AGLCA

Great Loop AGLCA Burgee

Thinking of Doing the Great Loop Boat Trip? Join AGLCA!

Become a Loopers! AGLCA, America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association Completing the Great Loop boat trip is a big accomplishment for any boater, experienced or not. We have completed the trip 1.75 times, in different boats. One of the first things we did just before leaving our homeport of Charlevoix, MI, on our first Loop trip, was to become members of AGLCA, America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association. We fondly remember the first boat we saw sporting the club's distinctive burgee while…

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Back to Kentucky Lakes and Tennessee River

After trailering our Kismet south 680 miles, we launched her at Green Turtle Marina in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, a place we've had the pleasure of visiting twice before while on both of our Great Loop trips. We felt a little sheepish driving in to launch our boat at the marina after only a two=day drive when we knew all the Loopers docked at the marina had taken a great deal of time and effort coming down Lake Michigan, the Illinois…

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Third Time’s a Charm

We first cruised the Tennessee River in 2005 when we were on our inagural Great Loop boat trip. Back then everything about "Looping" was new to us and we were both wide-eyed newbies as we took in all the new experiences. The second time we cruised the Tennessee River we learned even more about this beautiful river by exploring it all the way up to Chattanooga, Tennessee. We were with a very friendly group of Loopers… some of whom we…

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Hoppies Needs Your Help!

Plan on doing the Great Loop boat trip someday? Please think about signing AGLCA's petition to help Save Hoppies. Hoppies, located on the Mississippi River at Kimmswick, MO, is an important part of American river history. For several decades they have played a major role in helping boaters transverse the mighty Mississippi, by providing the last available fuel stop on the Upper Mississippi River. Fern and Hoppie also provide a valuable educational resource for boaters unfamiliar with the particulars of…

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Paddling the Great Loop for Charity: Water

We thought this was interesting. Josh Tart is paddling his way around the Great Loop route in a Kayak. Starting in Cincinnati, Ohio, he worked his way down the river system and is currently in Florida. From looking at his BLOG we think this is a very interesting way to do the Great Loop boat trip and raise money for Charity: Water. What better way to raise money for a project, to improve drinking water for those who need it in…

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AGLCA’s Spring Rendezvous & Reunion SPECIAL

  NORFOLK, VA., MAY 7 - 10, 2012:  America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association will once again be holding its annual Spring Rendezvous & Reunion in the vibrant and exciting waterfront city of Norfolk, Va. This event, held at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel and the Waterside Marina, was attended by over 225 members last year. This year they are offering boaters in the surrounding area a unique opportunity: attend the Rendezvous and receive a free, one-year membership! AGLCA Spring Rendezvous &…

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Boating Music We Love

Click on the album covers to find out more about Scott's music. "They say this is cruisin', travelin' the world by sea." Scott Perkins lives the life he expresses in his music, exploring the world aboard the 32-ft DownEast sailboat Chip Ahoy. His 6,000-mile trip around America's Great Loop boat trip inspired this collection of songs about passing through river locks, meeting interesting characters on boats and in America's small towns and watching dolphins play alongside Chip Ahoy as she entered…

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2012 Third Annual Looper “Sunset Celebration”

The 2012, Third Annual Looper "Sunset Celebration" was a huge success with over 120 in attendance. It was a little windy (not a problem for Loopers) – lots of good food was shared along with a chance to reacquaint ourselves with old friends. Thanks Patricia & George Hospodar for organizing the event and providing Loopers in the area with an opportunity for this fun reunion.

