This is an example of a inexpensive way to complete The Great Loop

[C-Ya]

First…… This is not an ad for the boat below.

What it is…… it’s an example of a boat that has already completed the great loop twice. It is the type of boat, in which you could do the Great Loop, then sell the boat for what you originally paid for it, while the next looper takes their turn. It’s an affordable example. There are loop boats always available for the same reason above. Buy it…. Do the loop….. Sell it to looper.

 

[napanutt]

Better description of the loop for us non looper knowers.

 

[TimeBandit]

Better description of the loop for us non looper knowers.

Explore 6,000 Miles of Waterway on America’s Great Loop

Interested in embarking on a nautical pilgrimage? Check out the 6000 miles of America's Great Loop reach from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada.

thedyrt.com

 

[C-Ya]

Better description of the loop for us non looper knowers.

 

[Gramps]

I want it for a Powell hideout

 

[sirbob]

I have a friend that had a 56 Hatteras sport fish that he kept (moved a bunch) between the Bahamas and South Fla. One summer he brought it up the east coast to keep it in Chicago where he was a trader on the merc exchange and lives full time. We had a blast on that boat doing a Chicago summer! Then it went back down the Mississippi River to South Fla.

Some fun times that season.

 

[gqchris]

Dream of mine! Would love to do this. Just dont ever see it in my cards with the lil one now. So cool

 

[napanutt]

View attachment 1433049

Much better. Thanks.

 

[spectra3279]

Define inexpensive

 

[Ace in the Hole]

If I was trying to do it on a reasonable budget with reasonable comfort.. a ranger tug would be the choice.. taking an outdated vessel not designed for it is a recipe for an expensive disaster…

 

[Lunatic Fringe]

If I was trying to do it on a reasonable budget with reasonable comfort.. a ranger tug would be the choice.. taking an outdated vessel not designed for it is a recipe for an expensive disaster…

My sister-in-laws 4th? husband had a beautiful fly bridge / dual helm Nordic Tug that would have been ideal for a trip around the loop.
Definitely more money going in but the principal of selling for similar money as it was purchased for remains the same.

 

[BUDMAN]

A friend of mine was telling about doing this. Sounds like an adventure for sure. Found it interesting that people buy & sell boats just for this purpose.

 

[C-Ya]

If I was trying to do it on a reasonable budget with reasonable comfort.. a ranger tug would be the choice.. taking an outdated vessel not designed for it is a recipe for an expensive disaster…

Just a couple of counter points….

The fact that it has completed 2 loops already……… shows that it is sea worthy enough for the loop

The diesel motors, if well maintained, have more potential life than a gas or outboard motors

The lower the price for a boat that has shown the ability to complete the loop, the more potential dreamers there will be to purchase boat

The other thing…….. I am so sorry to drop this bomb, but if you are wondering about a Ranger Tug, the link below should tell you everything you need to know. The story is on every major boating website that I am aware of. I would never even consider…… A Ranger Tug The main reason being, it is questionable of how thick the fiberglass is in the hull. Without coring the hull…….. there is no way to know for sure. Bayliner

Review of Ranger Tugs — Ranger Tugs

Describes my experience and review of purchasing a Ranger Tug R-27. Review of Ranger Tug R-27. Quality of Ranger Tug R-27. Warranty for Ranger Tug R-27. Issues with Ranger Tug R-27. Ranger Tug R-27 fiberglass problems. TugNuts forum posts. The hull truth, answers about hull issues with Ranger Tugs

www.rangertugtruth.com

 

[Lunatic Fringe]

Definitely a sad story regarding the buyers of that Ranger Tug but having read the article, it seems to be about one particular boat that multiple opinions conclude was dropped at some point.

The current owner opines that the manufacturer doesn't want the interior removed due to concern that defects in the build will be exposed but doesn't present any evidence or history to back that up.

Unless you know more about this than what he wrote, it's just an owner, a seller, a dealer and a manufacturer not wanting to foot the bill for extensive repairs that nobody has been able to pinpoint who caused them.

I don't take away an indictment on Ranger Tugs as a whole from this.

I will add I know absolutely NOTHING about those boats so they well could be garbage but this single situation doesn't convince me.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I want it for a Powell hideout

I always thought one of these would be great for Powell. Not like taking the hotel with you like the big houseboats. Be great for a couple or a small family.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

The fact that it has completed 2 loops already……… shows that it is sea worthy enough for the loop

A rickety old boat is still a rickety old boat that will have problems...just because its done it twice doesn't mean its going to make it a third....plenty of stories out there of boats not making it and being replaced on the way... The rest of your reply is he said she said...and I'm not a party to it so not going to comment... they are a reasonably priced boat..that sells for close to value as Ive seen... id rather have newer systems, connections, engine, etc...than a jalopy to rely upon.

