America's Great Loop what no one wants to hear the learning curve is huge
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- Please watch: "No Regrets Lifestyle"
• Wk12 Bahama bound!!!! ... -~-
Boating America's Great Loop is a huge learning curve and no wants to hear the truth about it. But those that keep an open mind and get to the top of the learning curve can complete it.
Would love to see a video on your docking techniques into a tight slip. Like how you approach, when you shift, how you compensate for wind/current, ect..
Great suggestion! but very diffucult to do because i am the captain and the cameraman, but i am working to try and do a nice one
@@NoRegretsLifestyle If you have enough cameras, you can mount them beforehand in a fixed location and edit the angles post-production? Then maybe a GoPro mounted to your hat or chest?
Or carefully place that one camera in several different locations, dock repeatedly and splice together the videos? I have no idea how to do video editing, but if you do, maybe an afternoon of several dockings is all you need. It’s a great excuse to be on the boat for a day. 😆
Good video. People need to realize there are many things to learn and consider before such a huge undertaking. It shouldn't be considered as discouraging, but rather enlightening and helpful.
Seems like you should do what the 1,000's of other people have done. Not like anything really changes except the weather.
👍🏼
he is talking about his learning curve.... probably an ex micro managing supervisor
Jeeeeerrrrkk!
When I was 10 (60 now) I was recruited by my grandparents to help them take their 48 Alaskan from NY to the Great Lakes. Spent the summer on the boat with them in St Clair then did the reverse trip back to NY where my mom picked me up just in time for school to start back up. I did that 5 summers in a row. Great memories there. Nom plans on doing the loop, but we want to summer in Delaware (where we live now) and winter in FL or the islands. We are looking for a 36 - 42 Grand Banks of similar. Holding out for one relatively close to home. DE, MD, VA, NJ.
I can tell you this the 42 is a tough boat it has way to many flaws in the engine room, I will not look at another one after surveying 4 of them all the same problems. Fuel tanks no space in the engine rooms. The 36 single is OK but hard to move around in the engine room they are so small
I grew up commercial fishing in Florida. To do the loop I would have to get myself updated plus using electronics. I take water seriously and so should you all. Okeechobee will mess your day up really bad. Shallow lakes aren't no joke. We have a motto. Keep the upper hand!
I know this is a year later but you tell the truth and brought me down to reality. I regarded myself and my wife as mariners but the Great Loop will even be a challenge for me. Thank you for you input
Great info! I’ve been boating since I was 6. I’m 52 now. What you said about it being different every time you leave the slip is absolutely true. However, that’s why I love boating. It’s an adventure. That so many people from what I’ve read/seen are first time boat owners or first time boat travelers is astonishing. I have sailed & motored, but I have to admit, crash course Loop boating might seem overwhelming at first. Hopefully people can take time to learn their boat for a season, build that confidence and independence on a smaller “loop” before tackling the Great Loop. To me, boating is a lifelong adventure. Maybe after Looping, people will stay boaters rather than take it off their bucket list and sell their year long floating adventure home? I’m looking forward to doing the Loop with my wife someday. Until then, we’re planning on “looping” each Great Lake. So much to see!
Fair Winds & Calm Seas to you!
Thanks and hope you get to enjoy the entire loop someday
Not gonna lie. I played a drinking game and took a shot everytime you said learning curve. I got wasted 🥴🥴
All joking aside, great video! Very good information 👌
Me Too LOL
I'm disabled and have almost no experience on the water. But if I manage to cobble together enough money to buy a 2-cabin boat and to pay the operating expenses, (not good odds, but...), do you think I could find an experienced couple willing to do all the work in exchange for the ride? I know my wife and family are not going to participate, and I can only be outside of Canada for six months out of every 12, (or I lose my benefits). So for six months of the year the boat would be three people, and the other six, the boat will be in Canada, or charter maybe? I don't know. Maybe it's all a pipe dream.
Brother, nothing Hass to be a dream. With a good plan and goals I think anything is possible that you set your mind to. Just understand that it is going to cost quite a bit of money. But I do think it’s possible. Hey, I appreciate the comments and the support on TH-cam. Thank you so much, good luck with your adventure and keep us posted👍🏻🙏❤️😉
I have been thinking about a loop trip. I find your month interesting. I think the way to start is with a bunch of sea trials. Maybe start with a weekend, then a week-long trip. Then run a full month trip out and back to your home marina to get everything fixed. Make another multiday sea trial and return. Keep repeating until everything on the boat is working 100%. Don't set off until you have spare parts and extra filters for everything critical on the boat.
