Page Title

:: Frequently Asked Questions ::

:: Capt John's America's Great Loop ::

Great Loop
(pictures taken along the way)

Experience is a wonder thing, and hindsight is an incredible
teacher. It's not that we know it all, or that we have all the answers. We do however
(as far as we know of) certainly have more experience cruising America's Great Loop
than anyone else we know, or have heard of.

So, here are answers to a few of the question we've received. Hopefully, one or more
of them will answer some of your questions.

Q: What is the lowest bridge on the Great Loop?
A: The lowest bridge you cannot avoid going under on the Great Loop is 19' at mile 300 on
the Chicago Ship Canal after the Chicago River and the Calumet Sag Channel join south-west
of Chicago. There is no other route around this fixed bridge. If you can clear 17 feet, you can
go from Lake Michigan to the Chicago River and right through downtown Chicago (Neat huh?)
The only other route is the Cal Sag Channel which has a bridge height restriction of 20 feet;
but either way you must be able to clear the 19' fixed bridge after the Cal Sag and Chicago
River meet.

Q: What other low bridges might restrict or affect my route?
A: 15' 6" - If you can clear 15' 6" you can take any route you choose, including the full length
of the Erie Canal. If you can't clear 15' 6" but can clear 17 feet, you can take the Champlain
Canal north to Lake Champlain, the Chambly Canal, Richelieu River, Saint-Ours Canal and
the St. Lawrence River. If you can't clear 17 feet but can clear 19' 1" - you must take the Erie
Canal to Oswego and into Lake Ontario.

Q: What about the channel depths in all the various waterways?
A: The Chicago area (the Chicago River/Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Calumet Sag
Channel) has minimum channel depths of 9 feet. New York State Canals (Erie, Oswego,
Champlain Canals): Channel depths are posted at 12 and 14 feet, but actually average closer
to 9 feet. Trent-Severn Waterway posts minimum depths of 6 feet under normal conditions. In
a few places the water depth may be less than 6 feet. Murray Canal (near Trenton, Ontario):
Water depth under normal conditions, is 8 feet. Rideau Canal: Under normal conditions, there
is approximately 5 feet of water in the center of the navigation channel during the season.
This depth is only available in the center portion which is a strip about 33 feet wide.
Quebec Waterways: Chambly Canal - 6.5 feet; Saint-Ours Canal - 8 feet; Ottawa River - 9
feet. Welland Canal, St. Lawrence Seaway, and Sault St. Marie: No problem. Your boat could
probably sink to the bottom and no one would notice. LOL

The Dismal Swamp (North Carolina/Virginia border): The target depth is 6 feet. It was dredged
in 1999 after the hurricane. Water depth varies depending on recent rainfall. There was
plenty of water for most boats in this year. Tennessee River/Tenn-Tom Waterway is
maintained at a depth of at least 9 feet.

Note: Water depths in all areas vary according to rain or drought conditions. You should
know exactly what your vessel’s actual draft is before planning your (any) trip. Keep in mind
that the draft of your boat will also vary, by weight (fully loaded, fueled, passengers, etc. as
well as weather conditions, and fresh or salt water.

Q: How much does it cost to go through the locks?
A: The NYS Canal System charges a toll based on the length of your boat. In 2010, a 10-day
pass for boats over 39 feet was $50.00. In Canada tolls are also based on the length of your
vessel and days of use. All Quebec and Ontario Waterways (Includes Rideau, Trent-Severn,
Chambly and Sault St. Marie, Excludes St. Lawrence Seaway Locks): have 6-day passes for
$4.00 a foot. On the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Welland Canal, fees are $20.00 to lock
through.

Q: Should I, and can I, take a gun for protection?
A: Not a good idea, and certainly not needed. As of this date, I have never heard of a Pirate
trying to make a living on America’s Great Loop. Furthermore, ALL firearms must be declared
BEFORE entry into Canada. Only weapons with a legitimate sporting or recreational use are
allowed into Canada. Also, only the appropriate hunting rifle or shotgun will be permitted for
the current hunting season's game. All handguns are prohibited and cannot enter Canada. In
addition to loosing your handgun, penalties for entry with illegal weapons are extremely
severe. I suggest you leave them at home.

Q: How long is the trip?
A: In terms of miles: If you are talking in terms of actual miles, the different route options,
together with the various side trip options could make your trip as short as 5,400 miles to as
long as 7,000 miles or more. Most boaters will average close to 6,000.
A: In terms of time: If you are staying on the US side, and no lengthly side-trips, you need
to plan on about 110 actual cruising days. To that, you will need to add the days you spend
resting up, doing laundry, site seeing, etc.

