View Poll Results: How many times a month do you use a marina?
Once a month 0 0%
Four times a month 0 0%
Ten times a month 2 40.00%
Half the time 0 0%
Most of the time 3 60.00%
All the time 0 0%
Voters: 5. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-13-2017, 09:47 PM   #1
Guru
 
Seevee's Avatar
 
City: st pete
Vessel Model: 430 Mainship
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,502
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?
__________________
Seevee
Seevee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2017, 09:53 PM   #2
Guru
 
Seevee's Avatar
 
City: st pete
Vessel Model: 430 Mainship
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,502
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?
__________________
Seevee
Seevee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 03:03 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
auskiwi's Avatar
 
City: Hervey Bay QLD
Vessel Name: Moana
Vessel Model: 1996 M40 Riviera aft cab
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 103
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.
auskiwi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 04:58 AM   #4
FF
Guru
 
FF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
WE stopped , but seldom stayed O nite , for fuel, food and laundry .
FF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 07:41 AM   #5
Guru
 
rwidman's Avatar
 
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,871
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.
rwidman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 07:52 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Spike's Avatar
 
City: Ft. Myers, FL.
Vessel Name: Chasing 80
Vessel Model: Chris Craft Constellation 460
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 142
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!!
__________________
Kevin
Chris Craft Constellation 460/Chasing 80
https://chasing80.blogspot.com
Spike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 10:30 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
City: Redlands
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 180
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
__________________
Marine Trader 36. Completed the Great Loop (single handed). Now cruising the east coast and Bahamas.
Arch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 03:07 PM   #8
Guru
 
O C Diver's Avatar
 
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,835
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
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
O C Diver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 03:16 PM   #9
Guru
 
hfoster's Avatar
 
City: Cleveland
Vessel Name: Irishland
Vessel Model: Chris Craft Corinthian 380
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 587
Whenever the wife says too!

Cheers.

H.
hfoster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 06:41 PM   #10
Guru
 
Seevee's Avatar
 
City: st pete
Vessel Model: 430 Mainship
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,502
Quote:
Originally Posted by O C Diver View Post
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
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
Seevee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 07:11 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
HenryD's Avatar
 
City: North Port, FL
Vessel Name: Seven Tenths (sold)
Vessel Model: Mirage / Great Harbour 47
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 477
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 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 07:33 PM   #12
Guru
 
Seevee's Avatar
 
City: st pete
Vessel Model: 430 Mainship
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,502
Quote:
Originally Posted by HenryD View Post
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".
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.
__________________
Seevee
Seevee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2017, 07:43 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Great Laker's Avatar
 
City: Spring Lake, MI
Vessel Name: Great Laker
Vessel Model: American Tug 34
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 346
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?m...1204882815&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
__________________
Larry
American Tug 34 - Great Laker, and Gold Looper
Home port on the vast unsalted Lake Michigan
adventuresofgreatlaker.blogspot.com
Great Laker is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:28 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012