Advice on boat to use for the Great Loop

[Scrimshaw4]

If you are planning on going thru the Erie Canal you want to check the dates it's open as it is open only seasonally. In addition there are height restrictions in the canal that you need to consider een when going by powerboat. I agree with the others that are recommending a diesel trawler for both room and fuel consumption. Speed shouldn't be a factor as you will want to "cruise" and see the sights vs racing thru the wateryways. JMHO

[reed1v]

Problem with inboard engines will be the endless need to clean the prop from weeds, trash bags, wires, ropes, and so forth. Its really a trashy trip. Some places you will have to go into the water yourself to free the prop because no one else will be around to do the dirty job.

Outboard engines solve this problem. Just raise the engine, clean the prop, and you are done.

[Volkeno]

My Albin 25 has a 400 mile range on a 20 gallon tank of diesel at 6 knots. It can go up to 8 knots. It is a small boat so it's best for one or two people. It has a 23hp Volvo engine.
I'm just waiting to retire to try that trip.
There are a lot of 32-34 Taiwanese made Trawlers from the 70's that would be good for that trip that don't cost very much either.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by reed1v

...............
.................................................. ....

Outboard engines solve this problem. Just raise the engine, clean the prop, and you are done.

Perhaps. On our Catalina 25 with an outboard 7.5 hp, I could raise the engine, but I couldn't reach it without docking the boat. A solution that is not guaranteed at whichever point you pick up the trash.

Follow the leaders; The skippers who have done that trip. Do your homework and research.

[garrobito]

Would suggest a medium catamaran sailboat without a mast (maybe a gemini), not bigger than 40' and draw less than 5'..

[auskiwi]

Hi, I am now from the dark side, bought a 38ft Marine Trader trawler with single 210 Cummins in May this year and have done 3/4s of the Loop 4500miles from St Petersburg Fl all the way around to Mobile where it is dry docked for Winter whilst I return home to Australia.
At 7.3 Knots It uses 2.5Gph. Fuel at the current price is not your biggest expense,Marinas will be. Go with the smallest boat you can live comfortably on, my choice would be 36ft to 42 ft.No more than 4ft Draft,big fuel and water tanks say 250 gall.Walk around decks are almost a must, especially in locks.
Forget about sailing on the loop,there are few places where it would make sense.Those loopers that I met with yachts on the loop said dont buy a yacht to just do the Loop,only do it if you allready own one or are going on to do ocean cruising after.You are welcome to check our blog at, auskiwiloop.blogspot.com

[leftbrainstuff]

Originally Posted by cliffdwellers2

We would like to start the Great Loop in the next year, what are the advantages of sail vs power boats? We currently just spent the last month on our 19' Potter on Lake Powell, Mohave and Havasu, so we know we would like a larger boat, 28 to 34 ft to live aboard. Also, what type sailboat would be good? Thanks!

Trawler would seem a good option. Not much opportunity to sail.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Jim Krause]

Lot's of good advice here already. Just to add my vote: As much as I love sailing, a diesel trawler or tug would be my choice for doing the loop. If there were more stretches of open water a sailboat would be tempting, but ultimately transiting the canals (mast down or shipped) is not the "highest and best use" of a sailing vessel.

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by reed1v

Problem with inboard engines will be the endless need to clean the prop from weeds, trash bags, wires, ropes, and so forth. Its really a trashy trip. Some places you will have to go into the water yourself to free the prop because no one else will be around to do the dirty job.

Outboard engines solve this problem. Just raise the engine, clean the prop, and you are done.

Surely you jest. About everything you have posted on this thread is negative concerning the loop. This flies in the face of about everything I have heard and read about the loop. The dozens of post I have seen have nothing but praise for the experience. ?????? While I have not done the compete loop I have been on sections of it Just beautiful.

[wunderluster]

I haven't done the loop myself but, I have a good friend who started in the summer of 2014. He has a Grand Banks 42 trawler. He put her on the hard someplace in the Chesapeake last winter. He spent the winter is Arizona then returned in the spring. He's loving it. I have heard nothing but good reports from him. He's a former sailor with years of experience yet he chose a trawler for the loop.

[Jason mack]

A lot of sailor's that have quit sailing (age medical) have moved to trawlers. 5 knots is 5 knots, raise the canvas stabilizer and truck on.

Sent from my SM-G928T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[rassabossa]

Originally Posted by captlloyd

...The dozens of post I have seen have nothing but praise for the experience...

The Active Captain guy posted the trip in 129 different videos. Pretty entertaining.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC98...HTwl0Xg/videos

[Scout 30]

Some seriously glass half empty posts about the loop. Might say more about the poster than the trip. I know we plan to do it when we can take the time. Our Scout 30 burns about a 1/2 gallon an hour at 7 knots. Pretty comfortable for 2 & great for the loop. Here's one for sale on Yachtworld:

1988 Scout Express Motor Yacht 30 Power Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[boatpoker]

I've done many parts of the loop and the east coast while delivering various power boats. I don't deliver sailboats cause sailors are cheap

Primer For First Timers Heading South covers from Toronto to Bahamas/dry Tortugas and will give you a bit of an idea of what to expect on that leg.
Best vessel is a diesel fueled displacement trawler like the one in the article ...
145hp /1.62gph at 7.5 nautical miles per gallon or the one in my avatar 55hp / 0.75gph at 7.5 nautical miles per gallon

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

I've done many parts of the loop and the east coast while delivering various power boats. I don't deliver sailboats cause sailors are cheap

Primer For First Timers Heading South covers from Toronto to Bahamas/dry Tortugas and will give you a bit of an idea of what to expect on that leg.
Best vessel is a diesel fueled displacement trawler like the one in the article ...
145hp /1.62gph at 7.5 nautical miles per gallon or the one in my avatar 55hp / 0.75gph at 7.5 nautical miles per gallon

I resemble that remark. Sailors that transition to powerboats are cheap too!>