Michael, my wife and I have been following your videos for a long time now. We really enjoy it as we prepare for our own loop in 2026. You do an excellent job describing what life is really like on the loop. Keep up the good work.
I’ve followed you from the beginning videos are fantastic I’ve been using your ad water to eggs and cover trick for perfect eggs. I watch your videos at breakfast in land locked Missouri every Monday 👍👍👍
Love watching the loop videos! My wife and I are currently purchasing a 2006 Meridian 341 Sedan bridge and couldn’t be happier. We are on the gulf coast as well, in Venice. Safe travels!
Do you follow the Adventures of Happy Ours on UA-cam? That couple has a Meridian 341 also if you want to get a sense of what to expect. Their videos chronicle the coastal cruise from New York to Cape Coral, and then the Florida Mini Loop.
I am glad you had a nice experience in Cedar Key. They are lovely people. They have been hit by many hurricanes over the years but they always seem to come back. My great great grandfather came to live in Cedar Key (actually Atsena Otie) in the 1820's. It was a natural for him as he was a seafarer and pilot. I still have family living there. It will always be my ancestral home.
Great video again. Following along on this journey has led us to looking at boats way before we will actually be able to spend time on the Great Loop. We have already made of list of favorties. You are inspiring us to work harder so that we can start sooner- Casey
Appreciate the depiction on the impact the two hurricanes had on North West side of Florida. Good to see the communities are starting to recover, although based on your videos, I suspect it will be a while before some of the marinas are back on line.
I’ve just started to watch your videos!! You really do a great job sharing little Tidbits that I was not aware of. I would love to do the loop someday and have also already begun looking at boats as well!! Thank for sharing your journey!!
Enjoyed the video, even though the traveling was more like a delivery trip than a cruise. Sad to see the devastation from the two hurricanes. Yes, as a boater around Stuart I agree there is a welter of varied speed zone signs, many of which require good binoculars to read the fine print. Making the waterway trip from Stuart to Jupiter requires infinite patience due to long, long Manatee Zone slow speed stretches. But keeping manatees unharmed is worth the miles of idle speed. I've done the Okeechobee Waterway trip both ways -- it's quiet and mostly scenic, very pleasant.
You went right by our neck of the woods (water). We usually launch out of the Pithlachascotee river and hang out around the islands right out from the Anclote River. Crab pots all over the place. Glad you only snagged up and didn't do any damage to the props. Out of curiosity, about what's the usual charge to get your boat lifted out and put back in, like you had to do to remove the lines from the props?
We also ran over a crab buoy in Georgia during a very high tide (the float was beneath the surface). It made a huge BUMP when the float hit the bottom. I thought we were toasted and we limped into the craziest place, Two Way Marina where they too cut us a deal and we cut it out and were back in the water an hour later. We never would have seen this place and most haven't.
I agree with another person who mentioned, it’s sorta like being in the same room having a conversation with you. A most enjoyable video as usual. P.S. Hubby was wondering if you knew what your maximum deep draft and air draft when fully ladened. All the best and safe travels.
Fish murderer! 😅 Actually, What is that face covering brand? I have been looking for something like that for EVER and never realized it existed! Glad you had great weather!
I noticed that your hull looked really clean when you pulled the boat out of the water. Are you doing anything special like running one of those anti-fouling systems? ✌️
No, I had it painted with the hard bottom paint, not the ablative. Lasts longer and nothing sticks to it if the boat is being used regularly as my loop trip provided.
Would you give me the coordinates for your anchorage at Pine Island? We live in Punta Gorda and I am not aware of that protective anchorage. I found them. It's Punta Blanca Island Anchorage which is across from Pine Island. We plan to stop there in January then dinghy to Cabbage Key to dinner.
Those no wake/speed signs seems very confusing - I think I’d get stressed trying to keep track. And the hurricane damage is just heart wrenching. Ugh. Thanks for the ‘low power mode’ info …never really knew that before. BTW, very cool music while you were cruising. These videos just keep getting better and better!
It is hard to express how impressed I am with you as a solo looper. I’m enjoying watching your journey and thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much!
LOL! Yeah you got me with the big boat coming at you. Hillarious!
Dang, that actually scared the crap out of me! That was a good one!....😅😂
I thought that boat in the fog was real!😂
Michael, my wife and I have been following your videos for a long time now. We really enjoy it as we prepare for our own loop in 2026. You do an excellent job describing what life is really like on the loop. Keep up the good work.
Cool, thanks!
I’ve followed you from the beginning videos are fantastic I’ve been using your ad water to eggs and cover trick for perfect eggs. I watch your videos at breakfast in land locked Missouri every Monday 👍👍👍
So glad you enjoy the videos. Very happy to have you riding along.
Love watching the loop videos! My wife and I are currently purchasing a 2006 Meridian 341 Sedan bridge and couldn’t be happier. We are on the gulf coast as well, in Venice. Safe travels!
Do you follow the Adventures of Happy Ours on UA-cam? That couple has a Meridian 341 also if you want to get a sense of what to expect. Their videos chronicle the coastal cruise from New York to Cape Coral, and then the Florida Mini Loop.
@ yes, we’ve actually been on their boat Happy Ours with Tom. Great people!
That is awesome!
