YES...it is really important to follow the buoys/channel pretty closely in Okeechobee. Outside the channel, there are many rocks. People who have wandered out of the channel have broken and twisted props. The channel is pretty well maintained, but unless you're in something really shallow-draft, it can be a crap-shoot.

@johndemler653

Жыл бұрын

So true

Best thing I’ve watched this year.All the best to you .

I have really enjoyed your loop. Informative and with an easy going narration style. Thanks so much for all your time and effort.

I just finished watching all 34 episodes of Slow Bells adventures (to date). Thank you very much for making the videos and uploading them. Stay safe and well.

Nice trip. Thanks for sharing. Brings back decades of memories.

Congrats!!! Can’t wait for your new adventures, including all the prep work for transporting Slow Bells. Thanks.

Holy moly; that super yacht was crazy!

@seattleboatguy

Жыл бұрын

Impressive floating toys down there. An interesting place for boat watching.

Glad to see you back! We really enjoy watching your videos. Looking forward to reading your book!!

I really enjoyed your videos, thanks for taking the time.

Thanks for the Great Loop adventure. Looking forward to seeing the great Northwest from your point of view.

Have enjoyed many of your great loop videos, and learned a great deal. I wish you well in your future journey.

I watched all your Great Loop videos. Thanks for taking time to post. I know it was much work. I enjoyed watching and wish you all the best!

Thanks for sharing your adventures! Your videos are uniquely crafted...an excellent blend of storytelling, technical advice, and videography! Keep up the great work and I look forward to following more of your exploits. ⛵🙂🛶🏍🛥

Thanks for sharing. You did a great job. I learned so much about everything, and you made it so interesting.

Congratulations, thanks for taking us along.

over the last two days I watched all of the Great Loop videos. I think you did great informative videos. Love anything to do with travel and maps. Best of luck in the future.

I always hate the end of a great trip but, one must end for the next to begin! Thanks for sharing your experiences, you're a good storyteller and I have enjoyed your East Coast narratives. Good luck in the Great Northwest and look forward to new adventures for you to report! Ring, ring.

Welcome back. You will be missed until your next "teaching us" adventure. Your trip has inspired many to go distance cruising, i hope to depart Norfolk south in the ICW soon and you helped me make that decision. Thanks you for the push.

Congratulations on finishing your loop my husband has watched everyone of "Slow Bells" and has really enjoyed them all. We have Albin 27FC trawler and use it currently in fingerlakes and erie canal looking forward to someday going farther. Looking forward to seeing more videos in the northwest. Take care.

Thank for the very illustrated video keep doing them

Thank you for your videos. I enjoyed them.

Very nice loved watching the whole loop very educational thanks for sharing it with us

Thankful for your videos. Of they many Great Loop videos on KZread I have enjoyed yours the most. I have started watching them again. Someday I hope to complete this adventure as well!

I had no idea that the ICW went all through the state. The footage of the voyage was great, thank you

Thanks so much for this. I've been allover your trip. 20 years ago. And now I'm dreaming/pondering doing just what your doing. Live aboard seems right to me. Thanks again.

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

I think that being a liveaboard is too much like camping for a lot of people. Everyone is a little different. I hope you can at least try it out.

I have enjoyed your videos of the Great Loop. You explained well and the change of scenery was interesting. Good luck in all your adventures!

Thanks for taking us along.

Thanks for all the videos. You've made a future looper out of me. Hope to see new videos from the Pacific Northwest!

Thoroughly enjoyed your videos.

Thanks for the ride, I will look forward to more.

Thanks for sharing your adventure, best of luck heading back to the Pacific Northwest.

Well done boatguy! Good luck in the PNW. Thanks for the ride along.

WHAT AN ADVENTURE... THANK YOU FOR SHARING!

what an amazing trip, thanks for posting.

Looking forward to seeing you boating and enjoying the water in Washington state. Stay safe on your trip across this great country!

Love your videos, especially the nav. and other info. you include. Can't wait to read your book. An alert to your subscribers when it's available would be very much appreciated! Thank you for sharing.

