Here is our itinerary for the second time around America’s Great Loop. You can find our first loop here. Also, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for more details.
Running Totals:
Marinas: 34
Locks: 30
Walls: 8
Anchorages: 1
Click on the Map Below to See Our Trip
You can see where we stopped and anchored out during our second time around.
September 2, 2020 – Day 1 on the first trip of our platinum loop! We started trip #125 from Cutter Marina, Essex, Maryland (North Baltimore) to Chesapeake Inn at Chesapeake City, Maryland. (Marina – total: 1)
September 3, 2020 – #126 from Chesapeake Inn at Chesapeake City, Maryland to Utsch’s Marina in Cape May, New Jersey. (Marina – total: 2)
September 6, 2020 – #127 from Cape May, New Jersey to Hoffman’s Marina in Brielle, New Jersey in the Manasquan Inlet. (Marina – total: 3)
September 7, 2020 – #128 from Hoffman’s Marina in Brielle, New Jersey in the Manasquan Inlet to Half Moon Bay in Croton-on-the-Hudson, New York. We went right past the Statue of Liberty. (Marina – total: 4)
September 8, 2020 – #129 from Half Moon Bay in Croton-on-the-Hudson, New York to the Kingston City Docks in Kingston, New York. (Marina – total: 5)
September 9, 2020 – #130 from Kingston City Docks in Kingston, New York to Donovan’s Shady Harbor Marina in New Baltimore, New York. (Marina – total: 6)
September 12, 2020 – #131 from Donovan’s Shady Harbor Marina in New Baltimore, New York to Waterford, New York. We went through the first lock called Troy Lock. We stayed on the floating docks outside the Waterford Visitor Center. (Wall with power – total: 1 and Locks: 1)
September 14, 2020 – #132 from Waterford, New York to Donovan’s Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady, New York. We started down the Erie Canal and went through Locks 2-7. We stayed at Mohawk Harbor Marina. (Marina – total: 7 and Locks: 7)
September 17, 2020 – #133 from Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady, New York to the wall in Amsterdam, New York right after Lock 11. We went through Locks 8-11 and none of them had cables to throw a line around. They all had ropes hanging down to grab and hold on to. (Wall, with power – total: 2 and Locks: 11)
September 18, 2020 – #134 from Lock 11 in Amsterdam, New York to Canajoharie, New York. We went through the Erie Canal Locks 12 and 13. We stayed at the Riverfront Park. (Wall, no power – total: 3 and Locks: 13)
September 19, 2020 – #135 from Canajoharie, New York to Little Falls, New York. We went through Locks 14-17 on the Erie Canal. Lock 14 and 15 each rise only eight feet. Lock 16 rose 20 feet and Lock 17 goes up a whopping 40 feet! We are staying at Little Falls Canal Harbor Marina. (Marina – total: 8 and Locks: 17)
September 21, 2020 – #136 from Little Falls, New York to Aqua Vino Restaurant in Utica, New York. We went through Locks 18 and 19 and then docked at Aqua Vino Restaurant in Utica. (Wall, with power – total: 4 and Locks: 19)
September 22, 2020 – #137 from Aqua Vino Restaurant in Utica, New York to Sylvan Beach, New York. We went through Locks 20, 21 and 22 and then docked on a free city wall. (Wall, no power – total: 5 and Locks: 22)
September 23, 2020 – #138 from Sylvan Beach, New York to Brewerton, New York. We went across Lake Oneida and then docked at Ess-Kay Yards Marina in Brewerton. (Marina – total: 9)
September 26, 2020 – #139 from Brewerton, New York to Fulton, New York. We stayed on a free wall next to the town of Fulton. We went through the last lock on the Erie Canal (Lock 23) and then started on the Oswego Canal (Locks 1 and 2). (Wall, no power – total: 6 and Locks: 25)
September 27, 2020 – #140 from Fulton, New York to Oswego, New York. We stayed at the Oswego Marina. We went through five locks on the Oswego Canal (Locks 3 – there is no 4 – then 5, 6, 7 and 8). (Marina – total: 10 and Locks: 30)
September 28, 2020 – #141 from Oswego, New York to Sackets Harbor, New York. We had to cross the lower southeast corner of Lake Ontario and head up toward the 1,000 Islands. We stayed at the Navy Point Marina in Sackets Harbor. (Marina – total: 11)
