Trading the Wind for the Waterways – The Great Loop

Why are more sailors choosing powerboats to experience the adventure of America’s Great Loop?

Managing Broker Peter Houghton from Berthon USA was a professional yacht captain, running a Swan 77 amongst other yachts. When his owner purchased a Marlow 80, Peter turned motor yacht captain. He writes about the amazing Great Loop…

Friends and clients of Berthon, Andy and Catherine Todd are two adventurous Brits who have recently completed this epic journey aboard their 43ft Mainship, SEAS THE MOMENT. They have very kindly shared some of their incredible imagery with us, offering a glimpse into their remarkable adventure. We’re delighted to share a selection of their photographs – Thank you Andy and Catherine!

^ Pictured above – 43ft Mainship, SEAS THE MOMENT, anchored McGregor Bay

For those who have spent decades under sail, the thought of stepping aboard a powerboat can feel almost like betrayal. After all, sailors relish the challenge of harnessing the wind, the quiet rhythm of a yacht heeling gently, and the satisfaction of completing a passage powered solely by nature. Yet somewhere along the way, priorities begin to shift.

^ Mackinac Bridge, Lake Michigan

Perhaps it’s the desire to spend more time exploring and less time passage planning. Perhaps it’s the comfort of an enclosed pilothouse on a chilly morning, or the ease of docking with just two people aboard. Or perhaps it’s a dream that has lingered for years, a dream known simply as The Great Loop.

For thousands of experienced sailors, the Great Loop has become the catalyst for transitioning from sail to power, opening the door to one of the most extraordinary cruising adventures in the world.

One Journey, Endless Destinations

Unlike a traditional voyage with a single destination, the Great Loop is a continuous circumnavigation of eastern North America, covering approximately 6,000 nautical miles through rivers, canals, lakes, bays and coastal waterways. It is a journey where no two weeks are alike.

^ Burnt Island, Georgian Bay

^ Scott Island, Parry Sound

One month you may be enjoying lobster rolls in a quaint New England harbor, the next drifting through the wilderness of Georgian Bay, followed by evenings tied alongside historic river towns on the Mississippi. Before long you’re watching dolphins play in the warm waters of Florida’s Gulf Coast. It is not simply a cruise. It is an ever-changing tapestry of landscapes, cultures, history and boating experiences unlike anything else.

Following the Waterways of a Continent

Most Loopers begin somewhere along the U.S. East Coast before heading north toward New York Harbor and the Hudson River. The towering skyline of Manhattan gradually disappears astern as the scenery transforms into rolling hills, vineyards and historic waterfront towns. Soon the pace slows considerably.

^ Pate Island, Georgian Bay

The Erie Canal introduces a completely different style of cruising. Built nearly two centuries ago, its locks lift and lower boats through peaceful countryside dotted with charming villages, bicycle paths and welcoming waterfront communities where transient dockage is often just steps from local restaurants and farmers’ markets. Leaving the canal system behind, the freshwater world of the Great Lakes unfolds. Lake Ontario gives way to the dramatic beauty of Georgian Bay and the North Channel; destinations many seasoned cruisers describe as among the finest cruising grounds anywhere on Earth.

^ Lake Michigan, Chicago River

Here, smooth granite islands sculpted by glaciers rise from crystal-clear water. White pines cling to windswept rock faces while secluded anchorages offer complete solitude. The water is so clear that anchors can often be seen resting twenty feet below the surface.

Days are spent exploring hidden coves by dinghy, hiking through fragrant pine forests or enjoying spectacular sunsets that seem to last forever. Many Loopers find themselves lingering here for weeks.

The Heart of America

Continuing westward, Lake Michigan delivers an entirely different cruising experience. Picturesque harbors such as Charlevoix, Petoskey and Holland showcase classic Americana, while Chicago provides one of the most memorable arrivals of the entire voyage. Passing beneath the city’s famous skyscrapers and navigating the downtown river system offers a perspective few visitors ever experience. From there, the journey turns south into America’s inland rivers.

The Illinois River gradually gives way to the mighty Mississippi before connecting with the Ohio, Tennessee and Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. Here the landscape changes once again. Towering limestone bluffs, dense hardwood forests and peaceful anchorages replace bustling cities. Bald eagles soar overhead while great blue herons stalk the shoreline. Friendly towboat captains call passing cruisers by name over the VHF radio, and evenings are often spent sharing stories with fellow Loopers at riverside marinas.

^ Lake Michigan, Ludington Harbor

Southern hospitality is never more evident than along this stretch of the journey. Small towns frequently welcome visiting boaters with courtesy cars, community events and warm smiles from people genuinely interested in hearing where you’ve come from and where you’re headed next.

Cruising Into the South

Eventually the rivers give way to Mobile Bay, where saltwater once again fills the air. The Gulf Coast offers a welcome change of pace with white sand beaches, fresh seafood and relaxed waterfront towns stretching west to east across Florida. Pensacola, Apalachicola, Clearwater and Sarasota each offer their own unique character, while crystal-clear anchorages invite lazy afternoons swimming from the stern.

Further south, the tropical atmosphere becomes unmistakable. Palm trees line the waterways, dolphins escort boats through quiet channels and manatees drift lazily beneath marina docks. Depending on the chosen route, some cruisers venture through the Florida Keys before heading north along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

The final leg carries Loopers past historic St. Augustine, the marshlands of Georgia, the Lowcountry charm of South Carolina and the sailing capital of Annapolis before eventually returning to their starting point.

^ Beaufort South Carolina

^ Audubon Swamp Garden South Carolina

Completing the Loop often takes between nine months and eighteen months, although many choose to spread the adventure over several seasons. The journey is never about rushing. It is about experiencing North America one harbor, one river and one unforgettable sunset at a time.

If the Great Loop has always been your dream, Berthon USA can help turn that dream into reality by finding the right boat for the journey and the adventures that follow.

Berthon USA is proud to represent Hanse Yachts’ Sealine powerboat range, offering an impressive selection of 12 models from 33 to 43 feet across four distinct styles: Outboard, Sport, Cruiser and Flybridge.

Designed around spacious, light-filled interiors, comfortable accommodation and sociable living spaces, Sealine yachts would be ideally suited to enjoying the Great Loop experience. Their thoughtful layouts provide inviting spaces to relax, entertain and enjoy the changing scenery, whether cruising the Great Lakes, exploring America’s inland waterways or spending time on the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway.

Their relatively modest drafts and carefully considered profiles are important advantages when navigating the varied conditions of the Great Loop, where shallow waterways, bridges and locks all form part of the adventure. Equally, their versatile layouts offer the flexibility to enjoy life both inside and out, whatever the weather or cruising destination.

Whether embarking on the entire Great Loop or exploring it in stages, a Sealine offers the opportunity to enjoy the freedom of extended cruising without compromising on comfort or style.

Ask Peter for further information about the Sealine range.

Sealine F430
https://www.berthoninternational.com/yacht-sales-brokerage/yachts-for-sale/sealine-f430-xxx/
Sealine C430
https://www.berthoninternational.com/yacht-sales-brokerage/yachts-for-sale/sealine-c430-xxx/
Sealine C390
https://www.berthoninternational.com/yacht-sales-brokerage/yachts-for-sale/sealine-c390-xxx/
Sealine C335V
https://www.berthoninternational.com/yacht-sales-brokerage/yachts-for-sale/sealine-c335v-xxx/

For further information contact peter.h@berthonusa.com.

About Peter Houghton | Meet the Berthon Sales Group

Further Imagery