Nice PSA on radio power 👍
Thanks 👍
I am glad you had a nice experience in Cedar Key. They are lovely people. They have been hit by many hurricanes over the years but they always seem to come back. My great great grandfather came to live in Cedar Key (actually Atsena Otie) in the 1820's. It was a natural for him as he was a seafarer and pilot. I still have family living there. It will always be my ancestral home.
It's cool to hear your family history, I'm sure you have lots of stories to tell.
Michael, keep up the great work!
Rum Runner on the side
Appreciate the feedback!
Michael, I’ve enjoyed this entire adventure. It’s my regular Monday night viewing. Safe Travels
Good cat bh with the rop
Great video again. Following along on this journey has led us to looking at boats way before we will actually be able to spend time on the Great Loop. We have already made of list of favorties. You are inspiring us to work harder so that we can start sooner- Casey
You can do it!
@@MV_Checkmate We love the Selene 47 and Nordhavn 43.
Appreciate the depiction on the impact the two hurricanes had on North West side of Florida. Good to see the communities are starting to recover, although based on your videos, I suspect it will be a while before some of the marinas are back on line.
Yep, it’s sad.
I’ve just started to watch your videos!! You really do a great job sharing little Tidbits that I was not aware of. I would love to do the loop someday and have also already begun looking at boats as well!! Thank for sharing your journey!!
Thanks for riding along!
Your videos are very interesting feel as if I am there with you, enjoying the boating life. keep up the good work, Peter in Penang.
I’m glad you enjoyed the video!
Congrats on catching your fish
Thanks 👍
Enjoyed the video, even though the traveling was more like a delivery trip than a cruise. Sad to see the devastation from the two hurricanes. Yes, as a boater around Stuart I agree there is a welter of varied speed zone signs, many of which require good binoculars to read the fine print. Making the waterway trip from Stuart to Jupiter requires infinite patience due to long, long Manatee Zone slow speed stretches. But keeping manatees unharmed is worth the miles of idle speed. I've done the Okeechobee Waterway trip both ways -- it's quiet and mostly scenic, very pleasant.
Yep, so many slow, or no wake signs north of Stuart. Safe travels.
Be careful going down the ICW towards Boca Grande. There are submerged cars and boats from Hurricane Milton. Friends have lost props.
Thanks for the heads up.
You went right by our neck of the woods (water). We usually launch out of the Pithlachascotee river and hang out around the islands right out from the Anclote River. Crab pots all over the place. Glad you only snagged up and didn't do any damage to the props. Out of curiosity, about what's the usual charge to get your boat lifted out and put back in, like you had to do to remove the lines from the props?
I think it was $10.00 pr foot to haul. I know, I know that was very high priced, but I needed it done ASAP.
We also ran over a crab buoy in Georgia during a very high tide (the float was beneath the surface). It made a huge BUMP when the float hit the bottom. I thought we were toasted and we limped into the craziest place, Two Way Marina where they too cut us a deal and we cut it out and were back in the water an hour later. We never would have seen this place and most haven't.
Them darned traps are everywhere. Just a part of boating.
My daily dose of Checkmate on my drive into work will be missed.
It's been fun making these videos. I hope you enjoy the rest of your drive.
Really appreciate the video. Wish we could have seen you wrangling that Redfish though…
Me too, but it happened so quick that I didn’t have time to put the camera on.
I agree with another person who mentioned, it’s sorta like being in the same room having a conversation with you. A most enjoyable video as usual. P.S. Hubby was wondering if you knew what your maximum deep draft and air draft when fully ladened. All the best and safe travels.
This boat drafts 2’9”. Actually adding full fuel and water makes only about 1 inch deeper. My air draft is 17‘8“.
@@MV_Checkmatethank you for your response. With those numbers, fixed bridges and shallow waters aren’t too much of a challenge. That’s great.
Haha checkmate!!
Fish murderer! 😅 Actually, What is that face covering brand? I have been looking for something like that for EVER and never realized it existed! Glad you had great weather!
I bought it at Bass Pro Shop. The brand printed on it says “Hook & Tackle”.
@@MV_Checkmate Thanks!
Where is your home.port
I noticed that your hull looked really clean when you pulled the boat out of the water. Are you doing anything special like running one of those anti-fouling systems? ✌️
No, I had it painted with the hard bottom paint, not the ablative. Lasts longer and nothing sticks to it if the boat is being used regularly as my loop trip provided.
Would you give me the coordinates for your anchorage at Pine Island? We live in Punta Gorda and I am not aware of that protective anchorage.
I found them. It's Punta Blanca Island Anchorage which is across from Pine Island. We plan to stop there in January then dinghy to Cabbage Key to dinner.
So what are your plans with the boat after finishing the loop ?
I am assuming this is all part of your retirement plan ?
Previously he said he'd sell it to get one more suitable for the Bahamas.
Got it
Thank you
I was.one who was lucky with no damage. I. Charlotte harbor and manatee river. What is your future plan when you complete the loop
I’m going to sell this boat and get something smaller. Then head to the Keys.
I’m wondering why anyone would want to live so close to shore in that part or any part of Florida?
I agree.
There is no safe place in Florida.. inland areas get destroyed too
Those no wake/speed signs seems very confusing - I think I’d get stressed trying to keep track. And the hurricane damage is just heart wrenching. Ugh. Thanks for the ‘low power mode’ info …never really knew that before. BTW, very cool music while you were cruising. These videos just keep getting better and better!