So good to see you again. Wood work looks like new, well done. Congratulations on all the upgrades and new equipment they should help out tremendously when you get to the left coast :-) Hate to hear your ending your Loop trip but look forward to what you share with us from out west. Wife and I will have to get your book for our loop trip in a couple years. Safe travels and look forward to the next adventures. Peace and Later !!!

@seattleboatguy

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much, Bryon. But, truth be told, you don't really need a book from me or anyone else. Get yourself a boat of reasonable size, give yourself some time to become familiar with the beast, and then do a 30 mile trip before you call it a day. Next day, another 30 or 40. Keep on doing that, and in a year or so, you will have done the loop. It's already been done by lots of different people with lots of different strengths, in lots of different boats. They did it. You can do it. Best wishes.

The area around Stuart Florida is, in my opinion, the nicest in the state. And that's from the land! Thank you for the trip down the ICW. I live in BC Canada now, so welcome to the PNW.

Thanks for posting.

You’re right about the west coast heat, it’s Brutal! Been to Venus several times, from PSL, On the east coast, where it’s a tad cooler because of the ocean breeze. Enjoyed listening to this video, that’s quite a trek you undertook. I grew up in south Florida, started boating when I was 11 years old, then through the years worked at many different boatyards and marinas, moved up to PSL, built my own little tiller drive V-hull 13.5 footer, cruised the ICW from 96-2004, from Vero down to Lauderdale, and it’s quite a ride! Sometimes we’d camp out at one of those little islands you probably saw on your trip. It’s a great adventure exploring new waterways and sites and I hope that y’all enjoy many more! Wishing you calm seas and smooth sailing! Take care!

Glad to see you back and glad all is well with you and Slow Bells. We decided to post pone our trip east from Texas this year due to the 'Rona and instead we will travel south to Mile marker 1 down in Port Isabel this fall. That should make for a good shakedown before leaving on the Big Loop. Thanks for sharing with all of us!

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

Best of luck with the shakedown cruise this fall. I hope looping is a little more back to normal next year.

Look forward to your future adventures...best wishes

Glad to see this video been wondering about you sorry it took so long bless your heart show us the Seattle area it's beautiful

Welcome back. I wondered where you have been. You were missed.

Excellent video, Doug. I'm sorry to reach the end of your Great Loop saga and have enjoyed coming along virtually. See you in WA!

@seattleboatguy

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Gary. See ya in September.

Thanks for sharing the adventures! Please document the transport of Slow Bells to the northwest! I am thinking of doing the same thing. I’ll keep my eyes open for the book!

Enjoyed your trip. Hope to see you soon.

Good Luck in your new home, thank you for all the information you provided. God willing maybe I will get a boat and at least do the intracoastal from NJ to FL. God speed to you and Carol.

Glad you're back

Glad to see you posting again ......... hope you are well.

@seattleboatguy

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Frank. This virus seems to be slowing most everything down. Be safe.

Outstanding finish to a great series! If you can, post a video of the loading and transport of Slow Bells. That would be interesting. Best of luck in your future travels.

I have just loved watching these videos. My wife and I and another couple are planning to do this in a couple of years. I have been watching your videos today, as it is cool and raining where I am now. So as I watched your 2019 journey in 2024 I was like he does not know COVID 19 is coming. Obviously none of us did. I found the dynamics very interesting. You were lucky that COVID hit at the end of your journey. People who were half way through I am sure ran into a lot of issues.

@seattleboatguy

2 ай бұрын

All true, Wade. Coming through Tampa in late 2019, I was clueless about the approaching covid typhoon. I, too, am glad that most of the journey was behind me when the storm finally struck. Nasty stuff, that.

Great video as always. On your way back north and west I hope we can meet up somewhere.

Welcome Back - you have been missed!!!!

Lake Okobiji haha that was great. Hey you've got a new fan here so keep it up. I've shared your Chicago to Paducah video with my folks who did that trip with their demasted sailboat several years ago on way to Houston.

