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My Great Loop Adventure

Tales of crusing the Loop as crew and then (mostly) solo as captain of my own boat.

  • Home
  • Travelogue
    • Captaining Do It NowPosts about my third time on the Great Loop, starting in October 2022, on my own boat, M/V Do It Now.
    • Crewing with Capt JohnPosts about my second time on the Great Loop, in April through May, 2022.
    • Crewing with Capt PaulPosts about my first time on the Great Loop, in August through September, 2021.
    • Cruising on Captain GigsStories from my travels working as a training captain, delivery captain, or Great Loop advisor while on the Great Loop.
  • Destinations
    • Side TripsSome interesting side trips I’ve made.
    • MarinasMarinas I’ve stayed at along the way.
    • AnchoragesAnchorages I’ve stayed at along the way.
    • Points of InterestTowns, museums, attractions, and other points of interest I’ve visited on my journey.
    • Off the Beaten Tracks
  • Great Loop Info
    • TipsTips to help you save money, travel safer, and have more fun on your Great Loop journey.
    • Onboard Cooking
  • Captain Services
    • Delivery Services
    • Ranger Tug Hands On Training
    • Single Handing/Solo Cruising
    • Being the Best First Mate
    • Start Your Great Loop with a Pro!
    • Learn How to Cruise on a Guided Flotilla!
    • Cruising on Captain GigsStories from my travels working as a training captain, delivery captain, or Great Loop advisor while on the Great Loop.
  • About
    • About Maria
    • Contact Maria
    • About My Loop BoatPosts about choosing, acquiring, shipping, and cruising in my Great Loop boat, M/V Do It Now, a 2019 Ranger Tug R-29 CB.
    • About this BlogGeneral information about this blog.
  • Maria’s Other Content
    • Maria’s Personal Blog
    • Maria’s YouTube Channel
    • FlyingMAir YouTube Channel
    • ML Jewelry Designs
Video: ICW Ft Pierce to Vero

Video: ICW Ft Pierce to Vero

January 25, 2024: I start my trip north from my Dad's house and capture my cruise with video footage off the command bridge.
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November 6, 2024Posted inCaptaining Do It NowNo Comments
Video: Dolphins at Fort Pierce

Video: Dolphins at Fort Pierce

January 25, 2024: I see a lot more dolphins than I've seen in one place as I'm leaving my Dad's house in Fort Pierce, Florida.
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October 31, 2024Posted inCaptaining Do It NowNo Comments
How Long to Do the Loop?

How Long to Do the Loop?

A reader asks whether it's best to do the Loop all in one go or break it up into segments. Here's the answer.
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October 25, 2024Posted inGreat Loop Info, TipsNo Comments
6 Things Every First Mate Should Know

6 Things Every First Mate Should Know

Dockwa publishes the first article I've written exclusively for their newsletter.
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October 14, 2024Posted inGreat Loop Info, Tips4 Comments
More Blog Posts and Videos to Come

More Blog Posts and Videos to Come

I know it looks like I'm done here, but I'm not.
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September 13, 2024Posted inBlog Info2 Comments
On Crossing My Wake

On Crossing My Wake

Crossing my wake is a bittersweet non-event that marks another chapter in my life closed, at least for now.
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September 6, 2024Posted inCaptaining Do It Now16 Comments
Crossing Lake Michigan

Crossing Lake Michigan

August 7, 2024: I follow Plan A (sort of) and make a dash across Lake Michigan in better than average (but not perfect) conditions.
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August 7, 2024Posted inCaptaining Do It Now2 Comments
The Home Stretch

The Home Stretch

August 6, 2024: An update from my final week on the Great Loop -- and an AMA announcement/invitation.
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August 6, 2024Posted inCaptaining Do It Now4 Comments
Cruising the Erie Canal (with Video)

Cruising the Erie Canal (with Video)

June 13 - 18, 2024: I cruise the eastern half of the Erie Canal, taking advantage of the free lock walls for overnight docking and picking up some buddy boat friends along the way.
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July 20, 2024Posted inCaptaining Do It Now2 Comments
How to Single-Hand a Boat Through a Lock, Take 2

How to Single-Hand a Boat Through a Lock, Take 2

After losing my stern thruster, I rethink my locking procedure and come up with two good solutions.
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July 4, 2024Posted inMy Loop Boat, Tips2 Comments

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Learn to Cruise on a Flotilla!

Join a flotilla in the San Juan Islands this autumn and take along a qualified training captain to learn while you cruise. Click here to learn more.

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On this Date

Here's where I was on this day during my Great Loop travels. Click a link to read all about that part of my trip.

8/1/24
St. Ignace City Marina at Saint Ignace, MI

Status Report

I crossed my wake in Chicago on August 12, 2024.

The Numbers
Days on the Loop: 464*
Travel Days: 258*
States: 19
Provinces: 1
Countries: 2
Nautical Miles: 8,330
Fuel Gallons: 5,234
Fuel Cost: $23,552
Marina Nights: 278
Marina Cost: $15,590

*Typical Great Loop trip lengthened by multiple side trips.

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  • Maria Langer on Day 18: Erie to Ashtabula
  • Maria Langer on Back on the Loop Again!
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  • Karl on Day 18: Erie to Ashtabula
  • Maria Langer on New Dockwa Blog Post: Single Handing a Cruising Boat | Part 1
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Start YOUR Loop with a Pro!

If you’re new to long-range cruising and are planning to start your Great Loop Adventure soon, why not start it with an experienced Looper on board?

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What I’m Reading

You can help support this blog and small local booksellers by buying one of the books linked here.

My Marina Reviews

Read my Waterway Guide marina reviews.

RSS On My Personal Blog
  • Getting Back to Writing
  • Why I’m Not Blogging as Regularly as I Used To
  • Doing the Math on Art Shows (and Other Ways to Sell My Silversmithing Work)
  • Getting Sucked In to the Traveler’s Notebook Craze, Part 3
  • Battling Irrational Beliefs
  • Getting Sucked In to the Traveler’s Notebook Craze, Part 2
  • On Wasting Time Preaching to People Who Won’t Read What You Write
  • Jewelry Studio Tour Video
  • Getting Sucked In to the Traveler’s Notebook Craze, Part 1
  • Making Paste Paper
All content ©2021-2025 Maria Langer unless otherwise specified. All rights reserved.
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