Living the Dream– by Milt Baker– PassageMaker Magazine– Upside of Downsizing to a Trailerable Trawler– Reading this e-book, I couldn’t help but wonder how many cruisers might be tempted to follow the example set by Jim and Lisa Favors, a…
Tribute to a Friend, Tom Conrad: We lost a good friend. Tom Conrad passed away recently and the boating community lost one of its best. We met Tom and Patsy Conrad many years ago through AGLCA (America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association). If the…
Become a Loopers! AGLCA, America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association Completing the Great Loop boat trip is a big accomplishment for any boater, experienced or not. We have completed the trip 1.75 times, in different boats. One of the first things…
$29.95 for Both Paperback Books When the Water Calls... We Follow and Women On Board Cruising (Regularly $44.90 for both books) Included in the Blog Reader's Special... A few months into their first Great Loop trip Traverse City residents, Jim and Lisa Favors,…
We experienced a lot of memorable moments while cruising the Great Loop boat trip. One of the most thrilling was when we entered New York City's Harbor and saw the Statue of Liberty, we were humbled and extremely subdued as we…
(Tangier Island - above) On our first Great Loop boating adventure, we somewhat skirted through the Chesapeake Bay, in hindsight, we discovered what a big mistake that was. So, while on our second Loop trip, we decided to stop and…
After trailering our Kismet south 680 miles, we launched her at Green Turtle Marina in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, a place we've had the pleasure of visiting twice before while on both of our Great Loop trips. We felt a little…
We first cruised the Tennessee River in 2005 when we were on our inagural Great Loop boat trip. Back then everything about "Looping" was new to us and we were both wide-eyed newbies as we took in all the new…
Plan on doing the Great Loop boat trip someday? Please think about signing AGLCA's petition to help Save Hoppies. Hoppies, located on the Mississippi River at Kimmswick, MO, is an important part of American river history. For several decades they…
If it's June and if you're on the Great Loop you're probably in upstate New York heading for the Erie or Lake Champlain. Lake Champlain is still on our bucket list, however Lisa and or I have been through the Erie…
When people ask us about some of our favorite Great Loop experiences, we both agree that the night we anchored overnight behind the Statue of Liberty with the light of the statue shining above the trees and NYC as the…
While cruising up the east coast you'll have plenty of chances to bask in history, from the James Olgethrope 1733 designed Savannah Squares, Charleston's charm and George Washington's Dismal Swamp, just to name a few. To read more and view…
We thought this was interesting. Josh Tart is paddling his way around the Great Loop route in a Kayak. Starting in Cincinnati, Ohio, he worked his way down the river system and is currently in Florida. From looking at his…
NORFOLK, VA., MAY 7 - 10, 2012: America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association will once again be holding its annual Spring Rendezvous & Reunion in the vibrant and exciting waterfront city of Norfolk, Va. This event, held at the Sheraton…
Weather Wind Mapper Passage Weather Sail Flow Ikite Surf Weather Underground Grand Traverse Bay Weather Buoy Old Mission Point Weather Buoy Little Traverse Bay Weather Buoy Lake Michigan Surface Wind Nowcast Lake Michigan Surface Wind Forecast Grand Traverse Light Weather…
Click on the album covers to find out more about Scott's music. "They say this is cruisin', travelin' the world by sea." Scott Perkins lives the life he expresses in his music, exploring the world aboard the 32-ft DownEast sailboat Chip…
The 2012, Third Annual Looper "Sunset Celebration" was a huge success with over 120 in attendance. It was a little windy (not a problem for Loopers) – lots of good food was shared along with a chance to reacquaint ourselves…
If you are in Florida - the Keys or near the Marathon area and you are a Looper – you are invited to attend our 3rd Annual "Sunset Celebration" Sunday, February 26, 2012 5 p.m. Banana Bay Resort and Marina…
As "Loopers," we were excited to be able to tow our boat from Lake Powell to Rogersville, Alabama for the AGLCA (America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association) 2011 Fall Rendezvous. Little did we know that, not only would we make new…
It can be maddening trying to find, buy and then store all those chart books we boaters need for long-distance cruising. We’ve always felt it was important to have paper charts as a back up to our GPS chartplotter as…
It was a short drive from the boat launch at Point Defiance to our destination of Gig Harbor. Well, it did take a little longer than needed because the water was smooth, the wind was so warm and we yearned…
Jim and I have been long-distance cruisers for five years. Most of that time has been spent on good sized boats, most recently our Fathom 40, but last year we decided it was time for a change. After redefining our…
