Speakers
Looper Lifestyle Track
Ray & Shelly will share details about their Loop like why they decided to do the Loop, when they Looped, approximate budget, boat information and highlights of their trip, including the highs and lows. They'll also share what they gained from the trip and offer advice and encouragement to those who want to complete their own Great Loop adventure.
Shelly and Ray Sirois are originally from Maine, but they moved to Long Island, NY in 2015. At that time, they had joined AGLCA, and started on their 10-year plan to start the Loop in 2025 for the first year of Ray's retirement. Because of the COVID-19 epidemic, Ray learned he could successfully work 100% remotely. No more taking the train into Penn Station NYC! Then they figured out that they could actually start their Loop early, before retirement!
So, they started their year-long Great Loop circuit on a 2000 39-foot Mainship 390 (slow trawler-style powerboat) in May of 2021 from Long Island, which was also a date when they decided to become full-time liveaboards... with no "dirt home". For years, they had "virtually" lived on their boat during the summer months both up in Maine and on Long Island where the boating season was a bit longer than in Maine. They knew they wanted to become full-time liveaboards, and they knew after their Loop, they would simply "follow the seasons" north and south on the Atlantic ICW. They now boat all year round and don't plan on winterizing any systems ever again!
Besides Ray's job, another special challenge includes dealing with Shelly's Multiple Sclerosis. "We are doing this because: WE CAN."
Their advice: "Don't wait too long before living your dream!"