Yes, it's all free!

Our group of Super Loopers have completed the Loop in dozens of different boats, both Sail & Power with most ranging in length from 26 to 36 feet, and a few have 40 footers. Regardless of size, at times, we've all wished for a smaller boat, and times are we all wished we had a bigger boat. There simply isn't a perfect Great Loop boat for anybody, much less everybody under every situation and condition. We all must make a lot of compromises when it comes to cruising and living on a boat. Most importantly, your boat must be safe, suitable, seaworthy, at least semi-comfortable and it should be extremely fuel efficient. 

The size of your boat, number of engines, and hull design are huge factors that will determine your cost of fuel & cruising. The smaller your boat & smaller your engine, the smaller your expenses will be. Fact is the difference in one engine vs two makes a big difference. Every foot in length & weight of your boat makes a difference, the shape & design of your boat's hull as well as your average cruising speed will make a incredibly  huge difference. 

 This is a "Slow boat" voyage, you do not need a 'fast boat'. A good 75% of this voyage, you will be boating in waters with strict 10mph speed limits. You will also cruise miles along manatee and no wake zones. 

If you follow the highly recommended Great Loop routes as outlined in "The Looper's Companion Guide", you will discover 40 or more convenient FREE DOCKS along the way. In addition, anchoring out is always FREE.  Averaging near $2.25 per length foot of our boat, plus $10/$15 for electric/water hookups, on our 2024/25 voyage, Marina fees were a major expense. We budget to spend 2-nights on weekends in a marina. On a 330-day voyage, in a 36' boat, this saves us $15,000 in marina fees alone. Our 26' C-Dory with 15amp electric cost an average of $58 a night to stay in a Marina. Our 36' Kady cost $89 a night. While a 48-footer with 30AMP electric would cost $125 a night. As you can see, anchoring out can save an awful lot of money. With a good dinghy, one would never have to pay to stay in a Marina. In truth, planning Marina stays only on weekends works very well. That would result in only about 94 nights in a Marina. In a 36' vessel that would be only $9,000 in Marina fees vs paying $29,000 to stay every night in a Marina. Strong river currents & cruising in tidal waters makes your anchoring system and knowing how to use it extremely important to your safety, as well as a good night's sleep. Don't overlook your anchor and anchoring system, always carry a spare, and make sure you know how to anchor safely. 

Most Loopers report fuel & marina fees as their top two expenses. Not us! Our #1 expense is 'having fun ashore'. That's for eating out (mostly) and stopping, shopping, buying souvenirs and being a tourist all along the way. It is simply a matter of how you want to spend the bulk of our 'cruising kitty' (budget). The choice is, (and it is a choice), do you want to spend it on yourself having fun or do you need to pour it all down your fuel tanks & give it to Marinas. 

Sure, we've met and even 'buddy boated' around the Loop with Looper's in Flagship vessels over 40' that almost never get off their boat. We've had a few new Looper friends that admitted they simply could not afford to eat out and do the things we do, because their fuel was burning up all their cruising kitty. This is why our group is cruising in smaller more fuel-efficient vessels.  For the 1st time Looper, it is always a welcome but 'shockingly' unexpected surprise to discover all the incredible places along the way that will tempt you off your boat. These destinations are what makes cruising the Loop so much more fun than just a 'boat ride'. So, when budgeting for this voyage, make sure you don't underestimate your "Fun Money". 

FYI - "Not taking more time to stop, shop, eat out and visit more places tops the list of previous Loopers' regrets.

Our mission is to provide you with 'the facts' not the myths or the 'old salt's outdated claims'. Fact is, according to the USCG, of the 12 million registered boats in the USA, less than 1% are 40' long. (Think about that a moment.) Most Loopers are in boats very near 36'. In fact, our feedback from past, present and future Loopers indicates the vast majority of boats completing the Loop are between 29' and 39'. Your boat simply must be safe, suitable, seaworthy and comfortable. It doesn't need to be big, expensive or fast. Instead, it should be very fuel efficient. It should also be small enough for the weakest crew member to handle easily and safely by themself. 

Our Super Looper team has lots of experience with boats ranging from 44' to 26' in both Sail & Power; and our experience tells us, every 1st time Looper is shocked & amazed at how many wonderful destinations there are on this voyage that will tempt you off your boat to eat out, shop and linger. In most ever Loopers' experience it is "the destinations", the Museums, historic sights, tourist attractions, sightseeing, Tiki Bars, Ice Cream Parlors, & famous Regional Restaurants that create your most cherished memories. Combined with the epic voyage & adventure, it all makes this journey the experience of our lifetime. 

