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Artwork for Great Loop Radio Podcast

Great Loop Radio Podcast

AGLCA
Great Loop
Florida
Boating Safety
Marine Insurance
Erie Canal
AGLCA
Boating
Navigation Rules
Boat Storage
Travel
Biscayne Bay
Fitness
Chicago
Canada
Lake Michigan
Man Overboard
Sound Signals
Tides and Currents
Skymed
Marine Surveying

America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association brings you this weekly podcast providing information and inspiration to help you plan your own Great Loop adventure.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes625Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelHobbiesLeisureSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Great Loop Radio Podcast

Latest Episodes

Cruising the inland rivers in 2026 will require some extra planning. In this episode of Great Loop Radio, the Home Port Crew breaks down several closures and service changes that could affect Loopers traveling through the region. We cover the closure... more

Gold Loopers Bob and Cheryl Gilmore share the story of their Great Loop aboard Silver Lining, a Beneteau Swift Trawler 34. With their boating experience previously limited to a freshwater lake, they explain how they prepared for the journey, chose th... more

YouTube

Cruising through downtown Chicago is one of the most memorable experiences on the Great Loop! In this episode of Great Loop Radio, Mark Stevens, General Manager of Navy Pier Marina, joins us to share everything Loopers need to know about visiting the... more

YouTube

Jacque and Tsali Bentley are back for Part 2 of our Great Debates on route choices! This time, we’re tackling more of the decisions Loopers face along the way—from how to cross the Gulf and which side of Lake Michigan to cruise, to navigating New Yor... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Bob Gilmore
Gained deep hands-on experience with the loop, co-host of the story segment
Silver Lining (boat)
Episode: Great Loop Radio: Bob and Cherryl, Swift Trawler 34
Cheryl Gilmore
Co-owner of the loop story, partner in the journey
Silver Lining (boat)
Episode: Great Loop Radio: Bob and Cherryl, Swift Trawler 34
Mark Stevens
General Manager, Navy Pier Marina
Navy Pier Marina
Episode: Great Loop Radio: Cruising Through Chicago
Tsali Bentley
Guest, Compass Rose owner/operator
Compass Rose (2005 Mainship 400)
Episode: Great Debates: Route Choices (Part 2)
Jacque Bentley
Guest discussing route options and personal experiences on the Great Loop
Episode: Great Debates: Route Choice (Part 1)
Phil Brown
Guest speaker discussing family Great Loop journey
Brown family (Great Loop travelers)
Episode: Story of our Loop - The Brown Family, 55' Marquis
Jenny Brown
Guest speaker discussing family Great Loop journey
Brown family (Great Loop travelers)
Episode: Story of our Loop - The Brown Family, 55' Marquis
Dale Anderson
Speaker on Georgian Bay navigation and anchoring strategies
Guest expert on Georgian Bay
Episode: All About Georgian Bay
Sully Bentley
Guest speaker, experienced looper and boat owner
Compass Rose owners
Episode: Great Debates: Boat Features

Host

Kim Russo
Host of Great Loop Radio Podcast and Director of AGLCA, associated with America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 121 ratings
  • Well organized and informative, but audio levels

    The hostess is well informed and keeps to schedule. Even more importantly, she keeps the show guests on topic and on schedule. Only gripe is audio level management. The call in guests are very quiet, the interviewer is normal, and the intro and fade out music is deafening. Keep up the good work and add a mixing board.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Slovakia vacationer
    United States5 years ago
  • Great info but...

