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Great Loop Boats For Rent

Great Loop Information And Boats For Sale

2022 Fleming Yachts 65 Walk-Through Video – [Great Loop Boats]

Fort Lauderdale, FL Curtis Stokes and Associates have long been supporters of Great Loop Cruisers by supporting the Americas Great Loop Cruisers Association and bringing great people and boats together to do the Great Loop. Curtis Stokes has also been a speaker discussing Finding the right boat for your Great Loop cruise at the AGLCAs Rendezvous. Please Contact Curtis for more information. See Great Loop boats for sale listed below.

The Great Loop is a wonderful opportunity to see the eastern United States the way few are able. Aboard your boat you will observe and experience the geography, flora, fauna and people close up and first hand.

Please see the Great Loop Map on the left to see the main route with seasonal alternate routes for a Great Loop cruise. Note that the alternative routes are based on Spring, Summer and Fall/Winter routes.

These routes are not chiseled in stone. You have time to make side trips in adjoining waters such as the Great Lakes, western rivers, the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, the many connected rivers of the Intracoastal Waterway, the Chesapeake, the Hudson River and others.

People who make this trip are known as Loopers. Yes, some will think you are a little loopie to spend your time on a trip like this as well as those who envy and appreciate the Great Loop for the great experience it is. Whatever your reasons, this will be one of the finest adventures in your life to be treasured always.

Inside The Luxury Watercraft Making The Roughly 6000

Retirement has taken Larry and April Smith in circleswith no end in sight. Twice these avid boaters have completed the Great Loop, a roughly 6,000-mile journey by water that circumnavigates the eastern half of the U.S. and part of Canada. Now, they are planning their third go-round of the Great Loop.

Their only home is a 2018 Aquila 44 Power Catamaran named One Eye Dog, on which they travel with their one-eyed dog, Abby. “Never in a million years did I think wed buy a boat or end up living on a boat,” says Ms. Smith, 62, the former owner of a mortgage company. “We love this gypsy lifestyle. After staying somewhere for a week, we get a little antsy, like we need to go see someplace new.”

On Oct. 29, they “crossed their wake” in Fairhope, Ala., meaning they reached the place where they began their roughly eight-month journey. Theirs was one of the 178 boats that completed the Great Loop in 2019a record, says Kim Russo, director of Americas Great Loop Cruisers Association, a Summerville, S.C., organization of boating enthusiasts formed in 1999. The journey typically takes about a year to complete, although many boaterscalled Loopersspend several years traveling the route in segments. The coronavirus has complicated, but not entirely drydocked, the Loopers, with the U.S.-Canada border closed and some marinas shut down.

The galley of the Steins boat.

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Map of the Great Loop

Welcome To Oya Charters

I first began chartering with my sisters. We had a small Boston Whaler my folks called Gold Star. One summer, it turned out the four of us did achieve Gold Star academic status at the same time. Our parents asked us what we wanted to do about it. Did we want a larger Boston Whaler for the summer? My Dad operated a hardware store in Easton, MD, which included a boat showroom. We four agreed we wanted to go sailing on the Chesapeake for a week. So, you can imagine my Mom chartering a Dickerson 32 ketch for us! I was 16 years old. Mom dropped me off at Ted Greaves home in Bozman, MD, to bring the boat to our house on the Tred Avon River. Yes, Mom left me with Bill Dickerson and his partner Ted Greaves who promptly said, Are you old enough, Sonny? We better go with you! This is how we got together, and after Grad School, the Dickerson yard was attractive to me as the foundation of my charter and sales business.

Soon I was able to sell Grand Banks for the dealer in Annapolis, then buy one myself to charter. It was Charleton Mitchell who helped me become a Grand Banks dealer and importer in the mid-seventies. I went back into the charter business in 2013 with the Grand Banks 42 Penultimate. We have had a wonderful time in each of the subsequent years.

Sincerely, John Shannahan

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Why Use The Wakesgreat Loop Boats For Rent Marketplace

I love that I can have a different boat or different type of boat every time we go out. We go out a lot, and I think it is so fun to get a yacht with friends one day, a sail boat with my wife another and then take the kids and their friends out wake surfing another day. There is no way I could want to maintain 3 boats, so sharing on The Wake is fantastic!As a boat owner, I really love this app. Its simple, fast and works like a charm. I started using the app to offset my moorage costs, but it has turned into a nice source of revenue. I couldnt be happier.We have been renting a boat at a rental place in town for years, we thought it was awesome. But now, instead of renting a pretty lame cruiser to wake board, we are renting some of the coolest boats on the planet. Im spending less money, its more convenient and the boats are incredible.

About Wake

Our Perfect Great Loop Boat

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Newer maybe 10 years old-ish. We loved our 30 year old Passport, s/v Winterlude, but not the maintenance required to keep a 30 year old sailing classic mostly-restored. So if we decide on a new-to-us boat, it must be less maintenance intensive with minimal exterior teak.

