The Great Loop - The Basics

[@SteveReitzel-x2o]

We transported our Hunter Legend 35.5 from Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay up the Trent Severn system. It was a thoroughly enjoyable trip and a great option if you have to transport your boat. Our winged keel draws 4.5 ft and there are several sections of the system that were only 5 ft deep. Although we never hit bottom, weed growth was an issue in several areas. Weeds would wrap around the keel and actually stop the boat. Most of the time, I could reverse and drop a giant ball of weeds off the keel, but once I had to put my mask on and pull the weeds off the prop in order to continue.

[@sailorjim6454]

I would LOVE to see a KZbin video of someone doing the Great Loop from an Amphibious Car. PLEASE DO IT!

[@carllafky9262]

Okay, I want to see the editor on the Loop in his amphibious car! And, oh, the video is an excellent teaser for the loop, thank you

[@cal82252]

As a wannabe sailor, this is my favorite channel. Great info. Thanks!

[@MichalBirdsell]

Wantabe sailors teaching wantabe sailors…classic.

[@PeterVasak]

Hi, Tim. I am glad you are doing The Great Loop, I want to do it the summer. Thanks for the info. Love both of your programs, keep up the good work.

[@georgelansing5979]

You and Practical Sailor are a winning team. Congrats!

[@usdohs]

That map is such a tremendous help!!! The way points describing the locks and t he bridge heights is HUGE! And I love your recommendations on detours

[@russellboronow1598]

I'm so thankful you started a video channel and great choice on a host. I look forward to each segment. Thank you

[@jabjab1010]

Lived on Lake Champlain for 20 years and always knew the loopers with their masts tied down to the deck. Great channel.

[@robertcochran3568]

I was introduced to the Great Loop World last summer. Having bought a sailboat I decided to keep it in Parry Sound, Ontario. A majority of the slips were open for transient boats with a great many of the visitors being Loopers. I learned about the loopers associations and tracking apps. Looks like a fun group to be part of and a great experience to be had.

[@peterrcarey9144]

The great loop is on our bucket list. I have been a sailor most of my life and have always enjoyed Practical sailor magazine. Thanks for the new channel.

[@tomcostello2274]

The best brief synopsis that I've seen on this adventure. Thanks

[@newfiescreech7328]

I was not aware of this loop until this video, and it is now on my bucket list, especially the section from the Great Lakes to the Gulf.

[@timhart5617]

That is "pah-DO-cah" Kentucky. As a fellow sailor, I greatly appreciate your newsletter for the last two years and I'm so glad you are now doing the video channel. We enjoy the "loopers" coming thru our lakes (Kentucky and Barkley).

[@sempertalis1230]

Just a correction. People with single engine aircraft don't land at KLAX just to get it off the bucket list. Big airports do not allow your little slow plane to disturb their flight patterns. I am sometimes even denied to just enter KDFW airspace because they are that busy. That said and coming back to boats, the big loop is a very nice scenic drive but just one of many. Crossing France's channels to get to the Mediterranean is also a breath taker. Renting boat in Ireland and sailing the Shannon up and down is also something I am glad I did( and I can tell you much cheaper than the other two options). I bet there are many,many more equality worthy trips around the globe which even I have not heard about.

[@davidhowell7901]

That's odd. My father-in-law has flown into Atlanta's Harts Field (THE busiest airport in America) AND departed; skipping to the front of the line under the wings of all the commercial liners. This was over 20 years ago, though. May have changed.

[@wollekemper8317]

@@davidhowell7901 its not odd, I did not say it is impossible but it is very unlikely if you are in a slow single engine aircraft. Look it from their perspective, you fly 150 knots if you are full throttle and about 75 knots when landing, the big airliners make 250 knots when they land. You delay everyone in the pattern and even taxi on the runway takes you three times as long as a Boing 737 . I do not know what your Father-in law is flying, maybe a faster twin engine or a small jet , but if he has something like a Chessna 175 I would expect they deny him . Big Airports are about safety and business, both things the small planes are disrupting :-) I landed Dallas Love Field (KDAL) with no problem but as said one time I was even denied to enter KDFW airspace because they were too busy.