Yes sir
I restored my Grand Banks 36 then Detroit has a few canals I practiced turning around and parking etc daily for a week before I had confidence to park it at the marina ha ha ha
Yes same here brother
I abuse words like learning curve
Just came back from a “Trawler School” in Ft. Lauderdale on the ICW. If you can imagine what Ft. Lauderdale during Spring Break is like, that was the ICW. Had a great time, learned a lot but ready to boat in less congestion. Thanks. D.
Yes Florida is rough because of all the boats there. Happy New Year 🎊🎈🎆 I appreciate the watch and sometime when you get a minute could you share a video on your Facebook page I appreciate
Hi Paul, great advice. Hiring a good captain is a great insurance policy and worth every penny. And for the record, these are exactly the type of videos that I want to see. One of the great things you are doing is telling it like it is. There are so many TH-camrs doing the loop that only show you the sexy things about the loop. I want to know the real life stuff. That is how best to prepare for the loop, and knowing how to properly prepare for it. Love these how to DIY videos the best. Keep up the great work that you do. All the best, Jim...
It’s a DIY trip. You don’t hire a captain. That’s just dumb. If you’re not an experienced voter you shouldn’t be doing this.
I was a US Naval Officer who was in charge of CASREP (casualty reports) logging for the whole ship (I saw 33 CASREPS at once before) and also, I was the Weapons Officer, 1st Lieutenant (in charge of all deck personnel that handle lines ect), and CICO (Combat Information Center Officer). I had to shout out the verbatim commands to dock a warship close to 10,000-tons and another about 1,300-tons into harbors (destroyers and minesweepers) into congested harbors etc. I also got a perfect score on COLREGS AKA "Rules of the Road" and was the only one to do so on my ship.
We had a cruise from San Diego to Seattle on a Minesweeper and lost power near Monterrey Bay. We had to dock there and snapped about a dozen mooring lines because of the very strong currents (the bay opens up to a huge underwater canyon with well-known strong currents). We had to double the mooring lines, but they still snapped. The bow thruster on the minesweeper was almost always out of commission. We also had unmarked fishing nets wrap around our propellers in the Arabian Gulf, had to deal with water ~100 F that was too hot to cool our ship's engines, had to remain at sea with no working reverse osmosis drinking water devices (and someone put way too much chlorine into the freshwater tank so onboard stores were undrinkable but our captain wanted to remain out at sea for a week). It was >100 F, and I was never so thirsty in my life. We were also sideswiped by a Typhon when just inside of the Indian Ocean and outside of the Arabian Gulf. I generally do not get seasick but had it bad that day. I felt like I was floating every time the ship went down into a trough. We also had to use the LRAD (Long Range Acoustics Device) on Dhows that kept getting in our way. Arabian Gulf Dhows certainly don't follow the "Rules of the Road."
What I learned when I was in was that "Murphy's Law" is always present.
I do not miss the regimentation or standing watch for six hours in the middle of the night after working all day. However, I do miss the long cruises, driving larger vessels (including around traffic and into port), organizing/reading charts, identifying other vessels or landmarks, etc.
I'm looking to eventually get something like an American Tug 365. I don't know if I'd want a RHIB because I hate those things (I have many horror stories dealing with those including almost sinking in one in the Pacific). For sure a couple kayaks, maybe a couple bikes, some snorkeling gear, and of course safety gear. I'd also like to get a telescope with the ability to take zoomed in pictures of scenery or star gaze when at sea.
The loop, cruising the Great Lakes, cruising the Caribbean, cruising the northeast/northwest, etc would all be fun. Finding the time is the biggest obstacle.
🙏
retire in 8 yrs and i keep thinking about doing this for adventure instead of sitting on sofa watching tv
but sounds a little daunting my last boat was a 16 foot boat i had in my late teens. kinda like the idea of a 120hp leghmann single screw for efficiency but thanks for keeping it real
Thanks David and I hope you do get out there and do it.
Kudos for doing The Loop the hard way,. Starting from Stuart or Ft Lauderdale makes it a little easier by easing into the ICW and by the time you cross The Gulf and Lake Okeechobee , you have all of the experience behind you to tackle them.
Yes I agree where we started was one of the hardest parts of the loop.
However, what you learned made the rest of the Loop, as you said, a vacation. Well done!
If you know nothing, I guess it stands to reason the learning curve is huge.
Have you ever looked into having a bow thruster installed on Southern Estate? I'd be curious how involved a project like that is, who has lots of experience installing them and how much it would cost. Also hydrolic v. electric etc. I assumed it is not a DIY project, and so it would be good knowing how to determine what yards have the experience to do things right.
Twin engines dont need bow thrusters.
I went to Florida, picked up a boat and sailed it to Detroit. A week to familiarize with vessel and seven lazy weeks later I’m in Detroit. It’s not brain surgery and you should never be further away from Terra firma than a few miles. Relax, just have cash for crisis.