Excellent video. You're a great story teller. I also subbed you.

Thanks A lot and good luck!

Thanks for the Great Loop trip. It was very well presented. Thanks again.

The pineapple for a New Year's Eve drop is a great idea!!!

Thank you So much Capitaine

Waiting for northwest adventures! Good luck.

Thank you and God Speed !!!!

Thank you for the inspiration! I have traveled some of the waterways you have been on, and some waterways you have not yet been on. All is good. I hope to one day cruise the Pacific Northwest!

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

The Pacific Northwest is hard to beat in the summer months. Chartering a boat for a week or two is not such a bad option for a quick visit.

Added to the bucket list...

Well done hope you have a good life up in Washington Sate would love to see the move from Florida amazing achievement from the UK

my wife and I got stuck at picnic island (tide), which is just north of miserable mile, when she was 7 months pregnant. A super nice couple, took us to their home in saint james city in their john boat.That was 27 years ago....

No, No, No.....I am so happy to see your return, and then you end with the news that this is your last video.....what a bomb drop. Please, please leave your videos out there so we can go back and review your great loop knowledge and pointers. I have thoroughly loved your videos, especially your love for your "Classic" trawler. I hope to find an experienced trawler, and bring her back to her glory. You have inspired me and I hope to take to the waters soon. Looking forward to your book. Fair Winds, and Following Seas.

Congrats on finishing the Loop! Great videos, enjoy the North West!

For a wonderful boating adventure, investigate the fabulous Trent/Severn Waterway system in Ontario, Canada. From near Picton, Ontario, you travel several hundred miles through many lakes, rivers and locks, travelling all the way to Georgian Bay and beyond. There are detailed charts available showing channels, places to stop for fuel, supplies, waterfront restaurants, campgrounds (if you want), etc. etc. If you're considering the trip, I would recommend avoiding July and early August. There's usually a lot of boat "traffic" and wait times at locks can be a few hours. Go on You Tube and look up The Peterborough Lift Locks and Big Chute. They're part of the system. I made this great boat trip several years ago aboard a 42 foot cruiser. I would suggest a two-three week time frame. An interesting part of the trip is that you can go off into "side lakes" and explore them. The lock system was (don't know if it still applies) open from the Canadian May 24th long weekend until Thanksgiving Day in October.

Well, I must say that was fun and it looks like you and the boat got the job done. It's good to hear you plan to write a book about the adventure. I'm quite sure many would be interested in what you did and how you did it. Just the written time line and calendar of the passage would be good for a loop planner to consider what he / she needs to put such a adventure together. Your time in Canada is a part most do not do and that is useful in itself. Continued success and best wishes.

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

For me, Canada was the best part. Really beautiful country up there and interesting watetways.

Great info bro

I've lived in Florida all of my 61 yes. My life started out boating and fishing anywhere from Everglades to Miami to The Keys. I'm still a motorboats on the west coast. Canadensis, Honeymoon Island ...north, to at least Tarpon Springs Sponge Dock. We've got many islands, spoil islands and nice sandbars. ALOT of wonderful wildlife. It's worth checking out. Sand has been moving like crazy so you do have to watch for shallow areas.

@andreacrawford8897

3 жыл бұрын

Clearwater Beach..

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

It's a tough state to beat in the winter.

Ditto to everyone else! You were very much missed!

Thank you for letting me tag along. (Virtually) I’ve enjoyed all you Slow Bells, videos. I was happy to see you posting this last part of the Loop. I was starting to get a little worried that something happened to you. Take care and safe travels, sir. We will catch you on the next adventure.

