On average, about 6,000 statute miles. You will be cruising an average of 45 miles a day for 140 "cruising days", while taking about a year if cruising by the recommended seasons,
Because this is a 'long-distance' voyage, the most fuel-efficient boats are best. Your boat must be safe, seaworthy and suitable for cruising & living aboard.
It must be able to clear a 19' 7" fixed bridge,
It must have a draft of 5' or less,
It must have a fuel range of 240 miles,
It can be Sail or Power.
The average 'Looper's boat' is very near 36-feet.
Truthfully, your current lifestyle will be the #1 influence on how much this voyage cost you. Frugal or Flamboyant, you can spend a little or a lot.
The moment you select your boat is the moment you select your cruising cost.
Fuel & Marina fees can cost anywhere from near $10,000 or to $50,000 or more depending on the size & fuel-efficiency of your boat, as well as your cruising speed. Add to that all other boat & boat related costs, plus food, groceries, provisions, maintenance, insurances, canal fees, etc. Loopers report their "total costs" for spending a year cruising the Loop between $15,000 to $25,000 for solo voyagers to between $40,000 - $150,000 for couples. But don't let that scare you. . . Couples in our "More Fun than Fuel" group averaged between $17,000 to $22,000 for all boat fuel, marina fees and other boat related expenses, while spending an equal amount stopping, staying, shopping, being a tourist, eating out, and having fun ashore.
For most, Fuel & Marina Fees, are the two major expenses. For some, especially those in a fuel-efficient vessel, eating out and being a Tourist can be their #1 expense. Our 2024 voyage cost us an average of $5.00 a gallon for fuel and an average of $2.25 per foot to stay a night in a Marina. Fuel of course is not optional. The number of nights you stay in a Marina is. We Budget 50% of our nights on the Loop to anchor out. We also take advantage of 42 convenient free docks, purchase Canada's Seasonal Package, which results in a $21 average cost of Marinas, Moorings and anchorages from the Thousand Islands, Trent Severn, Georgian Bay and North Channel. Mostly, we only pay to stay in a Marina 2-nights on weekends and only a few other times at special locations. This works out great for us and saves a bundle of money.
Recreational Trawlers & Tugs are great. Sailboats either with no mast motored around, or with easily detachable Masts & less than 5' drafts. We suggest the smallest most comfortable boat is best. Capt. John suggests "Don't think how big - think how small. Don't think home on the water - think transportation & lodging. Living aboard & cruising long-distance are not the same. If you purchase a boat to do both, you will get the best of neither!"
This voyage, done right, requires cruising each geographical area by its preferred weather & boating season. We time our voyage to be North in the cooler Summer and South in the warmer Winter. As a result, it is best to think of this voyage as a 9-month to a yearlong "vacation".
There are 300 amazing stops on this adventure, and you will want to stop at most everyone of them. From great regional restaurants to Tiki Bars, Ice Cream Parlors, Museums, Tourist attractions, to the small, charming towns with lots of things to do and see, you will want to stop, shop, stay & linger (and spend money). These are the places that will create your most favorite & cherished memories. Make sure you budget for it!
This may be the only time when two heads are not better than one. Especially when it comes to your boat. Why manufacturers squeeze two heads in the tiny living space of a boat less than 50-feet long is beyond all our understanding. It simply makes no sense to us. Everyone would be better off with one head and separate shower stall and more closet space.
Two heads will be 2 times the trouble and 2 times the smell. Believe us, storage space is 10 times more valuable. NOTE: On every single Looper boat we've visited with two heads, the second head has been converted to closet space. Everyone I’ve seen, the second head intentionally or un-intentionally been turned into a storage room.
We love this question and suggest you put a pencil to it. A washer & dryer not only requires precious fresh water and electricity, but it also takes up valuable space.
However, if you put a pencil to it (which we did), installing a quality Marine washer/dryer, vent on your boat, each load of wash for one voyage around the Loop will end up costing you about $50.00 each. You would be better off just throwing your dirty clothes away and buying new ones!
We agree trips to the marina’s laundry room is a dreaded task. However, some of the nicest Loopers you will meet, will be at the Marina’s laundry mat and lounge area. So, if you think of it as an opportunity to meet other boaters and socialize a bit – your trips to the laundry room will go down a lot easier. Our experience has proven time & time again; you don’t want anything on your boat you don’t absolutely have to have.
