A C-22 "Salty" has completed the Great Loop and has posted his statiticsl on the Looper's forum. I was hoping he would post it here, but it's been a while, so I've copied his post below.
By: irlboater on January 3rd, 2014, 3:47 pm
I have compiled some trip statistics from my recently completed Great Loop adventure. My 22' C-Dory Cruiser, "Salty", was the smallest Looper that I have seen on the Loop. I heard there was a 14' sailboat that was about a week behind me but I never met them.
My budget was also small. I learned how to take advantage of free town docks, parks and boat ramp docks to explore the towns. I only stayed at three marinas and those were a dollar per foot or less. I carried two 7 gallon jerry cans of gas from land based gas stations close to the waterway that I estimate that I saved $800-$1000 by not filling my tanks at marinas. Including fuel, I spent about $12,000 to complete the trip in six months. I bought the seasonal lock pass and mooring pass in Canada.
My trip started on April 16th from Melbourne Beach, Florida and went north up the ICW, up the Hudson and to Canada through Lake Champlain. Through the Lacine Canal through downtown Montreal. Ottawa for Canada Day. Rideau Canal and Trent/Severn to Georgian Bay and North Channel. Cleared Customs on Drummond Island then on to Mackinac Island. Then I cruised Michigan's Inland Waterway from Cheboygan River, Burt and Crooked Lakes, Indian River and through the smallest lock, Alanson/Crooked River Lock. Down the Michigan side of Lake Michigan during, I dare say, the most beautiful and calm week of the year. The lake was like a mirror! Through downtown Chicago and the Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee and Tombigbee to Mobile, Alabama. GICW to Apalachicola for a 160 mile, 9 hour crossing to Crystal River. South to the Okeechobee Waterway then a short hop north to home on the Indian River Lagoon.
Total trip miles - 5,591
Total gallons of gas - 1,340
Total gas cost - $5,191.75
Average miles per gallon - 4.43
Total days on trip - 191
Total moving days - 129
Total engine hours - 542.2
Average gallons per hour - 2.47
Average miles per hour - 11
Average cost of fuel per hour - $9.58
Average miles per moving day - 46
I know most people will take a full year to do the Loop. I took a little more than half that. I don't feel that I was rushed. I stayed when I wanted to stay but was always excited to get moving to see what was next. I cruised the Canadian canals at hull speed of 6 mph and was able to get on a plane at 15-20 mph when traveling the lakes and inland rivers. I really enjoyed being able to get on a plane. I was able to see many towns and sights along the way and still keep up with other Loopers moving all day at 8-10 mph.
There were too many memorable moments to mention here but some highlights were Georgia's coastal islands and riding in the wake of Yinzer up Cape Fear River during strong winds and seas. The Statue of Liberty and the Hudson River. The daily afternoon storms on Lake Champlain. The Lachine Canal through downtown Montreal. The locks and lock masters along the Rideau and Trent/Severn. The stunning scenery of Georgian Bay and North Channel. Michigan's Inland Waterway. The neat harbors and clear water along the Michigan coast. Cruising between skyscrapers in Chicago. The tugs and barges on the inland rivers. The beaches of Florida. And the 4-5 foot waves on Lake Okeechobee.
Many times people have told me that this is the trip of a lifetime but I would look forward to cruising Americas Great Loop some year again in the future. Jonathan aboard Salty in Melbourne Beach
Follow up: since his post several people have responded about seeing him, traveled with him and commented that he could go places they could not in their larger boats.
Chuck
By: irlboater on January 3rd, 2014, 3:47 pm
I have compiled some trip statistics from my recently completed Great Loop adventure. My 22' C-Dory Cruiser, "Salty", was the smallest Looper that I have seen on the Loop. I heard there was a 14' sailboat that was about a week behind me but I never met them.
My budget was also small. I learned how to take advantage of free town docks, parks and boat ramp docks to explore the towns. I only stayed at three marinas and those were a dollar per foot or less. I carried two 7 gallon jerry cans of gas from land based gas stations close to the waterway that I estimate that I saved $800-$1000 by not filling my tanks at marinas. Including fuel, I spent about $12,000 to complete the trip in six months. I bought the seasonal lock pass and mooring pass in Canada.
My trip started on April 16th from Melbourne Beach, Florida and went north up the ICW, up the Hudson and to Canada through Lake Champlain. Through the Lacine Canal through downtown Montreal. Ottawa for Canada Day. Rideau Canal and Trent/Severn to Georgian Bay and North Channel. Cleared Customs on Drummond Island then on to Mackinac Island. Then I cruised Michigan's Inland Waterway from Cheboygan River, Burt and Crooked Lakes, Indian River and through the smallest lock, Alanson/Crooked River Lock. Down the Michigan side of Lake Michigan during, I dare say, the most beautiful and calm week of the year. The lake was like a mirror! Through downtown Chicago and the Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee and Tombigbee to Mobile, Alabama. GICW to Apalachicola for a 160 mile, 9 hour crossing to Crystal River. South to the Okeechobee Waterway then a short hop north to home on the Indian River Lagoon.
Total trip miles - 5,591
Total gallons of gas - 1,340
Total gas cost - $5,191.75
Average miles per gallon - 4.43
Total days on trip - 191
Total moving days - 129
Total engine hours - 542.2
Average gallons per hour - 2.47
Average miles per hour - 11
Average cost of fuel per hour - $9.58
Average miles per moving day - 46
I know most people will take a full year to do the Loop. I took a little more than half that. I don't feel that I was rushed. I stayed when I wanted to stay but was always excited to get moving to see what was next. I cruised the Canadian canals at hull speed of 6 mph and was able to get on a plane at 15-20 mph when traveling the lakes and inland rivers. I really enjoyed being able to get on a plane. I was able to see many towns and sights along the way and still keep up with other Loopers moving all day at 8-10 mph.
There were too many memorable moments to mention here but some highlights were Georgia's coastal islands and riding in the wake of Yinzer up Cape Fear River during strong winds and seas. The Statue of Liberty and the Hudson River. The daily afternoon storms on Lake Champlain. The Lachine Canal through downtown Montreal. The locks and lock masters along the Rideau and Trent/Severn. The stunning scenery of Georgian Bay and North Channel. Michigan's Inland Waterway. The neat harbors and clear water along the Michigan coast. Cruising between skyscrapers in Chicago. The tugs and barges on the inland rivers. The beaches of Florida. And the 4-5 foot waves on Lake Okeechobee.
Many times people have told me that this is the trip of a lifetime but I would look forward to cruising Americas Great Loop some year again in the future. Jonathan aboard Salty in Melbourne Beach
Follow up: since his post several people have responded about seeing him, traveled with him and commented that he could go places they could not in their larger boats.
Chuck
