The Great Loop
America’s
Great Loop
Imagine a history-laden journey like Route 66 or a journey that requires preparation, like the Appalachian Trail. Instead of roads, highways, or hiking paths, the way forward is along the water.
The Great Loop is a 6,000-mile circumnavigation of the eastern United States. This journey often includes some parts of Canada, with routes that include the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the New York State Canals, the Canadian Canals, the Great Lakes, the inland rivers, and the Gulf of Mexico. This path will take boaters through about 15 states and two Canadian provinces.
Where will you go?
Traveling along this scenic route is often done in about a year, allowing the seasons to guide the way and timing.
Many Loopers (the name given to cruisers setting out to make a complete loop around the eastern United States) travel The Great Loop counter-clockwise. Traveling in this direction, Loopers navigate the inland rivers in the fall, spend the cool winter months in Florida, follow the spring weather up the east coast, and enjoy the summers in The Great Lakes.
The AGLCA Burgee
Boats that are on their first loop will fly the white AGLCA burgee. Once completed, they become "Gold Loopers" and may fly a gold burgee. If completed more than twice, boaters are dubbed "Platinum Loopers" and receive a platinum burgee.
The Great Loop is a unique journey. Fewer than 200 boats complete The Great Loop each year. Looking at some data points from 2018, 150 boats completed The Loop. Compare that to over 1,000 people competing in the Boston Marathon or 600 climbing Mount Everest that same year!
Exploring Annapolis opened the door to unexpected bookish treasures that enriched our days in this maritime city. Our primary book destination, the library, nestled conveniently adjacent to West Marine, became a haven of knowledge during our extended stay while tending to boat matters.