September 29, 2020 – #142 from Sackets Harbor, New York to Cape Vincent, New York. Rough day on Lake Ontario. We stayed on the wall of the Cape Vincent Fisheries Station. (Wall, no power – total: 7)
September 30, 2020 – #143 from Cape Vincent, New York to Clayton, New York. Much better day on Lake Ontario. We stayed at the Clayton Harbor Municipal Marina. (Marina – total: 12)
October 2, 2020 – #144 from Clayton, New York to Alexandria Bay, New York. We stayed at the Horizon Marina and then put the boat in heated winter storage on October 5, 2020 and began our extended stay on land. (Marina – total: 13)
October 5, 2020 to May 11, 2021 – Winter Break off the Boat. It was a LONG winter! We returned to our boat which was launched and docked at the Thousand Islands Club in Wellesley Island, New York. (Marina – total 14)
May 19, 2021 – #145 from Alexandria Bay, New York to Oswego, New York. We got on our boat at Thousand Islands Club in Wellesley Island, New York after all the repairs and upgrades were completed. We moved to Oswego Marina in Oswego, New York. (Marina – 15)
May 20, 2021 – #146 from Oswego, New York to Rochester, New York. Smooth day on Lake Ontario. We stayed at the Rochester Yacht Club. (Marina – total: 16)
May 21, 2021 – #147 from Rochester, New York to Wilson, New York. We stayed at the Bootleggers Marina. (Marina – total: 17)
May 26, 2021 – #148 from Wilson, New York to Buffalo, New York. A crew of three picked up our boat in Wilson, New York to take her through the 8 locks on the Welland Canal in Canada. They got as far as Port Colbourne, Ontario, Canada and spent the night. The next day they took the Here’s To Us to Canalside in Buffalo, New York. We met them at Canalside. (Wall with power – total: 8)
May 31, 2021 – #149 from Buffalo, New York to Erie, Pennsylvania. We stayed at the Wolverine Park Marina. (Marina – total: 18)
June 1, 2021 – #150 from Erie, Pennsylvania to Geneva, Ohio. We stayed at the Geneva State Park Marina. (Marina – total: 19)
June 2, 2021 – #151 from Geneva, Ohio to Cleveland, Ohio. We stayed at the North Coast Harbor Marina. (Marina – total: 20)
June 2-23, 2021 – The Here’s To Us!! stayed in Cleveland while we went back to Dallas, Texas for medical reasons and to visit family and friends.
June 24, 2021 – #152 from Cleveland, Ohio to Put-in-Bay, Ohio. We stayed at the City Docks. (Marina – total 21)
June 25, 2021 – #153 from Put-in-Bay, Ohio to Curtice, Ohio. We stayed at the Anchor Pointe Marina. (Marina – total 22)
June 29, 2021 – #154 from Curtice, Ohio to St. Clair Shores, Michigan. We stayed at Jefferson Beach Marina. (Marina – total 23)
June 30, 2021 – #155 from St. Clair Shores, Michigan to Port Huron, Michigan. We stayed at the Port Huron Yacht Club. (Marina – total 24)
July 4, 2021 – #156 from Port Huron, Michigan to Port Sanilac, Michigan. We stayed at the Port Sanilac Harbor Marina. (Marina – total 25)
July 5, 2021 – #157 from Port Sanilac, Michigan to Harbor Beach, Michigan. We didn’t plan to stop here but we lost the port engine on the way to Port Austin, Michigan. We stayed at the Harbor Beach city marina. (Marina – total 26)
July 10, 2021 – #158 from Harbor Beach, Michigan to Harrisville, Michigan. We stayed at the Harrisville Municipal Marina. (Marina – total 27)
July 11, 2021 – #159 from Harrisville, Michigan to Rogers City, Michigan. We stayed at the Rogers City Marina. (Marina – total 28)
July 12, 2021 – #160 from Rogers City, Michigan to Detour Village, Michigan. We stayed at Detour Village Marina. (Marina – total 29)
July 13, 2021 – #161 from Detour Village, Michigan to Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. We stayed at the George Kemp Marina. (Marina – total 30)
July 14, 2021 – #162 from Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan to Whitefish Point, Michigan. We stayed at the Whitefish Point Harbor. (Marina, no power – total 31)
July 16, 2021 – #163 from Whitefish Point, Michigan back to Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. We stayed at the George Kemp Marina. (Marina – total 32)
July 17, 2021 – #164 from Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan back to Detour Village, Michigan. We stayed at the Detour Village Marina. (Marina – total 33)
