The Great Loop is a 6 000The Great Loop is a 6,000mile continuous waterway thatencompasses the eastern portionof North America including theof North America including theAtlantic and Gulf IntracoastalWaterways, the Great Lakes, theCanadian Heritage Canals, and theg ,inland rivers of America'sheartland.
It is also known as the Great CircleRoute and is considered one of thesafest long distance cruising routesi h ld T l ll iin the world. To travel all, a portion,or any of the magnificent side tripsof the Great Loop is an adventureof a lifetime
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of a lifetime.
The Great Loop is a 6 000
The Cast of CharactersThe Great Loop is a 6,000mile continuous waterway thatencompasses the eastern portionof North America including theof North America including theAtlantic and Gulf IntracoastalWaterways, the Great Lakes, theCanadian Heritage Canals, and theg ,inland rivers of America'sheartland.
It is also known as the Great CircleRoute and is considered one of thesafest long distance cruising routesi h ld T l ll i
The Boat“Knot Again” in the world. To travel all, a portion,
or any of the magnificent side tripsof the Great Loop is an adventureof a lifetimeJohn
Knot Again
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of a lifetime.Joan
John Kim Frank
Our Trip ‐ 2,600 MilesPartial Great Loop – 25 day travel time
Entire Trip From Crates Marina in Keswick, Ontario, Canadato Stuart, Florida, USA via the Great Loop
Phase 1 Start: Crates Marina in Keswick, Ontario, Canada viaLake Simcoe Lake Couchiching the Trent‐Severn lockLake Simcoe, Lake Couchiching, the Trent Severn lockcanal system, Georgian Bay and Lake Huron to MackinacIsland, Michigan, USA
Phase 2 From Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA to Chicago, Illinoisvia the west shores of Lake Michigan, USA
Phase 3 From Chicago, Illinois to Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA
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Phase 4 From Gulf Shores, Alabama to the end – Port St Lucie, Florida, USA
Phase 1From Keswick, Ontario, Canada to South Bay Marina, at the south end
of Georgian Bayof Georgian Bay
South Bay, Marina70 miles
Start at Keswick, Ontario, Canada
4
Travel Route Marked in Yellow
Phase 1 (continued)
From GeorgianFrom Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada to
Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
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Travel Route Marked in Yellow
Phase 1(continued)
From GeorgianFrom Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada to
M ki I l dMackinac Island, Michigan, USA
265 milesMackinac Island
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Travel Route Marked in Yellow
Phase 2∙ From Mackinac
Mackinac Island
Island, Michigan to Sturgeon Bay,
WisconsinWisconsin∙ From Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin to Chi Illi i
165 milesSturgeon Bay
Chicago, Illinois
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Travel Route Marked in Yellow
210 milesChicago
Lake MichiganPhase 3
From Chicago, Illinois to Gulf
Shores, AlabamaDuSable Harbor Chicago, IL
Big Basin Marina, Calumet River, IL
IVY Club, Chillicothe, IL
50 Miles
110 Miles
Alton Marina, Alton IL
Angelo Towhead Kimmswick MO
170 Miles
200 Miles
Angelo Towhead, Kimmswick MO
Green Turtle Bay, Grand River KY
Grand HarborMarina Scruggs Bridge MS
78 Miles
170 Miles
Grand Harbor Marina, Scruggs Bridge MS
Columbus Marina, Columbus MS
115 Miles
119 Miles
Stop points highlighted in Yellow
H i
Demopolis Yacht Basin, Demopolis AL
257 Miles
8Gulf of Mexico
Homeport MarinaGulf Shores, AL
Phase 4From Gulf Shores, Alabama to Port St. Lucie, Florida
Gulf Shores, AlabamaHomeport Marina
190 Miles
Miller MarinaApalachicola, Florida
Travel Route Marked in Yellow
Miller Marina
Phase 4 (continued)From Gulf Shores, Alabama to Port St. Lucie, Florida
Apalachicola, Florida
Travel Route Marked in Yellow
Longboat Key Club Moorings, Sarasota, Florida
205 Miles
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Sarasota, Florida
Fort Meyers Yacht Basin90 Miles
Phase 4 (continued)From Gulf Shores, Alabama to Port St. Lucie, Florida
Tarpon Bay Yacht ClubPort St. Lucie, Florida
135 Mil
Travel Route Marked
135 Miles
in Yellow
Fort Meyers Yacht Basin
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Item Boat Specifications – “Knot Again” (for the techies)
Boat 40 ft long X 13 ft beam Regal Express Cruiser 4060
Year Built 2008
Dry Weight/ Draft Weighs approx. 20,000 pounds with a Draft of 3‐1/2 Ft
Engines Twin 500 HP Volvo Turbo Diesel EnginesEngines Twin 500 HP Volvo Turbo Diesel Engines
Cruising Speed 30 to 35 MPH @ 1 Mile per Gallon.