Ive been on one...the same one Breck has at Travis... the owner spent two years on an excessive rebuild to its core...I still wouldn't take that boat on the loop..

 

[stoker]

A rickety old boat is still a rickety old boat that will have problems...just because its done it twice doesn't mean its going to make it a third....plenty of stories out there of boats not making it and being replaced on the way... The rest of your reply is he said she said...and I'm not a party to it so not going to comment... they are a reasonably priced boat..that sells for close to value as Ive seen... id rather have newer systems, connections, engine, etc...than a jalopy to rely upon.

Ive been on one...the same one Breck has at Travis... the owner spent two years on an excessive rebuild to its core...I still wouldn't take that boat on the loop..

I did the east coast portion of the loop with my trawler in 2018. There are many different boats and crafts that do it no problem. Here is a link to a guy that did it in his homemade shanty boat.

 

[C-Ya]

A rickety old boat is still a rickety old boat that will have problems...just because its done it twice doesn't mean its going to make it a third....plenty of stories out there of boats not making it and being replaced on the way... The rest of your reply is he said she said...and I'm not a party to it so not going to comment... they are a reasonably priced boat..that sells for close to value as Ive seen... id rather have newer systems, connections, engine, etc...than a jalopy to rely upon.

Ive been on one...the same one Breck has at Travis... the owner spent two years on an excessive rebuild to its core...I still wouldn't take that boat on the loop..

How would you know it’s a rickety old boat? Have you seen the survey? Me neither

Ranger Tugs reputation was ruined by the incident I posted. For confirmation of this, go to The Trawler Forum, Cruisers Forums, The Hull Truth. All talk about this and other incidents of thin fiberglass in the hull. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I am just the messenger.

 

[coolchange]

I did the east coast portion of the loop with my trawler in 2018. There are many different boats and crafts that do it no problem. Here is a link to a guy that did it in his homemade shanty boat.

Thanks! I was thinking there’s got to be series like Delos or vagabond.

 

[C-2]

C-ya - so when you leaving on your journey?

 

[rivergames]

My Wifes Aunt and Uncle are on The Loop now. They've been gone for about 9 months now. They made it up to Illinois and now down in Kentucky. Their journey looks unbelievable!

They're on this boat

 

[C-Ya]

My Wifes Aunt and Uncle are on The Loop now. They've been gone for about 9 months now. They made it up to Illinois and now down in Kentucky. Their journey looks unbelievable!

They're on this boat View attachment 1433273

View attachment 1433274

That appears to be a fantastic loop boat.

I am guessing it also has just a single diesel motor, for the ultimate efficiency.

The better loop boats are single engine trawlers with low horsepower (120hp) single diesel motor. Boat size Between 34’ and 48’.

A good set up gets approx 4 miles to the gallon at 7 knots.

Loop boats range in price from 35k to 500k. Pick your budget. Join a loop group. Take the trip of a lifetime.

 

[mesquito_creek]

I have been thinking about towing my Sundancer to the Chicago/Great lakes region in the summer... Then I can just do a week or two at a time and move it on the trailer to the prime destinations. I could trailer it and store it an get on a plane and do other things when I want to also. I would be the biggest pussified looper out there, but I don't care. I like nice hotels and B&Bs also.....

 

[stephenkatsea]

Can a version of the Loop trip be accomplished while staying inshore for 100% of the voyage?

 

[C-Ya]

C-ya - so when you leaving on your journey?

I’ve already done the east coast of the loop. Also the west coast of Florida to Crystal River. Keys. Lake O. I am just missing the New York to Crystal River portion of loop.

Will I ever complete the loop…….. probably not. I am like Mesquito Creek, I need luxury. I have other retirement plans, such as cruising around the world, in a lap of luxury. Living abroad too.

Take this with humor, but the more I know about boats……… The more I don’t want to own one.

 

[C-Ya]

Can a version of the Loop trip be accomplished while staying inshore for 100% of the voyage?

2 spots you will have to go outside. Upper New Jersey to Hudson. - Mississippi/Gulf of Mexico to Crystal River. (I think there is a coastal route, but there is still an area in it, in which you would have to go out into the gulf.)

The Great Lakes can be as rough as the ocean.

