Captainjohn.org


PLANNING & PREPARATION





NAVIGATION Apps



Both SEA\\TOW & BOAT US have navigation apps for your Smartphone that come with your Membership. Priced about the same ($200) for an annual Gold membership, this is a great piece of mind to have on this voyage, and if needed, might save you thousands vs a couple of hundred.



GOOD TOOLS



We suggest the very best 'quality' tools. From the screwdriver, pliers, to whatever you can handle, 'quality' is the key. Otherwise, your cheap tools will turn into rust rockets before you get a chance to use them. Half of this voyage is in salt or brackish water, and even if your tools don't get wet, they will rust. ​



PAPERS & PAPERWORK



You will need proof of Boat ownership & registration. You will need proof of completion of a NASBLA approved Boat Safety course. You will need a minimum of $300K 'liability' insurance as some Marinas require it. FYI - I pay less than $300 a year (that covers me for a whole year), for $300,000 liability coverage.



Identity



Everyone aboard will need personal Government issued ID. If cruising Canada, everyone will need a Passport or Nexis Card. We suggest getting a Nexis Card ASAP in advance.

​



MEDICAL



If taking Meds, we suggest telling your Doctor your plans and arranging to pick-up a 90-day supply just before entering Canada. Walgreens & CVS can have them waiting for you in Waterford or Oswego. We've never had a problem. For Customs, your Meds need to be in the original prescription bottle.



BANKING & CASH



We don't carry any cash except for a ton of quarters for laundry, and about $50 for the small stuff like sodas, ice cream, snacks, etc. Everything else goes on our Credit or Debit cards. We love using one card for all our Looping Expenses, this way we have an automatic itemized list for everything we spent.



LOOPER FAVORITES



We all have our own favorite cruising grounds and favorite destinations. Ask 10 Loopers that have completed this voyage to list 20 of their favorite destinations, and chances are no lists will be exactly alike.
For example, we love the Ft. Pierce Marina & on-site restaurants, the River's Edge Marina and on-site Hurricane Patties in St. Augustine. We also like Big Joe's in New Smyrna (it's the most popular 'dive' I've ever seen), but the food is great. Then there is Sudbury Crab Co in Sudbury, the Fillin' Station near Lady's Island Marina, Beaufort, and everything at Barefoot Landing, the Southern Salt Seafood restaurant in Morehead City, the City Kitchen and Backstreet Pub in Beaufort, NC. We also love about 150 more, but in case you didn't notice, most all our favorites revolve around great regional restaurants offering local foods.
Others have favorites based on tourist attractions. They love the big cities! Ohers love the small towns & villages. Some prefer destinations with Museums, while some have favorites that are in the middle of nowhere.
One thing for sure, you will find your own favorite destinations cruising the Loop. Many of them will be fondly remembered the rest of your days.



THE SHOW STOPPER



THE GREAT "U-TURN"



All routes lead here! This 19' 6" bridge is the lowest fixed bridge we all must go under. Unlike the 17' bridge in downtown Chicago, and unlike the 15' 6" bridge on the west end of the Erie Canal, there is no waterway route around this bridge. If you cannot clear it, your Great Loop becomes a Great U-turn.



ICW CHANNEL MARKERS



RED RIGHT = RETURN TO TEXAS



These Red triangle and Green square signs mark the channels in the waterways. ONLY the ones with the little yellow stickers mark the ICW. For Loopers, the green square markers with the yellow stickers will be kept on you Starboard (or right) side as you cruise the ICW towards NYC, the Hudson River or Boston. For us, Red on the Right means "Return to Texas". For seagoing vessels, the Red triangles without the yellow stickers, on their Starboard indicate "Return to Sea". So don't get them confused, and make sure the markers you are following have those little yellow stickers indicating you are on the ICW.



GREAT BINOCULARS



YOU WILL NEED GREAT BINOCULARS



Entering Lake Okeechobee, this is a good example of why you need a great (not just good) pair of binoculars. While we can sea the channel markers we are unable to see if they have the little yellow ICW stickers that indicate we are on the ICW.

In a few places on this voyage, even the signs themselves are difficult to find from a distance, not to mention the little yellow stickers. Lucky us however, your GPS will indicate where these markers are located, as well as the channel.



LOOPING BY THE NUMBERS



Want to cruise America's Great Loop? We certainly hope so. If so, we encourage you to purchase Capt. John's 2022 Edition of "The Looper's Companion Guide". It now includes "Looping By The Numbers".

"Looping By The Numbers" is your complete 140 "cruising day" - destination to destination - itinerary for cruising America's Great Loop safely, comfortably, confidently, and affordably.

We not kidding or exaggerating, when we say no other publication, guide, book, website or blog guides you around the entire Great Loop, destination to destination, as easy, safely and completely as this. If you can paint by the numbers, you can cruise the Loop by the numbers. All you need is Capt. John's "The Looper's Companion Guide".

In addition to all the safety information unique to cruising the Loop. You get a 140 'travel' day itinerary providing the details of each and every "cruising day". You get each day's recommended distance, fuel range, bridge heights, free docks, free walls, safe anchorages and all the cleanest, people & pet friendly marina locations.

Best and safest of all, Capt. John takes you from one safe, fabulous Looper favorite destination to the next, while leaving you at a safe anchorage or marina every single evening before dark.

You also get the details on all the most popular side-trips and detours, best restaurants, marinas, and information on all the most recommended places where you might want to stop, shop, stay and linger.

The Loopers Companiona Guide is the BEST-SELLING Great Loop book on the market. It was the 2020, 2021 and 2022 BOOK OF THE YEAR, and OUR #1 BEST-SELLER 3-years in a row.




Special promotion!





GET 25% OFF Your first purchase!

Send us your name and email address and we'll send you a coupon!






submit



www.captainJohn.org



Copyright - 1991-2022