Captain Clint had come to my rescue at the end of April when I needed help moving the boat from the marina to the yard for haul out. Since then, I had dinner with Clint and his wife, Courtney, I joined them at the local Saturday Farmer's Market, and I signed up with him for …
BB7: AGLCA Spring Rendezvous
Since the Fall Rendezvous, a LOT had happened and I was going into the Spring Rendezvous with a different perspective. My status had changed from “Planning” to “Currently Looping” for one. I had gone through the boat buying process, spent many hours of online training learning navigation and boating rules, packed my necessities, rented out …
BB6: First Week’s Action Items
My travel experiences have trained me for this moment. The logistics of international travel are tricky: public transportation or uber or hotel shuttle, where to find groceries, translating, how much to tip, how much cash to exchange into local currency, connectivity plans, managing connecting flights, will we have a steady supply of Pringles, cracker nuts, …
BB5: Panic, Packing, and Promos
Surveys complete. Sale closed. Coast Guard documentation pending the government re-opening. Maintenance scheduled. A mile-long to-do list. What have I done?? No turning back now! I started chipping away at my to-do list one small piece at a time. Getting my house ready for my son to rent from me. Prepping my little lake house …
BB4: Introductions and Surveys
My offer was accepted and I scheduled a general surveyor and an engine surveyor for inspections at the end of March. Buying a boat is much more like buying a home than buying a vehicle - inspections, financing, insurance, titling, and a closing date. I traveled to Norfolk on a Sunday and got settled into …
BB3: Boat Shopping
When people ask me why I want to do the Great Loop solo, I reply that I like doing things that people don’t think I can do. ”You won’t be able to do it alone. You’ll need help.” ”You’re nuts.” ”Who are you going to call when you have to fix something?” ”You’d better buy …
BB2: AGLCA Fall Rendezvous
There are no rules and everyone sets their own pace and schedule but Loopers typically follow a natural course for optimal boating weather: North in the Summer, West in the Fall, South in the Winter, and East in the Spring. This avoids hurricane season as well as Canada snow. The goal is to be in …
BB1: Prepping for my Looping adventure
A few years ago, a couple friends were talking about the Great Loop, an adventure that about 300 boats complete every year. Turns out, the eastern part of North America is actually an island and you can drive a boat around the whole thing! Most boats take about a year to complete, but some have …