Frequently asked questions

For us, the Great Loop is as much about the journey as the destination. It gives us a chance to slow down, explore places we might otherwise never see, and experience the country from a completely different perspective. We travel for the beauty of the country and the people we meet along the way, and more days than not—especially on the inland rivers and the Great Lakes—feel like a National Geographic day.

We also like the pace. We're not trying to get somewhere quickly. We enjoy slow mornings, unhurried days, and having the time to notice what's around us. The Loop gives us plenty of that.

The Great Loop is roughly a 6,000-mile circumnavigation of the eastern United States and part of Canada, following a combination of rivers, canals, the Great Lakes, and coastal waterways. There are many ways to do it, and that's part of the appeal—you can take your time, explore side trips, and make the journey your own.

If you're curious about the route, the America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association has an excellent overview and interactive map of the Loop. To learn more, this YouTube overview of the Great Loop is a good place to start.

Lake Superior has become one of our favorite places to cruise, and we especially enjoyed circumnavigating the lake. It's a big adventure without having to travel halfway around the world—and the scenery changes constantly. The rocky shoreline, forests, islands, small towns, lighthouses, and clear water make every stretch feel different.

There's also something appealing about doing it in the summer. Lake Superior's cool water keeps temperatures along much of the shoreline comfortable, and on the right days the lake can be remarkably calm and beautiful. We've found that, with good weather planning and a willingness to wait for the right conditions, summer cruising on Superior is every bit as enjoyable as boating farther south—and sometimes more comfortable.

Of course, Superior demands respect. Weather can change quickly, fog can be an issue, and there are long stretches where protected harbors are limited. We watch the weather closely, choose our windows carefully, and would much rather spend an extra day in a protected harbor than push through conditions we don't like. That's part of our philosophy of slow cruising: the lake sets the schedule, and we're happy to work with it.

For us, circumnavigating Lake Superior is less about checking a destination off a list and more about experiencing one of the most beautiful places in North America at a pace that lets us appreciate it.

We're not big, but we're big enough. At 34 feet, LT is smaller than many of the boats we see on the Great Loop, but she gives the two of us plenty of room to be comfortable. She's small enough to fit into the places we want to explore and, in our experience, finding a place to tie up is rarely a problem.

The pilothouse gives us excellent visibility and a comfortable place to run the boat in almost any weather, while the side doors make handling lines and getting around the boat easy. The layout is simple and practical, with everything we need without a lot of unnecessary complexity.

She's also built for the kind of cruising we enjoy. A single diesel, protected propeller, relatively shallow draft, and efficient hull make her well suited to the rivers, canals, Great Lakes, and coastal waters we like to explore.

And then there is the pace. We're not fast, but we are slow. LT can go faster when we need her to, but most of the time we cruise at eight knots or less. That pace gives us time to notice the shoreline, the wildlife, and the beauty around us.

For us, the Nordic Tug 34 is a pretty good combination of capability, comfort, and simplicity—and it fits the way we like to travel.

LT is a 2018 Nordic Tug 34, with a 34′ 10″ overall length, an 11′ 4″ beam, and a draft of about 4′. Those dimensions make her well suited to the Great Lakes, the Great Loop, and general coastal cruising.

The master stateroom in the bow sleeps two, and the galley settee converts into a large twin berth if needed. LT comfortably hosts six for conversation, four for dinner, and two for the night.

Safety is a priority on Leland Tug, with equipment aboard for peace of mind on every trip:

• Bow and stern thrusters for precise, low‑stress docking.
• A Fireboy‑Xintex automatic fire‑suppression system in the engine room, plus portable extinguishers in the cabin.
• Stainless steel grab rails throughout and non‑skid decks.
• An electric windlass for controlled anchor deployment and retrieval.
• A full keel that protects the propeller, shaft, and rudder in shallow or unfamiliar water.
• VHF radio, AIS, and radar for communication and collision avoidance.
• PFDs for everyone aboard, visual distress signals, and a first‑aid kit.

Send us a note through the Contact page with any questions, comments, or thoughts about our itinerary and planned stops.