GL: Great loop boat suggestions

[Thwhalley@aol.com]

This is a very interesting subject. 
 
I have never completed the great loop, however I have traveled from Florida  
to Lake Champlain 18 times with four different boats. They were a 44  
Gulfstar, 42 Krogen, 32 Albin, and a 44 Endeavour Trawler Cat. Once in Vermont I  have 
made side trips up the  Richelieu  to Montreal and Quebec City,  The Ottawa 
river to Ottawa and the Rideau to Kingston. The Trent Severn as far  as Stony 
Lake then back to Florida. 
 
My personal favorite was the 32 Albin with a single 300 hp Cummins engine.  
This boat is very well built, will handle most sea conditions, and will pass  
under a 12 ft bridge. It cruises at 18 knots while burning less then 10 gallons 
 per hour. With its speed and ability to pass under most bridges I was able  
to reach planned destinations early in the afternoon. This left a lot of time 
to  thoroughly explore each stop.
 
I would not recommend this boat as a live aboard, but for two  people planing 
to spend six or seven months a year cruising I think  they will find this 
boat quite comfortable.
 
Tom Whalley




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