71 year old sets new Great Loop Solo Record

[Bill 310]

Note to reader - he did this in a Jon Boat

 

[kaelc]

I think the great loop is one of the things keeping the yacht market live on the east coast. This will give it another little boost I’ve seen it on FB a few times. Not that I could imagine boating in 100 degrees and all that humidity. My buddy wants to try and set a record circumnavigating the Island. Initially I wanted to join him, but not only is he the wrong person to do it with, his boat isn’t the right boat, and I’d prefer to retire some day and do it on a nice sail boat or my boat at a gentle pace.

 

[Gong Show]

I have given thought to a VI circumnavigation record effort.
I would have the right boat, but I am probably not the right person for most other people.

 

[kaelc]

I have given thought to a VI circumnavigation record effort.
I would have the right boat, but I am probably not the right person for most other people.

Yeah. I know how nervous I get when other people are operating the boat too fast or close to things, funny how I don’t when I’m doing the exact same on my boat. When I’m tired and beat up it can get quite difficult, but to leave land and sea speed records to the young and the dumb and the old and the bold in this case.

 

[tubber]

A colleague's father looped the Island when he was in his late seventies in a kayak. Weather led to many extended days camping on beaches, especially near Brooks. He wasn't in a hurry or very interested in checking in with family. He made it around. Eccentric Euro guy.

 

[Bill 310]

I think the great loop is one of the things keeping the yacht market live on the east coast. This will give it another little boost I’ve seen it on FB a few times. Not that I could imagine boating in 100 degrees and all that humidity. My buddy wants to try and set a record circumnavigating the Island. Initially I wanted to join him, but not only is he the wrong person to do it with, his boat isn’t the right boat, and I’d prefer to retire some day and do it on a nice sail boat or my boat at a gentle pace.

My brother lives in Peterborough and they see loopers all summer long as they do the optional Canada part of the loop using the Trent Canal system. The Loop remains on my bucket list just for the historic interest of the trip and the navigational experiences.

We would need to buy a Loop specific boat for that trip.