009 Great Loop: Searching for Information

Great Loop Prologue Jun 2016

You would be surprised how much information is available on the topic of the Great Loop in particular and on the sailing lifestyle in general.

Let me cut to the chase. Of the books written on the Great Loop, I gravitated to people who have completed the loop in small boats. or sailboats. It was common to find boaters doing the loop in boats 30 feet and larger. Usually, someone with substantial means is at their disposal. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It’s a big country and there is room for us all. If you have the money you can do anything. Most of us would agree with that. So where does that put little don’t-have-the-money me?

Enter Captain John aka John C. Wright. To begin with, he has a very informative website and on top of that has written a number of popular books on the subject. He appears to be a man who knows what he is talking about. Someone who walks the walk and talks the talk.

Since my retirement in 2013 from University Hospital’s Seidman Cancer Center, I have made every effort to reduce my debt. I had to. My income was drastically reduced. But I have also concurrently slashed my bills. I learned to become frugal. And that’s where Capt John fits in. For Mr. and Mrs. Deep Pockets there were many options available, Choice of boats, where to stay, and what to eat. The world is their oyster and they are welcome to it. It’s a big world.

But that is not my world. I enjoy living in a frugal environment. A no-frills live-within-my-means kind of guy. Top-shelf items don’t interest me. Just give me a tool that does the job and I’m happy. So what did Capt John write that caught my eye?

First, he argues sailboats are the most cost-effective and fuel-efficient vessels around. Then he goes on to convince me if I already have a sailboat and I am comfortable sailing long distances then by all means go with that. I have a sailboat and I have gone comfortably for 60-70 miles. My plus column was getting bigger. If you can cook on the boat you can save money. If you have an anchor and know how to use it you can save money. The plus column is getting longer. The main thing Capt John preaches is to do what is comfortable for you.

If you are comfortable you will be happy, if you are happy you will have a great time. Sounds like a good equation. Thanks to Capt John he found a way to put my mind at ease and help me develop a philosophy that will carry on throughout the voyage. But I still didn’t think I had many of the sailing skills I thought I would need. More books, YouTube videos, and websites filled most of my summer days.

But I still wasn’t 100 percent comfortable. I needed a go-to person, someone who I can contact with a question and get a good honest answer. Here is where Kindle played a part. Well, a pretty big part. Let’s welcome:

Log of Pogopelli: The Great Loop: 6,000 miles on a 23' sailboat. By Robert Endicott.

I sent him a message on Facebook Messenger. I didn’t know what to expect. Was he even interested in wanting to help me or was I just going to be a pain in the arse?

Bob certainly had the credentials; spent a lot of time sailing Catalina 22s in the Florida Panhandle with a group of like-minded sailors. With that experience, in 2006 he and his wife sailed from Chattanooga, Tenn., and crossed his wake 11 months later living aboard a 1988 Jeanneau Tonic 23-foot outboard-powered sailboat.

In his Author’s note, Pogo Bob writes:

It is my hope to inspire others to make this trip, even if they have a modest vessel. With a bit of planning, it can be done on a shoestring. We wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

I got a reply. Not only was I relieved but elated that he would help me get myself organized. We texted each other and talked for many hours on the phone. I believe we covered all the topics. Ask Pogo Bob what is it like to have a rudder break at the waterline and try steering with an outboard motor.

Thanks to Pogo Bob Endicott I had the necessary knowledge I just needed to put it into practice and gain experience. And maybe someday write my own personal version of the voyage.

Pogo Bob Endicott has his Kindle version available here. https://www.amazon.com/Log-Pogopelli-Great-miles-sailboat-ebook/dp/B00VXB9D8U

Finally met the legend PogoBob and his wife Trish on South Bass Island after the voyage.

Don’t let the title fool you, that $15/day didn’t include fuel

Some of the many books I got from the library to add to this sailor’s vernacular.

Gilligan’s Island is for entertainment purposes not to be used for navigation.

Lin and Larry Pardey are well-known within the sailing community

Began to notice much of the material came from Capt John’s other books.

The Boating Bible for all those going to sea.

A couple of off-the-rack books made for good evening reading.

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Thank you!

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