Alison Major 6/2/25 Alison Major 6/2/25

Daily Safety Checks Aboard: 10 Things to Look For Before You Move

Before you pull anchor or cast off lines, a quick daily safety check can prevent a world of headaches underway. Here’s a simple, repeatable list of 10 things to inspect before moving your boat—customizable for your cruising style and vessel type.

Alison Major 5/23/25 Alison Major 5/23/25

Family Locking: How to Involve Your Kids Without Losing Your Cool

Locking through with kids aboard? It can be a fun and rewarding experience—if you go in with a plan. Here’s how to safely involve your kids, avoid chaos on deck, and make each lock-through a family learning moment.

Alison Major 5/21/25 Alison Major 5/21/25

Top 5 Mistakes New Loopers Make in Locks (and How to Avoid Them)

Locks are intimidating at first, and they’re a prime place for first-time mistakes. Here are five common locking errors we’ve seen on the Great Loop (and a few we’ve made ourselves) with tips to help you stay safe and calm.

Alison Major 5/19/25 Alison Major 5/19/25

First-Time Locking: What to Expect & How to Prepare

Heading into your first lock on the Great Loop? Here’s what to expect, how to prepare, and real-life tips to make it easier—including how we kept the kids involved.

Alison Major 5/16/25 Alison Major 5/16/25

Gratitude on the Great Loop: What This Trip Teaches You About Enough

Cruising the Great Loop shifts your relationship with space, stuff, and the pace of life. Here’s how living on a boat taught us to notice the little things, appreciate simple joys, and redefine what “enough” really means.

Alison Major 5/14/25 Alison Major 5/14/25

Why We Had the Kids Journal on the Great Loop (and What I’d Do Differently)

Journaling helped our kids remember and reflect on our Great Loop adventure—but it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Here’s what worked, what didn’t, and why I created prompt journals to make it easier for other families.

Alison Major 5/12/25 Alison Major 5/12/25

5 Simple Prompts to Help You Remember Your Great Loop Journey (Even if You’re Not a Journaler!)

No time for journaling? No problem. These five short prompts make it easy to capture your Great Loop adventure—whether you’re writing in a notebook, app, or one of our kid-friendly travel journals.

Alison Major 5/9/25 Alison Major 5/9/25

How to Connect with Other Cruising Families on the Loop

Cruising the Loop is even better when your kids find other boat kids. Learn how to spot family boats, use tools like NoForeignLand and AGLCA, and make kid-friendly meetups part of your cruising life.

Alison Major 5/7/25 Alison Major 5/7/25

Top 10 Kid-Friendly Stops on the Great Loop

Cruising the Great Loop with kids? These 10 stops are packed with museums, playgrounds, treats, and adventures your crew will actually remember—plus a few bonus detours worth the miles.

Alison Major 5/5/25 Alison Major 5/5/25

Boat Schooling on the Great Loop: How We Made It Work

Curious how to homeschool while cruising full-time? Here’s how we approached boat schooling on the Great Loop, with flexible routines, a patchwork curriculum, and a whole lot of learning from the world around us.

Alison Major 4/18/25 Alison Major 4/18/25

Caught in a Storm: Lessons Learned from Rough Weather

Weather on the water can change in an instant, and every storm is a lesson in preparation, patience, and adaptability. From sudden squalls in the Gulf of Mexico to scrambling to close hatches before a downpour, here’s what we’ve learned about handling rough weather and staying safe when conditions turn.

Alison Major 4/16/25 Alison Major 4/16/25

What’s in Our Storm Kit? The Essential Gear Every Cruiser Should Have

Storms are an inevitable part of cruising, but being prepared makes all the difference. From anchor backups to emergency lighting, here’s what’s in our storm kit and why you should build your own before the weather turns.

Alison Major 4/14/25 Alison Major 4/14/25

Anchoring for Storms: Best Practices for Staying Put in Rough Weather

Anchoring in rough weather requires more than just dropping the hook and hoping for the best. Different boats behave differently, and understanding anchor choices, scope calculations, and storm anchoring techniques can make all the difference.

Alison Major 4/11/25 Alison Major 4/11/25

Instagram vs. Reality: The Truth About Cruising Full-Time

Social media makes full-time cruising look like a dream—gorgeous sunsets, endless adventure, and carefree days on the water. But what’s the real story? Let’s take a fun, side-by-side look at the expectations vs. reality of life aboard.

Alison Major 4/9/25 Alison Major 4/9/25

How to Stay Positive When Things Go Wrong on the Water

Setbacks are inevitable on the Great Loop, but they don’t have to ruin your experience. From mechanical failures to bad weather days, here’s how to shift your mindset and handle challenges with grace—so you can enjoy the journey, no matter what comes your way.

Alison Major 4/7/25 Alison Major 4/7/25

Behind the Scenes of Loop Life: The Hard Days You Don’t See on Social Media

The Great Loop is full of breathtaking views and unforgettable moments, but what about the days that don’t make it to Instagram? Let’s talk about the maintenance struggles, weather challenges, and unpredictable realities that come with life on the water.

Alison Major 3/28/25 Alison Major 3/28/25

The Art of Slowing Down: Embracing the Journey, Not Just the Destination

One of the greatest lessons cruising teaches you is patience. Whether it’s waiting out bad weather, dealing with mechanical delays, or simply taking the scenic route, life on the water isn’t about rushing from point A to point B—it’s about savoring the journey.

Alison Major 3/26/25 Alison Major 3/26/25

The Unwritten Rules of the Cruising Community

The cruising community is like a floating small town—one where generosity and camaraderie are the foundation. From sharing tools to checking on each other’s boats after storms, boaters look out for one another in ways that go beyond the norm. Here’s a look at the unspoken rules that keep this incredible community thriving.

Alison Major 3/24/25 Alison Major 3/24/25

Cruising Challenges & How to Overcome Them

Every cruiser faces setbacks, whether it’s mechanical failures, unpredictable weather, or the occasional technology meltdown. But these challenges don’t have to ruin your journey—they can actually make you a better boater. Here’s how to navigate the rough patches with patience, resilience, and a little help from the cruising community.

Alison Major 1/10/25 Alison Major 1/10/25

How to Continue Doing the Things You Love While Cruising the Great Loop

Discover how to continue doing the things you love while cruising the Great Loop! From paddleboarding at anchorages and finding pickleball courts at local parks to participating in music jam sessions with fellow boaters, this post shares practical tips for keeping your favorite hobbies alive. Don’t let the cruising lifestyle hold you back—embrace your passions on the water!