When asked where one of their favorite Loop cruising territories were many Loopers will talk about the time spent in Canada’s North Channel. Packed with countless anchorage possibilities in glacier formed coves surrounded by beautifully rugged terrain and crystal clear…
July’s the perfect time to be cruising Canada’s Trent-Severn Waterway – it's a real treat to visit the many harbor towns that line the waterway. Sometime during these summer months it seems like every town – Trenton, Campbellford, Peterborough and…
Here I am with my dad boating on Lake Chemung. When I was a child, our family would drive to Lake Chemung (Howell, Michigan) to spend summer weekends, a family event I always enjoyed. Like many things children look forward…
If you’re heading to the AGLCA Rendezvous in Norfolk, Virginia you may be in North Carolina right now, you lucky dogs! You could spend a lot of time cruising all the sounds, creeks, rivers and enjoying some charming old southern…
There’s a lot to see while on your northern migration through South Carolina so slow down and make sure to take it all in. These southern harbor towns have a lot of history surrounding them and food’s pretty good as…
We’ve been to Savannah three times by boat, staying twice at Thunderbolt and once at the free floating dock right downtown. Savannah is one of those cruising stops worthy of a two or three day layover. If your plans are…
Whether you’re starting your trek north into Georgia now or in the future there are several places you just don’t want to miss. Some of our favorite have been the anchorage at Cumberland Island mm 710. Once anchored you can…
Kismet leaving the dock at Stock Island in the Keys with Tab, the new owner, and Jim. We helped Tab take the boat up the Florida coast last month. If you see Tab and his wife Susan on cruising the…
Just another great cruising spot on the Great Loop route.
We enjoyed the “Pool” so much we didn’t want to leave but finally we departed for Heywood Island and later, Little Current.After getting settled into our quiet anchorage, shared with half a dozen other boats, off Heywood Island, we were…
Another gorgeous day in the North Channel. We were anchored in the "Pool," a well protected cover just at the end of Baie Fin. We took advantage of the great weather by exploring by dinghy and beaching the small craft…
Meldrum Bay, located on the northwest tip of Manitoulin Island, is one of last stops in the North Channel as one heads west. I remember, with great anticipation as we cruised into the Bay for the very first time.One might…
Baie Fine is a wonderful 10-mile cruise laden with fantastic photo opportunities around each rocky bend and cliff as you work your way up to a little cove called the “Pool."We anchored, as is tradition, in the med-moor style with…
One of the most beautiful and satisfying trips in the North Channel is the trip up Baie Fin (pronounced Bay Fin) to the Pool. You would think you were traveling in a scandinavian fjord the way the quartz cliff rise so…
Canada’s North Channel is a magical boating paradise and for us Croker Island is one of its gems. The reason we like Croker Island so much is because it has a cove that provides an excellent, well protected, anchorage. From…
Two miles to the west of Killarney lies Covered Portage Cove, a kunkholers dream. The narrow entrance, that has large boulders protruding from the water makes for an nerve racking entrance for ones first visit but made easier if the…
Killarney, what a great name but more importantly what a wonderful boaters paradise. Killarney sits at the northwest corner of Georgian Bay and the northeast section of the North Channel in Ontario Canada. We’ve been to Killarney a couple of…
We walked to Fishbusterz's (an amazing fish market right on the docks of the fishing boat harbor on Stock Island) today with the sole intent of securing some fresh tuna for dinner. We had our eyes set on a huge hunk…
Just around the corner from the marina is the Stock Island Lobster Company and within walking distance is Fishbusterz Fish Market. We walk by the Lobster Company on our daily walks and the colorful lobster pots and fishermen always brighten…
When we need a little diversion from our normal boating lifestyle; what do we do? Go for a ride in the dinghy of course. After working on the boat we jumped in the dinghy and headed out. We found some…
Yes, we're talking about the Blue Angels. They practiced over our marina for a few days before the Southernmost Air Spectacular show which was at the Naval Air Station on Boca Chica, the next island up from us. Of course…
Lunch today was at a unique restaurant in Key West, Blue Heaven, with our friend Jean. As you can see this spot features the laid back atmosphere of the Keys. The dirt floors and several roosters wandering about makes you…
Key West is being inundated by Fathom Yachts – there are three right now in Key West area (2 in Stock Island). Considering there are only about 15 or 16 in existence (and most of those on the west coast) that's…