Cruising Range 250 to 300 Miles depending on water conditions
Capacity 2 X 150 Gallon Fuel Tanks, 40 gal. waste tank, 100 gal. water tank
Fly Bridge None ‐ low boat profile facilitates going under bridges
Upper Deck Leather sofas & table 40” LCD TV stereo GPS IPS Auto Pilot RadarUpper Deck Leather sofas & table, 40 LCD TV, stereo, GPS, IPS, Auto‐Pilot, Radar, Raymarine guages and controls, individual AC/heat controls, cherry wood finish on cabinetry
Lower Deck Side by side fridge/freezer, stove, sink, individual AC/heat controls, 30’Lower Deck Side by side fridge/freezer, stove, sink, individual AC/heat controls, 30 LCD TV, stereo, leather sofa, cherry wood finish on cabinetry
Lower Deck 2 Bedroom/2 Bathroom c/w 2 – 3 Piece Washrooms, individual AC/heating controls, 20” LCD TVs, stereo, cherry wood finish on cabinetry
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/ g , , , y y
AccommodationComments
Compact, snug and comfortable for 4 people with all the amenities of home.
J ti k IPS C t lJoystick IPS Control
1740 Foot Regal – Controls Including IPS for greater control when docking 40 Ft. Regal ‐ Controls including joystick IPS to facilitate docking
28” LCD TV
Stereo + Hi‐Def Satellite TV center
Side by side Fridge/Freezer
21Lower Deck – more of the comforts of home
Trent‐Severn Waterway in Ontario, Canada Our boat loading into the “Big Chute Marine Railway” Lock
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The “Big Chute Marine Railway ”.This Lock system uses slings and rails to lower boats into Georgian Bay
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Mackinac Island – Marine Forecast for Lake Michigan journey.Winds and waves (14 to 18 feet) on Mon/Tues made travel risky.Left on Wednesday for a real “bumpy” ride across Lake MichiganLeft on Wednesday for a real bumpy ride across Lake Michigan
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Tow Boat because it pushes the l dload
Never volunteer to pay for a fill‐up of diesel fuel for a Tow boat. They take up to 15,000 Gallons @ $2.75 per gallon average
49Chicago River – Same barge with Tow (not Tug) boat attached
Barge convoys on the Mississippi can be larger than 16 football fieldsBarge convoys on the Mississippi can be larger than 16 football fields.
50Chicago River – Barges
Electrified Fish BarrierAn electrified 1 mile stretch of river located near Romeoville, Illinois. The
Fish Barrier prevents Asian Carp from accessing Lake Michigan.Fish Barrier prevents Asian Carp from accessing Lake Michigan.As part of our boat trip we had to cross it.
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Electrified Fish BarrierAsian Carp can grow as large as 4 ft. & weigh 100 lbs+. An aggressive fish
species with teeth and a voracious appetite for fresh water fish.species with teeth and a voracious appetite for fresh water fish.
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Welcome to our front windshield view. The frequent, blurry, rainy view out our boat windshield at 30 to 35 MPH. The GPS was an invaluable electronic tool to help John keep us on track during such conditions.
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Our wake leaving Mobile Bay for Homeport Marina, Gulf Shores, Alabama hoping to leave persistent bad weather behind us.
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C t i & l i t L l ’ H t M i G lf Sh Al b ft
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Captain & crew relaxing at Lulu’s Homeport Marina, Gulf Shores, Alabama after a 257 mile run in torrential rains and avoiding most debris and logs on the last
section of the Tenn‐Tom Waterway approaching Mobile Bay, Alabama
Inland waterway ‐Marina & Condo complex. On our way to Miller Marine in Apalachicola, Florida. Sun is fun!!!