Thank you 🙏🏽
I don't think 'the loop' is the great adventure that you feel it is? Hopping from one 5 star marina to another. Never that far from civilisation. Always able to access boatyard facilities. Come on!
Try it you would more than likely fail at it. Easy from your chair
I've been talking to my wife about wanting to get a boat and do the loop for about a week now. She's been pretty supportive of the idea and may even be getting a little excited about it herself. However, she just walked by me, read the title to this video, grinned and said, "yeah, these are the videos you need to be watching." 😆 We've got a few years before we'll be able to afford a live-aboard boat. Any suggestions on what we can do to help shorten the learning curve in that time?
Earn money so you can pay the right people to help, or volunteer to get on a boat looping and help out
Great discussion, appreciate the frankness, a healthy does of reality is good IMO.
Thanks for this video - first time I’ve heard someone talk about helm hours to complete. Very useful info. Also never even considered hiring a captain - great suggestion. The Loop is a bucket list item for me… but first I gotta save up for the right bucket!
Speaking of which, is there an ideal size of boat for looping? I.e. do you find if harder to find mooring space in marinas owning a 50 footer vs 35 or is that not really a factor…
Yes so 40’ is a nice size, once you get to 50’ it does get more challenging, mine is 50’ and once in a while we had problems getting a place to stay, it happens in the bigger boats
I stumbled ass backwards into this great loop I was originally looking for a boat to purchase and maybe live on in the marina take out three times a year that kind of thing then I hear about this Great adventure and now my entire plans of what kind of boat and what I want to do with it is change I've always been one that's looking for a challenge and something of an adventure I probably won't get on the loop for several years but I'll keep this video in mind
Ha I love it. I mean I don’t love that you were sweating it to begin with but man I get it. I remember the first time with a double screw and thank “God and I mean that” I had my best bud a charter captain (it was his uncle boat bought) tight space on that particular marina…and I put the gears the wrong way and freaked out…I am sure I would have hit boats LOL..but he took over and all was well. I can now handle a 40ish twin screw fairly well but to do it on any condition like on the great loop would be scary!
Thanks Paul (and I do hope to do the great loop on a 42 GB)
You learn alot doing the loop with all of the different situations
Was the first boat through the Trent Severn Waterway 1997, the whole trip was 77 days from Chesapeake bay.
Thanks for the reality check! We are on a 3-5 year plan for tackling The Loop.
You can do anything you put your mind too.
i might think of doing this crazy long journey in a C Dory 22 with twin hondas, brand new. livable, trailerable, super maneuverable although lacking in range and carry capacity your always near resources. a dory takes a grounding a lot better than an old battle queen and it draws less than 2 feet full load. yes C Dory would be the ticket...
Go for it brother
excellent , learned so much listening to you . thank you
Great to hear! Thanks 🙏 🙏
I own a 52 year old trawler hahaha
Yes wood one at that
If you lose an engine forget about docking, won't be easy without bow thruster.
I have done it more then once, it’s no fun brother
I’ve had my 22’ Liberator for 15 years. I am here in metro Detroit on Lake Saint Clair and the Detroit River my whole life.
I have been considering making this trip. I’ve been in some rough waters on the lake, and always managed to get us back to the dock.
Do you honestly think this trip is feasible, and if feasible is it smart?
I know my boat better than my wife and dog, I feel I would be okay until I closer to the Gulf of Mexico
Brother you would be OK 👍
This is Mel on Paradise and I actually don't know any other way, than to be honest about this experience! That's why I love your honesty in this video. We are in the 1 to 2 month challenge stage of the Loop, for sure! Although exciting, it has been exhausting at time too, with weather, anchoring, planning, etc! Thanks again for sharing so we know we're not alone ☺️👍🛥
Brother it’s not easy, but it does get easier I promise. Thanks for watching
Do a detailed video on river flooding and using up river data
Are you shittin me 😭
Any time your traveling on a boat you cannot have strick schedule because it will Never work out that way. You did the right thing by hirering a captain. So many people buy a boat and have no idea how to handle it.
Yes boat the loop with a schedule doesn’t work
@@NoRegretsLifestyle last time I delivered a boat from Florida to Antigua I was expecting a 10 day trip. 22 days later I was there! Ha
@@larrybenson3514 yes you just never no
Thank you for the info, I'm planning the loop in the next 2-4 years solo (with my 22-year-old daughter who has down syndrome) so the info you gave was good, also fearful. makes me think, can I do it. I great up sailing, then an 18' runabout, then a long break and now a 17' river boat with 40 hp jet running shallow waters. i will continue to follow your page for the truth. thx
Thanks
Hello, great video. How did you locate your boat captain. I need to move a boat from Mystic Connecticut to North Carolina. Like you, I myself have no real experience. Thanks
There are lots around just ask someone at your local Marina, we have 4 of them at my mairna and I will make 5 LOL
Wonderful talk. Thank you very much!