 

[stephenkatsea]

2 spots you will have to go outside. Upper New Jersey to Hudson. - Mississippi/Gulf of Mexico to Crystal River. (I think there is a coastal route, but there is still an area in it, in which you would have to go out into the gulf.)

The Great Lakes can be as rough as the ocean.

Thanks. Many on the west coast have never had the opportunity to cruise the ICWW and other inshore waterways. It’s a different world, for sure. Bars, restaurants and marinas are usually common along the way. In some areas you can’t be in too big of a hurry. Some bridges can cause a delay. But, they’re just a part of inshore cruising. I’ve only done portions of the ICWW in FL and LA. In FL it was nice.

 

[NIKAL]

I did the east coast portion of the loop with my trawler in 2018. There are many different boats and crafts that do it no problem. Here is a link to a guy that did it in his homemade shanty boat.

I’ve been watching Brenton’s Backwaters adventures for years now. He first did a series on his Mississippi River to Florida adventure using a pontoon shanty house boat. Then with his latest barge hull shanty house boat he did the full loop, and does it on a very small budget. What’s cool is he shows other looper boats, talks to them and then tells you why he chose what he did. Recently on his last video he shows a beautiful big boat which he thinks was a hired move, hit a sand bar. He likes the pontoon/barge hull as he can get into 2ft deep water and be ok, or get out of the channel when he wants to. Same with parts of the inner coastal or on the norther part of the loop when going through the city’s river channels, he has no worries of depth or bridge heights.

If anyone is interested in a non scripted down to earth documentary of a loop adventure his is one to watch. He does a great job stopping and showing you these little towns along the way. He loves the history of old lighthouses and cemeterys.

 

[stoker]

I’ve been watching Brenton’s Backwaters adventures for years now. He first did a series on his Mississippi River to Florida adventure using a pontoon shanty house boat. Then with his latest barge hull shanty house boat he did the full loop, and does it on a very small budget. What’s cool is he shows other looper boats, talks to them and then tells you why he chose what he did. Recently on his last video he shows a beautiful big boat which he thinks was a hired move, hit a sand bar. He likes the pontoon/barge hull as he can get into 2ft deep water and be ok, or get out of the channel when he wants to. Same with parts of the inner coastal or on the norther part of the loop when going through the city’s river channels, he has no worries of depth or bridge heights.

If anyone is interested in a non scripted down to earth documentary of a loop adventure his is one to watch. He does a great job stopping and showing you these little towns along the way. He loves the history of old lighthouses and cemeterys.

His videos are somewhat addicting. I ran into him a few months ago while boating on the ICW in Palm Coast Fl. Chatted it up with him for a bit while he was setting anchor for the night.

 

[NIKAL]

His videos are somewhat addicting. I ran into him a few months ago while boating on the ICW in Palm Coast Fl. Chatted it up with him for a bit while he was setting anchor for the night.

Thats cool! I agree his videos can be addicting, or maybe it’s because it’s relaxing and interesting? I also think its because it’s real. Not everything is perfect, his life or trips are not scripted or IG highlight reels. It’s just him and his beagle enjoying life and doing it simple and frugal. 3/4 of the crap on YouTube or IG is all staged or fake to get attention or likes. It’s probably why you hear about these influencers OD’ing or committing suicide. It’s not a sustainable life to keep up.

 

[nuckingfuts]

I'm currently on the hunt for a boat to do the loop, one of my bucket list items.

 

[Cooter01]

First, thank you for sharing!

Second, this is such a cool thing to do!

Third, can you rent a boat and do this?

 

[clark]

A friend of mine was telling about doing this. Sounds like an adventure for sure. Found it interesting that people buy & sell boats just for this purpose.

Reterees do the same thing with diesel pusher m/h, buy it, tour the country for a year or so and resell it to another newly retired couple, there's kind of a club for this because they know that if an older retired couple had the unit it was VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND ALWAYS SERVISED

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Reterees do the same thing with diesel pusher m/h, buy it, tour the country for a year or so and resell it to another newly retired couple, there's kind of a club for this because they know that if an older retired couple had the unit it was VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND ALWAYS SERVISED

The Sportin Wood's could not be reached for comment...

 

[Blue Oval]

I started following a guy from Ludington Mi a few years ago. He bought a old pontoon for $800.00 and built a little cabin on it. He left from Ludington with his dog and followed the shoreline south, then headed down the river. He had the journey on You-Tube. The engine gave out and he found another one on Craigslist. Someone cut him a deal and brought the engine to him. He made it all the way to the gulf in that POS. It was fun to watch the trip. For some reason he took down all of his posts.