Dear friends! My husband and I made that loop of the Great Circle travelling with another sailboat. We started out at Red Wing, Minnesota and ended up at Niceville, Florida on the ICW.
Loved this video,, my boat is docked on Lake Barkley (Cumberland River) close to the Tenn River Dam,,, I am going to take it to Mobile next spring,,, this is the best video showing that journey,,
Ahoy SBG .. another good video of your Great Loop .. and good explanation of the Tug Boat jargon as it relates to the NavRules&Regs .. thanks for sharing.
Grew up in Sault Ste Marie MI where locks bring boat traffic between Lake Superior and lower lake (Lake Huron. Michigan ) levels. The locks used to use boat whistles and lights to communicate back and forth. Grew up hearing the boat horns at all times of the day or night but relatives that would come to visit complained that the boat horns woke them up at night.
The only reason to take the Cumberland River is if there’s a long delay at Kentucky Dam. Even if your destination is Nashville, taking the Tennessee to the canal is preferable.
I accidentally discovered your channel today and I want to congratulate you on this video. Most loopers do not include this portion of the loop in their travelogues. My wife and I brought our Marine Trader up to Paducah from Mobile last August; your video brought back a lot of great memories.
Davidmike : Thanks for your comments. For me, the most amazing thing about Paducah was the height of the levee and flood wall. They both seemed ridiculously high ... impossibly high, given the river height during my brief visit. Then I saw the historical photos of the record smashing floods in town. It involved a volume of water that was simply beyond my comprehension. Very impressive stuff when rain and snow melt join forces.
Hi there! I don't know if you remember me. We kind of met at the fuel dock at Grand Harbor Marina. Great video! I love the way you work maps and explaining the barge passing into it. Informative and entertaining! Keep em coming!
What Yacht To Do : I think I do remember you. Fuel docks are not the best place to talk to other boaters. We are all trying to fill up our tanks without making a big mess on deck. I hope your trip down the Tombigbee has been a good one.
Some great shots..love ur comments........ I think we may be brothers...the camera angle at around 8:38 looks just like you are dragging ur teak rail over the concrete...OMG made me cringe. I found you a bit late but love the multiple series. I wish I could be on the water again. I also really like the "mini-lessons" Hope to see You traveling in real-time so I can ride along after this mess...... being 60 days into Covid
I very much enjoying the videos of your great journey. As someone who grew up on the Mississippi and now lives on the Great Lakes, I have given thought of doing the loop sometime. However, as a Minnesotan who grew up on the Mississippi, I must correct you: the Mississippi does NOT start in the Minneapolis area, it starts 100s of mile Northwest at Lake Itasca.
Kenneth Marlow : Ken, my hat's off to you for keeping that Waterway deep enough for navigation at all hours of the day and night. Take a bow, Captain, you deserve it.
I was sorry to not see Slow Bells and her captain at the Rendezvous at Joe Wheeler in October. Maybe another time. Chris and I will be bringing Mollie, Slow Bells BIG sister (GB 49) down the AICW starting next week. Should be cross paths say hello.
Darryl Nelson : You are absolutely correct. As far as I know, the rules are the same on the ICW and rivers, although on some rivers I believe the vessel headed downstream has right of way over a vessel heading upstream. But, I think the passing signals (horns) are the same. My video used river passings as an example because that is where I was when I made the video.
12FlyVA : I think in my case, the 3 biggest solo challenges have been marinas, locks, and social isolation. If you get lines and fenders ready BEFORE you enter the marina, it typically goes okay, assuming the design of your boat does not prevent you from quickly getting from the helm to both ends of the boat, and assuming your boat either has 2 engines or a bow thruster. The locks are do-able solo, but again, you must get lines and fenders ready BEFORE you enter the lock, and you need a boat hook handy. Locking through solo is just another boat skill that gets better as you get more experienced. The best remedy for social isolation is marinas, but this will be more expensive than anchoring. The loop is do-able solo. Too many other solo loopers have already done it. Have at it!
@@seattleboatguy: Thank you so much for that insight. I am thinking about a trawler like yours, and after hurricane season boat around Florida. Starting at one end of Florida and working my way to the other end. Anchoring out, avoiding marinas. Ideally having another small center console for fishing, and using the trawler as home base. Do you spend a lot of time provisioning? Or do you eat out a lot.
@@12FlyVA : I wouldn't say I eat out a LOT, but I do enjoy eating out when it's convenient. I try to anchor out much of the time to keep the budget under control. There is typically at least one opportunity each week to do some grocery shopping (and, do some laundry).