Foday Yillah 👍
We have a Carver 466. MY that is currently in Baltimore. We will get it out of winterization February and bring her to the North Carolina area to continue getting her/ us ready.
Nice Boat Wendy you guys planning on Looping? Happy New Year 🎆🎊🎈 and when you get a minute could you share a video on Facebook some time
What is your opinion on Stabilizers on a 40+ ft. Loop boat ... Necessary, or a nice luxury to have ?
Hope you had a Great Christmas Paul ‼️
Not sure there are parts I would have loved them but I have never been in a small boat with them.
Captain Paul - You've bought and sold a couple yachts and have been involved in a few purchases from what I've seen. Would you mind doing a video discussing what happens after an offer is made? Survey, taxes, registration, etc? Thank you for the videos. Really appreciate the content.
Yes, absolutely, working on those now.
“Your wife” 😂 that’s the biggest challenge for sure.
My wife did great on the first one. It was the second one that got us.Lol Hey, I appreciate the support and thank you so much.❤️🙏👍🏻😉
This is our dream but the reality check is good. I will definitely take to heart your suggestions.
You can do it!
You're doing a good job keep it up
Thinking about doing the loop. Thanks for your advice.
Thanks for watching
Even with all of your "STRESSES" you were able to complete the loop. My question though is why did you even do it? What were your goals? I appreciate your videos and the coverage of going around the loop.
Good question! just too feel confident about handling a boat again and to make contacts and know where marinas were so when I do get my Captains license I will have some experience
ANYONE can throw together a video it on TH-cam. YAWN, "ya know"
Sure Tom
That was the original intent of TH-cam. What’s your contribution?
Add one more to your list of minimums is docking a twin engine boat on one engine. Also re-prime a previously empty diesel fuel system.
I had to do it once, It was no fun but it all worked out
Thanks for the honest talk!
Thank you for the support some people don't want to hear it, but most people won't make the loop.
Good Lord man, square your vessel away!
I am good thank you God bless and have a great day
Still hoping I'll be a looper before I give out
You can do it
This has been very enlightening. My husband and I have been thinking about moving into the boat life one day we hope. Thank you very much for sharing your experience. Happy boating!
Glad it was helpful! you can contact me anytime Beverly will be happy to talk with you if you have any questions for her
How would you do the loop on a pontoon boat ? I know Lake Michigan can get rough, couldn't imagine coming up the east coast in one.
Well I am sure it's not for everyone but it's been done many times. Speed and weather would be the adventage. There was one looping the same time we were. Also ran into a regular speed type boat doing the loop too.
…. And someone rowed it! Nathanial Stone rowed the Great Loop and wrote a book entitled, On the Water, which is the best real life adventure book I’ve ever read.
The only way to learn is smell the roses as you travel
Correct
Thanks for the basic reality. Many years ago our first charter was a 52 ft sailboat in the San Juans. We hired a captain. Without him we would have been lost even before we left the dock as he discovered some boat problems. My wife and I were discussing some of this yesterday as we begin to consider doing the loop. This is a good video to show her and continue the discussion.
Thanks brother I will say that once you cross over it’s a new world
The loop is more seeious than a roadtrip in a car bro it seems like to me. Its like a lifestyle change. Theyre not in the boat for a day its thousands of miles
Are you still in Dunedin?
In Key West Today heading to Marathon tomorrow getting ready for the Bahamas next
We crossed Okeechobee holding our breath
Yes it is definitely a crossing
That’s not an easy crossing
I don’t know what all what is the problem crossing Lake Okeechobee thanks
Would it be less stressful to take the southern channel around Lake Okeechobee? Just wondering.
Great info thanks Paul
Any time!
True talk there captain.
Yes it is brother thank you
Learning for the loop? Thats a boys Game man
well maybe to some they might think that
i was sarcastic but i take your idea. great channel¡
Ready
Thanks for watching
Hello Captain, great and spot on video. I was thankful that you didn’t dog the small boaters. I’m one of the tritoon guys that completed the trip 9/21. And we have our own issues with things that come up. Again, great video! Thanks
Thanks 👍 and yes it really does not matter what kinda of boat, but once you get past it it's all down hill
Nice video and I appreciate your honesty! We are planning to start the Loop this Spring. I/ we are kinda anxious because we don’t know what we we don’t know. Did I understand you correctly that you changed boats in the middle of the Loop? This is Scott, Wendy’s husband.
Yes Scott we did and do not recommend it. Good luck getting the boat ready when do you guys plan on getting the loop done?