Great Loop

J

Just Dreamin'

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 21, 2010
Messages
191
Fluid Motion Model
C-248 C
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2507F809
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Bass Tracker Targa 18 W/T
Vessel Name
Just Dreamin'
MMSI Number
338129907
Very nice article in USA Today's weekend addition on the Great Loop, and yes a Ranger R25 (Loophole) is center page. Great photo for Ranger Tugs!
 
I couldn't access the article online. Maybe someone in the forum can help or I'll get a paper. Thanks.
 
Great article, thanks for sharing. Toni and I spent three months cruising from the Florida Keys to New York the first year we got our R27. It is the best trip we have ever taken and we still talk about returning to complete the Loop.
 
This article is a little weak but there are many web sites and blogs with lots of information and pictures that are sure to pique your interest. You can start off with The Great Loop Cruiser's Association. We completed the loop a year ago last march and I think it can be considered as an "adventure of a life time". It is what small boats are made for, although a 25' could be a little tight. People are clearly doing it though. We are fortunate to have such a opportunity so close. The Tug in the picture is at Elliot Key south of Miami and is a state park in Biscayne Bay.
 
Yeah, that spot is at the north end of Elliot Key, called Boca Chita. A great spot to stop at during the week. Weekends can get a bit crowded. And this is just one off hundreds of beautiful spots on the Great American Loop.
 
Hello All,
I have a near complete set of charts and guides, all recent, that I'd like to sell. Please PM me for a list..
RIchard
 
We are planning to cruise the Gulf ICW and Florida from Texas this June. There is an iPad App called iNavX, it has all of the CURRENT NOAA charts that can be stitched together for around $50 US. Seems like a real deal to me, all the current US charts for $50 and upgradeable at any time. We plan to at least cover the Southern end of the Loop and possibly the Bahamas. I hope to post our progress from time to time. Willie will be keeping her blog andwilliesaid.blogspot.com with current updates also.
 
The Great Loop is on our list, 6-7 years from now. 2 years, 2 circuits so we can hit all the side trips. I've read all the books and own all the maps. Now I just need to get to retirement. Love seeing articles and info on "Loopers".
Jeff and Ela
Wallowa R31
 
We are planning to start the loop form eastern Iowa on the Mississippi in the fall of 2017. It should be a real challenge in a 25-footer.
 
tlkenyon":2uwozqwt said:
We are planning to start the loop form eastern Iowa on the Mississippi in the fall of 2017. It should be a real challenge in a 25-footer.
Click to expand...

You will be fine in a 25.
 
Tikenyon:

As Mike stated, you'll be fine in a R25 for the Great Loop. As long as you are used to being in your R25 for longer stretches of time you'll have no problem. The advantages of doing the Great Loop in a smaller boat like ours are more docking options, less costs for docking, less insurance costs, more anchorage options because of shallow draft with the added benefit of being able to trailer your boat. Take as much or more time then you plan, as doing the Great Loop is a wonderful adventure.....minimum 1 year or even break up into several years if you're able to swing it is even better for exploring and immersing yourself in towns, villages, cities and areas like the North Channel, River system, Keys, Great Lakes and the Chesapeake Bay to name a few.

Jim F
 
Ditto Jim. We have been doing the loop in segments and towing the boat to various locations and doing in depth cruising, taking our time and visiting towns and relearning the history of our country. There is a lot I had forgotten from school and a lot of new things I learned. Don't do yourself a disservice and rush through it. The people you meet and the places to visit are treasures.

Have fun and smell the roses. As I told my wife, if we can spend a week on the boat then we can do it as long as we want to. What I find interesting is not how long you stay on the boat, but what you designate at the date when you will get off it. It seems like, at least for me, when you get close to that designated date your mindset changes and you are ready to hit land. However it does not take long for me to wish I was back cruising. So set a date way out far and you will be fine.
 
Thanks for the great advice. We are planning to do the loop in about one year, starting in early Fall 2017 from eastern Iowa. Our only real schedule (expectation?) is following the seasons....attend the Fall AGCLA Rendezvous in October at Joe Wheeler Park, start south from there about November 1, make it to the Spring AGCLA Rendezvous in Norfolk in May (or get in the neighborhood), and do the canals Great Lakes in the summer. As the time gets closer, we may end up starting earlier in the summer to accommodate a side trip or two, but the fall completion is is kinda a hard date (pun intended for the north country).

The portions of the trip that are giving me the most concern are the gulf crossing and the big water of the great lakes, but I understand from the veterans that these segments can indeed be managed thru careful planning weather-wise. I also wish my fuel tank was a little larger, as I do not want to haul fuel cans around. I know academically that I have sufficient range, but....

Thanks again for the advice,

TK
 
I have not crossed the big bend yet, but plan on going around rather than straight across. Our boats should have no problem doing that route and why miss a couple of good spots by going straight across. Remember, many of the loopers have big boats with deep draft. They have no choice but to go straight across. Just watch the winds and weather and a circuit around the bend should be more pleasurable.
 
I agree with Mike totally, there is no reason to NOT to do the bend in an R-25, and very good reason to do it. The distance and speed versus daylight in the fall requires some travel in darkness (not conducive to avoiding crabpots, etc). The leg from Carabelle to St Mark's is easily accomplished as is the next leg from St Marks to Stienhatchee. The Marina at St Marks is better than most, actually, and has a ships store that would put ANY West Marine to shame. I have used everyone's advise like Mike, and Jim's and I am totally enjoying the the loop, which I began last August 25th, after the North Channel rendezvous.

Dwain Dumas
R-25 "Lydia"
 
We waited in Apalachicola for a week to cross to Steinhatchee. We had no trouble crossing but the weather had loosen a lot of weeds that wound up in our heat exchanger. That turned into a major and very expensive problem. The strainer did not even seem to slow the grass down.
 
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