Do you have the miles traveled for each of your segments? For example, I just watched the Paducah to Mobile segment. How many miles, how many days under way, how many days layed over in port, how many miles per day at trawler speeds. Thanks
I could figure it out from my log, but it would be data without value. Everyone does it at their own speed, negotiating the locks, resting at anchor or at a marina before it'stoo dark to travel further, pausing to smell the roses along the way, watching the weather, and responding to the urge to see what's around the next bend. Like the wise man said, it's not the destination, it's the journey.
@@seattleboatguy Thanks for the response. For context, I have my boat (Carver 396) at Safe Harbor Marina in Beaufort, SC. I was a live aboard in Washington DC and have traveled the inland route from Baltimore to South Carolina. I have also crewed a friend's boat down to Ft Pierce. We now live in Louisville, KY on the Ohio River. I got a truck transportation quote for over $20K not including all the prep work to get it on the low boy. I am now more interested in putting together a budget for the trip by water going clockwise from SC to KY. Recent increases in diesel fuel are a concern so if I do the trip it will be at trawler speed in the most efficient route. BTW...I have watched your segments from Puducah to Ft. Lauderdale and the Yacht Transport video as well...thanks for the effort...JW - MV Tardis Port of Washington, DC!
I have heard that going down the Mississippi from St Louis to New Orleans has fueling problems because of lack of marinas. Something like 850 miles with no fuel stops and if you can't carry enough fuel for the passage you have to go into towns and hand carry fuel to the boat. Your way seems much better to me.
@@lillianmarion2939 : Hi Lillian. I used about 2,000 gallons of diesel on my Loop trip. The "cost" is going to depend heavily on how much diesel costs per gallon. Two other variables will be boat size and boat speed. I cruised my 38' trawler at around 7.5 knots. If you have a 45' boat that you cruise at 10 knots, you are probably going to burn more fuel.
There is a simpler explanation for the 1 whistle side or the 2 whistle side. 1 whistle is the signal for deviating course to your own starboard: it is not a side of the vessel. The 2 whistle side, if you are the speaker, is passing by YOU deviating to the port. It pertains to the course deviation of the speaker. Taking a head on meeting on on the 1 whistle means I am deviating my course to starboard and will pass you port to port. You saying you are overtaking on the 1 whistle, means you will deviate course to starboard, and thus overtake with your port side to the overtaken vessel's starboard. It pertains to the action of the speaker. It describes which way you are turning to accomplish the maneuver. In the old days, the whistle would be used to clarify intentions.. Now, the words 1 whistle or 2 whistle are used in place of the whistle blast(s) via electronic communications. "Pass on the 2" is most accurately translated as "Pass on the side that would require 2 whistle blasts" (If were were signaling with whistles).
Great video, I have watch a lot of loopers, yours by was very educational
Dear friends! My husband and I made that loop of the Great Circle travelling with another sailboat. We started out at Red Wing, Minnesota and ended up at Niceville, Florida on the ICW.
Very insightful thank you for sharing your knowledge. I really just learned something
Nice video with some skill building for all. Thanks for the ride along.
I've always wanted to boat the Kentucky.
Wife and I did the Great Loop in 2016/2017... So nice to watch your video's and remember....
Awesome content man...thank you for all your hard work!
Nice job on the graphics, thanks for taking the extra time to make them.
Loved this video,, my boat is docked on Lake Barkley (Cumberland River) close to the Tenn River Dam,,, I am going to take it to Mobile next spring,,, this is the best video showing that journey,,
Just checking see if you need a shipmate.
Great job again captain. Stay safe these lonely nights. Warmer weather just ahead !!
Byron Styron : Yea, even the crummy days down here aren't all that crummy. I guess 10,000 alligators can't all be wrong.
Ahoy SBG .. another good video of your Great Loop .. and good explanation of the Tug Boat jargon as it relates to the NavRules&Regs .. thanks for sharing.
Excellent information! Thanks
Grew up in Sault Ste Marie MI where locks bring boat traffic between Lake Superior and lower lake (Lake Huron. Michigan ) levels. The locks used to use boat whistles and lights to communicate back and forth. Grew up hearing the boat horns at all times of the day or night but relatives that would come to visit complained that the boat horns woke them up at night.
Very interesting. I had no idea that locks used whistle signals at one time.
Great stuff.