Q: How long does it take to complete the Great Loop?
A: Regardless of how fast your boat is, there are a multitude of speed limits, no wake zones,
scheduled bridge openings, Locks, water safety, navigational, and weather concerns. A
typical Looper will average about 50 miles per day. So, to determine how long it will take, you
need to determine how many days per week you will be actually cruising. Most Loopers will
spend about 110 days actually cruising.

Q: Is there a certain time to cruise the Great Loop?
A: Yes and No. It all depends on from where you start. You have two critical time constraints.
You don’t want to arrive to arrive at the Erie Canal before it opens. Based on the severity of
their winter (ice flows) the Erie Canal generally opens around May 1st. However, they may not
open until Mid May, and regardless, you don’t want to be an early bird for this one, as the
worm is most likely to be in the form of a log, or trash in your props. So, give the winter debris
plenty of time to clean out of the canals. I suggest you not arrive before June 1st.

On the other side of the Loop, you want to be off the Chicago River no later than Oct. 1st.,
and you also don't want to be cruising south on the very lower half of the Tenn-Tom or in the
Gulf before the end of hurricane season.

Q: Can alcohol be consumed aboard in Canadian waters?
A: Alcohol can only be consumed aboard a vessel that has: permanent sleeping
accommodations and permanent cooking and sanitary facilities, and then, only while the boat
is at anchor or is secured to the dock or land.

Q: What is your schedule? Is it possible for me to hitch a ride
around part of the Great Loop and learn from you?
A: What's a schedule? I live full-time on my boat, and I'm a cruiser. My schedule is about as
firm as butter in the Tropics. . . But, your question brings up a good point.

One thing I learned long ago, is that the most difficult part of any voyage or journey into
the unknown, is the very first step. No one else can take that first step for you. Simply, go
slow, practice safe boating, and you will learn along the way. By week three, you will have
completely forgotten what you were ever worried about before you tossed those lines.

I don't know of one single Great Looper that "learned" how to do it on someone else's boat. If
you are worried about the Locks, then find the one nearest you, and drive out in your car (if
need be) and watch the boats and boaters traverse the Locks. It's no big deal. By law now,
most states require you to have completed a boat safety course, and after that, it is all using
good common sense. There really is nothing more difficult to cruising the Great Loop than
being in control of your vessel, following the rules, and staying between the channel markers.

Q: Capt. John, I have always wanted to get a boat and cruise
around the Great Loop. I have been married for 20 years, and lately things have
been a bit shaky. My wife has even threatened divorce. I proposed to her we get a boat and
cruise the Loop hoping this will refurbish our marriage. What do you think?

A: Seriously, I believe that anyone who goes cruising with the idea of fixing a shaky marriage
is quantified delusional (Sorry about that!). For those couples that have an already good
relationship, cruising can be the epoxy that binds it together forever. But, if you are on shaky
ground already... Alone for weeks on a boat is the last place you want to be, as it will only
make matters worse. I suggest (if at all possible) you do everything in your power to repair
the marriage first (especially if you have kids). If that doesn't work, then
get a boat and take your kids.

Q: I hear boaters always referring to "cruising" here or "voyaging" there. Is
there a difference between cruising and voyaging? And if so. . . What is it?
A: Technically yes, there is a difference. 'Cruising' is what you do on inland lakes, rivers and
coastal waters and it Is traveling by boat for a few hours to possibly a few days. Voyaging
however, is when your cruise is extended to months and years, and in many cases involves a
round the world circumnavigation or a trip around America's Great Loop.

Q: I am in my late 50's - and I have always dreamed of living such a life, but I
have always been under the impression that living such a life was only for the
rich and famous. Is this true?
A: I am neither rich or famous! Sadly, and erroneously most everyone who hasn't done it, or
is not close to someone who has - is under this same belief as you. I too held this belief for
too many years, and in fact, was scared to death while making my first voyage over the fear
that I totally forgot or had miscalculated something and would run out of money. In fact, I was
not comfortable with my finances until I was so near the end of my voyage it was obvious I
would make it with money to spare. Indeed, cruising and living a-board your vessel is
probably the most inexpensive "respectful and dignified" even "envious" way to live and travel
on the face of this earth. If you are not doing it, because you thought it was only for the "rich
& famous" you are (as I was) very sadly mistaken.

Remember: Knowledge is a very good thing. Fear of the unknown
however, makes the wolf much bigger then he really is.