A couple of years ago, my husband and I bought a boat to do the great loop. We plannend to start March 2024. In February 2024, I injured my shoulder skiing and required surgery. This set us back a year. We are finally here and eager to get started.
We bought our one way tickets to fly from MN to Jacksonville, FL (where our boat is) to start this wonderful adventure!
ABOUT THE GREAT LOOP
The America’s Great Loop is a continuous waterway route that allows boaters to circumnavigate the eastern half of the United States and parts of Canada. The journey typically covers around 6,000 miles, passing through a mix of rivers, lakes, canals, and coastal waterways.
ROUTE OVERVIEW
The Great Loop is usually completed in a counterclockwise direction to take advantage of river currents. The main sections include:
1. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) – Runs along the U.S. East Coast from Florida to the Chesapeake Bay.
2. Hudson River & Erie Canal (or St. Lawrence Seaway Option) – Provides access to the Great Lakes.
3. The Great Lakes – Includes stops in Michigan, Illinois, and sometimes Canada.
4. The Inland Rivers System – Includes the Illinois River, Mississippi River (or alternative routes like the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway).
5. The Gulf of Mexico – Follows the Florida Panhandle and around the state back to the Atlantic.
TIME & CHALLENGES
• Completing the Loop typically takes 9 months to a year.
• Boaters must consider seasonal weather, locks and bridges, fuel stops, and boat size restrictions (air draft for bridges, draft for shallow waters).
• Many choose to do the Loop in sections over several years.
FOLLOW US ALONG ON OUR ADVENTURE!