...thank you, young man!
The only reason to take the Cumberland River is if there’s a long delay at Kentucky Dam. Even if your destination is Nashville, taking the Tennessee to the canal is preferable.
Great video we probably past over a.bridge at a similar tin you were under it. We were travelling from Ontario to Texas.
Great stuff Captain!
Thank you for the video.
I accidentally discovered your channel today and I want to congratulate you on this video. Most loopers do not include this portion of the loop in their travelogues. My wife and I brought our Marine Trader up to Paducah from Mobile last August; your video brought back a lot of great memories.
Davidmike : Thanks for your comments. For me, the most amazing thing about Paducah was the height of the levee and flood wall. They both seemed ridiculously high ... impossibly high, given the river height during my brief visit. Then I saw the historical photos of the record smashing floods in town. It involved a volume of water that was simply beyond my comprehension. Very impressive stuff when rain and snow melt join forces.
My sister and her husband are here in the great loop right now,
Great educational videos.
Great content! 👍
Hi there! I don't know if you remember me. We kind of met at the fuel dock at Grand Harbor Marina. Great video! I love the way you work maps and explaining the barge passing into it. Informative and entertaining! Keep em coming!
What Yacht To Do : I think I do remember you. Fuel docks are not the best place to talk to other boaters. We are all trying to fill up our tanks without making a big mess on deck. I hope your trip down the Tombigbee has been a good one.
@@seattleboatguy Neither one of us was getting fuel at the time so we were safe. Thankfully, we made it to Mobile!
Some great shots..love ur comments........ I think we may be brothers...the camera angle at around 8:38 looks just like you are dragging ur teak rail over the concrete...OMG made me cringe. I found you a bit late but love the multiple series. I wish I could be on the water again. I also really like the "mini-lessons" Hope to see You traveling in real-time so I can ride along after this mess...... being 60 days into Covid
I very much enjoying the videos of your great journey. As someone who grew up on the Mississippi and now lives on the Great Lakes, I have given thought of doing the loop sometime. However, as a Minnesotan who grew up on the Mississippi, I must correct you: the Mississippi does NOT start in the Minneapolis area, it starts 100s of mile Northwest at Lake Itasca.
I worked as a tug boat captain for a dredge company working on the tentom from Columbus Mississippi to south of aliceville lake.
Kenneth Marlow : Ken, my hat's off to you for keeping that Waterway deep enough for navigation at all hours of the day and night. Take a bow, Captain, you deserve it.
I was sorry to not see Slow Bells and her captain at the Rendezvous at Joe Wheeler in October. Maybe another time. Chris and I will be bringing Mollie, Slow Bells BIG sister (GB 49) down the AICW starting next week. Should be cross paths say hello.
David Heinsohn : Sounds good, David. Have a great trip down the AICW.
From Chicago to Mobile, what was your total travel time? Thanks for the vids!
J Hen : Chicago on Oct 14, and Mobile on Nov 17.
Why is the passing on the rivers any different than the ICW? Or is it the same thing there as well?
Darryl Nelson : You are absolutely correct. As far as I know, the rules are the same on the ICW and rivers, although on some rivers I believe the vessel headed downstream has right of way over a vessel heading upstream. But, I think the passing signals (horns) are the same. My video used river passings as an example because that is where I was when I made the video.
Thanks for another great video. How did you do, traveling solo? I am considering the loop solo. What are your thoughts?
12FlyVA : I think in my case, the 3 biggest solo challenges have been marinas, locks, and social isolation. If you get lines and fenders ready BEFORE you enter the marina, it typically goes okay, assuming the design of your boat does not prevent you from quickly getting from the helm to both ends of the boat, and assuming your boat either has 2 engines or a bow thruster. The locks are do-able solo, but again, you must get lines and fenders ready BEFORE you enter the lock, and you need a boat hook handy. Locking through solo is just another boat skill that gets better as you get more experienced. The best remedy for social isolation is marinas, but this will be more expensive than anchoring. The loop is do-able solo. Too many other solo loopers have already done it. Have at it!
@@seattleboatguy: Thank you so much for that insight. I am thinking about a trawler like yours, and after hurricane season boat around Florida. Starting at one end of Florida and working my way to the other end. Anchoring out, avoiding marinas. Ideally having another small center console for fishing, and using the trawler as home base. Do you spend a lot of time provisioning? Or do you eat out a lot.