No you won’t need a Water Maker. Nice to have if it came with the boat, otherwise far too expensive for one that will produce more than survival rations. If your plans include cruising deep into the Caribbean, a Water Maker is mandatory. For cruising the Loop however, it is no big deal as you will simply fill up your water when you fill up your fuel. Water is free all around the Loop and obtainable at every Marina. That makes it available about every 40 miles or so.
NOTE: We do however “strongly” suggest water filters. While water is available, in some places it tastes worse than terrible. A good water filter will neutralize the taste.
The Atlantic ICW up the east coast officially ends near Norfolk. Still, you have an inside route through Chesapeake Bay and the C& D Canal. From there it is Delaware Bay/River that will take you to Cape May where “technically” the New Jersey ICW begins. The NJICW will take you from Cape May inland 118-miles to Manasquan Inlet.
At Manasquan Inlet we are forced 1-mile offshore for 46-miles to reach New York City at Battery Park and the Hudson River at Liberty Landing. It’s an easy run of which 26-miles is inside the harbor.
The other hop in the ocean will be in the Gulf of Mexico between Carrabelle and Steinhatchee Florida. This hop is just a bit over 76 miles. If you wish, you can take the 170 mile stretch across the Gulf to Anclote Key anchorage at the channel entrance to Tarpon Springs. This is the most popular, though we don’t know why as Steinhatchee, and Crystal River are fantastic places to visit.
Either way, in either case, while many have great anxiety over these two hops in the ocean, fact is, some Bays & Sounds can present a much rougher ride. Plan this voyage across so that you arrive on the other side during daylight.
Without doubt and without exception – YES! GET A MARINE SURVEY! This is not a debate. Trusting is not the issue. Verifying the vessel’s safety is the issue. The seller in fact, may not be aware of any problem.
A boater’s AAA comes in the form of Boat US or Sea Tow. In fact, both offer a choice for several levels of towing and boat rescue insurance. For about $200 a year, (which will cover your year around the Loop), you can get insurance to cover the majority cost of having your boat towed to a Marina. Both offer many useful services.
Get the Insurance! Fact is that a single payment of $200 can save you (seriously) thousands. Nothing out here on the water even compares to the cost of road service on the highway. Out here, everything that resembles an emergency is extremely expensive.
Towing and Salvage.
In our opinion, you should have a policy that covers salvage. Salvage is a complex area of marine law and legal fees can rise exponentially. Much better to have a good marine insurance policy that takes that burden off your shoulders. There is no point in being covered for the full loss of your vessel but then having to pay thousands of dollars in salvage fees if your boat is a hazard to navigation and must be removed from its location. The same applies to towing. A tow could turn into a salvage claim leaving you on the hook for fees that could easily exceed the value of your boat.
Keep in mind, the USCG's job is to rescue YOU - NOT your boat.
Yes! If you have financed your boat's purchase, the lender will certainly require you to have full coverage insurance. In addition, most Marinas will require proof of “liability coverage” before allowing you to stay in their Marina. The liability portion of your boat insurance policy covers you for liabilities arising from ownership, maintenance and/or operation of your boat. This is the type of insurance Marinas will require, and this will cover injuries sustained by others, property damage caused, and the legal fees incurred in defending yourself. We all know how easy it is for someone to lose their balance or slip and fall. And we all have read stories about massive awards being handed down in court cases.
In our opinion, the absolute maximum amount of liability coverage you can get, should be carried. The “Liability Only” insurance is not that expensive. Compared to the coverage on your own boat, “liability only” coverage is relatively cheap. Frequently the cost of moving from the lowest or a mid-level coverage to the highest is not particularly significant, especially when you consider the consequences of a damage award against you that is only partially covered.
Locking thru the Locks is really a common-sense easy thing to do. We admit your first time or two can be intimidating when you’ve never done it. After that you will wonder why you ever worried about it. If you have time, and a place where a Lock is near you, simply drive out and watch closes as the recreational boats approach the Locks and Lock through. You can also visit with the “Lock Master” as they are more than happy to explain the procedure and give you a brochure.
Two people, even one person, can easily handle the locks. Two is better than one, and in many cases, there is only one in the boat handling the locks. On your adventure in the locks, you will undoubtedly meet other Loopers, boaters, etc. It’s always a good idea to be nice and friendly, as you will most likely find yourself meeting them again in another Lock.
The Welland Canal Exception - On the Welland Canal, (if you take this route, which very few do) to reach Lake Erie from Lake Ontario, you can take the Welland Canal. Problem is, because it gets such large and heavy commercial traffic - 3 people are required in your boat to handle these locks.
