Alison Major 8/27/25 Alison Major 8/27/25

Mackinac Island for Families: Kid-Friendly Fun by Boat

Mackinac Island is a dream stop for cruising families. From safe biking paths and horse-drawn carriage rides to hands-on blacksmithing and endless fudge tastings, kids light up in this car-free wonderland. Here’s how to make the most of your family visit by boat.

Alison Major 8/25/25 Alison Major 8/25/25

A Looper’s Guide to Mackinac Island: What to See and Do by Boat

Mackinac Island is a highlight for many Great Loopers, offering a blend of history, natural beauty, and one-of-a-kind experiences. From docking tips to family-friendly activities (yes, even fudge-making and horseshoe blacksmithing!), here’s what cruisers need to know before they drop anchor at this iconic stop.

Alison Major 8/22/25 Alison Major 8/22/25

How to Provision for Remote Cruising on the Loop

Planning to cruise the remote sections of the Loop? Here’s a guide to provisioning for longer stretches, including what to stock, where to pick up fresh items, and how to prepare for fewer services.

Alison Major 8/20/25 Alison Major 8/20/25

Favorite Small-Town Stops in Georgian Bay (On Our List!)

We haven’t cruised Georgian Bay yet, but here’s a list of small-town stops that Loopers love—and that we’re excited to see someday.

Alison Major 8/18/25 Alison Major 8/18/25

Top Anchorages in the North Channel Every Looper Should Visit

The North Channel is a Looper favorite, with stunning anchorages like Baie Fine, Covered Portage, and the Benjamins. Here’s your guide to the must-visit spots.

Alison Major 8/15/25 Alison Major 8/15/25

Working Afloat: Tips for Balancing Your Career and Life on the Great Loop

Learn how to balance work and cruising life on the Great Loop. Alison Major shares practical tips for working remotely aboard a boat, keeping productivity afloat, and enjoying the journey.

Alison Major 8/15/25 Alison Major 8/15/25

The Ritual: Our “Anchor Watch” Hour and Why It Works

We don’t keep an anchor watch all night, but we do have one hour that we treat like a sacred ritual. Here’s why it works for us, how it keeps our boat (and sanity) safe, and why it might just be the most relaxing part of our cruising day.

Alison Major 8/13/25 Alison Major 8/13/25

How to Use an Anchor Alarm Without Losing Sleep

Anchor alarms can be the difference between a good night’s sleep and an all-night pacing session. Here’s how we set ours so it’s a quiet safety net — not a constant false alarm.

Alison Major 8/11/25 Alison Major 8/11/25

Anchor Etiquette: How to Share an Anchorage Without Drama

A peaceful anchorage can turn stressful fast without good manners. Learn the essential etiquette for sharing anchorages—no drama required.

Alison Major 8/8/25 Alison Major 8/8/25

How to Choose the Right Weather App for You

Not all weather apps are created equal—and not every cruiser needs the same kind of forecast. Here’s how to choose the right marine weather app based on how you cruise and what kind of information you trust most.

Alison Major 8/6/25 Alison Major 8/6/25

3 Mistakes Boaters Make with Weather Apps

Weather apps are incredibly useful—but they’re not magic. Here are three common ways boaters misread or misuse them, and what to do instead so your next cruising leg isn’t a white-knuckle ride.

Alison Major 8/4/25 Alison Major 8/4/25

What to Look for in a Marine Forecast (Even If You’re Not a Weather Nerd)

You don’t need to be a meteorologist to cruise safely—but you do need to know how to read a marine forecast. In this post, we’ll show you the 3 key things we always check, the red flags we’ve learned to watch for, and the one clue that almost always means a front is coming.

Alison Major 8/1/25 Alison Major 8/1/25

Keeping Cruising Fun: Adjusting the Plan to Match the Energy

When the crew’s tired, the weather’s questionable, or a stop just isn’t what you hoped—it’s okay to pivot. Here’s how adjusting your plans along the Great Loop can actually make your experience better (and save your sanity).

Alison Major 7/30/25 Alison Major 7/30/25

Buffer Days & Bailouts: Real-Life Examples of Flexible Planning on the Loop

Cruising the Great Loop isn’t about rigid schedules—it’s about building in margin. From weather delays to surprise detours, here’s how we used buffer days and bailouts to keep our journey safe, sane, and flexible.

Alison Major 7/28/25 Alison Major 7/28/25

Weather Wisdom for Cruisers: Reading the Forecast & Staying Flexible

When the forecast looks fine but the water says otherwise, how do you know when to go or stay put? Here’s how to build confidence in your weather-watching skills and stay safe on the water — no matter where you’re cruising.

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

Staying in Touch While Cruising: Tools for Email, Messaging & More

Cruising doesn’t mean going off the grid entirely. Here’s how our family stays connected with email, messaging apps, video calls, and offline tools—whether we’re at anchor, underway, or out of cell range.

Alison Major 7/23/25 Alison Major 7/23/25

How to Use Starlink on a Boat (and When It’s Worth It)

Starlink has transformed how cruisers stay connected—but it’s not always plug-and-play. Here’s what to know about setup, usage, and whether the cost is worth it for your cruising lifestyle.

Alison Major 7/21/25 Alison Major 7/21/25

Offline Cruising: Best Apps for No-Signal Zones

Cruising off-grid? Here’s a curated list of the best offline-friendly apps for boaters, from charts and weather to books and entertainment.

Alison Major 7/18/25 Alison Major 7/18/25

🚤 Planning Your Cruising Route with Work in Mind: Tips for Remote Professionals

When you’re working remotely and living aboard, route planning isn’t just about weather—it’s about Wi-Fi. Here’s how we plan our cruising schedule to balance work deadlines, meetings, and connectivity.

Alison Major 7/16/25 Alison Major 7/16/25

Finding Balance: Setting Work Boundaries When Living on a Boat

Finding work/life balance is extra challenging when your home is also your office, and it floats. Here’s how we set boundaries, communicate as a family, and structure our days to make remote work actually work from the boat.