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Don’t Miss the Looper Sunset Celebration – Marathon, Florida

If you are in Florida - the Keys or near the Marathon area and you are a Looper – you are invited to attend our 3rd Annual "Sunset Celebration" Sunday, February 26, 2012 5 p.m. Banana Bay Resort and Marina Gulf-side beach pavilion Banana Bay is located at 4590 Overseas Highway (Gulf-side) directly across the street from Home Depot. Bring an appetizer to share and your beverage of choice. As an additional incentive to all those who may be traveling…

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AGLCA Fall Rendezvous – Rogersville, AL

As "Loopers," we were excited to be able to tow our boat from Lake Powell to Rogersville, Alabama for the AGLCA (America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association) 2011 Fall Rendezvous. Little did we know that, not only would we make new friends, we'd run into a few Loopers that we did the Loop with back in 2005/06. Tom Conrad (above-center), here with his wife Patsy and Janice Kromer, was the MC for the rendezvous. He did a great job. Jim did…

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Some of Our Favor “ite” Things – Useful Boating Products

It can be maddening trying to find, buy and then store all those chart books we boaters need for long-distance cruising. We’ve always felt it was important to have paper charts as a back up to our GPS chartplotter as well as for route planning. The downside of paper charts/chart books is storage on a boat as well as having to maintain reasonably updated material. While going through our transition from a 40-ft live aboard, with tons of storage, to…

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Loopers Love the North Channel

When asked where one of their favorite Loop cruising territories were many Loopers will talk about the time spent in Canada’s North Channel. Packed with countless anchorage possibilities in glacier formed coves surrounded by beautifully rugged terrain and crystal clear water these are (in our opinion) waters you’ll enjoy spending relaxing summer days. To view photo’s and more detailed descriptions of the North Channel simply click the Canada or North Channel link in the sidebar.

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Are We There Yet?

Here I am with my dad boating on Lake Chemung. When I was a child, our family would drive to Lake Chemung (Howell, Michigan) to spend summer weekends, a family event I always enjoyed. Like many things children look forward to, like getting to the lake, it never seemed to happen soon enough. If I said it once I’d bet I said it a hundred times, “Are we there yet?” and I’m beginning to feel the same way about heading…

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Headed to the AGLCA Spring Rendezvous in Norfolk, Virginia?

If you’re heading to the AGLCA Rendezvous in Norfolk, Virginia you may be in North Carolina right now, you lucky dogs! You could spend a lot of time cruising all the sounds, creeks, rivers and enjoying some charming old southern towns, this is one of our favorite stretches of cruising. If your heading north, Southport’s a wonderful stop or you can go a little further up to Wilmington, hometown of Michael Jordon. For a well protected anchorage once you’re through…

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Rich in History – South Carolina

There’s a lot to see while on your northern migration through South Carolina so slow down and make sure to take it all in. These southern harbor towns have a lot of history surrounding them and food’s pretty good as well. Some of our favorite towns are Beaufort, Charleston (just voted one of the 50 best yachting towns in Yachting magazine) and Georgetown. The Thomas restaurant in Georgetown has some of the best shrimp and grits as well as Fried…

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Free Waterfront Dockage – Downtown Savannah, Georgia

We’ve been to Savannah three times by boat, staying twice at Thunderbolt and once at the free floating dock right downtown. Savannah is one of those cruising stops worthy of a two or three day layover. If your plans are to go up the Savannah River and dock at the city dock you’ll want to plan ahead.Before we headed up river we always check this website to get a live view of the dock.www.wtoc.com/global/story.asp?s=872506Because the city doen't reserve space for dockage you’ll…

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Getting the Most out of Cruising Georgia

Whether you’re starting your trek north into Georgia now or in the future there are several places you just don’t want to miss. Some of our favorite have been the anchorage at Cumberland Island mm 710. Once anchored you can dinghy to shore to walk the National Park Island, visit the Carnegie Mansion ruins and if lucky enough you can see the wild horses roaming the island.Cumberland Island 's salt marshes are a must see (above).Just north of Cumberland Island…

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Song Birds at Heywood Island – North Channel

We enjoyed the “Pool” so much we didn’t want to leave but finally we departed for Heywood Island and later, Little Current.After getting settled into our quiet anchorage, shared with half a dozen other boats, off Heywood Island, we were suddenly surrounded by 20 trailorable sailing boats. These are small sailboats with outboards on them that when they are not sailing can get up on plain. Once they all got settled and got into their respective dinghies they formed the largest…

