Five years ago it seemed retirement was a dream of other people. But when looking at everything and saw that it would be possible to retire at age 62, then everything starts running thru a person’s head. What are you going to do when you retire, sit home watching TV, sit on a bar stool telling stories about the past and what you are going to do in the future. Ten years later you are still sitting on the same bar stool. I thought maybe living on a boat would be fun, and in looking at different web sites and boats the great loop was mentioned. I thought what is the great loop? Doing research the last three years and I joined AGLCA which has information and support that has made everything possible to this point. Purchased a boat, retired August 31,2009, the boat is in the Illinois river and running trials to make sure every thing works. Will leave from East Peoria on the Illinois River the 1st week of October 2009.The boat I purchased to do the great loop is a little different than most. It is a sailboat without the sails, does have a weighted swing keel and rudder. It is 15 feet lightweight, fiberglass, with a small cabin. It has two Honda 2hp outboards, that can be used together or just use one outboard. The outboards can be hooked to the tiller handle as one or both for steering control. Numerous comments about doing the loop alone and in a boat this size with two 2hp motors. But I believe anything is possible if planned and you know what your limits are and that of your equipment. There will be some interesting moments I am sure. Will try and do a post each week, if this wiz bang computer works with me and doesn’t try and impress me with fancy stuff that makes no since to a 62 year old. I have already cussed it and threatened to throw it overboard.
