The Great Loop: Choosing The Right Boat For Your Adventure

The Great Loop is a continuous waterway that allows boaters to explore Eastern North America. The route includes the Atlantic Coast, the Great Lakes, inland rivers through America's heartland, and the Gulf Coast, with a few route variations. The trip ranges from 5,000 to 7,000 miles and usually takes about a year to complete. While there is no best boat for the Great Loop, there are some key considerations and requirements that make a boat more suitable for the journey.

One crucial requirement is height clearance. The lowest bridge on the Great Loop is the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Bridge in Chicago, with a clearance of about 19 feet. This means that any boat exceeding this height must find an alternative route. Another important factor is the travel distance under one tank of fuel. While fuel canisters can be used to extend the range, there are sections of the route, such as between Hoppies, Missouri, and Paducah, Kentucky, where there are no refuelling options.

Additionally, the draft of the boat is important. While the recommendation is to have a boat with a draft of less than five feet, some boaters have successfully completed the loop with a draft of up to six feet. Width is typically not a significant challenge, except for de-masted catamarans, which need to consider the lock widths along the route.

When choosing a boat for the Great Loop, it is essential to consider your budget, the number of people living aboard, the timeline for completion, and your plans for the boat after the loop. Trawlers, cruisers, catamarans, and trailerable boats are among the most popular choices for the journey.

The ideal boat size for the Great Loop is 35-45 feet in length

The ideal boat size for the Great Loop is 35–45 feet in length. This is supported by the average boat length of members of the America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association, which is 39.5 feet, with more than half of the members having boats in the 35- to 45-foot range. The average size of boats completing the Loop is 40–41 feet.

While there is no "best" boat for the Great Loop, as it can be completed on a wide variety of vessels, there are some considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, the lowest bridge in Illinois is just over 19 feet, so the air draft of your boat is important. Powerboats with flybridges should be measured from the waterline to the top of their hard structures, as well as their radio and navigation antennas. Additionally, while depths can vary, vessels drawing more than five feet may encounter challenges in shallower waters.

When it comes to fuel, it is important to consider the range of your boat. There are long stretches on the Great Loop without fuel docks, so a boat with a range of at least 200 miles on one tank is ideal. For example, from Hoppies, Missouri, to Paducah, Kentucky, there is a distance of over 200 miles with no refuelling options.

The beam or width of your boat is also a factor to consider. If you plan to take your boat through the Trent-Severn Waterway in Canada, the narrowest lock is 23 feet wide. However, width is typically not a challenge for most boats, as height and draft restrictions come into play first.

Lastly, the draft of your boat is important. While the colloquial recommendation is to have a draft of no more than six feet, some Loopers suggest that a draft of four feet is preferable for the Trent-Severn Waterway, as even boats with a six-foot draft have reportedly touched bottom in some areas.

The boat should have a maximum air draft of 19 feet to clear the lowest bridge

The Great Loop is a continuous waterway that allows boaters to explore Eastern North America. It includes the Atlantic Coast, the Great Lakes, inland rivers through America's heartland, and the Gulf Coast, with a few route variations available for boaters to choose to tailor their adventure to their timeline and goals. The route also includes the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the New York State Canals, the Canadian Canals, and the Gulf of Mexico.

The lowest bridge on the Great Loop route is currently charted at 19.6 feet and is located at mile 300.6 on the Illinois River. This bridge is a fixed structure, which means that your boat must be able to clear this height or you will have to turn back. This restriction is important because there are other fixed bridges along the route that cannot be bypassed. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your boat's air draft, which is the measurement from the waterline to the top of its hard structures, is no more than 19 feet.

Powerboats with flybridges should be measured from the waterline to the highest point, including any antennas and navigation equipment. It is worth noting that VHF radio antennas can be folded down, and some boats have masts or arches that can also be lowered. Ensuring your boat meets this height restriction will allow you to pass under the lowest bridge and continue your journey on the Great Loop.

To determine the air draft of your boat, follow these steps:

• Measure the distance from the waterline to the top of the boat's highest fixed point, such as the cabin or radar arch.
• Add the height of any antennas, radar, or other equipment that cannot be lowered or removed.
• Compare the total height to the restriction of 19 feet for the Great Loop.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your boat meets the maximum air draft requirement and can safely pass under the lowest bridge on the Great Loop route.

The boat should have a maximum water draft of 5 feet to navigate skinny waters

The Great Loop is a continuous waterway that allows boaters to explore Eastern North America. It includes the Atlantic Coast, the Great Lakes, inland rivers through America's heartland, and the Gulf Coast, with a few route variations available for boaters to choose to tailor their adventure to their timeline and goals.

