Great Loop Radio Podcast

As the 2026 fleet of Loopers makes its way toward Florida, there are several important regulations, route choices, and cruising considerations to keep in mind. In this episode of Great Loop Radio, AGLCA Director Kim Russo is joined by Assistant Director Ally Russo to discuss what Loopers need to know before cruising Florida's waterways. Topics include boating education requirements, permits and temporary vessel registration, options for crossing the Gulf of Mexico, marina availability along Florida's west coast, and planned closures on the Okeechobee Waterway. They also cover cruising the Florida Keys, anchoring restrictions in Biscayne Bay, and navigating bridge schedules along the East Coast. Whether you're approaching Florida now or planning a future Great Loop adventure, this episode will help you prepare for this portion of the route. The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf. Learn more at www.greatloop.org. Not yet an AGLCA member? Join today and use code LOOP20 for $20 off your new membership.

What makes someone fall in love with the Great Loop? In this episode of Great Loop Radio, AGLCA Director Kim Russo welcomes Gold Looper Roxanne Martin to share how her Great Loop adventure with husband Dan turned into a passion for full-time cruising. Roxanne reflects on the challenges and unexpected joys of the journey, from adjusting to life aboard and overcoming obstacles to building lasting friendships within the Looper community. She also shares how the experience strengthened her relationship with Dan, helped her discover new skills and confidence, and inspired their continued adventures on the water. Whether you're dreaming of the Loop, preparing to cast off, or already underway, Roxanne's enthusiasm and perspective are sure to inspire! The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf. Learn more at www.greatloop.org. Not yet an AGLCA member? Join today and use code LOOP20 for $20 off your new membership.

Keeping your boat in good working order is essential for a successful Great Loop adventure, but which maintenance tasks can you tackle yourself, and when should you call in the professionals? This week on Great Loop Radio, we're joined by John Fitzgerald of Saunders Yachtworks to discuss practical boat maintenance tips for Loopers. From oil changes and spare parts to sacrificial anodes and preparing for saltwater cruising, John shares advice to help you keep your boat running smoothly. We'll also cover when to seek professional help, how to choose a reputable boatyard, and why planning ahead for maintenance can save you time and frustration along the Loop. The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf. Learn more at www.greatloop.org. Not yet an AGLCA member? Join today and use code LOOP20 for $20 off your new membership.

In this episode of our Story of My Loop series, we talk with Gold Looper Marcel LaFond, who completed the Great Loop primarily solo aboard a 26-foot MacGregor sailboat. Marcel shares how he made the adventure possible on a budget, the challenges of cruising alone while managing Parkinson’s disease, and the importance of knowing when to wait for better conditions. From anchoring along the rivers to the encouragement of fellow Loopers, hear Marcel’s reflections on the unexpected demands, memorable moments, and rewards of completing the Great Loop. The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf. Learn more at www.greatloop.org. Not yet an AGLCA member? Join today and use code LOOP20 for $20 off your new membership.

Great Loop etiquette goes beyond what happens on the water! In Part 2 of our conversation about boating etiquette, AGLCA welcomes back Platinum Loopers Jacque and Tsali Bentley to discuss the unwritten rules and everyday courtesies that make cruising more enjoyable for everyone. From Docktails and boat cards to marina manners, dinghy storage, and traveling with pets, we cover the little things that make a big difference. We also discuss sharing marina amenities, courtesy flags, social media etiquette, and navigating interactions with fellow boaters. Whether you're planning your Great Loop adventure or already underway, this episode is full of practical advice for being a considerate cruiser and making the most of the Looper community. What unwritten rules of boating etiquette have you learned along the way? Share your tips in the comments! The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf. Learn more at www.greatloop.org. Not yet an AGLCA member? Join today and use code LOOP20 for $20 off your new membership.

Good etiquette can make everyone’s time on the water safer and more enjoyable, but some of the courtesies that come with cruising aren’t always obvious to newer boaters. In Part 1 of this two-part series, returning guests and Platinum Loopers Jacque and Tsali Bentley join us to talk about the unwritten rules and common courtesies Loopers encounter along the way. Drawing on their extensive experience cruising the Great Loop, Jacque and Tsali share their perspective on etiquette for passing other boats, sharing locks with fellow boaters, running your generator, and more. They offer practical advice for handling these everyday cruising situations thoughtfully, communicating with other boaters, and avoiding some of the common etiquette missteps that can cause frustration on the water. Whether you’re preparing for your Loop, just getting started, or already underway, this episode offers helpful reminders for being a considerate cruising neighbor and doing your part to make the waterways more enjoyable for everyone. The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf. Learn more at www.greatloop.org. Not yet an AGLCA member? Join today and use code LOOP20 for $20 off your new membership.

