Big Loop Forum?

[Aaarrgh]

I, and a few dockmates, enjoy day sailing up and down Kentucky Lake, from Near Kentucky Dam. There are a few groups that make the trip from here to the Gulf, via the Tom Bigby Waterway. (They are actually gone now, enjoying the Gulf weather, while I freeze.)

I just wanted to know if there was a forum that dealt with info on this trip, or even the complete Big Loop Trip, that actually includes my marina location.

I would even consider being crew on a passing excursion.

Aarrrgh!

[captain465]

Check out AGLCA. American Great Loop Cruising Association. Much info regarding the "Loop". Beginning our own Loop trip mid May starting from Fort Lauderdale. Plan to be in MIlwaukee, WI around the end of July. Then continuing on through Chicago and down through the river system to come out in Mobile Bay. Then the GICW back around to the bottom of Florida and back to Fort Lauderdale.

[Aaarrgh]

At Cairo, IL, will you continue down the Mississippi?

[Aaarrgh]

Thanks for the AGLCA info

[Badsanta]

The AGLCA have weekend gatherings at 3-4 different places along the loop. I found them very informative and a great group.
Check it out. It really got my wife onboard and excited too do the trip.

[captain465]

No, after Cairo I intend to go into the Ohio River into Kentucky Lake and then the Tombigbee to Mobile, and then back along the GICW around the bottom of Florida and then to Fort Lauderdale.

[valhalla360]

We did it a few years back and will probably do it again at some point.

Awesome trip.

You can in theory go down the Mississippi but facilities get pretty sparse south of St. Louis and shipping traffic really heavy. As a result, most turn up the Ohio and do the Tenn-Tom route which has lots of facilities, much less current and a lot less commercial traffic to dodge.

It's a trade off, the only moderately long passage is across he arm-pit of Florida to Tarpon Springs. Most do it in an overnight but a faster boat could leave early morning and get in the same day. So no long open ocean passages to worry about. On the other hand, you will sharpen your navigational skills as you run rivers, bays and inlets many with shifting shallows.