Great Loop Radio: All About Vessel Safety Exams

You know where the Great Loop route goes (if not, check out our map or our FAQs), but how do you decide which cities and towns to visit along the way? Join us as April Smith aboard One Eye Dog shares how she plans their stops during their long-distance cruises including the Great Loop.

Docking and other close-quarters maneuvering can be some of the most stressful parts of a day of boating on the Great Loop. Join us as experienced boater and current Looper, Elaine Stern, shares some of the things she wishes someone had told her when she first started boating that can improve teamwork and communication while docking.

What does it take to do the Great Loop without fossil fuels? Bryan Verhulp is underway on the Great Loop aboard his trawler that he converted from diesel-powered to electric. Find out how he made the conversion, including the mechanical components (both those he removed and those installed), the cost, and the vessel's performance so far on the Loop.

Join us as we discuss the recent issues at the Wilson Lock on the Tennessee River with Cline Jones, Executive Director of the Tennessee River Valley Association and the Tennessee-Cumberland Waterways Council. Cline provides information on past and current issues with this lock and why we should be concerned about similar problems that could happen throughout the nation's system of locks. We'll also explain the economic impact of locking delays on the commercial sector, and what Loopers can do to help get much needed lock maintenance and replacements funded.