|
|
Post by ppat324 on Jan 26, 2011 21:52:16 GMT -5
I hope Robby doesn't mind. I borrowed this idea from him.
As Willy and I are hoping to take the sub back to her old stomping grounds, I'd like to start getting ideas now for what to expect. Now Willy has already done the opposite by bringing the Hatt Trick to Chicago, but I've never even been through a lock with the Hatt.
So, guys, throw everything you got at me. Tell me everything you know about the loop trip.
Who's done it? Who's planning to do it? ppat
|
|
|
|
Post by ppat324 on Jan 28, 2011 7:51:04 GMT -5
Come on guys, Top Hatt, I know that you are planning to do the loop.
What are your expectations? How much do you think it will cost? Are you stopping for any amount of time anywhere? If so, where and why? Are you planning to do the whole loop all at once or in stages?
Dave, I know you have done the loop, sort of, on customers boats. What was it like? Did you see any interesting things we should all look for? ppat
|
|
|
|
Post by skycheney on Jan 28, 2011 8:19:47 GMT -5
Pat,
Ive done it. Its a fun trip. We came up the east coast in two stages, Tampa to Annapolis and then Annapolis to Lake MI, leaving the boat for a couple of months in between. Several years later we went down the rivers.
The Illinois River and upper Mississippi are nice. Below the Alton L&D the Mississippi is not pretty and not kind. Its a mud hole with little, if any, services. The Tennessee is beautiful with good anchorages and nice marinas. Weather will not be an issue on the rivers, but current, flotsam, and water levels can be.
The locks are not difficult. You won't have a problem. Bill knows the ropes (pun intended). Any other questions? If you can run on the big lakes, you do this.
|
|
|
|
Post by ppat324 on Jan 28, 2011 8:30:08 GMT -5
Thanks, Sky. I have never run on the lakes either. this will be my first summer on the lake. I dont count trips to the beach as being out on the lake..LOL.
Not sure if we will be able to take the Hatt trick south next winter or not. Depends on if we can get jobs. I have an interview next week!!!
Our plan is to do the trip in stages. We are in no hurry. Just want to get away from the cold. The house and Roamer in the summer and the Hatt trick and warmer in the winter, with jobs in between.
Dont be to surprised if we show up on your swim platform one day this summer...LOL ppat
|
|
|
|
Post by captddis on Jan 28, 2011 8:47:44 GMT -5
I have done it also albeit in stages. IMO the worst part of the trip was the Mississippi. Tons of traffic, loads of debris and fighting a 5k current. The worst lockmasters were on the Illinois WW, although the IWW was an easy ride. The Lakes and East Coast are the best part of the trip. I really enjoy the NY canals between Troy and Oswego in the fall. Beautiful colors, quaint towns and being on the bridge of a boat and looking down at mountains is just amazing. At times you feel like you are going to go over the edge.
The AGLCA has a great site . They have discovered our Club and there are 3 to 4 of them there all the time.
|
|
|
|
Post by saltshaker on Jan 28, 2011 15:57:05 GMT -5
I have done it also albeit in stages. IMO the worst part of the trip was the Mississippi. Tons of traffic, loads of debris and fighting a 5k current. The worst lockmasters were on the Illinois WW, although the IWW was an easy ride. The Lakes and East Coast are the best part of the trip. I really enjoy the NY canals between Troy and Oswego in the fall. Beautiful colors, quaint towns and being on the bridge of a boat and looking down at mountains is just amazing. At times you feel like you are going to go over the edge. The AGLCA has a great site . They have discovered our Club and there are 3 to 4 of them there all the time. Years ago I was bringing the boat back to NJ from the 1000 Islands in late October. I was trying to out run a snow storm between Little Falls and Troy. We made it to Catskill and woke up with 2-3 inches of snow on the boat. Beautiful sunny day so the ride from Catskill to Sandy Hook NJ was great. Kind of neat to be out on the boat with it snowing. |
|
|
|
Post by Top Hatt and Tails on Feb 3, 2011 7:57:34 GMT -5
Pat- just ran across this thread. Great idea. The admiral and I plan on doing it all at once for about a year (with trips back north as needed / wanted). Having been going to the North Channel, Georgian Bay, and Northern MI island for 18 years that part of the trip doesn't really excite me. Don't get me wrong that is god's country. Just got the t-shirt already... the rivers to me sound like a necessary evil. Not overly excited, not un happy about it either. Just looking forward to getting across the Gulf and starting what will be what I think my hilghts of the trip - from Naples to the Bahamas and up the East coast until Albany. I've actually had a few thoughts to take the boat east and south skipping the rivers and lakes. Starting in Cleveland would make that trip a lot easier and quicker. I could even use the boat as a winter escape and not totally drop out of the work force for a year (but isn't that part of the fun).
|
|
|
|
Post by Top Hatt and Tails on Feb 3, 2011 8:05:18 GMT -5
As far as planning, we have a tentative date of a July 4 2013 (a dual purpose Independence Day) shove off. We're starting a few of the "financial" planning aspects to get our "financial" house in order. That means reduce debt, stash cash, and plan for passive cash flows. We are in the intermediate steps on this. As far as planning the "Great Debaucle" i have target cities in 50 mile increments all the way around and on a spreadsheet. 50 miles sounds doable and pleasant on travel days. My loop takes us through the northern Bahamas from Lauderdale and back. The additional purpose of the loop is to also check out a lot of areas we have not seen and look at areas where we might want to set roots down next, when we re-enter the work force.
|
|
|
|
Post by ppat324 on Feb 3, 2011 8:10:26 GMT -5
Thanks TH& T. We plan on taking the loop in baby steps as we JUST bought a home in Wisconsin. The Roamer will stay here with us and we will take the Hatt back towards her old stomping grounds.
Right now we are playing catch up on bills and things needed to make home home to us.
Other than going to Daytona, Fl and flying into Ft. Lauderdale once, I have never been to that part of the country before. One trip to Fl. was on a Harley and we lost the back breaks in Atlanta in rush hour traffic and on the way back got soaked going through the mountains.
It is beautiful country and am looking forward to getting back that way again, this time with the Hatt Trick. (at least I wont have to worry about getting soaked again!!)
We really would like to move the Hatt part of the way this winter but are realistic...if the finances dont pick up we are better off on the hard in Chicago. At least for another winter....ppat
|
|
|
|
Post by capnkenny on Feb 7, 2011 9:59:24 GMT -5
Hi Pat. We've been planing the great loop for a few years now. The last 3 years I've been fixing up the old rust bucket of ours to make it a comfortable boat to take on such a voyage. Our plan was to cast off in 2012. Wow that's next year. And once we get started, since we don't have a job or home to come back to, we could make our home anywhere alone the route. I like the idea of the Tennessee River. When it's time to stop for awhile, we've got our land yacht to climb into so we can go to places where the rivers don't. I've been a member of the AGLCA for the past 3 years reading member's blogs, logs and daily posts of those who have completed it, doing it right now or in the planing stages. A lot of great information. I figure it would take us at least 5 years or longer to do but if you're someone with a schedule like ours, why rush it.
|
|