[@erichyney6287]

Good video. Thanks for sharing.

[@reesehuntiii3070]

Excellent video for the basics. Thanks for sharing. Wife and I have 4 years till the kiddos are out of school, then it's loop time.

[@dreamtoreality9892]

Well here we go again, A cancer survivor is planning on a 26 day tour of the great loop and for good cause. He knows the hardest part is coming back as storm's are hitting and areas being high and low . I wish him an amazing safe happy trip. I pray that he comes full circle and completes the challenge of the Great loop. My family and I will be cheering him on from the sidelines . Let's go buddy you got this......

[@craignewton5126]

Very interesting and informative. Looking forward to future articles.

[@BoBernal]

Well done. Many lingering questions I've had over the last few years you answered in ONE reasonably lengthed video! Thank you

[@ickster23]

I only heard this term a few weeks ago. Glad you put this up as it explains much.

[@earlhunt2815]

I'm past my open ocean days. But The Great Loop is now on my bucket list since grands and great grands can join me for short trips. Thanks for the great summary!!

[@redox600]

What a great video. To the point and full of information. Really enjoying the Practical Sailor channel and Tim.

[@Lew114]

Love your stuff! I never would have known that Practical Sailor existed if it weren’t for you. Interesting stuff here.

[@PatriciaDion-vy2mc]

Great video on the Great Loop! We are considering it with our Catalina 310. Your video pushed closer to a yes 😊

[@markflight7731]

Oh definitely I want to see the amphibious car loop series videos. They could pick a month/ week each year and do it in segments! Loved the video of the loop BTW. Keep 'em coming!

[@julioerodriguez6097]

It is in my "bucket list" to do the Great Loop. Thanks Tim, great video with lots of information!

[@blainespaulding3197]

Thank you! I have been considering the great loop as one of my first retirement trips in the near future! Timely...

[@tomsmith9281]

Great overview of the Great Loop! It's definitely on my bucket list!

[@YvesDemontigny-r7w]

Hey Tim, really enjoy this channel as well as your other channel. I’m a Practical Sailor magazine subscriber and love this new dimension to the magazine.

[@eliasgordon4321]

This is the video on the Loop that I've been looking for, it's got all the dimensions and route data presented concisely. Plus the links sound helpful for all the details.

[@billrecords1402]

Loved the video. A few years ago, a dear friend, George Yonge, made the trip in 80 days and wrote a book about it . Guide and Companion to the Great Circle Waterway. I am seriously considering he voyage. Bill Records, Austin, Texas

[@spray3716]

I enjoy your videos on all 3 KZbin channels. I hope you get 1000 comments.

[@gregorygarrison3131]

I'm from the west coast and never new about the Tennessee River route. Excellent channel!

[@jackwalby6257]

As a 8 time veteran of the Chicago Mobile section I would love to add the advice of shipping the mast to Mobile. Makes the boat handling in the locks so much easier!! Having done whole loop I'd say the toughest part is from Chicago to just past Joliet. Commercial traffic is a bear, but still doable.

[@ce7621]

I, for sure, would like to see the editor on the crazy car!!! They did make a good choice with Lady K!

[@charlescox3523]

Love this segment on the Great Loop!

[@mikeriester8798]

Great information about the Great Loop. Nice resource for air draft requirements for different sections of the Loop. Also never really thought of the Triangle Loop you mentioned. I was aware of the two options for coming up from NY but never really thought of doing this triangle loop. Definitely something to consider to get “a taste” of the Great Loop (for those of us along this section). Looking forward to seeing the amphibious car do the loop! I guess the good part of this is you can just drive up a boat ramp and drive to the gas station to fill up!

[@wendysimpson134]

Great video! Also, it’s pronounced (pa dew’ kuh) Paducah.

[@freemansmith1]

What a fabulous idea. Another great video Tim!

[@jefflloyd394]

Always good, thanks. Hope to do it one day in my Pearson 35.