If you follow Capt. John's routes outlined in "The Looper's Companion Guide"; you will be spending the best part of a year on the Loop. However, there are only 140 required actual "cruising days" on the main routes. Since you will be cruising 'by the seasons' in each geographical area during its preferred boating weather, it is necessary to plan plenty of time (about 200 days) off your boat not cruising. These are the days (mostly weekends) you will find us being a tourist, eating out and having fun ashore. Regional Restaurants along the way will introduce you to some incredibly new and delightfully delicious culinary delights.  

While there are good ways and better ways, and different ways to cruise America's Great Loop - As long as you are a safe boater in a safe suitable, seaworthy boat - there is no wrong way. Our site caters to couples, but a lot of solo voyagers have competed this voyage on Jon-boats, pontoon boats, and jet skis. It's almost "where there's a will, there's a way". We all have different likes, dislikes and our own lifestyles. 

A novel idea. . . We first heard of a sailboat cruising the Loop in 2001 when Capt., John & son made this voyage in a sailboat for the first time in a 29 footer with the mast up. Then a second time in a 36' sailboat with the mast removed and replace with a pole that extended 14' above the water, on which they mounted their anchor lights and antennas and motored around the Great Loop, reporting the voyage as the cheapest and most comfortable voyage they ever made, burning less than $3,000 in fuel on a near 6,000-mile Loop. 

He admits it wasn't the easiest vessel to maneuver and often he and his son had difficulties on deck staying out of each other's way, but inside everything was comfy & cozy. Since then, there have been many sailboats complete the Great Loop. The idea of a short mast was the result of their previous Loop with the mast. "For the amount of sailing we could do, it was far too much work, worry and cumbersome stepping/un-steeping and cradling the mast. IN addition, docking & locking was very stressful with a cradled mast that extended 8' beyond both the stern & bow. The great news was, it has been the most frugal voyage around the Loop, and that was the entire purpose of taking a sailboat. We wanted to see just how cheap a couple could cruise the Great Loop in comfort."

According to our information, some report about 50% of Great Loop vessels exceed 40' in length while the other half are in vessels under 39'. Among our group, all of us find those figures to be very

exaggerated. Seldom do any of us report seeing a Looper's boat over 40' in length. We believe either the owner's ego or Boat Brokers are reporting boats several feet longer than they are. It used to be a "Yacht" according to the old physical dictionaries, "was a vessel exceeding 50' and luxuriously appointed. A rich man's boat." Now days, Manufacturers call their plain plastic molded 28 footers "Yachts". 

Nevertheless, older model Mainship, Grand Banks, Monk, Kady-Krogens, are popular, tried and true good old boats on the used market.  

The above is a great 1977 Grand Banks 32'  with an asking price of $59,000 - it probably has $20,000 in upgrades, equipment and technology on it, and most used boats come with a small fortune of these items. Which shouldn't be overlooked when making a deal.

There are plenty of great 'good old boats' on the used market. If you search hard and long enough, you will find some great deals on great reputable old boats. Some from the 60s, 70s & 80s are more solid than the ones built today, and unlike cars, with a little paint & polish, no one will know if it's old or new, unless they have or had one just like it.

Worried about personal safety? Never fear. . .  We have you covered from there to 

here. . .

FIREARMS – The possession and use of firearms is strictly controlled and severely dealt with. Handguns will be confiscated, and most all other types of firearms are strictly prohibited in Canada.   

For those that feel the need for personal protection on their boat we suggest you simply purchase an extra one, two or three USCG required safety Flare Pistols. These 12-gauge babies are lethal! 

The most common USCG required signal device is a flare pistol. It is required in both the USA & Canada. It fires 12-gauge projectile 500 feet Straight up in the air. Used as personal protection, if you come near your potential assailant with the first shot, we guarantee they won’t stick around for your second shot. 

If you have a handgun on your boat in Canada, declared or not - it will be confiscated. Any other weapons such as rifles or shotguns will also be confiscated unless you also have one the appropriate type of weapon & hunting license for the current game hunting season. If not, the same rule & procedures as with handguns – will result in your weapon being confiscated. If you’re real lucky) they might ship it to your home in the USA provided you pay the shipping cost.