The Trip
The Great Loop is a 6000 mile boat voyage circling the eastern United States and parts of Canada. Trip distance can be much longer with side trips. ‘The Loop’ is often completed in about one year by following favorable weather: spring in the north east, summer on the Great Lakes, fall on the inland rivers, and winter in the south. We hope to ‘cross our wake’ in 14 months.
Interest in the Loop has grown over the last 10-15 years, with hundreds of boats expecting to complete the trip this year. Loop boats come in all sizes with the average, according to the AGCLA, growing to over 40’.
The Route
Figure 1 shows the principle routes of the Great Loop. Our planned route includes Lake Champlain, Canada Heritage Canals and Tombigbee Waterway; with side trips to Quebéc City and Knoxville TN.
Figure 1: Great Loop Routes
Heritage Canals in North East Canada
Figure 2: Heritage Canals in Québec
Figure 3: Heritage Canals in north-east Canada
Figure 4: Chambly Canal along the Richelieu River
Figure 5: Rideau Canal from Ottawa to Lake Ontario
Figure 6: Trent Severn Canal from Lake Ontario to Lake Huron