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Inland waterway – Sun & warmth!!! Finally able to sit on front deck!! On our way to Miller Marine in Apalachicola, Florida
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Leaving Miller Marine in Apalachicola, Florida and heading out into the Gulf of Mexico for a 155 mile run to Tampa Bay & then onto Sarasota via the i l d t M tl 5 t 7 f t d i h idinland waterway. Mostly sunny, waves 5 to 7 foot producing a rough ride.
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Entering Tampa Bay, Florida after a 6 hour “lumpy” run across the Gulf of Mexico. Staying 2 days at the upscale Longboat Key Club Moorings in
S t Fl idSarasota, Florida.
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Dinner at Portofino’s Restaurant at the upscale Longboat Key Club Moorings in Sarasota, Florida. Celebrating a successful crossing of the Gulf of Mexico.
B t f d t d t !!!Best food to date!!!
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Venice, Florida….police catching boater not observing “Manatee No Wake Zone” along Okeechobee River – heavy fine and/or loss of boat.
Fort Meyer’s, Florida – Fort Meyer’s Yacht BasinAnnual “Zombie‐fest” celebrations in Downtown area
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Cutting a path through overgrown “bank to bank” river vegetation on the Okeechobee River with the boat’s propellersp p
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Trip Start Date Sept 24‐09
Crates MarinaKeswick, Ontario ,
Canada
Mile 0
Trip Completed DateOct 18‐0925 Days25 Days
Tarpon Bay Yacht Club, Port St. Lucie,
Florida, USA
∙ 2,599 Miles later∙ Crossed 34 Locks varying from 4 to 84 ft in lift or dropft in lift or drop
105Travel Route Marked
in Yellow
Date Start Location End Location Marina/ Mooring
Miles Locks Comments
Trip Log – September 2009
Mooring
Thurs.Sept 24
KeswickOntario,Canada
Georgian BayOntario, Canada
South BayMarine
70 4 Sunny, warm, 1 to 2 foot waves.Smooth boating
id G i ki l d ki 26 0 S l 6 fFridaySept 25
Georgian Bay,Ontario, Canada
Mackinac IslandMichigan, USAvia Lake Huron
MackinacHarbor
265 0 Sunny , cool, 4 to 6 foot wavesChoppy, rough ride, fuel tanks read“empty” on arrival
SaturdaySept 26
MackinacIsland
MackinacIsland Michigan
MackinacHarbor
0 0 No travel day. Toured Mackinac,sunny cool waiting for GPSSept 26 Island,
Michigan, USAIsland, Michigan, USA
Harbor sunny, cool, waiting for GPSchip/rollers, mechanical problemswith ship/shore radio, generator andshore water hook‐up
Sunday Mackinac Mackinac Mackinac 0 0 No travel day Cloudy cool LakeSundaySept 27
Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
Mackinac Island, Michigan,USA
MackinacHarbor
0 0 No travel day. Cloudy, cool, LakeMichigan forecast 12 ft waves & highwinds, boat parts arrive, stay put atmarina, ship to shore radio repaired,gen & water problems persist
MondaySept 28
Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
MackinacIsland, Michigan, USA
Mackinac Harbor
0 0 No travel day. Cloudy , cool, rain,Lake Michigan forecast 14 ft waves &high winds, GPS OK, stay put atmarina
106
TuesdaySept 29
MackinacIsland, Michigan, USA
MackinacIsland, Michigan, USA
MackinacHarbor
0 0 No travel day. Cloudy, cold, rain LakeMichigan forecast 16 ft waves, stayput at marina, 60F day/32F at night
Date Start Location End Location Marina/ Mooring
Miles Locks Comments
Trip Log – September/October 2009
Mooring
Wed.Sept 30
Mackinac Island,Michigan, USA
Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin via Lake Michigan
Sturgeon Bay Marina
165 0 Ice on windshield of boat, rainy, 4 to6 ft waves, rough & choppy ride. A lotof hull slapping.
Th St B Chi D S bl 210 0 S ith 1 t 2 ft i iThurs.Oct 1
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, USA
Chicago, Illinois, USA
DuSableMarina
210 0 Sunny with 1 to 2 ft waves in morningCloudy, rainy with 6 to 8 ft waves inthe afternoon. Tried Giardano’sdeep dish Chicago pizza…excellent.
Friday Chicago Chicago DuSable 0 0 No travel day Cloudy rainy coolFridayOct 2
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Chicago, Illinois, USA
DuSableMarina
0 0 No travel day. Cloudy, rainy, cool.Shopping in Downtown Chicago.Dinner at Morton’s of Chicago.