[@johncampbell1710]

Tim, I love your channel and am a fan in general. Please ask one of your midwestern friends how Paducah is pronounced. I had to rewind that part twice. As a born and raised Kentuckian, I got a good chuckle out of that one. I’m a soon-to-be retired great loop dreamer myself btw.

[@deanjacobs1766]

I once read a book called “A Year in a Yawl” it was an account of a voyage ( the great loop) that took place in the late 1890s. The yawl was built in Saint Joseph’s on Lake Michigan and unpowered. The crew were four young men referred to as boys. They had quite a few close calls but in the end it was quite an adventure. The book can still be found.

[@curtischambers5652]

Planning my loop trip for a couple years now. thanks!

[@CaptK-pv7ow]

I’m starting to do some research because I’m wanting to do the great loop and this was great information. Really enjoyed it.

[@Mojo522]

This is my dream sail. It would be an outstanding lifetime achievement and a great way to dust out my sailing cobwebs before taking on anything too ambitious.

[@stevenmoore4078]

What a great adventure opportunity. This is certainly within reach of my capability (as opposed to an ocean crossing). Thanks for the info.

[@navymt2005]

Until last Sunday, I had never heard of the Great Loop. Now, I must do it. It’ll be a year or two before I’m ready, but it’s my goal now.

[@practical-sailor]

Excellent!

[@artsmith103]

Really appreciate the water/air draft and fuel specific info

[@charles.neuman18]

Great video. Nice to know this dream is actually doable. Would love to see more on the Great Loop at some point.

[@jrumlow]

Great video. Excellent quick summary of the loop. Subscribing!

[@roadboat9216]

Nice presentation. Thanks. I have done the intercostal several times. And open ocean to Caribbean, Panama and beyond. Despite my long rage cruising, I have really enjoyed the intercostal trips. Would be interesting to do the Great Loop. Again thanks.

[@paulyaron2410]

In 2022, I started the smaller loop in my Sabre 402 from NJ, up the Hudson, Champlain Canal, St Lawrence River, and will depart this year from Gaspe. The trip is about the experiencing life and collecting stories to share. Small loop, or Great Loop, just do it.

[@matatooie]

That would be the most uncomfortable loop ever! But if he does it, he needs a youtube channel to document it! Everyone will want to see it

[@ileneberg6735]

We have done a small section of the Loop on our 34' Motor Yacht. We brought our dog and plan to do the full loop in a few years!

[@scottdoran-p6n]

🇨🇦On my way,❤, see ya in a couple of years. Currently in Thailand sailing into the Indian Ocean, then the Atlantic and on to the Hudson. Cheers 🇨🇦

[@Troy-op6gb]

Good stuff, and looking forward to entertaining the idea of one day in the future researching and prepping for even just a single leg of this excursion, is an exciting endeavour. Thx for the background information! From Waterloo, ON

[@gormci]

Great video Tim, Loop is on my bucket list!

[@josephsanchez1853]

Your awesome Tim love this new blog of yours.

[@mikevoltamp6146]

The Loop is on my bucket list.

[@brokerjohn1]

Great content; having done parts of the Erie Canal and the canals of Ireland (both rented vessels), I'm intrigued about the Loop. Keep up the good work!

[@alexawolf1030]

Planning on doing part of the loop this summer!

[@patfitzgerald4161]

Great video. So informative. Thanks so much.

[@hectorsarraga2475]

Never thought about this route before, sounds very interesting

[@josephplace9754]

Love to see a video series for the amphibious car doing the great loop!

[@david.seholm]

Great video. Looking forward to seeing the car do the loop!

[@StHubert1]

I can’t wait to get started sailing

[@gdiup9241]

The great loop is one of our goals after we get done sailing.

[@michiganengineer8621]

One additional point to make with beamy boats, especially trimarans and cats (power or sail) is at inland marinas. There will be many marinas where you won't fit into a slip and will need to tieup at the end of the pier(s) or the fuel dock. Note, this is not from experience just a LOT of research, since the Loop is a bucket list item I want to check off while I'm still physically able.

