Q. You started your journey in January 2021 expecting to complete The Great Loop by December 2021. What happened that changed those plans?
A. The pandemic and the resulting Canadian border closure forced a change. This coupled with the realization that completing the Great Loop in one year was not going to allow us to enjoy the journey or side trips. So we adjusted and are now working on completion in three years.
Q. Why did you name your motor yacht GloriaUs?
A. Dawn’s first name is Gloria, named after her mother. So it’s Gloria plus the rest of Us. It’s always a GloriaUs day on the water.
Q. Did you have other motor yachts before GloriaUs?
A. Yes, this is actually the third GloriaUs in the line. The first two were SeaRay 42 Sedan Bridges, plus our first motor yacht was a smaller Carver we named ChaChing.
Q. When do you plan to start and how long will it take?
A. We departed on January 18th 2021. Our original plans were intended to bring us back to Destin in December 2021. We now expect to complete The Great Loop in November 2023.
Q. Are you going by yourself?
A. Each year more than 150 vessels are on The Great Loop, each on their own timeline. We buddy boated until June 2021 with our friends RobRoy and Sherrie Rice, who were aboard Bullet. Rob and Sherrie have already completed The Great Loop once.
Q. Aren’t you nervous?
A. Of course we are nervous but also excited. We are experienced boaters and are confident in our abilities. As well we’ll have the friendship and support of the people we will meet on the water.
Life on board M/V GloriaUs 