Great Loop Record Attempt Halted Due to Hull Damage

On July 20, seven days into his second Great Loop speed record attempt, Robert Youens and his co-skipper Steven Hernden have called it quits. They departed from Chickasaw, Alabama on July 13 and were making record time, often covering 400 miles a day in their single engine aluminum Jon boat

In the first three days, they covered 1,300 miles of the 6,000 they would have to tick off to complete America’s Great Loop. By the fourth, they had outrun the RV that was trailing them with beds for the night and spare fuel.

Youens is no stranger to the Great Loop. Last year, the 72 year old adventurer soloed his 16-foot Jon boat around the course in 19 days, 13 hours just shy of setting a new record. This year with a bigger boat, a bigger engine and a co-skipper, he was confident he would make the record fall.

But it wasn’t to be. On July 20, Herden posted on the team’s Facebook page that they had hit something in Lake Erie and breached the aluminum hull. They needed to stop to make repairs and two hours later Hernden posted again that their record attempt was over.

“After a great run, we have some bad news for you guys. Robert and I have decided to call off the remainder of our loop run,” the post said.

With an avid following on Facebook and posted locations of scheduled fuel stops, the team was met by crowds of enthusiastic fans who came out to wish them well.

“The amount of people who have come out to cheer us on or meet at the fuel stops has been incredible,” Hernden said. “Thank you for spending some of your time to see a couple dudes in a Jon boat.”

Although this year’s record attempt is over, Youens and Hernden have the experience, support, sponsorship and desire to make this dream real. Don’t be surprised if we revisit this story next spring for record attempt number three.