[@BradleyHansen-gu6er]

Sounds like a great adventure

[@kirenireves]

Great video! How does someone do this trip solo? Can you use auto-pilot on rivers? Where can you stop if you need to make lunch - just anchor on a sand bar? So different from open ocean sailing. Glad to see you hosting the "Practical Sailor" channel.

[@practical-sailor]

When I run alone I always make meals ahead of time. Have the day ready before you get underway. Autopilot doesn’t work In skinny rivers.

[@firesoldier221]

Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you for sharing this video!

[@chriswooten8032]

I so want to do this. Love these videos. I never comment so take it as high praise. Keep up the great work.

[@practical-sailor]

Thank you! 🙏

[@robertpait1916]

I hope this channel is good. I enjoyed this one on the loop

[@jeffreyerwin3665]

I have done the Great Loop. I left Milwaukee in 1974 and arrived back there in 2008, but not in the same boat, of course. Lessons: the lower Mississippi is dangerous with long intervals between suitable places to anchor for the night. Cape Hatteras is known for bad weather. If you are going offshore from Florida to take advantage of the current, stay on the west side of the Gulf Stream so that you can more easily take refuge if the weather turns. I did not do that and was caught out in the middle in a gale for two days. Not fun.

[@AEFisch]

Great opportunity to buy a boat anywhere and start from there. Although adding to the challenge, the boat will be all repaired and upgraded by the time you are done

[@ALKerns-im8jk]

Bring on the amphibious car!!! 😁 Be great to see a video series dedicated to the amphibious car making the trip!!!

[@paulnormandin5267]

I had never heard of this... might be a good trip when I break in my next boat.

[@jefflloyd394]

great, thank you, one of my dreams for my Pearson 35, Valkyrie III

[@joshuacook3069]

Tim, I cannot wait to own a cat boat big enough to use for cruising the Loop. I think I will try the triangle loop first as I live in western Massachusetts. Please keep putting out these great videos!

[@cliffhamilton1065]

Tim, Another great video. Thanks. I do want to see that car make the loop.

[@Dynarick]

We live (and I sail) in Michigan during the summer. We winter in Florida and spent alot of time talking with loopers on the Okeechobee waterway. I would love to loop. The wife not so much.

[@charleslassiter6082]

such a fun adventure love the video thanks Tim

[@roydesignedthat]

I enjoyed your encouraging video! Thanks!

[@murphyrp01]

Great video. Like others I didn’t know about the loop. I knew you would do well setting up this channel.

[@practical-sailor]

Thanks!

[@chriswaters926]

We first heard about the loop from a couple of Georgians we meet in the locks at Ottawa. One year , one year

[@timothyeasley1832]

Adding my vote for the amphibious car loop

[@jhalupa]

Just added to our bucket list!!

[@garywinslow2973]

amphibious Car? That would be good to watch! Nice job Tim.

[@stephenpolos1689]

Good video 😊 I'm on the west coast California also I used it get the magazine years a go

[@brucegarrison4999]

Thank you Tim

[@justinpittsenbarger7523]

Sounds like an awesome retirement celebration plan🎉

[@na1dx]

A friend is planning it. He just had his Hunter 34 stern modified with a sugar scoop and painted fluorescent orange.

[@richrich685]

I’m not sure I could bring myself to start heading north again once I got the south end of Florida. The call of the Caribbean would be too great😂😂😂

[@bryonholland5041]

That's right, Puerto Rico is only 1200 miles east.

[@TsterMr63]

Nice channel...good luck!

[@VelezMpls]

Is the Saint Lawrence part of the Great Loop? I've always thought it would be cool to go from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic via that waterway. 😁

[@kenlinnington4771]

great loop in water car. sounds Great!

[@richardlinneman594]

Love the information, thank you. Do you have to do the ICW or can you blue water sail?

[@inertmission4427]

Have been planning the loop for the next adventure. When doing the loop; which is more troublesome - going around the keys; or, going through the Okeechobee Waterway?

[@tashajones9771]

Thanks for the useful information