Got 8 min into your vid with not a single mention of Bradenton (Between Tampa and Sarasota).....Also, that buoy field is off O'Leary's Tiki Bar/Restaurant (Far better than Marina Jack's--no shoes required)..... Love your trawler--I lived aboard a 1978 Conquest 33 (Defever, I think) in Santa Barbara Harbor from 1994-99.....Heaven on earth!! ......Would love to do the Loop someday, but am a Florida dirt dweller for foreseeable future..... ;o)

Fun to see! We live in Burnt Store Marina (two minutes of footage) and crossed Florida on exactly this route on the way to the Bahamas, stopping to visit all the ports on here and visiting friends in Stuart. The lock at Myakka was a challenge - it was blowing really hard and we were the only boat in there and to make it harder, the gates wouldn't close and the lock-keeper had three goes before they would, with us hanging on for grim death, feet lifted off the deck! Just for info, we were on our 34 foot sailboat with bilge keels, drawing 3'9""

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

Crossing the Gulfstream must have seemed easy after your adventure with that lock.

@sylviamarlow9149

3 жыл бұрын

@@seattleboatguy Well, it would have been easier if the autopilot hadn't died on us! We crossed by night and the compass light was a godsend!

Great video never knew you can cut though the state

We are trying to get a houseboat and run the major rivers and be based in Tenn. We plan to travel with 5 dogs and 3 goats / The need a flag for half loopers because we plan to stay in fresh water but plan to do the great lakes also / will look for your book on Kindle this winter

A Dock (#1) @Regatta Pointe marina. Absolutely enjoy your videos and respect your knowledge. Thanks for sharing and perhaps we can meet up at the Riverhouse for a drink. Cheers!!

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Paul. Glad to hear you are enjoying the videos. I moved myself and Slow Bells to Washington State, so the Riverhouse is not all that convenient any more. That's too bad, because I really enjoyed their blackened redfish and their fish & chips. Regatta Pointe was a great marina, too. I felt lucky I was able to get my boat in there. Best wishes to you this Holiday Season.

@paulnotine4033

3 жыл бұрын

@@seattleboatguy Cheers!! It is all about the journey. @FairWindsCalmSeas

What a wonderful and informative series of videos. I just finished binge watching the entire lot. My wife and I are currently looking for a trawler with a view to doing the loop in a couple of years and your videos will certainly be a valuable resource. In one of your videos you mentioned two places where you source crew. One was an acronym...AGCIC I believe. When I google it I get no hits to do with boating. Could you post the link or tell me what it stands for. I look forward to your book. Cheers. Earle.

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Earle. The first place is a popular organization within the Looper community. It is American Great Loop Cruising Association (AGLCA). Lots of good information, advice, and classifieds there. In addition to crew wanted / crew available classifieds, they also regularly list boats for sale that have already been on the Loop. The other website is cruisersforum.com . It is not a looper specific site, but not a bad place to look for crew. Thank you for your kind comments. Best of luck on your future adventures.

yes, follow all the markers in the lake. there are rock piles in the lake!!

@seattleboatguy

4 жыл бұрын

Good to know. Thanks.

Awesome and informative video, Captain .. thank you for sharing .. FWFS .. r/ Glenn L.

Nice Trip , 😊

damn.. when you see how many super rich people there are and their mansions on the water and yachts ... crazy i wonder what its like to be that rich... to own something like that....

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

Yea, it's crazy. Hard for me to relate. But, interesting to see.

@chronicawareness9986

3 жыл бұрын

@@seattleboatguy its funny because even people worth 10 million, and made 1 million a year they wouldstill see the 50 million $ mansion on the ICW and the 50 million $ yacht , and his 20 million $ jet and still wonder what that must be like... so i feel humble

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

@@chronicawareness9986 : Yea, so true. It's all relative to what each of us consider "normal".

The lake changes depending how much water comes down the kissimmee river south of orlando

Yes stay in the bouyies in lk okeechobee.. rocks out side of them

@pastorjerrykliner3162

3 жыл бұрын

Yup!

Nice!

The yatchs have to be towed do to the sharpe truns on the river closer you get to miami ocean exits for that size of boats

Ha, you got it nice, the only water going across Florida in the late 70's was Alligator Alley.

Yes, follow ALL markers in lake o. unmarked rocks are in the lake!!

Good Luck in PNW!!

