Plan Ahead!

Planning your America’s Great Loop adventure is part of the fun! Your Loop route and itinerary will vary depending on where you start your Loop, your work and family responsibilities, and your boat’s configuration.

Route choices

The Great Loop has several route choices that will vary the total distance and time spent on the trip. The two major route choices are whether to travel into Canada and experience the Trent-Severn Canal, Georgian Bay and the North Channel, or to travel the entire length of the Erie Canal and stay in the U.S. for your trip. We highly recommend the Canadian route, as it offers the true Loop experience. The Western Erie Canal has a height restriction of 15 feet, and is approximately 200 miles longer than the Trent-Severn route.

The other “shortcut” is taking the Okechobee Waterway through central Florida, rather than going around the Florida Keys. This will save about 300 miles.

Finally, most Loopers choose not to navigate the Lower Mississippi River, opting instead to use the Ohio River and Tenn-Tom Waterway route, which is much more scenic and cruiser-friendly. The lower Mississippi River has no amenities for pleasure boaters, is very industrial, and has a great deal of barge traffic.

Don’t have a schedule!

One of the “rules” on the Loop is to have an itinerary but not a strict schedule. There are many dynamics at play on the Loop. The weather is probably the most significant variable to consider. A weather window to cross the Gulf of Mexico may take several weeks to occur. Those living in and around the Great Lakes will know that the weather can be unpredictable at certain times of the year. When you are on your Loop adventure, you will meet other Loopers who will recommend stops and side trips that you might not have considered. Life doesn’t stop when you are on your Loop. Family, work, health and other issues can come up unexpectedly. Also, remember to allow time for vessel maintenance and the possibility of mechanical problems. They happen!

How long does it take?

Most Loopers average about a year to complete the Loop. While some complete the Loop faster, allowing at least a year means that you can enjoy all that the Loop has to offer without feeling rushed. The majority of boaters complete the trip in a continuous trip. Some spread the journey over two Looping seasons, leaving their boat in storage over winter. The record for the fastest Loop is just under 20 days, and the record for the longest Loop is over a decade!

When to start

When you start the Loop will vary depending on how long you can commit to the trip and where you will begin. In general, the Loop consists of popular seasons across its various sections.

Loopers will usually winter in Florida and the southern states from December to February. Spring sees the majority of Loopers begin heading up the East Coast, with an early May target for Norfolk, Virginia, and the AGLCA Rendezvous.

The New York and Canadian Canals typically open in mid to late May, which means that the majority of Loopers head into Canada for June and July. August and September are the prime months for traversing the Great Lakes. In the fall, October and November find Loopers making their way down the river systems to reach the Gulf in late November.

For boaters living in the Great Lakes region, beginning your Loop in the fall lets you keep pace with most Loopers and take advantage of the most favorable weather in each section.

Important considerations

Before starting the Loop, it’s important to keep track of key dates and timelines. Many insurance policies have restrictions on being in the southern hurricane region from May to September. The canal systems in New York usually operate from the second week of May through the end of October. Canadian canals operate from the second week of May through the first week of September. The Army Corps of Engineers frequently conducts maintenance on the locks in the River System during the summer from June through September. Of course, weather and mechanical issues can change the operating dates, so be sure to sign up for emails from the various agencies and watch the AGLCA forum.

Planning your America’s Great Loop adventure is essential to ensure that you get the full enjoyment out of your trip. Use the many resources available, including the AGLCA forums and seminars, Waterway Guides and “Quimby’s Cruising Guide.”