We recommend Capt. John's "The Looper's Companion Guide" will answer all your questions, and some you haven't even thought to ask yet.
On average, about 6,000 statute miles. You will be cruising an average of 45 miles a day for 140 "cruising days", while taking 9-months or more cruising by the 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, must have a draft of 5' or less, and 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 lot or a little. Fuel & Marina fees can cost anywhere from near $10,000 or to $40,000 and more, depending on the size & fuel-efficiency of your boat as well as your cruising speed.
For many, 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 2023 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 stay in a Marina. This works out great for us and saves a bundle of money.
Your boat must be safe, seaworthy and suitable for cruising & living aboard. It must be able to clear a 19' 7" fixed bridge, must have a draft of 5' or less, and can be Sail or Power. Recreational Trawlers & Tugs are great. Sailboats with easily detachable Masts & less than 5' drafts, even motored around, are the very most fuel-efficient. Some take their masts off & leave them at home. 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". Having made this voyage multiple times, Capt. John has downsized his boat from a 44' fuel-breathing dragon to a 26' very fuel-efficient C-Dory. The difference? "More Fun Than Fuel".
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 you most favorite & cherished memories. Make sure you budget for it!
We use cookies to analyze traffic. That's all. We don't use spam, malware or track you, we simply keep count of our hits.