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Author Topic: Great American Loop  (Read 1203 times)

July 19, 2011, 10:26:39 AM
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Retimlap

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Great American Loop
« on: July 19, 2011, 10:26:39 AM »
I am thinking of doing the Great American Loop in my Aquasport Explorer 225.  I think it will be a great adventure for my wife, son and me.

Have any of you done the Loop?
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July 19, 2011, 12:09:27 PM
Reply #1

flounderpounder225

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Re: Great American Loop
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2011, 12:09:27 PM »
:shock: Wow, that would be a trip!!!  I just looked that up.  Could get on the "bucket List"
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Marc
1997 245 Osprey, 250 HPDI.  SOLD
July 19, 2011, 12:31:05 PM
Reply #2

Retimlap

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Re: Great American Loop
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2011, 12:31:05 PM »
I am reading a book about three guys who did it in a 17' Whaler in 1987.
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July 19, 2011, 04:07:38 PM
Reply #3

pete

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Re: Great American Loop
« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2011, 04:07:38 PM »
Sounds like a great adventure!However the Admirals' idea of a great American loop is from 1 hyatt to the next. :cheers:
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2003  Osprey 225
Palm Bay FL
July 19, 2011, 05:25:24 PM
Reply #4

wingtime

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Re: Great American Loop
« Reply #4 on: July 19, 2011, 05:25:24 PM »
Yeah I've heard of that.  Sounds like it would be a a blast!   How long does it usually take to complete?  11 months?
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1998 Explorer w/ Etec 250


1987 170 w/ Evinrude 90
July 19, 2011, 07:08:07 PM
Reply #5

Aswaff400

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Re: Great American Loop
« Reply #5 on: July 19, 2011, 07:08:07 PM »
Quote from: "flounderpounder225"
:shock: Wow, that would be a trip!!!  I just looked that up.  Could get on the "bucket List"
thats on my dads bucket list
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Aaron
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July 19, 2011, 09:56:22 PM
Reply #6

seabob4

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Re: Great American Loop
« Reply #6 on: July 19, 2011, 09:56:22 PM »
You know something guys?  If I had the time, and the resources, I'd not only do the loop, but I'd hug the coast, go down to Panama, through the canal, and on up to San Francisco...that would be fun!
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Corner of 520 and A1A...
July 19, 2011, 10:26:08 PM
Reply #7

GoneFission

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Re: Great American Loop
« Reply #7 on: July 19, 2011, 10:26:08 PM »
I have friends, John & Sue Winter, who did it last year.  There is a nice publication that describes the trip - you can see a preview at:  http://www.favorsweb.com/pdf/preview.pdf
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Cap'n John
1980 22-2 CCP
Mercury 200 Optimax 
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"Gone Fission"
ClassicAquasport Member #209

July 20, 2011, 11:01:09 AM
Reply #8

c master

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Re: Great American Loop
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2011, 11:01:09 AM »
If you have not already done so, check out www.greatloop.org.

There are some excellent descriptions of trips, including detailed preparations, knowledge and wisdom gained.  

Cliff
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C Master
1975 Aquasport 170
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July 20, 2011, 11:21:59 AM
Reply #9

Retimlap

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Re: Great American Loop
« Reply #9 on: July 20, 2011, 11:21:59 AM »
Quote from: "wingtime"
Yeah I've heard of that.  Sounds like it would be a a blast!   How long does it usually take to complete?  11 months?


The guys in the 17' Whaler took 3 1/2 months and water skiied most of the way.
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July 20, 2011, 12:12:07 PM
Reply #10

seabob4

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Re: Great American Loop
« Reply #10 on: July 20, 2011, 12:12:07 PM »
Quote from: "Retimlap"
Quote from: "wingtime"
Yeah I've heard of that.  Sounds like it would be a a blast!   How long does it usually take to complete?  11 months?


The guys in the 17' Whaler took 3 1/2 months and water skiied most of the way.

Now THAT would be fun!! :cheers:
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Corner of 520 and A1A...
July 21, 2011, 12:47:42 PM
Reply #11

c master

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Re: Great American Loop
« Reply #11 on: July 21, 2011, 12:47:42 PM »
Can't really tell if any of this string is serious, or just for fun, but here's some info:
The Great Loop is about 6000 nm.   That's without any side trips.  Most of the canals are speed-limited... Erie Canal is 5 mph in parts...10 mph in others) and there are stretches that can be as much as 350 nm between fuel stops.   Since you have to follow the seasons (the locks & bridges aren't opened in the winter) people generally take 15 months or more...but this sort of trip is not a race...it's common to stay in one marina for a week or two.  

There is no 'typical' boat for it, but most are 30 - 40 ft. cruising-class yachts, since even if you're independently wealthy, you will be forced to live aboard much of the time.  Also you cross some pretty big water such as part of the Gulf and some of the Great Lakes.  (so minimal water skiing opportunities at these points)   Draft is important...5' fully loaded is about maximum.

Let's say a trawler-style vessel, such as a Grand Banks 32 with a single-screw, averages 3 miles per gallon at 8 knots.  (Want to say "4 mpg"?  Ok.)  So if diesel is running $5/gallon at the fuel docks, and you go the minimum of 6000 miles, you'd expect:  1500 gallons x $5 = $7500 for fuel (minimum).  But you're going to spend a lot more than that since you won't average $5 for fuel.  And your boat needs 500 mile range so plan on a bunch of Gerry Jugs!

Years ago, a guy named Colin Fletcher back-packed the length of California.  Chay Blyth and another guy ROWED across the Atlantic in the late 60's.  Personally, I've done the "Iron Butt"...1000 miles on a motorcycle in 24 hours.  I can't imagine 6000 miles in an outboard, but it would make a great story!
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C Master
1975 Aquasport 170
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July 21, 2011, 01:26:56 PM
Reply #12

GoneFission

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Re: Great American Loop
« Reply #12 on: July 21, 2011, 01:26:56 PM »
My friends took over a year and traveled over 10,000 miles on their loop.  It's not a little trip!
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Cap'n John
1980 22-2 CCP
Mercury 200 Optimax 
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July 21, 2011, 01:43:01 PM
Reply #13

Retimlap

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Re: Great American Loop
« Reply #13 on: July 21, 2011, 01:43:01 PM »
Quote from: "c master"
Personally, I've done the "Iron Butt"...1000 miles on a motorcycle in 24 hours.


The "Iron Butt" around here is 11000 mile in 11 days!
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July 21, 2011, 03:24:10 PM
Reply #14

c master

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Re: Great American Loop
« Reply #14 on: July 21, 2011, 03:24:10 PM »
Yeah...the Iron Butt "Society" has a number of different rides with different certificates...the 'Saddle Sore 1000' is the most common but there are Extreme 1500's, "100-hours", etc.  There are very few people who have done the 11,000....it really requires a support vehicle with parts and someone to service the bike while you sleep or if you have a flat, etc, and a ton of documentation.  Plus it's only every 4 years in the US and in Europe.

Maybe we could start an "Iron Keel" Society!
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C Master
1975 Aquasport 170
file:///C:/Users/cliff.haehl/AppData/Local/Temp/IMG_0135.jpg


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