Budget: Its important to have a set budget and not become side-tracked by amazing boats outside the limits of our finances. We considered financing to get a newer boat, but rejected the idea as weve always been cash only one of the secrets to happy retirement in our opinions.

Re-sale value after The Great Loop. Assume that wed sell the boat after our Great Loop adventure but maybe wed decide not to sell, but wed like to keep that option open.

Adequate hull construction no cored hull. After all, cruising down rivers and even the ICW submerged logs and other obstacles may be a challenge.

Outside steering preferably enclosed, good visibility. This is a hold-over from our sailing days. Although we like the sleek look of some of the newer designs, and even the real tug style boats, neither of us like the idea of sitting INSIDE all day long steering. After all, a big part of the fun of doing the Loop is watching the wildlife, river action and whatever else there may be to see. Plus it seems like docking would be much easier with an all around view, not a view from inside.

38 to 42. If we decide to do The Great Loop, we want a boat with a second cabin in case we have guests.

Max Draft: 4

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Why Use The Wake’sgreat Loop Boat Rentals Marketplace

“I love that I can have a different boat or different type of boat every time we go out. We go out a lot, and I think it is so fun to get a yacht with friends one day, a sail boat with my wife another… and then take the kids and their friends out wake surfing another day. There is no way I could want to maintain 3 boats, so “sharing” on The Wake is fantastic!””As a boat owner, I really love this app. It’s simple, fast and works like a charm. I started using the app to offset my moorage costs, but it has turned into a nice source of revenue. I couldn’t be happier.””We have been renting a boat at a rental place in town for years, we thought it was awesome. But now, instead of renting a pretty lame cruiser to wake board, we are renting some of the coolest boats on the planet. I’m spending less money, its more convenient and the boats are incredible.”

About Wake

Great Loop Boating Guide

The Great Loop is a 5,000 mile route that is one of Americas great boating adventure on the waterways of Eastern North America, in Canada and the USA.

The Great Loop is Americas great boating adventure on the waterways of Eastern North America, in Canada and the USA. You start out at your home port which can be anywhere from the navigable waters of Florida, Atlantic coast, Hudson River, the Great Lakes or Inland Rivers. Once you start the Loop you will typically cruise counter- clockwise until you are back in your home port. Its a distance of 5,500 to 7,000 miles depending on the alternate routes you take, and the side trips you want to visit. Those who set out on this adventure are often referred to as Loopers.

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Best Boats Types For Exploring The Great Loop

Great Loop Boat Requirements:

  • Shallow draft (due to frequent shoaling along the route
  • Low air clearance
  • Stick to boats measuring 35-45 feet

While there is no best boat for this trek, there are some that are more suited to the task than others. Here are our best recommendations for your Great Loop trip.

Why Use The Wakesgreat Loop Boat Rentals Marketplace

43 Mainship 2001 Great Loop Boat For Sale

I love that I can have a different boat or different type of boat every time we go out. We go out a lot, and I think it is so fun to get a yacht with friends one day, a sail boat with my wife another and then take the kids and their friends out wake surfing another day. There is no way I could want to maintain 3 boats, so sharing on The Wake is fantastic!As a boat owner, I really love this app. Its simple, fast and works like a charm. I started using the app to offset my moorage costs, but it has turned into a nice source of revenue. I couldnt be happier.We have been renting a boat at a rental place in town for years, we thought it was awesome. But now, instead of renting a pretty lame cruiser to wake board, we are renting some of the coolest boats on the planet. Im spending less money, its more convenient and the boats are incredible.

About Wake

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The Chesapeake Bay One Of The Must

The Chesapeake Bay is one of the most amazing places on this route. Inside the Chesapeake Bay, there is another lovely bay called Cobham Bay. This is one of the best stops on a boat trip, and the Great Loop boats will bring you to this peaceful oasis. Cobham Bay is home to some of the oldest plantations in the United States and some houses and mansions from the pre-Civil War era. If you sail a bit up the river, you will spot a sort of museum, the graveyard for retired naval vessels. Go exploring the Great Loop with a boat rental, and meet this beautiful spot in Virginia, where you can enjoy the fantastic nature that surrounds this bay.

Becoming A Looper Is A Great Thing

Boating the Great Loop is a fantastic journey where you will cruise along beaches and continue down the Hudson River. Its impressive even to think about the number of stunning places you will meet on this route. You will be passing through Erie Canal, across downtown Chicago, and continuing down inland rivers to the Gulf of Mexico! Putting all this together seems unreal, and you can explore the Great Loop today with a boat rental. If you dont have the Great Loop on your bucket list, we are sure this will change soon. Rent some of the Great Loop boats, follow this path, and at the end of this boating game, you can proudly call yourself a Looper.

