Looper Culture
Many loopers retire, sell everything, and live on their boats. Some complete the loop every year with the record being nine complete Great Loops. Many spend the winters in the Bahamas on their boats. Other loopers complete the loop in stages, storing the boat at various locations while they return to work. A few take their children and home-school them on the route. Loopers who are members of the America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association (AGLCA) meet two times a year in different locations along the Great Loop. The first reunion is near Charleston, South Carolina in the spring, the second reunion is traditionally in October at Joe Wheeler State Park in Alabama. This is a very popular one. The reunions and rendezvous are organized by AGLCA. The reunions are designed to allow mixing and mingling with old friends and new members, sharing stories and tips, also include general lessons on safety, vessel safety checks and other valuable cruising information. One highlight of the events is the Looper Crawl.
The America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association assists Great Loop cruisers with various needs such as safety, sharing navigational and cruising information, and networking among loopers. The networking through the daily e-mail blast provides updates and local advice. The boaters can broadcast information requests for anything such as docking, anchoring, water depth, hazards, repairs, fuel prices or dinner reservations.
With over 3.4 million visitors annually, captainjohn.org offers a 'How to cruise America's Great Loop' on an advertising free website. With over a hundred pictures, route options, and an interactive planning map, five time Looper Capt John, gives you boat restrictions, fuel requirements and frugal options for cruising America's Great Loop.
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