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Post by ppat324 on Feb 7, 2011 10:04:59 GMT -5
Thats how Bill and I are thinking of doing it. We dont have alot of money and just bought a home in Two Rivers. We are bringing the Roamer here in the spring and if we can we plan on starting our cruise next fall.
Hope to see you when you get back to Wisconsin! ppat
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Post by yachtsmanwilly on Feb 7, 2011 10:15:35 GMT -5
Hey Kenny, hope things are well with you! Being semi retired is good but does tend to limit us on extravagances. We plan on that trip A la Huck Finn... just meandering down the river and getting to where ever we got. We've both spent a few years disolving responsibilities so we can travel with a somewhat clean conscience. LG! (lifes good). Cant wait to get the Roamer up here! Its been a few years since we've cruised and feel its long over due. ws
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Post by ppat324 on Feb 8, 2011 7:01:41 GMT -5
From what everyone is saying, we should join that club for loopers. Lots of interesting stuff, hints, suggestions and all the good stuff we shall need.
I think I will be looking into it very closely and will probably join in the next week or two. Thank guys and keep the suggestions coming!!! ppat
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Post by Top Hatt and Tails on Feb 8, 2011 7:14:48 GMT -5
I've pretty much concluded to join the AGLCA as well. The one area I don't see much on is the planning aspect. Looking at what needs to be done before lines are cast off... Wait for dog to pass, pay off debt, create passive income streams, rent, sell, winterize house, get boat ready? Too me, the preflight check list is much more in depth than the actual cruise planning. Hell - the river flows South. Pick a spot to tie up for the night. Leave when you get board or thrown out! Rinse, wash, repeat.
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Post by ppat324 on Feb 8, 2011 7:31:37 GMT -5
You are sooo funny! We were just talking about joining,and also delaying our trip by a year. I dont know how 2 dogs will handle the trip. Havent had the Hatt Trick out since I met Willy except for 2 river cruises. Not the same.
Willy would kind of like to bring both boats here with us so we can continue to work on the Hatt next winter and then take off the fall of '12. We have to find some one here to watch the house, clean the snow off the sidewalk and porch, figure out how to pay the taxes every year and on and on.
This summer will really tell us alot. Think about it, Ive never really been on the water. Cruising to the beach isnt the same as being on a boat for 12 hours in rough weather. Ive never crossed Lake Michigan on a boat.
I am really looking forward to testing myself this summer!! ppat
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Post by capnkenny on Feb 8, 2011 9:37:37 GMT -5
Willy would kind of like to.... take off the fall of '12. We have to find some one here to watch the house, clean the snow off the sidewalk and porch, figure out how to pay the taxes every year and on and on. That's the time frame that I was shooting for. That gives me 2 more summers to get the boat the way I want it and other obstacles out of the way. Come the fall of 2012 I will have another retirement pension that will kick in and my truck will be paid off so that will help a lot. One enroute obstacle that concerns me, that I have to work out yet, is a leg of the route that is 250 miles between fuel stops for gas when I only have 160 gal on board. If I had diesel engines I wouldn't have that problem. I'm working on a solution though. That's where it pays to plan well ahead. Living in the confines of a 35' boat will be no problem since we have be living in a 36' motorhome going on 8 years now. Luckily I don't have any property to deal with.
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Post by ppat324 on Feb 8, 2011 9:50:36 GMT -5
Kenny, not sure what stretch you are talking about but Willy was telling me about some place where you need to call a water tanker out to bring you fuel or something like that. Worth looking into....ppat
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Post by skycheney on Feb 8, 2011 12:55:45 GMT -5
GLCC has a bunch of good info for parts of this trip. Not just the lakes, but many of the rivers as well. If you join, even for one year, you can download all of the harbor reports. www.glcclub.com
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Post by ppat324 on Feb 8, 2011 13:57:26 GMT -5
Sky, how do I join. I have been all over that website. It tells you to click on the link at the top but there isnt one.
Bill's dad was a charter member of the GLCC back in like 1939.
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Post by capnkenny on Feb 8, 2011 14:49:34 GMT -5
Kenny, not sure what stretch you are talking about but Willy was telling me about some place where you need to call a water tanker out to bring you fuel or something like that. Worth looking into....ppat That's the reason being a member of the AGLCA is a good idea. There are hundreds of members in their club and a great many of them have done the route and can tell you about every mile of it, including every marina, gunk hole, fuel stop, every bridge, every lock, discounts, places to eat, places to avoid. They have harbor captains all over the route that you can contact to get info about the area your in or can help arrange assistance if you need it. In other words they have a great network out there for those doing the Great Loop. That's how I know about this stretch. There used to be a fuel dock (Kidd Fuel) between Hoppies Marina and Green Turtle Bay where you could get gas but they only sell diesel now. I don't want to sound like I'm trying to sell you on their club, but it might be worth checking in to. The GLCC is another great place for information on anyplace on the Great Lakes. The solution that I'm working on for my fuel problem involves two 50 gal marine fuel tanks that I acquired last year. That will give me additional 100 gal on board.
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