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Meldrum Bay

Meldrum Bay, located on the northwest tip of Manitoulin Island, is one of last stops in the North Channel as one heads west. I remember, with great anticipation as we cruised into the Bay for the very first time.One might think the anticipation was for the natural wonders that the North Channel had to offer an adventurous cruiser but instead it was for the fabled “Pie Lady” we’d heard so much about. We had heard the she came down to…

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The Wonders of Traveling through Ontario’s Baie Fine

One of the most beautiful and satisfying trips in the North Channel is the trip up Baie Fin (pronounced Bay Fin) to the Pool. You would think you were traveling in a scandinavian fjord the way the quartz cliff rise so high from the water. Baie Fine is an exceptional experience that all cruisers to the North Channel should experience, especially if you’re only going to travel through once.Not only a lovely scenic view but appetizers today for the crew of Kismet.

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Covered Portage Cove – North Channel

Two miles to the west of Killarney lies Covered Portage Cove, a kunkholers dream. The narrow entrance, that has large boulders protruding from the water makes for an nerve racking entrance for ones first visit but made easier if the cruising guide advice is followed.Once inside it’s common practice to anchor med-moor style, this giving the greatest amount of room for other boaters as this area can get pretty busy at times. Lisa and I landed our dinghy so we…

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Killarney, Eh?

Killarney, what a great name but more importantly what a wonderful boaters paradise. Killarney sits at the northwest corner of Georgian Bay and the northeast section of the North Channel in Ontario Canada. We’ve been to Killarney a couple of times but to me I think it’s a place we could never tire of. Big enough for basic supplies but remote enough to one feel like there a long long way from home. On our last trip through Killarney we…

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We Think It’s a Conspiracy

Could it be a conspiracy that our friends have called or talked to us about just one more going away dinner or party? I suppose they might be thinking that if they plan enough stuff we will be too busy and won't be able to leave before the snow flies. In reality we have had many tears shed while saying goodbye to our immediate family and close friends over the last few weeks.All we can say is... nice try guys.

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Loopers Descend on Charlevoix

This week I had the pleasure (I say I because Jim is out of town doing a boat show in Indiana this week) to meet many of the Loopers that are just now transiting through our homeport of Charlevoix, MI. As you can see from the photos below these are friendly people with warm hearts. I already know that we will be in good company as we head south just after Labor Day.

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A Weekend of Traditions

Tradition dictates that a christening ceremony be performed for new boats. For thousands of years, we have gone to sea. We have crafted vessels to carry us and we have called them by name. These ships will nurture and care for us through perilous seas, and so we affectionately call them "she." To them we toast, and ask to celebrate KISMET.  Then everybody raises their plastic glass filled with champagne or your favorite non-alcoholic beverage and shouts,  To the Sailors…

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Plus Two – Minus One

Similar to Noah’s Ark we have two of everything and often times more, but in our case no animals. In preparing for the Great Loop we’ve been stocking up on engine pencil zincs, fuel filters, oil filters, oil, belts, impellers, tools, spare anchor and rode all in preparation for departure day. We’ve found from experience that it’s good to be prepared when the need arises. Murphy’s law would dictate that we’d not be able to purchase whatever it is we…

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Eighty Days and Counting

We have only eighty days until we cast our lines and depart Charlevoix for our new two-year adventure. Even though we have a whole northern Michigan summer season yet to enjoy, departure day is just around the corner. This past week we took care of a few items in preparation for the trip.We had recently ordered our new gold AGLCA burgee since we have completed the Loop once already we are now "gold" members. After much thought and discussion as…

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Summer’s “Crescendo”

Summers in northern Michigan have the same number of days as anywhere else; it just seems shorter when 35˚, May evenings linger on towards Memorial Day. Couple this with how fast time seems to march on and you realize that you had better enjoy the warm days, when they come, before it is over.Summer here can be compared to a fourth of July fireworks celebration. The crowd slowly builds in preparation for the big event similar to how vacationers descend…

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