Jim,

My point is that we do get stuck in rough conditions. Of course, we try
to do short hops across big water and watch for weather windows. However,
Lake Michigan, not to mnetioned Superior (of which you do not understand)
still is big water and conditions do get rough. We are interested in not
only safety, but comfort. Some people have done the loop on a jet ski or
a C-Dory. The question is not if it can be done, but if that is the way
we want to do it.

We operate on Lake Superior and know what big water is all about. We want
a boat that will be better than the average. Incidentally, since my
original post on this thread, I have had numerous former loopers write me
and say to me "you are right!" They had a heavier boat and tell me that
they had far better experiences crossing the lakes and the gulf than
other of their brethren in lighter boats. Sure you can do it in a Sea Ray
or Bayliner. But again, we want stability and comfort on big water, which
for us will be about 25% of the loop.

David Sorenson
Duluth

David,

Skiper Bob (Bob Reib) was a good friend of Judy and me and we support
his wife, Elaine, and daughter who are continuing his fine works.  As
Bob was fond of saying, do the loop in the smallest boat you can be
comfortable on.  He also said many times "If you can Afford it, then
you absolutely need it".

If you can afford a big, heavy boat, and only it makes you
comfortable, they you absolutely should buy that type of boat.  In
boating, everything is a compromise!

Perhaps you will gain some insight from our article on the "Ideal
Boat" on our website # 11 under the Cruising Articles menu on the
left column.

John and Judy Gill
Two Js V
Sassafras Harbor Marina, Georgetown, MD
AGLCA Loopers

Email:  twojscom@quadnet.net
Website:  http://homepage.mac.com/twojscom/GreatLoop/

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