The Great Loop is comprised of the waterways by which you can circumnavigate or "make a loop" around Eastern North America. Among those waterways are the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterways along the coast of the Southeastern U.S., the Great Lakes, the Canadian Heritage Canals, various inland rivers (such as the Illinois, Ohio, Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers and the Tenn-Tom Waterway), and others.

Whether you dream of one day cruising the Great Loop, are currently exploring it or have done so, or you simply enjoy reading about the Great Loop experiences of other boaters, the American Great Loop Cruisers' Association has plenty to offer. The organization has, as its mission, the dissemination of information related to the Great Loop and the Great Loop cruising experience.

Among the benefits of membership are a bi-monthly newsletter covering locks, weather, equipment, education, charts, guidebooks, etc.; member articles and forums; a searchable online member directory, marine discounts; a dedicated e-mail group; a specially designed members' burgee; annual rendezvous with seminars; and even a locator service to identify the location of member boats, sponsoring organizations and member homes via a program that combines Google Earth with NOAA and COE vector charts.

There's also a free e-mail series, "Thirteen Insider Tips to Cruising America's Great Loop," available upon request and irrespective of your membership status.

– Linda Hoff