FAQs on the Journey

You have questions about the Great Loop. We share our experience with you here.

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Questions from FAQs on the Journey Video

  1.  (1:41) Are we beginners?
  2. (2:42) What did you do to get ready for the Loop?
  3. (5:02) What did you wish you would have done better to prepare for the Loop?
  4. (7:20) Costs and expenditures
  5. (11:25) Can I anchor more than using marinas?
  6. (11:38) Do I need paper charts?
  7. (12:35) What publications or references do you use for planning the route?
  8. (14:18) Do I need to join the American Great Loop Cruisers Association to do the Loop?
  9. (15:26) With a long-term goal in mind, what are your suggestions on preparation?
  10. (17:10) Prescriptions and medicines?
  11. (18:53) Is it possible to do the Loop in reverse (clockwise)?
  12. (20:42) How many miles do you go each day?
  13. (21:35) Do you use your dinghy a lot on the route?
  14. (22:07) Do you ever run the boat at night?
  15. (22:37) How many locks did you go through before you felt comfortable with them?
  16. (24:17) What was your best day on the Loop?
  17. (24:58) What was your worst day on the Loop?
  18. (25:20) What was your favorite part of the Loop?
  19. (26:08) What was your least favorite part of the Loop?
  20. (27:00) When your boat is pulled for repairs, where do you find accommodations?  Did you include the cost of accommodations needed during down time for repairs in your budget?
  21. (28:16) Marina reservations?
  22. (29:16) How often have you returned to your “dirt home”?
  23. (29:58) We picture the docks along the trip full of life, busy, meeting people, live music. We are guessing it’s not like that all the time.
  24. (30:56) Are we going to do it again?

FAQs on the Boat

Thanks for the questions about our boat. Go here for our answers.

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Questions from FAQs on the Boat Video

  1. (0:45) Are you happy with your choice of the Carver 504?
  2. (1:55) Why did you buy such a big boat?
  3. (4:20) Should I get a trawler or a cruiser?
  4. (5:40) Tell us about the engines, size, horsepower, make and why did you choose? What is the fuel burn of your boat?  How do they run at low RPM, etc.?
  5. (7:45) What do you like about your boat? What is your favorite part of the boat?
  6. (9:37) What navigation systems do you use?
  7. (11:05) Do you use your autopilot a lot?
  8. (12:10) What features of your boat do you find you’ve not actually used or benefited from that you initially thought would be important?
  9. (13:10) Are there any features you wish your boat had?
  10. (13:45) Routine maintenance planning?
  11. (15:15) Do you carry many spare parts?
  12. (17:56) How many times have you changed the engine oil (excluding the generator)?
  13. (18:24) Do you do the work yourself or have it done while at the marina?
  14. (19:15) Do you have an Ice Maker?
  15. (19:40) How much fuel and water does your boat hold?
  16. (21:20) Do I need a water-maker?
  17. (22:08) If you were to loop again, would you think about getting a smaller (or bigger) boat, or has 50′ been about the right size for you?
  18. (23:23) Can you tell us about insurance requirements?
  19. What about having a safe onboard?
  20. (25:25) Do you carry weapons?
  21. (26:09) Can you do a video or post regarding the various electronics you have on board?

FAQs on Living Aboard

Living on a boat is so different than living at home. We will answer your questions on our experience of living on a boat.

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Questions from FAQs on the Living Aboard Video

  1. (1:07) We are so excited but sometimes I think I have lost my mind; did you ever feel this way? 
  2. (2:25) What kind of things do you recommend for the galley?
  3. (3:26) How do you organize things to maximize space and efficiency?
  4. (4:45) How much clothing do I need to bring? 
  5. (5:45 How do you provision the boat in terms of length without a store?
  6. (7:10) How do you find places to get your hair done, manicures,etc.? 
  7. (8:55) Is there time or are there places to run/walk/hike/bike on the loop?
  8. (10:16) Did you bring bikes? If not, what was your mode of ground transportation?
  9. (10:50) Have you had any guests/friends/family do any part of the loop with you? Among the other boats you’ve cruised with, have many of them had many guests aboard?
  10. (13:55) Can you drink the water from the boat tanks?
  11. (15:10) What about laundry on the Loop?
  12. (15:45) How about Wi-Fi and cell phone reception on the Loop?
  13. (17:45) Do you watch television on the boat?
  14. (20:25) What about power during anchoring?
  15. (21:28) How do you deal with seasickness?
  16. (22:30) Managing temperatures important – how do you keep warm/cool and stay out of elements when needed?
  17. (23:12) Have you meet any folks who have ended up with health issues while doing the loop? If so, how did that effect their plans overall? Did they hire someone to take the boat back to their home port?
  18. (24:02) Physical disabilities. How much physical exertion will this take?
  19. (25:15) Also, are docks/marinas handicap accessible?
  20. (25:50) Performing work on the Loop. Jobs full time and part time.

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