The too locks that were open are mostly closed due to aproching stroms from june to nov.most people take that route to see the gators a manitess

Thank you for your well enlightening on the loop. I’m in beginning of planning the loop. You should do a video of your best ideas for a loop boat

@Clickumentary

3 жыл бұрын

Me too and I really appreciate his detailed accounting of everything.

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

Guy Ruff : I looked at the webpage with the deadrise yacht. I don't know anything about the care and feeding of a wooden boat, but the pictures looked amazing.

@ThailandAmazing

3 жыл бұрын

seattleboatguy me to. What do you think of a Gibson 50 ft house boat

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThailandAmazing : I plead complete ignorance when it comes to houseboats. They look very comfortable and seem to have great 360 degree access around the outboard deck of the boat. I wonder how they do in the ocean? I know my boat really tended to roll a lot when the waves were on the beam. I suppose you would need the patience to wait for good conditions.

@ThailandAmazing

3 жыл бұрын

seattleboatguy yeah the thought of rolling and a whimpy handrail that separate you from a long swim just doesn’t sound really enjoyable. Very good point

From another former Seattle guy, I hope Slow Bells arrives in the NorthWest per plan. As you most likely know however Seattle has changed a lot.

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

I took a motorcycle ride out to the West Coast a few years ago to check things out. Seattle seemed a little more "dense" than what I remembered from 2001, especially the area south of Lake Union. I still kind of like the Seattle area, but I think this time I'll try living in the Blaine / Bellingham area. Seems like all the marinas have waiting lists now, not just Shilshole.

Being myself a Florida boy living in Michigan, I truly enjoyed your video ! Also reminded me of my child hood growing up on Dad's boat as we did a lot of sailing, inter coastal from D.C. to Key West and the Caribbean . What was your favorite Florida town ?

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure I had a favorite Florida town, but I will say that Palmetto was a pretty good spot to spend the winter. It was not too big and crazy, the bus system could get you around if you had no car and needed to run down to Sarasota, and bigger cities were nearby if you needed something bigger than Palmetto.

@frankduffy7471

3 жыл бұрын

@@seattleboatguy Thanks for the reply. I will be looking at a couple of sailboats for sale in another town you mentioned in your video : Indiantown ! I hope to make a good purchase as I love the boating life. I am subscribing to your channel - it is a boon to the hearts of boaters everywhere .

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

@@frankduffy7471 : Hi Frank. Indian town was pretty cool; acres and acres of boats. It looked to me like great place to shop for a boat. I hope you find something that catches your eye.

Does the draft of your boat change when you transition from salt water to fresh water and back again??

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

Yes it does. I think large vessels (barges, ships, etc) are actually marked on their hull to show the difference between floating in saltwater and freshwater. Google "plimsoll line". However, I have never noticed any difference myself on my own boat.

Where in Iowa, "Okaboji"?? Dean...West High...Waterloo...'70

@seattleboatguy

3 жыл бұрын

West Des Moines

Thanks for the information and entertainment. By the way Captain, when the red channel markers are finally on the right side of the boat (see 18:22), does that mean they are on the correct side or does it mean they are on the starboard side, or does it mean both?

@seattleboatguy

Жыл бұрын

When I thought about the correct answer to your question, my answer became obvious; I have completely forgotten the answer. I guess you are on your own, Enrico.

It’s about time!!!

@seattleboatguy

4 жыл бұрын

Bob, you crack me up. Thanks for keeping me out of trouble in Canada. Best of luck with Stella.

@bobjgolfer

4 жыл бұрын

@@seattleboatguy Sorry Doug but there are two of us Robert Jourdans (slightly different spelling). I'm back on Stella rehab but going in the water tomorrow. Hope we can meet up again soon.

@seattleboatguy

4 жыл бұрын

Wow, Bob, I didn't realize you had yourself cloned. The world will be a better place for it! Sorry for the confusion.

@CaptainBobby74

4 жыл бұрын

I didn’t want to ruin it! 😂

I LEARN SOME THING NEW THANKS