Well said, Jim. All we can add is that our first Loop trip was in a 20' sailboat, and recently we have covered much of that same water in a 22' C-Dory powerboat. Most of those "open water" sections can be taken in smaller bites with excellent anchorages along the way (Lake Michigan is a perfect example) or can be taken with good weather and a smile. Check out our website at www.geocities.com/bill_fiero for tales of cruising on a 22-foot power boat -- get in the smallest boat where you can be comfortable and have a simple, easy and less costly cruise anchoring and cruising where the big boats fear to tread.