Every year, we like to dedicate the last issue of the summer to a cruising adventure that is uniquely American, that is as big a Paul Bunyon and as tall as some of Mark Twain’s tales. It is America’s Great Loop. The 6,000-mile route around the eastern third of the American continent is made up of many parts, each with its own character, challenges and rewards for cruisers. Many cruisers sample only sections of the route, while a special few become true loopers by completing the full circuit. The Great Loop Cruising Association provides an umbrella organization for want-to-be loopers,…

Yesterday, August 14, Hinckley Yachts based in Portsmouth, Rhode Island held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newest addition to the company’s expanding storage and service businesses  The building that was the focus of the event is a brand new 24,000 square foot steel structure that was designed and built to withstand the winds and floods of a hundred-year storm. Hinckley’s CEO Gavin McClintock addressed the crowd with a vision for the company’s future. “After almost 100 years in business, the Hinckley company is investing heavily in the future, and this new structure is a significant part of where we…

We all know the Great Loop, one of America’s most famous year-long cruising adventures. And, we know the Great Eastern Loop that leads from New York City up the Hudson River and then out the St. Lawrence Seaway and around the Canadian Maritimes before closing the circle back in the city. But what about the FLOOP or what’s better known as Florida’s  Southern Loop?  For snowbirds heading south in the fall along the Intracoastal Waterway to the Sunshine State, the FLOOP is a natural cruising attraction. Why stay plugged into a marina all winter when you can go exploring and…

As a Mark Twain fan and a lover of his memoir Life on the Mississippi, where he was for several years a river pilot, the charms of the river’s upper reaches have long held an allure. So, when we came across Paula and Paul Yantorno’s story of a week-long cruise from Dubuque, Iowa to Minneapolis, Minnesota and back, we knew we needed to share it. (Paula and Paul Yantorno) The Yantorno’s trailered their Monterey 27 Navetta from their home in Denver, Colorado to Dubuque, a trip of some 18 hours, where they launched at the public boat ramp.  Interestingly, a…

Preparing a boat to tackle the year-long adventure of circling America’s Great Loop, or any of the smaller cruising circles in the country, takes time and often a bit of money. But what about preparing ourselves for such an adventure? As it happens the Loop passes through up to 20 U.S. states, depending on your route, and into Canada and back. Many states require skippers to have certificates of competency and proof that they have taken and passed a range of courses on seamanship, boat handling and safety. Completing the required courses takes time so it should not be left…