You won’t need it, and it is NOT a good idea to take it! In Canada, all firearms must be declared BEFORE entry into Canada, and only rifles and shotguns with a legitimate ‘in season’ sporting use are allowed. Also, take note: You officially enter Canada when you enter Canadian territorial waters.
In Canada, ALL handguns are strictly prohibited and will be confiscated. You cannot legally enter Canadian waters with a handgun under any circumstances. In addition to losing your handgun, penalties for illegal weapons are extremely severe. You could end up in jail and having your gun and even your boat confiscated. We strongly suggest leaving your weapons at home. We have never once felt threatened or in danger by anyone in any way, while cruising America’s Great Loop in Canada or the USA.
Suggestion:
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 equipment) Flare Pistols. These 12-gauge babies are lethal!
The most common USCG required signal device is a flare pistol. It fires 12-gauge projectile 500 feet Straight up in the air. Used as personal protection, if you come near your assailant with the first shot, we guarantee they won’t stick around for your second.
In Canada, alcohol can only be consumed aboard a vessel that has permanent sleeping accommodations and permanent cooking and sanitary facilities. Then and only then, can you drink alcoholic beverages while the boat when it is at anchor or is secured to the dock or land. You cannot drink alcohol on your boat when it is underway. (And – so you know – Canada has a boating & drinking “tattle tell” of sorts reward program. It pays boaters that report other boaters drinking while underway. So, if you are seen, it is likely you will be caught.)
Legally you need one in every State and Canadian Province in which you will be fishing. However, it’s not all that bad as it first seems. We plan to fish where the fishing is best and in areas where we know we are going to be fishing a lot. We always get a licensee for Ontario, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida as these are areas where we take time to fish, because the fishing is so great. We linger longer in these areas just to fish.
Aside from having an economical boat - anchoring out! You can avoid major-major expenses by simply “anchoring out” rather than paying expensive fees to dock your boat overnight at a Marina.
Next, get a good dinghy! A good dinghy will be your taxi on the water. There are lots of free “dinghy docks” and places you can beach or dock your dinghy for free. Not needed, many of us don’t have it. If you have one, it will prove to be one of the most convenient items on your boat. We don’t use it that much, but when we do, we love it.
A “huge” Bimini top. It is strong and large, and we would be miserable without it. When it comes to a Bimini, remember, in the scheme of things while rain is seldom is a problem, the hot sun will be beating down upon you most every day for about 95% of your voyage. The bigger and stronger your Bimini, the better sun protection you will have. Keep in mind, it needs to protect you from the hot sun much more often than rain. Also, that hot sun can get very low in the sky. It doesn’t just shine down from a high noon position. Next would be solar panels and battery banks. We have 3 banks of 3 each 12v batteries charged by 3 each 140w solar panels. This keeps our lights burning bright and our electronics fully charged.
If you are a safe boater in a safe, suitable seaworthy boat, you are good to go. Just remember, you are packing your own parachute!
Imagine yourself in a class learning to pack parachutes. When it comes time for you to jump, you may be wishing you had paid a lot more attention. That’s kind of how it is when cruising in unfamiliar waters. You don't need to be an experienced expert, as some claim they are, and you should be. Many Loopers have purchased their first boat just to cruise the Loop. Experience will always be the best teacher, and this voyage is full of new experiences for all of us. If you know the boating rules of the road, know your boat, and know the limits of both your boat and you, you are good to go. There is nothing to fear about cruising the Loop. We all have an infused intuition over fear, but fear has a way of protecting us. Your gut instincts and good common sense will tell you if you are not safe. We all, (thousands of Looper) had to do this “the first time”. If we had let our fear of the unknown overcome our confidence, none of us would have ever done it.
No! You can’t just stop and drop your anchor anywhere. For one, it is against the law to anchor in a navigable channel – so you must find a safe place to anchor away from the channel. In addition, there are other concerns such as underwater cables, water depth, and tide changes. On the rivers you have wing dams, logs, debris, etc. However, there are ample safe anchorages all along your route. The Lower Mississippi River is somewhat of an exception in that you have more difficulty finding safe comfortable out of the way anchorages, but they are there – it simply requires planning ahead. Your GPS navigation will show anchorages all along the entire route. Some will be good ones, others not so good, and some may be impossible to reach depending on your draft.
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