SaturdayOct 3
Chicago, Illinois USA
Calumet River,Illinois
Big BasinMarina
50 3 Cloudy, rainy, cool. Ran into 1st bargetraffic Lock wait 3 hours RevisedOct 3 Illinois, USA Illinois Marina traffic. Lock wait 3 hours. Revisedtravel plans en‐route to Big Basin.
SundayOct 4
Calumet River,Illinois
Chillicothe,Illinois
IVY Club 110 3 Overcast, rainy, 55F
M d Chilli th Alt Illi i Th Alt 170 2 O t i 55F B t M iMondayOct 5
Chillicothe, Illinois
Alton, Illinois The Alton Marina
170 2 Overcast, rainy, 55F. Best Marinafacilities to date.
TuesdayOct 6
Alton, Illinois, USA
Kimmswick, Missouri , USA
Angelo Towhead, (anchorage)
200 2 Overcast, rainy, 58F. BBQ onboard…great meal!
107
(anchorage)
Wed.Oct 7
Kimmswick, Missouri , USA
Grand River, Kentucky, USA
Green Turtle Bay Resort
78 2 Overcast, rainy, 55‐60F. Great olderand not great facilities
Date Start Location End Location Marina/ Miles Locks Comments
Trip Log – October 2009
/Mooring
Thurs.Oct 8
Grand River, Kentucky, USA
Grand River, Kentucky, USA
Green Turtle Bay Resort
0 0 No travel day. Overcast, rainy, 55‐60F.Great marketing, but older and notgreat facilities
FridayOct 9
Grand River, Kentucky, USA
Scruggs Bridge, Mississippi, USA
GrandHarbor Marina
170 1 Overcast, rainy, 60F. Condo & Marinaproject…very clean facilities. Dockmaster very knowledgeable.Alligators begin here.
SaturdayOct 10
Scruggs, Mississippi, USA
Columbus,Mississippi,USA
ColumbusMarina
115 7 Overcast, warmer, rainy, 65F. Olderbut nice facilities for boaters.
Sunday Columbus, Demopolis, Demopolis 119 3 Overcast, warm, 70F. Dinner on boat.yOct 11
,Mississippi,USA
p ,Alabama, USA
pYacht Basin
, ,Marina very old. Facilities not great.
MondayOct 12
Demopolis, Alabama, USA
Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA
Homeport Marina
257 2 Torrential rain, mid 70”s, lots ofdebris in water, motored with MissBim, docked 40 miles beyond MobileBay, Lulu’s ‐ Marina Restaurant(owned by Jimmy Buffet’s sister)
Tuesday Gulf Shores, Gulf Shores, Homeport 0 0 No travel day. Mid 80’s, sunny,
108
Oct 13 Alabama, USA Alabama, USA Marina humid, mechanic fixed generator andshore water still not working. ToLulu’s for dinner.
Date Start Location End Location Marina/ Miles Locks Comments
Trip Log – October 2009
Mooring
Wed.Oct 14
Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA
Apalachicola, Florida, USA
Miller Marine 190 0 Fabulous, sunny day, 89F…abouttime! What a difference the sunmakes! Smooth ride.
ThursOct 15
Apalachicola, Florida, USA
Sarasota, Florida, USA
Longboat Key Club Moorings
205 0 5 to 7 ft waves across the Gulf ofMexico. Mostly sunny but roughride. Best marina to date! Spa,restaurant+++. Best weather todate 90Fdate ….90F.
FridayOct 16
Sarasota, Florida, USA
Sarasota, Florida, USA
Longboat Key Club Moorings
0 0 No Travel day. Spectacularweather in the AM, thenlightning, thunder and rain.Joan’s birthday High 80’s &Joan s birthday. High 80 s &humid.
SaturdayOct 17
Sarasota, Florida, USA
Fort Meyers, Florida, USA
Fort Meyers Yacht Basin
90 0 Weather changed, no humidity,high 60’s, windy. Experiencedannual Zombie fest in Downtownannual Zombie fest in Downtownarea.
SundayOct 18
Fort Meyers, Florida, USA
Port St. Lucie Florida, USA
Tarpon Bay Yacht Club
135 5 END OF TRIP. Low 70’s, staying atcondo in Tarpon Bay Yacht Club.Rough ride on Lake Okeechobe.
109
g
Totals 2,599Miles
34Locks