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April 2025 Great Loop Link
FROM THE EDITOR'S DECK
As Loopers begin the annual migration north towards the Great Lakes and Canada, your Home Port Crew has received many questions concerning any changes to the border crossing rules or whether it might be best to alter your cruising plans this summer. Both U.S. and Canadian members have wondered how the political climate might affect their Loop. We reached out to our contacts at U.S. Customs and Border Protection and a few of our Canadian Harbor Hosts to help answer your questions.
But as you leave Florida behind, don't forget to enjoy everything else there is to see and do on the Atlantic Coast! Many of you spend time in the Outer Banks during your Loop, but don't forget about the Inner Banks! Julie Shepherd with AGLCA Sponsor Cypress Landing shares with us the beauty of the Inner Banks. Popular with pirates centuries ago, these towns embrace their swashbuckling heritage and you can immerse yourself in the golden age of piracy, including one of the most famous faces ~ Blackbeard. But the Inner Banks is about so much more than just pirates. We encourage you to stop and check it out!
Your Home Port Crew has always encouraged each of you to make the Loop your own. Choose the boat that works best for you. Plan stops to enjoy what you love ~ whether that's golf, history, or something else, you can make it happen. Don't have a full year when you can leave your dirt life behind and head out on the water? You don't have to! Many members are making their Loop dreams come true while they are still working, raising children or enjoying other pasttimes while Looping in segments. Take the time you have and make the most of it. Tad & Libbie Sheldon (Selkie) are doing just that. Find out why it works for them and how it could work for you too.
And as always, we have your fellow Loopers' Wake Crossing announcements.
In this issue:
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Members only
Members only
Admiral Sponsors
Wake Crossings Reported in March:
Act III
Congratulations to Rick & Jodi, who completed their Loop on February 22, 2025 aboard their Offshore 48, Act III.
Bapardi
Congratulations to John & Missy, who completed their Loop on March 7, 2025 aboard their Sea Ray 400 Sundancer, Bapardi.
Bayleaf
Congratulations to Bob, who completed his Loop on March 1, 2025 aboard his Mainship 34, Bayleaf.
Bella Roo
Congratulations to Greg & Dana, who completed their Loop on February 27, 2025 aboard their Carver 500, Bella Roo.
"It was an amazing adventure that ended way too soon ~ we still have two or three dollars left in our retirement savings!"
Belle
Congratulations to Doug & Nancy, who completed their Loop on March 16, 2025 aboard their 36' 1976 Grand Banks Classic, Belle.
"After 11 months and 2 days of cruising, BELLE has crossed her wake at Burgaw, NC. What an amazing journey, and as always, the best part has been the people we met along the way. Thanks to all the Loopers, other boaters, marina workers, mechanics, family, and friends for helping make this journey the trip of a lifetime!"
Blue Tortuga
Congratulations to Kevin & Edie Joy, who completed their Loop on March 3, 2025 aboard their Mainship 400, Blue Tortuga.
"This has been the greatest adventure in our 40 years of marriage. The sense of accomplishment of this incredible journey is very fulfilling. The friendships we’ve made along the way will last a lifetime."
Drift Away
Congratulations to Sara & Jeff, who completed their Loop on February 18, 2025 aboard their Mainship 390, Drift Away.
"WOW! While our trip was not all rainbows and butterflies, it was 'an adventure of a lifetime' (not to be cliche). Everyone says the best part is the people you meet. That is so true! Then there’s the spectacular scenery, the occasional adrenaline rush, docktails and, of course, Ice Cream! Our current plans are to go for the platinum in the near future."
Finito
Congratulations to Ed & Jacqui, who completed their Loop on March 7, 2025 aboard their Fleming 55, Finito.
"It’s hard to put into words what America's Great Loop brings to your life. It’s like a reset button for everything that’s important and a great way to get closer to your spouse."
Grace
Congratulations to Grant & Dana, who completed their Loop on March 26, 2025 aboard their Nordhavn 59 Coastal Pilot, Grace.
"We finished the Loop! We were very happy with how we did the Loop. We started end of April in Florida, New York end of July, Georgian Bay beginning of September, down the rivers in winter, and in the Keys in February. This is later than most, but allowed us less crowds and still got to meet a lot of awesome Loopers along the way. We have made some lifelong friends! Thank you everyone for all your 'Grace' on this trip!"
HOMES
Congratulations to Tim & Beth, who completed their SECOND Loop on March 27, 2025 aboard their DeFever Euro 52, HOMES.
"What a 3-year adventure! We traveled 11,084 miles at 7.6 MPH, visiting 19 states, Canada, and all 5 Great Lakes (HOMES), completing 168 locks and doing 3 overnight crossings.
"Our favorite spots: Western Erie Canal, Cumberland Island, Daufuskie Island, Beaver Island, and Cabbage Key.
"Our favorite/one-of-a-kind marina: KilKenny Marina on the Kilkenny River in Georgia.
"Our favorite activity: Meeting local people. So, we visited coffee shops and/or breweries/bars in every town. We named our boat for the 5 Great Lakes, but more than one person said we should have called her Coffee and Beer."
NABI
Congratulations to Peter & Chen, who completed their Loop on March 28, 2025 aboard their Nordhavn 41, NABI.
Sacagawea
Congratulations to Elaine & Mike, who completed their Loop on March 16, 2025 aboard their Ocean Alexander 48 Classico, Sacagawea.
"The Loop was a great soft landing into retirement. The first half started with leisurely history lessons along the Atlantic Coast, and then the beautiful Canadian waters of Ontario. The second half brought us down into the river system to the twangs of country music and ruddy fall leaf colors. On we continued into the Gulf ICW with great biking and memories of vibrant St. Pete, Florida. Down and around Florida, we capped off our Loop with 6 weeks in the crystal blue waters of the Exumas-Bahamas. We’re grateful for the friendships we made ~ and the new games they taught us! You can find us at our waterfront cabin in British Columbia in the summer. Come see what the boating is like in our inside passage!"
TIKA
Congratulations to Casey, who completed his Loop on February 18, 2025 aboard his Camano Troll 31, TIKA.
Admiral Sponsors
Commander and Lieutenant Plus
Lieutenant
