The Great Boat Search

As not only a Looper but also a broker specializing in Great Loop travel, it always excites me to see “where people’s stories begin.” Some folks have vast boating experience, and some — as crazy as it is to think — have none. Some own a boat, and some start from scratch.

Living on the water offers peace, simplicity and tranquility, away from the constant noise that life can sometimes be filled with; however, deciding what works for you in terms of a boat can really guide the overall experience of your Loop trip.

Essential requirements

The Great Loop journey is about personal growth, navigating new challenges and embracing a sustainable lifestyle aboard a boat. For some, “simplicity is bliss,” but for others (like me), “it only costs a little more to go first class!”

Some Loop boats offer the basics with a small berth, a compact but functional galley, and a wethead. Others provide multiple staterooms with ensuite heads, large galley facilities, and expansive living areas not only inside the salon but also out on the aft deck and flybridge. For us, outdoor living space was crucial, so we specifically looked for an aft cabin boat with a large aft deck where we could have convertible furniture for lounging and dining.

For my family of four, we decided everyone having their own stateroom was best for not only privacy but sanity. It allowed us to have guests onboard at different points in the trip, and my favorite part: To have large parties while docked at moorings and marinas! During our Loop, we had 16 onboard for Thanksgiving dinner and no one felt crowded.

On the hook

Another aspect to consider while Looping is how much time you see yourself spending “on the hook,” or at anchor, versus being in marinas. It has been said many times that marinas and fuel are your two biggest expenses on the trip, but having the ability to stay on anchor for multiple days takes a little preparation for power management if you have refrigerators or connections such as Star Link.

Transportation to and from the boat while on anchor is also a consideration. I know many a Looper who has completed the trip without a dinghy, which wasn’t an option for a busy family of four with a dog. One struggle we had during our trip was that our tender was mounted on our aft deck roof, so it needed to be dropped with a crane. While it gets the boat out of the way and lessens the length overall (yes, you pay by the foot at a marina and your tender counts,) it was very clumsy to mount and dismount.

What’s your Loop lifestyle?

When you begin to plan for a trip like this, I can tell you that expectations and reality are two very different things.

For us, we intended to be at anchor as much as possible and to enjoy spending time just as a family. The reality was, we spent 95% of our time at marinas and enjoyed time with some of the greatest people we have ever met over “docktails” and shared meals.

As a broker, a question I often pose to my clients is: “What is your current lifestyle, and how does that translate into your Loop experience?” There isn’t a “perfect” boat for most people, but the selection of styles can give you a product that will provide a very enjoyable experience as you travel America’s Great Loop.

I suggest making lists of must-haves — deciding as you go about things you can and can’t live without — and working with a broker who has done the Loop and can give you good firsthand knowledge of what works and what doesn’t.