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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.

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  • 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
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    • FlyingMAir YouTube Channel
    • ML Jewelry Designs

Great Loop Info

Tips to help you save money, travel safer, and have more fun on your Great Loop journey.

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Great Loop Cruise Planning, Part 3: Short Term Planning

Great Loop Cruise Planning, Part 3: Short Term Planning

In this part of my multipart trip planning series, I explain how to plan a week to 10 days out.
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February 4, 2024Posted inGreat Loop Info, TipsNo Comments
Great Loop Cruise Planning, Part 2: Medium Term Planning

Great Loop Cruise Planning, Part 2: Medium Term Planning

In this third part of a multi-part series, I explain how to break your Great Loop trip into chunks based on distance or time and roughly plan out each chunk.
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January 28, 2024Posted inGreat Loop Info, Tips2 Comments
Great Loop Cruise Planning, Part 1: Long Term Planning

Great Loop Cruise Planning, Part 1: Long Term Planning

In this part of the series, I explain the very important seasonal aspects of a Great Loop trip and why you need to plan to be on certain parts of the Loop at certain times of the year.
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January 21, 2024Posted inGreat Loop Info, Tips4 Comments
Logging Your Cruising Days

Logging Your Cruising Days

I remember every single cruise day with a detailed log entry. You can, too.
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January 19, 2024Posted inTips11 Comments
Great Loop Cruise Planning: Introduction

Great Loop Cruise Planning: Introduction

In this first part of a multi-part series, I explain what the series is all about and why you should read it, especially if you're new to long-distance cruising in your own boat.
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January 14, 2024Posted inGreat Loop Info, Tips2 Comments
Using the Bob423 ICW Tracks

Using the Bob423 ICW Tracks

Here's why you should and how you can use these proven tracks to navigate through the shifting shoals of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
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December 25, 2023Posted inGreat Loop Info, Tips3 Comments
Recipe: Clafoutis

Recipe: Clafoutis

This baked custardy treat is better than pancakes, waffles, french toast, or any other carby thing you might make for breakfast. And it's even good for dessert.
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December 24, 2023Posted inOnboard Cooking, Tips2 Comments
Nine Tips for Saving Money while Cruising the Great Loop

Nine Tips for Saving Money while Cruising the Great Loop

Some pretty straightforward ways to make cruising -- either on or off the Great Loop -- more affordable.
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December 21, 2023Posted inGreat Loop Info, Tips6 Comments
Looping by the Numbers (So Far)

Looping by the Numbers (So Far)

I review the statistics -- including finances -- of this adventure.
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October 20, 2023Posted inCaptaining Do It Now, Great Loop Info6 Comments
Recipe: Scallops (or Shrimp) with Aromatic Vegetables

Recipe: Scallops (or Shrimp) with Aromatic Vegetables

A super easy, healthy recipe that works with scallops, shrimp, fish, and even chicken.
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March 16, 2023Posted inOnboard Cooking2 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.

8/27/21
Erie, PA to Ashtabula, OH

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
  • Classes Available in September and October
  • Trawler Talk Podcast Interview is Live
  • New Dockwa Blog Post: The Less Glamorous Side of Long-Term Cruising
  • Back on the Loop Again!
  • New Dockwa Blog Post: Single Handing a Cruising Boat | Part 2
  • New Dockwa Blog Post: Single Handing a Cruising Boat | Part 1
  • Ladies Only Cruise and Learn Class
  • Things Loopers Should Know: Locks
Recent Comments
  • Maria Langer on Trawler Talk Podcast Interview is Live
  • Jason on Trawler Talk Podcast Interview is Live
  • Maria Langer on New Dockwa Blog Post: The Less Glamorous Side of Long-Term Cruising
  • Barbara on New Dockwa Blog Post: The Less Glamorous Side of Long-Term Cruising
  • Maria Langer on New Dockwa Blog Post: The Less Glamorous Side of Long-Term Cruising
  • Maria Langer on Recipe: Swamp Soup
  • BGavin on New Dockwa Blog Post: The Less Glamorous Side of Long-Term Cruising
  • sashacrab on Recipe: Swamp Soup
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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
  • American Airlines Misadventures
  • 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
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