July 20, 2021 – #165 from Detour Village, Michigan to Cedarville, Michigan. We anchored in Government Bay North in Les Cheneaux Islands. This was our first anchorage on our second loop. (Anchor – total 1)
July 21, 2021 – #165 from Cedarville, Michigan to Saint Ignace, Michigan. We stayed at the St. Ignace Public Marina and took a ferry over to visit Mackinac Island. (Marina – total 34)
I have so enjoyed watching your adventure and am thrilled you are going to do it again! Before I heard the good news, I had just told my husband that I was going to watch your first trip over again. One thing I like about your blog is that Sam explains so much of little things he is doing, and uses terms that we all should know as boaters. Watching him navigate, I learned what “on the one” and “on the two” meant, as well as just becoming more familiar with starboard and port and “red, right, returning”, etc. The more I listen to him talk, the more familiar I feel with boating without yet owning a boat. I like hearing him on the radio, too. I just know we have so much to learn. We still have not found our boat, but you two have made me feel a little less nervous about giving the Loop a try. Anyway, instead of watching your first trip over again, I will watch the second. Please fill it with as many learning opportunities as you can. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences with us!
Thank you Janet! That really means a lot to us. We appreciate your kind comment.
Hi Sam and Rev!
We just bought a boat! 43 foot Eastbay. We have hired a captain to teach us and have had a few lessons, but there is so much to learn! We actually are not allowed, by our insurance company, to leave the dock without the captain until he signs off on our abilities. We intend to start the Loop next Spring, so I guess we have some time. We have spent a few days and overnights on our boat so far. One question we have for you is about the water supply. I have seen jugs of water stored on your videos. I assume you at least use them for drinking. What do you use your “fresh water” for? Dishes? Cooking? I don’t trust ours right now. When I turn on the kitchen faucet, it comes out foamy. Is there a way to test it? Do you have a water filter? Is a filter on the faucets enough, or is there one that attaches to the tank? Any comments you can give on the water would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Janet Miller
Hi Janet and congratulations on your new boat! That’s really exciting! We don’t drink the water that we put on the boat. Yes, we use it to wash dishes and only if we boil the water do we use it for cooking. Sam puts a filter on the hose when he fills the tank at a marina. You can find it on our resource page under “Boat Maintenance.” There is a lot to learn but you can do it. Have fun out there!
Congrats on the wake crossing and now ready for the next one. Wife and I had wondered what the future holds. Now you can take your time and stay as long as you wish. We will be watching and reading and enjoying the trip from afar. Keep it and enjoy.
Thanks so much for coming along with us, Buck. We are planning to do the loop again. Stay tuned…
You are making great progress on your second loop! I’m sure it is much easier now that you are “old salts”.
It’s incredible how much I am enjoying this trip so much more now that we have picked up a few skills. 🙂
“A few skills”, you are being very modest! You are now seasoned salts! I am so glad that you are enjoying yourselves. Consider a side trip to the Finger Lakes. I worked summers on Canandaigua Lake, but the lakes you can access from the Erie Canal System are just as pretty. When I worked at Xerox we spent summers on Conesus Lake. Upstate New York is beautiful this time of year.
That sounds fun! And yes, very beautiful.
I was looking at marine traffic around oriental and decided to see where you were .then I said what are they doing up there .it’s about to start getting cold . what are your winter plans ?
We are putting the Here’s To Us in heated winter storage in Alexandria Bay, NY.
