasn't had time to work on Kon Tiki, and edit & upload videos.

[@michiganengineer8621]

@@trampster7306 I remembered that after I commented and didn't go back to correct it. Or at least put "quotes" around the word forgot!

[@artkitzmiller957]

Nice people, if Ariana is still around, tell her she needs to tone it down a little. OMG! what a talker! I did not think she was ever going to stop! No really some people are just camera shy. I wonder if she knows thousands of people have now meet her and her brother? They too are on a great journey. Thanks again! Tell Mike we are pulling for him.

[@Rob-ze1wi]

You are mean Marty, really mean. Wishing a canker sore on someone. Cruel.

[@jeremymcauliff8485]

I miss running my bass boat. The water will be hard in my area for 2 more months.

[@chucksmith5002]

Where did I miss the other engine getting put in the boat .

[@EZ8E]

I really like the city dock. Small and quiet. Gotta love these adventures. And yeah.... watch out for those Tiara boats. They make HUGE wakes.

[@michaelwallace897]

Your description of a past adventure of his sounds like the opening of a Hemingway novel.

[@nike12000haha]

I would take one of those speed boats over your huge thing any day!