16 foot Jon Boat attempts the Great loop speed record.

[thataway]

The "Ageless Wander" has attempted a number of adventures with his 16 foot modified Jon Boat. He lelt Pensacola Pass on Saturday, July 12, morning at about 7:30 AM, and arrived in Fort Myers on Sunday Evening. By the next morning he was offshore off the East Coast of Florida, with the intent of riding the Gulf Stream current up. Last night apparently there was a gear failure with his tiller pilot steering the 60 hp tiller steered outboard Tohatsu outboard. He set off from Cape Canaveral this morning, and seems to have some issues today. The record is 19 day, 19 hours and 50 minutes, set by a 28 foot boat in 2024. Currently a 41' express go fast is also attempting the record. In one video the "Ageless Wanderer tells why he believes that he can beat this 3 engine go fast, with 4 crew aboard. Apparently he has done the Inland Passage, so boating in AK, and an aborted attempt to do the "North West Passage". A C Dory 16' cruiser would have been a much better boat, if he wanted a small boat. The smallest to do the great loop is a 12' PWC. Several 16 foot aluminum boats have done the Great Loop, crewed by two Gals in their 20's who were the daughters of the owners of "DuroBoat"

Here is a link to his U Tube channel. . Start with the tour of his boat, and then the one on why he thinks he can beat the 41 go fast boat....

Here is the link to his Garmin tracking app.. There is also a facebook page, but so far it does not seem to be much information. This is also being followed closely on The Hull Truth.

I think this is an extremely bad idea--and it seems to be shaking out today, with his attempt to run many miles out in the Atlantic to try and pick up the Gulf Stream, and get a "push"--problem is that instead of running at 20 to 30 mph, he has been running at 5 to 17 mph--much at 10 or so miles per hour. Apparently he sleeps when under way at night--or did so on the trip from Pensacola to Fort Meyers....Not a good idea--only an AIS reciever and a 7" Simrad chart plotter with depth sounder and side scan. He has 400 mile range with multiple gas cans, lining the interior of the alumnum jon boat. He has some type of tarp tent; not sure if it is under the Bimini or the Bimni is part of it. No EPIRB or PLB mentioned. No fixed VHF radio--probably a hand held VHF, but I didn't see it mentioned in his gear.

Please give your comments, and enjoy! God watches over Fools and young Children.

[JamesTXSD]

This is a problem with "doing the Loop": people who regard it as something to "check off a list" or make it a competition. In this particular instance, the guy sounds like a candidate for a Darwin Award.

Having boat cruised for the absolute joy of it, I'm a believer in taking time to enjoy the journey, not just rack up the miles or see who can do it the fastest. But, that is my take on it.

You may remember me writing about the gentleman who wanted to complete the ICW in his C-Dory, running it to its ending point at the Port Isabel Turning Basin (NOT the Port of Brownsville, like some seem to think). He contacted me and I told him I would give him cruising information for the GICW and places to anchor or finding a dock in the portion between Galveston Island and Port Isabel, and interesting stops along the way... he didn't use any of it. He just wanted to complete that section of the ICW. He arrived in Port Isabel days earlier than what he told me and expected me to drop what I was doing to "get him to a rental car company (50 miles away) so he could go back to Louisiana to get his truck and trailer." I did, and put his boat at our dock. He was back the next day (no notice) wanting to know how to get into our gated community so he could pick up his boat and head for home.

To each his own, but I don't see any pleasure in just making miles, whether by boat or land vehicle. This situation seems more foolhardy than just making miles.

[robhwa]

You ask for comments, Bob! Besides enjoying a wide variety of boating, I am also a long-distance trail hiker, and we usually would say "hike your own hike" when people start commenting on or criticizing an individuals plans and gear for hiking/camping. I think the same concept may hold true here except that a powered boat can be very dangerous to other people when not properly handled, and it certainly is NOT being handled well if a single occupant is sleeping while underway, tired, or not fully aware. My future plans may include a Great Loop, but I certainly won't be trying to set any speed records. I want to enjoy and savor every minute on the water and make those trips as safe as possible for everyone!

[thataway]

Both Jim an Rob are spot on. Thanks for the comments. You want to enjoy your crusing, and stop at the interesting spots on the way! That is the way we try and cruise: long distance or short-C Dory trips or the 62 foot Ketch. That is what has allowed us to cruise from Icy Straits AK, to Maine and Canadian border, and stop in most harbors, with the exception of the Bay of Campche to Brownsville or some of dangerous (piarates or civil unrest) in Central America.

The "Ageless Wanderer" stopped for the night at Ward's Sandbank, at the opening of St Johns River last night--and is headed up river toward Jacksonville this morning--looked like initially going to Mayport basin, and then turned and going at variable speed up river to the South. ? Gear failure yesterday?? or giving up and not continuing??? Or something else--from personal issues (safety or physical??) to a bad system failure. Time will tell.

[thataway]

He pulled into Mayport Marina, went to West Marine, and bought a new seat- that was installed. There is a live camera focused on his boat at the marina. There also appears to be some re-inforcing of the auto pilot mount--the resolution is not all that good, and part is hiden behind a piling.

In our sailboats when we used a tiller pilot, the mount was very robust and could withstand 100 lbs of force if necessary--although the actual force was less. It was a bronze or SS fitting thru bolted thru fiberglass at the cockpit edges.

Apparently he plans to continue--I hope it is in the ICW--and he can slow down and enjoy--but his enjoyment seems to be in preparation and doing a challange.

[CPlay]

Doing the Great Loop in a Jon boat when you can take your time and pick your weather days would be a reasonable rough adventure.

Doing the Great Loop in a Jon boat trying to break a speed record is a bit insane. At least with a boat that small, he is only likely to be a danger to himself. My back hurts just thinking of the pounding that type of boat would inflict on its occupant in any rough water. He will be lucky if the boat does not sink from being awash in bad choppy seas somewhere. As foolhardy as I think he is, I wish him good weather and good luck.

I actually have more issue with the 41 foot boat trying to break the speed record. The wake from that boat will be significant. I doubt that boat will practice good, safe, polite seamanship and slow down when going by docks and small boats. I see a danger to others who are unfortunate enough to be in close proximity in narrow waterways as this boat races by.

Just my 2 cents.
-Jeff-

[thataway]

He got away from the marina about an hour ago, and last I looked was heading up the ICW at 30+ mph.

Your concern is valid about the wake--however if on plane it will be less than if plowing at 12 mph or so. It is a Contender and is a deep V. Not as effecient as lower dead rise boats. I would much rather that a 41 Contender pass me at as fast as plane as possible...not slow down. Wake is much less.

For reference, the 41 foot Contender express with 4 aboard, left on 9 July from Just South of Key Largo, and currently is on Lake Michigan--about halfway or more through the loop. Plus they are not taking the Ookeechobee waterway short cut across Florida but going back to Key Largo area. There is no way the Ageless Wanderer can equal or beat that time.