Sam, What does the sign read over your left shoulder, Know When ? next If you didn’t have your Carver 504
What 3 yachts would you think purchasing. ? Ball park total cost of doing the loop approx.
What is the average cost of docking at a marina ?
enjoyed your post greatly /// Could help but notice Rev mellowed as the loop went on.
Cheers
It says, “Know when to call it quits and have a margarita” – it was on the boat when we boat her and seemed like a good thing to keep. I have been looking at boats so my list continually changes but I like the express type boats and faster tugs. Sea Ray 510, Nordic Tugs, Ranger Tugs, American Tugs – all without flybridges – I am a one helm guy! Cost of the loop about 50K, mostly marinas and fuel. Average cost is $2 a foot at a marina. Yes, as Rev has gotten more confident, she freaks out a whole lot less. LOL
I hope you will have time to spend a couple of days in Green Bay, Wisconsin, maybe plan a meet up to introduce ourselves and grill some brats….
Safe travels 🙏
Scott and Jen
That sounds fantastic! Yes, I believe our plans are to go down the Wisconsin side this time around. See you soon!
Sam and Rev:
I have been following you on your first loop, and now watching as you begin to go around again. My wife and I are planning to loop in 2023 or so, but currently do all of our boating in the bay of Green Bay, Lake Michigan, and northern Lake Huron. I wanted to encourage you to try more of the harbors on the West coast of lower Michigan as well as to cross the lake and enjoy the Bay of Green Bay from Washington Island down to Sturgeon Bay. We have cruised extensively over the years from Frankfort to Harbor Springs on the West coast of Michigan, Mack Island, the North Channel, and Door County WI. I know if you spend a little more time there, you will agree that there are not many places you can cruise that will be nicer. Enjoy your winter off the boat and looking forward to your continued journey. Scott and Amy (Who Dat)
Hi there! When we were in Michigan, we were blown away with how beautiful it is. You are fortunate to live in the area and enjoy boating there. Thanks for the suggestions for our second time around.
I love watching your videos and reading your blogs, thanks for sharing! What is your biggest challenge when your on the water?
Hi Stacey! When we first started EVERYTHING was a challenge. Now, I guess it would be the unexpected and unpredictable traffic that we encounter while underway. Thanks for watching!
Why did you pick that spot? Sounds like you’re going home for the winter? Then head out in the Spring?
We picked Alexandria Bay to store our boat in their heated storage facility for the winter. We are getting some cosmetic work done as well as a new range/stovetop for the galley. We wanted to be up there so we would be in a great position to enter Canada next spring. We have a lot of videos to put out while we are visiting family over the winter.
Hi sam & Rev! Beautiful spot to pause! We are from the St Lawrence River – Clayton/Alex Bay area originally! In fact, my parents used to keep their boat at Horizon (used to be the TI Club) and my in-laws had a summer house within walking distance from the Clubhouse on Wellesley Island. Currently we are yankees living in the south – 23yrs in NC, but still spend our summers in Clayton. In fact, you went right past our cottage as you turned the point into Clayton to go to the marina. We love it so much and i’m thrilled you will be headed back to travel through Canada (hopefully the border is open by then!) We are just starting our boat search! We’ve boated our whole lives but have never driven anything bigger than a 24’! We love your videos and have learned so much from Sam! Probably a few years away from Looping for us but we plan to do lots of weekends and mini trips in Canada to start! Spend some time in the 1000 Islands…it’s gorgeous and full of history. You will love the sunsets! Can’t wait to see your video up the Erie and into Oswego and the St Lawrence!
Hi there, Amy and John! What a beautiful part of the country! You are so fortunate to have a place up there. We can’t wait to get back and then into Canada. It seems like a long winter so far and we are anxious to return to our boat and get back on the great loop. Good luck to you on your boat search. It’s so fun looking and dreaming. Maybe we will see you up there when everything thaws out!
I would love to see you trek over to the western side of Lake Superior and cruise Minnesota’s north shore – you would not be disappointed from Isle Royale south to the Port of Duluth and on up to the Apostle Islands. I am fortunate enough to spend my boating time here and plan on the loop when I retire.
