Marilyn and Erwin have been planning a Great Loop trip since 1999 right after they completed part of the great circle from Muskegon, Michigan to Pensacola, Florida. Since that time, they determined that river travel and adventure should be part of their plan. They started planning for the next big trip which would be at their retirements. After researching many boat options they left the sail boat options and purchased a 34’ CHB Trawler.
Erwin has worked on upgrading all the systems, engines, water tanks, holding tanks, electrical, and numerous upgrades over the last 8 years. Marilyn assisted in many of the projects and is working on her apprenticeship in some of the areas.
These past few months Erwin joined Marilyn in retirement and the project of painting the house of the boat began. After many hours of sanding, two coats of primer, two coats of primers, two coats of 2-part urethane, and final touch of non-skid, the boat is looking good.
The plans have been altered to adapt to the ever-changing world. Instead of going down the rivers through the central United States (like the first trip), they will take easterly route through Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and the Erie Canal to the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor and turn right down the east coast. The plan was changed after the possibility of the locks closing in Chicago due to Asian Carp and the BP nightmare in the Gulf of Mexico. Our engines are water cooled and any oil intake would seize the motor immediately.
The altering the plan has been to change time frames for departure, destinations, all charts and associated chart planning, and mostly changing the mindset to wrap around the types of changes to be made.
Great Loop Adventures of Erwin and Marilyn
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