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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
    • Repositioning and 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.
    • Do It Now Calendar
  • Maria’s Other Content
    • Maria’s Personal Blog
    • Maria’s YouTube Channel
    • FlyingMAir YouTube Channel
    • ML Jewelry Designs

About

Information about me, this blog, my boat, and more.

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  • About
Things You Might Overlook When Buying a Boat, Part 1: Why I’m Blogging About This

Things You Might Overlook When Buying a Boat, Part 1: Why I’m Blogging About This

Cost and responsibilities go way beyond the price tag.
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August 20, 2026Posted inMy Loop Boat, TipsNo Comments
Video: What’s Under the Waterline on a Ranger Tug R-29 CB?

Video: What’s Under the Waterline on a Ranger Tug R-29 CB?

Ever wonder what's under the waterline on a Great Loop veteran boat? Here's what mine looks like right now.
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March 17, 2026Posted inMy Loop Boat3 Comments
Classes Available in September and October

Classes Available in September and October

I offer a few classes in September and October 2024 for folks interested in solo, Ranger Tug, or other training.
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August 18, 2025Posted inCruising on Captain Gigs, My Loop BoatNo Comments
Trawler Talk Podcast Interview is Live

Trawler Talk Podcast Interview is Live

My interview on the Trawler Talk podcast is live.
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August 14, 2025Posted inAbout, Tips2 Comments
New Dockwa Blog Post: Single Handing a Cruising Boat | Part 2

New Dockwa Blog Post: Single Handing a Cruising Boat | Part 2

Dockwa publishes part two of my latest exclusive blog post for their site.
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May 3, 2025Posted inMy Loop Boat, TipsNo Comments
New Dockwa Blog Post: Single Handing a Cruising Boat | Part 1

New Dockwa Blog Post: Single Handing a Cruising Boat | Part 1

Dockwa publishes my latest exclusive blog post for their site.
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April 2, 2025Posted inMy Loop Boat, Tips2 Comments
Choosing YOUR Perfect Loop Boat

Choosing YOUR Perfect Loop Boat

Don't just buy the boat some online forum tells you to buy. Think about what you want and need and buy the best boat for your Great Loop journey.
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January 22, 2025Posted inMy Loop Boat, TipsNo Comments
On This Date

On This Date

I add a custom WordPress plugin to the blog that displays date-related location data in the sidebar.
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December 20, 2024Posted inBlog Info2 Comments
December 2024 Blog Update

December 2024 Blog Update

I attempt to explain why I've just been releasing posts with video links lately and what my plans for this site are in the months to come.
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December 9, 2024Posted inBlog Info5 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

Posts pagination

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Ranger Tug Training

I’ve just updated my page about Ranger Tug training (available in my boat or yours) to list the dates Do It Now will be available. Dates include participation in next September’s Ranger Rendezvous at Roche Harbor! Learn more here.

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.

8/23/21
Medina, NY to Lockport, NY to Tonawanda, NY

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.

Topics
Recent Posts
  • Things You Might Overlook When Buying a Boat, Part 1: Why I’m Blogging About This
  • Video: What’s Under the Waterline on a Ranger Tug R-29 CB?
  • Thirteen More Good Anchorages
  • Passagemaker Article About My (Mostly) Solo Great Loop Cruise
  • My Top 10 Great Loop Anchorages
  • Classes Available in September and October
  • Trawler Talk Podcast Interview is Live
  • New Dockwa Blog Post: The Less Glamorous Side of Long-Term Cruising
Recent Comments
  • Maria Langer on Northbound on the Champlain Canal
  • William Mull on Northbound on the Champlain Canal
  • Patrick Perry, Paducah KY on Paducah to Grand Rivers, KY
  • Patrick Perry, Paducah Ky on Cairo, IL to Paducah, KY
  • Maria Langer on Video: What’s Under the Waterline on a Ranger Tug R-29 CB?
  • BLG on Video: What’s Under the Waterline on a Ranger Tug R-29 CB?
  • Maria Langer | 📝 💎 🛥️ on Video: What’s Under the Waterline on a Ranger Tug R-29 CB?
  • Maria Langer on Passagemaker Article About My (Mostly) Solo Great Loop Cruise
Social Media

I’m on Mastodon.

I’m no longer on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. (If you are, why?)

New on YouTube
https://youtu.be/DF5Tn_KE54w

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?

Learn More
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
  • Writing Tips: Just Write!
  • I’m Back
  • On Rest & Relaxation
  • Video: Lifting a Ranger Tug off a Trailer and Blocking it in a Boatyard
  • Video: What’s Under the Waterline on a Ranger Tug R-29?
  • Tovala
  • Boating: My Unexpected Fifth Career
  • A Look Back at this Winter 2025/26 Travels
  • Another Stay at the Hot Springs
  • Boondocking
All content ©2021-2026 Maria Langer unless otherwise specified. All rights reserved.
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