Alison Major 4/30/26 Alison Major 4/30/26

I'm Speaking at the AGLCA Spring Rendezvous — Here's What I'm Sharing

Two presentations, one rendezvous, and a course dropping on May 5. Here's what I'm sharing at the AGLCA Spring Rendezvous in Norfolk — and why it matters whether you're there or not.

Alison Major 4/16/26 Alison Major 4/16/26

Birding on the Loop: How We Use the Merlin App Underway

We didn't plan to become birders. Somewhere between the rivers and the Gulf coast, it just happened… and the Merlin app is a big part of why. Here's how we use it underway and why it adds something unexpected to life on the Loop.

Alison Major 4/14/26 Alison Major 4/14/26

How to Plan Your Great Loop Route: A Practical Starting Point

Six thousand miles sounds impossible until you stop looking at the whole thing and start breaking it into something smaller. Here's how to approach Great Loop route planning like someone who's actually done it.

Alison Major 4/9/26 Alison Major 4/9/26

What the Great Loop Actually Feels Like in the First Few Days

You've planned, prepped, and finally cast off. And then, somewhere in the first 48 hours, it hits you. Not the adventure you imagined. Something rawer, stranger, and ultimately more real than that.

Alison Major 4/7/26 Alison Major 4/7/26

What Kind of Boat Do You Need for the Great Loop?

There's no single "right" boat for the Great Loop. But there are smart ways to think through the decision and a few things that matter a lot more than most people expect.

Alison Major 4/2/26 Alison Major 4/2/26

5 Questions to Ask Before You Commit to the Great Loop

This isn't a "should I do it?" post. You already know the answer to that. These five questions are about going in clear-eyed, with honest conversations had and real expectations set.

Alison Major 3/31/26 Alison Major 3/31/26

One Year Later: What I Wish I Had Written Down on the Loop

I was so sure I'd remember all of it. The names, the faces, the feeling of that one anchorage at sunset. Some of it has faded. Here's what I'd go back and write down, and what I'd tell every Looper to capture before they lose it.

Alison Major 3/26/26 Alison Major 3/26/26

How to Read a Cruising Guide Without Getting Overwhelmed

Cruising guides are invaluable — and also, occasionally, a lot. Here's how to read them like an experienced Looper instead of a panicked student cramming for an exam.

Alison Major 3/24/26 Alison Major 3/24/26

The Looper's Guide to Keeping a Captain's Log (Even When You're Tired)

You've tied off, cooked dinner, and your brain is done. The last thing you want to do is write. But five minutes tonight is worth a hundred regrets later. Here's how to make it easy.

Alison Major 3/19/26 Alison Major 3/19/26

What Is the Great Loop? A Simple Answer for the People Asking

Every time we mention the Great Loop, someone asks, "Wait… what is that exactly?" So here's the simple, honest answer. No jargon, no overwhelm. Just the thing that might change everything.

Alison Major 3/16/26 Alison Major 3/16/26

3 Things to Do When You Haven't Blogged (or Journaled) in a While

You didn't fail. You just got busy living. Here's how to pick the pen back up, without pressure, guilt, or the urge to write a 12-post catchup series.

Alison Major 3/10/26 Alison Major 3/10/26

From Blank Page to Published: Getting Your Loop Blog Started Quickly

Starting your Great Loop blog doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These tips remove friction and help you get from a blank page to a first post you’ll be proud of.

Alison Major 3/5/26 Alison Major 3/5/26

How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Loop Story

Blog, YouTube, newsletter, social media… so many ways to share your Great Loop story. Here’s how to pick the platform that fits your style, your time, and your audience.

Alison Major 3/3/26 Alison Major 3/3/26

5 Deeper Prompts to Capture the Heart of Your Great Loop Journey

Already logging marinas and miles? These five deeper journaling prompts help you capture how the Great Loop is changing you—not just where you went, but what it meant.

Alison Major 1/5/26 Alison Major 1/5/26

The Great Loop Goes Global: Featured in Yachting World

The Great Loop was recently featured in Yachting World, including our family’s journey aboard Fika and what makes this route so compelling for sailors worldwide.

Alison Major 12/1/25 Alison Major 12/1/25

Featured in Soundings: Lessons From the Great Loop

Being featured in Soundings Magazine was an honor. But more than that, it reminded me why sharing our story matters... and why yours does too.

Alison Major 10/22/25 Alison Major 10/22/25

Winterizing on the Move: Cold-Weather Prep for Active Loopers

Cruising south late in the season? Here’s how to prepare your boat for chilly nights and freezing temps without fully winterizing… so you can keep moving safely and comfortably.

Alison Major 10/20/25 Alison Major 10/20/25

Boat Chores That Save You From Major Repairs Later

It’s the little things that keep a boat happy. Here are the regular maintenance tasks that prevent big, expensive surprises later… especially for those cruising the Great Loop full-time.

Alison Major 10/17/25 Alison Major 10/17/25

Boat Cards: Your Floating Calling Card on the Loop

Ever wonder how other Loopers make friends so easily? Enter the boat card: a simple, friendly way to connect with fellow cruisers and leave your mark along the way.

Alison Major 10/15/25 Alison Major 10/15/25

Budgeting for the Great Loop: What It Really Costs to Cruise

Forget the “how much does it cost?” debate. Let’s talk about what your Loop might look like. Here’s how to break down the real expenses (fuel, marinas, maintenance, and more) based on your personal cruising style.