Practical Sailorvideo
The Great Loop - The Basics
15 April 2024 · 14 min · 342K views
What this video covers
The Great Loop is a 5,250- to 10,000-mile continuous waterway circumnavigation of the eastern United States and parts of Canada, typically completed in one year.3:58 The route utilizes the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the Chesapeake Bay, the New York canal system, the Great Lakes, and the inland river systems.1:38 While often associated with trawlers, sailboats can complete the journey by unstepping masts to clear fixed bridges, the lowest of which is charted at 19.6 feet on the Illinois River.9:12 Recommended vessel specifications include a draft of 5 feet or less to navigate shallow sections of the Intracoastal Waterway and Canadian canals, though deeper drafts are possible with careful planning.10:48 Cruisers often travel counterclockwise to utilize favorable river currents.6:29 Participants may complete the loop in segments over multiple years or as a single continuous voyage.6:41 Insurance policies may dictate seasonal travel windows to avoid hurricane season in the south.6:01
More from Practical Sailor
From Practical Sailor — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.