What does it really take to replace a boat’s generator with lithium batteries, and can you cruise the Great Loop without relying on a generator? On this episode of Great Loop Radio, we’re joined by current Looper and AGLCA Admiral Sponsor Cathy Aull, who shares a how the failure of the generator aboard Aspasia, her Meridian 341, led her to rethink the boat’s entire power system. Rather than replacing the generator, Cathy designed and installed a 48-volt lithium battery system with an inverter, solar and alternator charging. She walks us through the research and calculations behind the conversion, how she determined which power demands were truly essential aboard, and the trade-offs involved—including why running air conditioning continuously wasn't one of her requirements. Cathy also shares what she has learned now that she’s actively cruising with the system: how she keeps her batteries charged underway and at anchor, how long she can comfortably stay off-grid, what she would do differently, the importance of properly sized wiring, fuses and other safety measures, and why a smaller generator or high-output alternator could still make sense as part of a lithium setup. If you're considering lithium batteries, trying to reduce generator use, or simply wondering what an alternative power setup could look like aboard a Great Loop boat, this episode offers a real-world look at one Looper's experience, from the initial decision and installation, to actually living with the system underway. The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf. Learn more at www.greatloop.org. Not yet an AGLCA member? Join today and use code LOOP20 for $20 off your new membership.

In this episode of Great Loop Radio, Gold Loopers Ken and Cheryl Pfeiffer share the story of completing America’s Great Loop aboard their custom trawler. They discuss how their boating journey began, what led them to choose and customize their boat, and how they prepared for an extended adventure on the water. Ken and Cheryl reflect on some of the memorable destinations, experiences, and relationships that shaped their Loop, along with the challenges they encountered and the lessons they learned along the way. They also offer practical advice for future Loopers, including the importance of remaining flexible, preparing thoughtfully, and making the journey your own. Whether you are actively planning your Loop, searching for the right boat, or simply dreaming about casting off someday, Ken and Cheryl’s story offers helpful insight and inspiration from a couple who turned their Great Loop plans into reality. The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf. Learn more at www.greatloop.org. Not yet an AGLCA member? Join today and use code LOOP20 for $20 off your new membership.

In this episode of Great Loop Radio, we’re diving into Looper Loot, AGLCA’s new loyalty points program designed to reward members for getting involved with the Association and the Great Loop community. We’ll explain how Looper Loot works, some of the ways you can earn points, where to find and track your points, and how you can redeem them for rewards. Whether you’ve already started collecting points or you’re hearing about Looper Loot for the first time, we’ll help you get up to speed and make the most of the program. We’ll also introduce Ally Russo to the Home Port Crew and learn a little more about her role at AGLCA and the work she’s doing behind the scenes to support members and the Association. Plus, we’re looking ahead at what’s coming to the AGLCA app, with a preview of some upcoming features designed to make it even more useful while you’re planning and cruising the Great Loop. Tune in to learn more about Looper Loot, meet Ally, and get a sneak peek at what’s next from AGLCA! The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf. Learn more at www.greatloop.org. Not yet an AGLCA member? Join today and use code LOOP20 for $20 off your new membership. You can download the AGLCA app below. iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aglca/id6476233488 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.landandseasoft.aglca&hl=en_US

Cruising the inland rivers in 2026 will require some extra planning. In this episode of Great Loop Radio, the Home Port Crew breaks down several closures and service changes that could affect Loopers traveling through the region. We cover the closure at Brandon Road Lock and Dam, the Barkley Lock closure and the alternate route through Kentucky Lock, the loss of recreational vessel service from Logsdon Tug Service, and the continued closure of Hoppie’s Marina. With fewer fuel and service options available, Loopers may need to plan for stretches of up to 250 miles between reliable fuel stops. Since this episode was recorded, the stop-work order affecting the Brandon Road project has been lifted. Loopers should continue monitoring official navigation notices for any updates to the planned construction and closure schedule. Listen before beginning your inland rivers route, review your current cruising guides, and make sure you have alternate fuel, lock and service plans in place. Conditions and schedules can change, so always confirm the latest information with the appropriate lockmasters, marinas and service providers before traveling. The Great Loop is the boating adventure of a lifetime. Loopers follow the 6,000-mile route in their own boats, cruising up the east coast, into the Great Lakes, through the inland rivers, and through the Gulf. Learn more at www.greatloop.org. Use code LOOP20 for $20 your new membership.