    The info on this show is excellent but certain ‘guests’ audio is not at the same level as the host so we find ourselves constantly adjusting the volume or just skipping that ep.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IvanChaz
    United States5 years ago
  • Sound Equipment

    I love the content. Last time I listened the audio quality was very ‘AM’

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Pat Splat
    United States7 years ago
  • Good info

    Lots of good useful information. The presenters are usually well informed and interesting. A must for anyone planning to do the Great Loop cruise. The podcast could benefit greatly from more professional production techniques. The sound quality is far below the level of other podcasts. The presenters are often left to ramble with no guidance from hosts. Something more scripted would allow a more coherent presentation. Also there are too many "hosts" who often interrupt each other and there guest... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    MCsailor
    United States14 years ago
  • Captain

    An essential link to anything a looper needs to know. Joining the group has been a phenomenal source of real time navigation and resources

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Velomer
    United States15 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the host for organization and on-topic interviews, but note audio balance and production quality could improve.
The show is considered essential for potential loopers and a valuable resource for route planning and practical boating tips.
Some episodes suffer from varying guest audio levels and pacing, suggesting a more scripted or guided format could help.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Great Debates: Route Choices (Part 2)
Q: What tips do you have for visiting Chicago by boat?
Take the architectural river tour to understand the city's history, check bridge clearances, and consider Hammond for affordable access with a train link into Chicago; if you can clear the Chicago River, it's a highlight, otherwise Cal Sag offers a practical alternative.
Great Debates: Route Choices (Part 2)
Q: Which Lake Michigan side did you take and why?
They chose the Michigan side first and then the Wisconsin side on the second loop, largely due to weather and harbors; Michigan offered frequent harbor refuges and favorable weather, while Wisconsin provided scenic Door County and interesting stops, though weather sometimes forced a stay in Charlevoix.
Story of our Loop - The Brown Family, 55' Marquis
Q: What boat did you choose and why did you decide on the Marquis 55 for your family of four?
We chose the Marquee 55 (59 ft LOA) for space, with three staterooms and three heads, to accommodate all four of us plus a dog and provide separate living areas. The layout, including a large flybridge and multiple levels, offered the separation and comfort we needed for a family, especially with teens. We also valued easier dinghy deployment and more room for training and cruising as a family.
Story of My Loop: Peter - 37' Lord Nelson Victory Tug
Q: What led you to choose Teddy Bear for the Great Loop and what kept you going with such a minimalist setup?
Teddy Bear has been a family boat for decades, and its simple, reliable, low-maintenance design—without modern conveniences—became a deliberate philosophy for efficiency, learning to rely on skill and seamanship rather than technology.
Story of My Loop: Peter - 37' Lord Nelson Victory Tug
Q: Tell us about yourself and your boating experiences before the loop.
Peter describes a lifelong involvement with boats, including family sailing, teaching, naval architecture studies, and a diverse career at sea and ashore, culminating in extensive loop preparation and a deep passion for safe, efficient cruising.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Great Loop Radio Podcast

What is Great Loop Radio Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, route-focused program about planning and executing the Great Loop, with a strong emphasis on route options, timing, and real-world experiences from cruising families, solo voyagers, and expert guests. Episodes cover everything from choosing routes and boat features to crossing borders, Georgian Bay navigation, scheduling events for loopers, and managing logistics like flights, provisioning, and legal/insurance considerations. Unique angles include in-depth debates about boat choices, detailed ride-throughs of specific waterways (Rideau Canal, Trent-Severn, Georgian Bay), and family-centered journeys that highlight how size, speed, and training influence the cruising lifestyle. The show appears to consistently blend authoritativ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Great Loop Radio Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Great Loop Radio Podcast:

1. Power and Motoryacht Podcast
2. Offshore Sailing and Cruising with Paul Trammell
3. Talking Real Money - Investing Talk
4. The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
5. The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

How many episodes of Great Loop Radio Podcast are there?

Great Loop Radio Podcast launched 15 years ago and published 625 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Great Loop Radio Podcast?

Recent guests on Great Loop Radio Podcast include:

1. Bob Gilmore
2. Cheryl Gilmore
3. Mark Stevens
4. Tsali Bentley
5. Jacque Bentley
6. Phil Brown
7. Jenny Brown
8. Dale Anderson

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