On the Great Loop with my 260

[LKYusnret]

The wife and I are doing the Great Loop! (around the easter half of the US)We left Jacksonville FL on 24 March and are now in a slip just off the Carlonia Beach in NC awatting the weather to turn better before we cross the Pamlico Sound. We normally spend 1 day a week at a Marina to take on water and fuel, but if the weather is rotten we say put till it turns better, average 43 miles a day). We figure the 7,800 miles will take us 12-16 months before we get back to Green Cove Spring on the ST Johns River and start our second part of the adventure on our Corbin 39, around the world in 10 to 15 Years. We have on-board Baums Rush,our 260, Central heat and air, microwave, two burner stove, freezer and refrigurator, DVD, flat screen TV, 40 AMP true charger, 2400 Watt inverter, 2k Honda generator, 6 ft tender with 4HP engine, auto pilot, chart plotter, sounder, shore power connection, 4 type 31 gell batteries, floursent light below decks, and all the extra stuff you need to take a trip like this, we even put up curtains. We just got a courtesey safty inspection and passes with flying colors. I just thought some of you with a 26 or 260 might like to know what is possible and that somebody is doing the dream. We towed Baums Rush from High Point NC down to Jacksonville so we could live on Baums Rush while we worked on Bright Eyes (Corbin 39) and then start our Great Loop adventure. Live the Dream. John USNret S/V Baums Rush

 

[Brian]

Keep in touch

Have a great time, and post pictures for those of us unable to do trips like this. Fair winds. Brian "Villa Villakula" Hunter 23

 

[Landsend]

wow!! Keep us all up to date on you're adventures

And Good Luck.

 

[Alan]

Great story

Best of luck on your trip. If you're headed through LI Sound from NY city, drop into Oyster Bay and pay a visit, you'll love the area.

 

[Bert Ward]

Great going John and Anita!

Wow, John and Anita, it is great to hear about your plans. After seeing and admiring your boat a couple of years ago, Kathy and I have recently purchased a Hunter 260 and plan some summer cruises.Hope to hear more from you.Bert and Kathy WardS/V First Watch2003 Hunter 260

 

[LKYusnret]

Due to the weather

here in Carlonia Beach we have decided to stay here till next weekend and hopefully the wind will die down to a more managable level. Other than the wind the weather is great, sunny and a little bit cool. Since we left Jacksonville FL on the 24 of March we have traveled about 500 nm, anchored out most of the time, spent 3 days in a Charleston marina (rented a car)saw the sights and had a great time. I'm trying to get my wife to get a fishing licence and some tackle but so far no luck. We read alot and watch TV a night before going to bed. We have only eatten out twice. Anita does the laundry when she gets the opportunity, we have not run out of clean cloths. We have internet on-board and cell phones so we don't loose touch with the out side world.  John USNret S/V Baums Rush

 

[HAL]

Loop

Can you tell us about winds, waves and currents you have encountered (max hts and speeds) and how you and your 260 handled them. How much motoring and how has that gone? How far offshore is your route? Average speeds sailing and motoring? Post chart of route and pics maybe? Do you go up the Hudson?

 

[Michael15707]

Fantastic

Don't forgot us poor guys moored at home.

 

[Tracy and Tom]

The Greast Loop

Please keep us informed as you travel the Great Loop. we would especially love to see photos.We intend to sail the Great Loop as soon as we retire. We have a 1994 Hunter 26 which we enjoy cruising with our children. We thought that we would have to get a bigger boat to make the trip. Seems like we might be able to go it in Grasshopper II.Tom and TracyGrasshopper IILake Carlyle, Ill

 

[bart5008]

the great loop-a dream

I have been dreaming of this trip for about 20 years. have even researched it extensively and read a lot of articles about it. you might want to look at the website www.greatloop.com for more insight.you didn't state what size motor you have on your 260?Good luck!

 

[tgrass462]

Website

My wife, Tracy, replied earlier that we both are extremely interested in your progress - especially how your 260 handles the ICW, the Hudson River, the Great Lakes, the Illinois River and so on.Do you have a Website on which we can follow your progress?In any event - keep us posted on your progress and hopefully some photos.Tom GrassGrasshopper IIH-26 #174

 

[LKYusnret]

Tom Grass on Grasshopper II

If you would like I can send you sailing update that I e-mail out to friends. Send me an E-mail and I'll add you to the e-mail list. LKYusnret2@aol.com I have no web siteJohn USNret