Loopers, How ofter do you stop at a Marina

Just curious to see how much a looper uses a marina on their loop trip. Seems like there's a group that likes to hang on the hook and some the likes the marinas.

If you're planning the loop or currently on it or have done it, what's you your profile?

.... and why?

Gut feeling, I'll be on the hook the vast majority of the time. While the marina has some advantages, like fuel and groceries, seems like the hook is where you enjoy the bulk of the loop.... and dinghy in to see things. Does this make sense?

On the Loop

When my wife and I did the loop in 2015/2016 we found we anchored/free wall/marina about a third each. Great thing about Marinas, and if you are a AGLCA member is not only the discounted fees, cheaper fuel, but the meet and greet with fellow loopers, the socialising was very much appreciated, docktails at 5pm was a regular call. Being from Australia we met some wonderful people, some have become firm friends since, even visiting at our land bases. You can check our Blog on auskiwiloop.blogspot.com.
The good news is we have just settled on a new, to us boat, will post some photos on arrival next month.

WE stopped , but seldom stayed O nite , for fuel, food and laundry .

Not actual "loopers" here but our cruising is similar and on the same waterways.


While we (I) plan to anchor one third of the time, we usually don't make that goal. Our purpose in cruising is to see and visit new places and that means stopping to visit the marinas and towns, meet the people and other boaters, shop, etc.


It's much more convenient for us to simply take a slip in a marina than to break out the dinghy and motor, load our aging selves and puppy into it and go ashore and look for a place to safely leave the dinghy.


We almost never pull into a marina late and leave at the crack of dawn, for that situation, we anchor.

On our loop trip it was marinas most of the time. We really enjoy visiting new towns, big and small, to learn about the people and history along the way. Those that anchor more seem to enjoy the nature aspect of the trip. It's all about what you enjoy doing that make's everyone's loop different.

We didn't set out on the trip to make new friends but that sure happened too. We were fortunate to make some "firm friends" also along the way and Auskiwi is among them! (glad to see you have a "new" boat). The docktails are a great way to meet people from all over doing something we all love to do.

Again, it's all about what you enjoy doing that makes everyone's loop unique. The trip was amazing and we're making plans to do it again and see different places and people!!

I started the Loop with the plan of 50/50 marinas and anchoring. I was completely unprepared for how much fun the socializing would be.

Looping was the most social time of my adult life. It also gave me a chance to see and meet a part of America that was new to me. Educational and great fun.

Arch

I'm about half way around now, and will tell you it varies a lot depending on region and situation. Is a free wall with a harbor master, water, electric and bathhouse a marina? If so, did that almost every night on the Erie Canal. Is it whether you pay or it's free? Hard for me to turn down a nice side tie dock with water, electric, and bathhouse for a dollar a foot or less. Did one 10 days ago for 50 cents a foot. One of the most scenic hiking trips so far! Or are we talking about physically being at anchor? So far probably less than 50% of the time anchored. No cost overnight stops are between 60 and 70%. While I like socializing with other cruises and locals (lots of good information to be had), nothing beats the solitude of anchoring out regularly. Will be anchoring in Waiska Bay tonight, 50 miles from the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Ted

Whenever the wife says too!

Cheers.

H.

O C Diver said:

I'm about half way around now, and will tell you it varies a lot depending on region and situation. Is a free wall with a harbor master, water, electric and bathhouse a marina? If so, did that almost every night on the Erie Canal. Is it whether you pay or it's free? Hard for me to turn down a nice side tie dock with water, electric, and bathhouse for a dollar a foot or less. Did one 10 days ago for 50 cents a foot. One of the most scenic hiking trips so far! Or are we talking about physically being at anchor? So far probably less than 50% of the time anchored. No cost overnight stops are between 60 and 70%. While I like socializing with other cruises and locals (lots of good information to be had), nothing beats the solitude of anchoring out regularly. Will be anchoring in Waiska Bay tonight, 50 miles from the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Ted

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Ted,

I like the no cost or low cost ones, especially if there's no amenities, which is often. I've paid for a lot of marina where there was just no benefit, and not willing to do it.

Now, if there's a group of other loopers there, sure. The social aspect is a big deal.

I'm just not in a position to spend $2 a foot to dock and add $10 grand to my trip.

Seevee,
It really depends on where you are and what is happening. From St. Petersburg to Waterford, NY, we aimed to hit a marina about every third day. The Erie Canal, Oswego Canal - we used lock walls, free docks, etc mostly. Montreal - marina, Ottawa canal wall, Rideau Canal - lock walls, Kingston marina, Trent Severn lock walls, Georgian Bay - marinas and anchorages, North Channel - mix, Lake Michigan - marinas mostly, Chicago marinas, inland rivers - some great marinas and great anchorages.
In the end, the wife had a mantra - "we ain't coming this way again, lets enjoy what is in the area".

HenryD said:

Seevee,
It really depends on where you are and what is happening. From St. Petersburg to Waterford, NY, we aimed to hit a marina about every third day. The Erie Canal, Oswego Canal - we used lock walls, free docks, etc mostly. Montreal - marina, Ottawa canal wall, Rideau Canal - lock walls, Kingston marina, Trent Severn lock walls, Georgian Bay - marinas and anchorages, North Channel - mix, Lake Michigan - marinas mostly, Chicago marinas, inland rivers - some great marinas and great anchorages.
In the end, the wife had a mantra - "we ain't coming this way again, lets enjoy what is in the area".

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Henry,

I could live with every third day, especially with yacht club reciprocities that help a bit with costs. I just don't like spending $100 a nite to just tie up if there's no benefits.

And, I'll not likely "come this way again".. for the most part, so do what's necessary for the most benefit seems in order.

We stayed in 181 different places over 305 days.

The places included one or more nights at marinas or on city walls 126 times, and one or more nights on anchor or mooring ball 55 times.

You can see the locations on this Google Map.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1F7rM3GAmi73VqUAC7uBW8uag5wI&ll=36.92666518806051%2C-83.79951204882815&z=5

Here is some addition data from the trip for those who may be interested.

Cruised 6,850 miles (the basic loop of 5,250 miles, plus 1600 miles on side trips)
Took over 11,000 pictures, saving about 9,000 of the best
Visited 17 states, 2 countries and 2 provinces
Traversed through 147 locks
Stayed one or more nights in 181 places
Dined out 152 times
Trekked to the laundromat 28 times
Toured 72 museums, battlefields or forts
Visited 20 family members and 34 friends along the way
Took a break to travel home and back 4 times
Accumulated 914 hours on the boat diesel engine
Cruised at 9-10 mph
Averaged 7.5 mph (when including all engine-on hours)
Consumed 2191 gallons of fuel (including generator), averaging 2.4 gallons per engine-on hour