Hi Paul, another thought on boat owners hiring a captain and maybe some crew to accompany, guide, teach or just perform the day to day operation of a boat on the Great Loop. In the last scenario, the owners are essentially tourists on their own boat. It is my opinion that, socially, it will become uncomfortable to have paid captain/crew (that are essentially employees) living on the boat with you for, typically, the year it takes to complete the loop. If an owner / couple employed full time crew, I believe you would need at least a 60 ft boat to allow for "crew quarters" and enough personal space to make things comfortable for everyone. Now at 60 ft we are definitely getting to the limits of boats that are capable of navigating the Loop. I know that people have done it in 60 and 65 ft boats, but it takes a specific boat to be able to fit into the places needed to accomplish the Loop. For training pre-Loop, absolutely! A hired captain is a fantastic idea, both for those that have "some" experience and definitely for the non boaters. In the last case, I think you should spend a year or more, operating your boat, before leaving for the Loop. Also, I think "couples" planning on the Loop, should envision it with some aspect of "couples therapy" involved....hahaha ! Thats a long time in a confined space, brother and sister. I believe that doing it together, as a team, and without paid crew, will yield a great sense of accomplishment and many, many great memories. Or perhaps a divorce...hahaha! You've got to have your "couples" stuff together, is my point.

currency for a pilot is huge! In the past when I was flying many time I did not go on a. trip because I was not current for that type of weather. If I could hire a Captain I would simply not have to focus on day to day maintenance. I sure would want to do a lot of the piloting, but the maintenance no way. You made an excellent point about knowing the local environment. I was caught in a Microburst with 100 mph winds. Thankfully I knew the 26 boat extremely well and I was young enough to be laughing the whole time while my buddy hide in the cuddy cabin.

I don’t have a captains license and I was a professional boat transporter. The Wallendas make walking tight ropes, easy even though it isn’t and I make parking boats look like a stroll in the park when sometimes it is not. A piece of paper does not a captain make. But it’s a good start. You should know that a red light means stop.

Good morning from Germany Bavaria from Trawler refit Swetlana. Swetlana und Kurt. Thank you So much for Information. 👍

Awesome

There is no substitute for experience. A good skipper knows his or her limitations. Unless you want to be paid to operate a boat for extra money or even a full time job, you do not need a 6 pack endorsement. If fact, all it will do is open you up to further scrutiny.

Will need to hire a captain for training purposes and would like to get my U.S. Coast Guard captain license.

Foday Yillah 👍

Scratches are a part of life they show character. 😂😂👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🍾🥂💪🏾🫶🏽👍