Great Loop Preparations in High Gear

[Chinook]

Hi Dlandersson,

The plan is to exit the harbor at Grand Haven, hang a left, and follow the lakeshore around, with stops every 30 miles or so until we get to Michigan City IN, and then set a direct course for Chicago. The odds of getting lost are low, however, who knows what else might happen between Grand Haven and Chicago. We hope to reach Chicago by the last day or two of August, and then lay over for a few days and visit the city. Weather in late August will determine when we'll actually get to Chicago. It would be great to meet up with you when we're in the area.

[wccorder]

Chinook,
I am out of South Haven about 30 miles south of Grand Haven. Would be willing on meeting up and offering rides if needed.
Wally (JAWS)

[dlandersson]

Ooohhh...ooohhh....then we are at your beck and call, obi-wan.

Hi Dlandersson,

The plan is to exit the harbor at Grand Haven, hang a left, and follow the lakeshore around, with stops every 30 miles or so until we get to Michigan City IN, and then set a direct course for Chicago. The odds of getting lost are low, however, who knows what else might happen between Grand Haven and Chicago. We hope to reach Chicago by the last day or two of August, and then lay over for a few days and visit the city. Weather in late August will determine when we'll actually get to Chicago. It would be great to meet up with you when we're in the area.

[Chinook]

Hi Wally,

We plan to make an easy run from Grand Haven to Holland on the first day, and then will likely go on down to South Haven, so would have a good chance to meet up with you. Hopefully, that early in the trip we won't have any special needs to tend to, but you just never know. After South Haven we plan to stop at Benton/St. Joseph, then Michigan City and then cross over to Chicago. How about you get to work arranging mid 80 degree days with 10 to 15 mph wind out of the west for the last week of August.

[Chinook]

[quote="dlandersson"]Ooohhh...ooohhh....then we are at your beck and call, obi-wan.

It would be cool to meet up with you out on the water right in front of Chicago. We could pass you our camera so you could take a picture of our boat with the Chicago skyline for backdrop. Do you keep your boat in a slip or on the trailer?

[dlandersson]

In Michigan City, actually....will you have kids with you?

Ooohhh...ooohhh....then we are at your beck and call, obi-wan.

It would be cool to meet up with you out on the water right in front of Chicago. We could pass you our camera so you could take a picture of our boat with the Chicago skyline for backdrop. Do you keep your boat in a slip or on the trailer?

[Chinook]

We definitely plan on stopping for a night or two at Michigan City. Our 2 kids have long since flown the coop. We've got 4 grandkids, but will have no one on board except the 2 of us. Frankly, after we pack the boat for a year long trip, I don't see how we could fit another person on board. We'll look forward to visiting with you in Michigan City.

[Chinook]

Chinook,

Like many here, I am living vicariously through you. Please keep us up to date on your progress. Also, I am trying to equip my boat for longer cruising so any pics and descriptions of your mods are appreciated.

I will have relocated back to Jacksonville, Florida by the time you make it back to the states so please add me to your contact list. I live 0.5 miles from the ICW so if you need any logistical support or local info please do not hesitate to ask.

I would highly recommend taking a detour up the St. Johns River. The downtown area is very welcoming to cruisers and the sailing on the river is phenomenal. If the timing works out perhaps my family and I can join you for a few days.

I had the opportunity to train on Andros island while I was in the Navy. Andros Island is beautiful and the reef / Tongue of the Ocean are beautiful dive spots.

Enjoy your trip. Stay safe and keep us posted!

John
2000
Atlantic Beach, Florida (temporarily land locked in Lansdale, PA)

Hi John,

Your post snuck past me. Sorry. We do hope to take a week or so to explore the St. Johns River. This will likely depend on whether we can get back from the Bahamas within the planned timeframe. If weather holds up from getting back to Florida, we might have to drop plans for the St. Johns River. We're looking forward to visiting Andros. We've been to virtually all of the Bahamas except for Andros, and are looking forward to checking out the reef. Also, I'd like to try my hand at bonefishing and doing some deep sea trolling in the Tongue of the Ocean. Hope we can get together when we're in the Jacksonville area.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

Hi Mike -
I'll assume you have good reason to Depart from the east side of Lake Michigan.
However, if you want to leave from the west side (Milwaukee, Racine, Port Washington, etc.) I can take your tow vehicle and trailer to my Temporary World Headquarters near Oconomowoc, WI. Outside storage, etc. at no charge. Save you the hassle of driving thru Chicago both directions.

[Chinook]

Hi Bill,

Your offer is generous and attractive. I selected Grand Haven as our starting point because a close family friend lives there, and he'll let us park the truck and trailer at his place for a year. The drive past Chicago doesn't trouble me too much, since we've trailered through cities like Miami and St. Louis. The advantages of starting at your location would seem to be somewhat shorter drive, and probable gentler wind/wave conditions on the western shore of the Lake. In favor of the east side of the lake would be the greater number of natural harbors and the shorter distance over water (we wouldn't have to do a lake crossing). I am already charted up for the Michigan shoreline route. We also have relatives in the Traverse City area, which leans me toward sticking to the original plan. Thanks for the offer, though.

[mansellj]

Hello Chinook

I Sail a MAC 26D out of Athens NY on the Hudson. Athens is just below Albany NY, and just above Catskill. You will pass by on your way to the Champlain Canal; I hope you keep the forum posted about your progress I want to make a similar trip when I retire. Athens to Lake Champlain to the St. Lawrence, however I plan to stay on the south side of Ontario go to Oswego down the Eire Canal back to the Hudson ~ ¼ of the great loop.

Good luck

Jon

[Chinook]

Your prospective route seems quite popular, with numerous comments about folks doing it on the American Great Loop Cruisers Association forum. I will be posting a blog as we progress around the Great Loop, so you can track our progress. If all goes well, we hope to be passing your area in mid June. It would be great to meet up with you while we're on our way up the Hudson River.

[mansellj]

There is an excellent full service marine that caters to loppers at New Baltimore NY called “Shady Harbor http://www.shadyharbormarina.com/” you may want to plan a stop there. I will follow your post when you are headed up the Hudson we will meet up. We have a really neat light house at Athens (http://www.hudsonathenslighthouse.org/), you will love the scenic Hudson from NY City to Troy is ~ 110 mi of excellent services, a rich American History, and beautiful sightseeing.
Jon

[Chinook]

Hi Jon,

We expect that the Hudson cruise will be a major highlight of the trip. It would be great to meet up with you along the way. I'm keeping a list of "local knowledge" tips, and I'll be sure to add your recommendations to the list. Thanks.

Mike/Chinook

[Chinook]

We've finally completed the major projects on our to do list, in preparation for our Great Loop cruise. Time for some pictures. I'll start with the renovated trailer. "Road Warrior" now has been sandblasted and repainted, with new wiring, recarpted bunks, and new LED rear and side lights