Keep up the great video’s, I am living my retirement dream through you right now – the advice is priceless. THANK YOU!
Matt, that sounds like a great plan! I’ll run it by Sam. Thanks for the recommendation. 🙂
When you guys go from Detour to Mackinac Island this summer, use the Les Cheneaux islands channels. You’ll love the trip and we’ll treat you to docktails in Hessel.
Hey, thanks so much for the recommendation! Sam is writing that down for planning. See you at Docktails!
As Matt stated, Lake Superior is definitely a beautiful place to spend part of your summer! My wife and I boated the Mississippi river for a number of years and finally ended up on Lake Superior and bought a slip in Washburn Harbor! The north shore of Lake Superior is a spectacular cruising area, if you should find your way up here a must have book is “The Superior Way” by Bonnie Dahl, many of boaters have toured Superior guided by that book, including my wife and I, (I have no connection to the book or author).
I’ve recently discovered your channel and have be watching a few episodes nightly!
Well, thanks so much for the book recommendation. Sam says we will be going in Lake Superior this summer during our travels. Thanks for joining us.
Hi Sam and Rev! My husband and I just had our new (to us) boat splash a couple of weeks ago. We are brand-spanking new to big boating so have only taken her out once (with white knuckles from the first mate!). …been doing lots of deep cleaning and re-decorating. She’s an old girl, so we are thinking with a few face-lifts she’ll look like a teenager again! I just wanted to say we enjoy watching all of your videos. Thank you for doing this. I bet it is a huge time-effort on your part. Fair winds to you! …from Kim and our home port is St. Joseph, Michigan.
Hi Kim! Congrats on your new boat! Really happy for you. Boy, can I relate to those white knuckles! It does get easier and more enjoyable the longer you have her and the more trips you take. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. We really appreciate it!
Sam and Rev,
My husband & I have enjoyed watching your you tube channel over the past several months ( Dec. 2020). We’ve started at the beginning and have watched you grow, both in knowledge, experience, additional wisdom and continued Adventures👍. Thanks for sharing and the time it takes to pull all of those interesting videos together! Y’all have been a wealth of information👍😁!!
I love your new galley girl!
Thanks for coming along with us on this journey! We certainly have learned a lot. Also, that new range has changed my life! LOL
Dear Crew aka Sam and Rev,
My mind is still wondering are you still on Belgium waffle Sunday’s ??? I hope not Minnie waffles …. I am hoping you stop in Green Bay Wisconsin, I sent a copy of biz card for harbor master of that Marina… Yogi has a great sense of humor.. I had never met him and left him a voicemail starting out ” hey Yogi this is Boo boo did you bring the picnic basket”
I put a bid in on a repossessed Chris Craft 500 ( yes I know old but I am old too) I will have to repower it if my bid is accepted..Had buyer’s broker look at it in person and said bid 3 k more than previous but don’t get into a bidding war. Has 6V72’s one the previous owner tore one engine apart and walked away from the boat… Gulp …..
Safe Travels and thank you so much for all the knowledge that you have shared…. Sam?? Did you ever get to fly either Bird’s into Oshkosh??
Thank you,
Scott
No, we haven’t had any waffles yet but I do see them in our future. Good luck on your boat if that happens. Projects are always fun. Until they’re not! LOL
Hi Sam and Rev, I spent 51 years living in St. Joe, MI. My wife and I really miss the lake. We would sit in the park on top of the bluff until 2 am and watch the boats and freighters go in and out. I was boating on Lake Michigan at age 16 in a 14 foot boat. In 2014 I moved to Tennessee and there are lakes here but nothing like Lake Michigan. I know that you passed Saint Joseph on your first round but if you can stop in this time it is a beautiful city with lots of history. Places to visit: The park on the bluff. It is long and much history there. I believe that there are still free concerts on the weekends in the band shell in the park. Kilwins Ice-cream in downtown is a great place. The art museum is a good stop also. I have watched parts of the second trip now and it is very interesting. Good luck and if you want more information please email me.
Dan Miller
Thanks so much, Dan, for the recommendations. It’s obvious that this area is really meaningful to you. It certainly is beautiful. Thank you.