The boat you choose for this adventure should have a maximum water draft of 5 feet to navigate skinny waters. While it is possible to complete the Great Loop in a boat with a draft of more than 5 feet, a shallower draft will allow you to traverse a wider variety of waterways with less concern.

The Trent-Severn Waterway in Canada, for example, has a maximum draft of 5 feet. Vessels with a draft greater than 5 feet will need to sign a waiver before navigating this waterway. Additionally, some Loopers suggest that a draft of 4 feet is more appropriate for the Trent-Severn, as some boats with a 5-foot draft have touched bottom in certain areas.

Another consideration is the Crystal River in Florida's Big Bend. This area has a pretty shallow entry canal, and a draft of more than 4.5 feet will make it difficult to visit this section.

When it comes to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, a draft of more than 5 feet may cause issues during low tide. Therefore, a boat with a maximum water draft of 5 feet will provide more flexibility and ease of navigation throughout the entire Great Loop journey.

It is worth noting that the depth of waterways can vary, and vessels with a draft of more than 5 feet have successfully completed the Great Loop. However, keeping the draft to a maximum of 5 feet will make navigating skinny waters much easier and reduce the risk of running aground.

By choosing a boat with a maximum water draft of 5 feet, you will be able to explore a wider range of destinations and have a more enjoyable and stress-free experience during your Great Loop adventure.

The boat should have a range of at least 200 miles on one tank of fuel

The Great Loop is a continuous waterway that allows boaters to explore Eastern North America. The route includes the Atlantic Coast, the Great Lakes, inland rivers through America's heartland, and the Gulf Coast, with a few route variations available for boaters to choose to tailor their adventure to their timeline and goals. The trip ranges from 5,000 to 7,000 miles depending on the route and detours taken and usually takes about a year to complete.

The boat you choose for the Great Loop should have a range of at least 200 miles on one tank of fuel. This is because there are long stretches on the various Great Loop segments that are free of fuel docks, and a range of at least 200 miles will ensure you can reach the next fuel stop. For example, there is a stretch of over 200 miles between Hoppie's Marina in Missouri and Paducah, Kentucky, with no refuelling options.

The type of boat you choose will impact your fuel range. Trawlers, for instance, are spacious and fuel-efficient, typically cruising at around 6-8 knots with large fuel tanks. On the other hand, cruisers have the capability to travel fast but come with the trade-off of a very high fuel burn.

In addition to fuel range, there are other requirements to consider when choosing a boat for the Great Loop. The boat should have a draft of less than 5 feet to navigate inland waterways, and an air draft of no more than 19 feet to clear the lowest bridge on the route, located on the Illinois River. Width is not usually a challenge, except for catamarans, which need a beam of less than 23 feet to transit the Trent-Severn Waterway in Canada.

The boat should be able to accommodate your budget and personal preferences

The Great Loop is a 5,000-7,000-mile journey that can be completed in a variety of boats, from kayaks to yachts. However, certain factors, such as budget and personal preferences, will determine the most suitable boat for your adventure.

Firstly, consider your budget. Boats for the Great Loop can range from as little as $30,000 to millions of dollars. It is important to determine how much you are willing to spend on the boat itself, as well as the associated costs such as marina fees, fuel, and maintenance.

Next, think about the size of the boat. While there is no length restriction, larger boats can be more costly to dock at marinas, and they may have difficulty navigating shallower or narrower waters. A smaller boat may be more economical and easier to manoeuvre, but ensure it is still comfortable enough for extended periods of living aboard.

The type of boat is also an important consideration. Trawlers are a popular choice for the Great Loop due to their spaciousness, fuel efficiency, and affordability. Cruisers offer similar advantages but with the added capability of faster travel. Trailerable boats provide the flexibility to complete the Loop in sections, while catamarans offer increased space and stable cruising.

Personal preferences will also play a role in your decision. Consider how many people will be living aboard, the length of time you plan to spend on the Loop, and your desired level of comfort and amenities. Some people prefer a more luxurious boat with conveniences like an onboard washer/dryer, while others opt for a more basic boat and utilise motels and laundromats along the way.

Additionally, think about the speed of the boat. A faster boat can provide more safety and allow you to reach destinations quicker. However, slower boats can be more fuel-efficient and give you more time to enjoy the journey and explore points of interest.

Finally, consider the draft and height restrictions of the boat. The Great Loop has a fixed bridge in Chicago with a maximum height clearance of 19 feet, 6 inches, and waterways with varying depths. A shallower draft will allow for more flexibility in navigating these waters, but a deeper draft can provide a more seaworthy boat.

Frequently asked questions