@@12FlyVA : I wouldn't say I eat out a LOT, but I do enjoy eating out when it's convenient. I try to anchor out much of the time to keep the budget under control. There is typically at least one opportunity each week to do some grocery shopping (and, do some laundry).
@@seattleboatguy Thanks for the reply. What are your plans after you complete the loop?
@@12FlyVA : The boat will head to Puget Sound on the deck of a ship.
I will head there in the front seat of a U-haul.
How long does it take from Paducah to the gulf? You might have mentioned but I missed it. I'm looking to slip a boat somewhere in the Florence area.
17 days for me, Iron Man. Your mileage may vary.
Do you have the miles traveled for each of your segments? For example, I just watched the Paducah to Mobile segment. How many miles, how many days under way, how many days layed over in port, how many miles per day at trawler speeds. Thanks
I could figure it out from my log, but it would be data without value. Everyone does it at their own speed, negotiating the locks, resting at anchor or at a marina before it'stoo dark to travel further, pausing to smell the roses along the way, watching the weather, and responding to the urge to see what's around the next bend. Like the wise man said, it's not the destination, it's the journey.
@@seattleboatguy Thanks for the response. For context, I have my boat (Carver 396) at Safe Harbor Marina in Beaufort, SC. I was a live aboard in Washington DC and have traveled the inland route from Baltimore to South Carolina. I have also crewed a friend's boat down to Ft Pierce. We now live in Louisville, KY on the Ohio River. I got a truck transportation quote for over $20K not including all the prep work to get it on the low boy. I am now more interested in putting together a budget for the trip by water going clockwise from SC to KY. Recent increases in diesel fuel are a concern so if I do the trip it will be at trawler speed in the most efficient route. BTW...I have watched your segments from Puducah to Ft. Lauderdale and the Yacht Transport video as well...thanks for the effort...JW - MV Tardis Port of Washington, DC!
I have heard that going down the Mississippi from St Louis to New Orleans has fueling problems because of lack of marinas. Something like 850 miles with no fuel stops and if you can't carry enough fuel for the passage you have to go into towns and hand carry fuel to the boat. Your way seems much better to me.
That's what I heard as well.
why didnt you just go up ohio river to Tenn river to kentucky lake why the extra distance to cumberland river??
What kind of boat were you on - it’s length - and engine power?
Marine Trader 38 with two 135hp Ford diesels.
Approx how long was Slow Bells in fresh water before returning to salt water in Mobile?
Hi celestialfix. The "freshwater" dates were June 5th to November 22.
If you stop in the Venice Florida area, let me know.
I’ll buy lunch for a tour.
ffohnetub : Sounds like a great offer. Thanks!
seattleboatguy give me a call 609 457 2710 I grew up in Tacoma. Lincoln Abe 74
what brand boat is that?
Marine Trader 38.
What kind of fuel mileage you getting
Hi Lillian. I burn 2.8 gal/hr at 1500 rpm and 7.5 knots.
@@seattleboatguy how much fuel did it take to go around the loop we are going to do the loop I hope $20000 is enough
@@lillianmarion2939 : Hi Lillian. I used about 2,000 gallons of diesel on my Loop trip. The "cost" is going to depend heavily on how much diesel costs per gallon. Two other variables will be boat size and boat speed. I cruised my 38' trawler at around 7.5 knots. If you have a 45' boat that you cruise at 10 knots, you are probably going to burn more fuel.
@@seattleboatguy you got a nice boat i have $20000 for diesel fuel
4:46
Forgot..oh. no
5:00
Yike pump broke
Oh. No
12:14
Coffee al
7:06
Error
There is a simpler explanation for the 1 whistle side or the 2 whistle side. 1 whistle is the signal for deviating course to your own starboard: it is not a side of the vessel. The 2 whistle side, if you are the speaker, is passing by YOU deviating to the port. It pertains to the course deviation of the speaker. Taking a head on meeting on on the 1 whistle means I am deviating my course to starboard and will pass you port to port. You saying you are overtaking on the 1 whistle, means you will deviate course to starboard, and thus overtake with your port side to the overtaken vessel's starboard.
It pertains to the action of the speaker. It describes which way you are turning to accomplish the maneuver. In the old days, the whistle would be used to clarify intentions.. Now, the words 1 whistle or 2 whistle are used in place of the whistle blast(s) via electronic communications. "Pass on the 2" is most accurately translated as "Pass on the side that would require 2 whistle blasts" (If were were signaling with whistles).
Paducah .mobile how long