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Great Liveaboard Boats For The Great Loop

  • Motor yachts Also called cabin cruisers, come in many sizes and shapes but they all offer liveaboard accommodations for living aboard for long periods and a good turn of speed. These boats can be multihulls or monohulls. Some cruisers have flybridges so its important to check their maximum height with antennas and radar mounts up high. Examples of cabin cruisers include Outer Reef, Axopar, Tiara, Prestige, and others.
  • Trawlers These are ideal for long, slow cruises, and have lots of liveaboard amenities. Their displacement hulls generally travel at 7-10 knots and theyre often powered by single diesel engines which make them very fuel efficient. Examples of trawlers include Nordhavn, Beneteau Swift, Ranger Tugs, Cutwater, Grand Banks, etc.
  • Express boats These usually have at least one cabin and one head below but most of the living spaces and galley are on deck in an open cockpit. This makes them great for distance travel usually only in fair weather. They have twin engines and planing hulls which means theyre fast but a bit heavy on fuel use. They enjoy a shallow draft and a low profile. Examples of express boats include Formula, Beneteau Gran Tourismo, Crownline, etc.

What Is The Best Size Boat To Do The Great Loop

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The smallest boat you can live aboard and feel safe on is best because a lower height clearance and shallower draft will give you more itinerary options. Also, smaller boats will use less fuel and will require smaller, less expensive slips in marinas along the way. That said, Great Loop boat sizes vary significantly as some people do it on a 30-foot boat while others choose 60 feet or more.

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What Is The Great Loop

People do this trek on a variety of boats and although there is no best boat, there are some that are more suited to the task than others due to some of the routes restrictions.

For example, the lowest bridge in Illinois is just over 19 feet so your boats air draft is a consideration. To determine air draft, powerboats with flybridges should be measured from the waterline to the top of their hard structures as well as their radio and navigation antennas. Also, although depths vary, vessels drawing more than five feet may find themselves roadblocked by skinny waters.

Most boats that complete the Loop measure 35-45 feet length, but the journey has even been done on a personal watercraft . Although the vast majority of Loop craft are powerboats, about 10 percent of people have completed the journey on sailboats. Sailboats find the Loop challenging due to their deeper draft and the height of their mast, which must be un-stepped and carried horizontally on deck.

Different people cruise the Loop differently. Some like to anchor out while others go strictly dock-to-dock. Some like to be near amenities every evening while others wont set foot in a restaurant, preferring to save money by cooking aboard. Some people prefer to have luxurious accommodations and conveniences like an onboard washer/dryer so they travel with a portable home, while others opt for hotel or motel room stays and laundromats.

Finding The Best Great Loop Boat For You

The best type of Loop boat is based on your timeframe for the trip, your budget and most importantly your personal preferences. The ideal boat will be:

  • Small enough to be economical but large enough to live on for extended periods
  • Slow enough to enjoy the sites and fuel efficiency, but fast enough to meet your timelines
  • And be able to get out of the way of dangerous vessel traffic or inclement weather.

Although the best boat is any that can make the trip, most people do not Loop on sport or tow boats or dedicated fishing boats like small center consoles. Whether you want to travel point-to-point quickly to check out the sites or luxuriate in a lowkey lifestyle at five knots, theres always a type of boat that you can use for the Great Loop.

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The Route Explore The Great Loop Route

Check out the Great Loop Route more detail via our Segments pages that tell more about what you need to know to safely cruise each area, legs for each segment that offer one of many possible Great Loop itineraries, fly-over videos, and .gpx files you can download to further explore the route. You can also follow the route in detail on our Great Loop map.

New Marina Office And Boat Slips Add To Waterfront Fun At Heritage Harbor

Great Loop – Great Harbor 37 2000 boat for sale

Todays open and versatile ranch design, offers harmonious, breathtaking living spaces and, while historically the choice of empty-nesters, has surged in popularity with buyers of all ages

Boater and non-boaters appreciate the state-of-art-marina and breathtaking water views at Heritage Harbor Resort in Ottawa, where a new floating marina office and fun water activities add to its appeal. Situated along the Illinois River, Heritage Harbor Resort is a premier vacation destination, offering second-to-none amenities and a variety of homes, including condominiums, villas, townhomes, single-family homes and custom residences, for purchase or rent, all centered around the state-of-the-art 152 slip marina.

Enjoy boating and watercraft adventures, without the hassle of owning a boat.

Enjoy boating and watercraft adventures,without the hassle of owning a boat.

The vibrant marina at Heritage Harbor is literally at the heart of the Harbor Life. The central feature of our beloved resort is the site of endless summer fun. Our marina is positioned on the Illinois Waterway, just 90 minutes from Chicago, and is waiting to offer you the boating experience youve been dreaming of. The marina amenities, including restrooms and shower facilities, ATM, TV, WiFi, dry storage, pump out, security, and many more, are something to be rivaled.

Book your watercraft of choice by visiting .

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