If you want to get a sense for what it was like heading out on the gulf for a 176 mile open water trip, here are a few casual video clips we recorded to remember the experience, mostly chronological.
A cup of hot coffee and off we go at 6am.6am departure in the dark to give us a margin of daylight at the other end
Almost at East Pass where we enter the gulf
Our 60th day, and 2000th mile on the loop trip today
Off we go at 3000 RPM, 22 mph, and 37 gph on Cummins 480 hp QSB 5.9 power plants. They’ve never been run for 7 hours on plane in one day. We have 432 gallons of diesel aboard.
Boaters like wake shots
Captain Nancy early in the day
Captain Ron with an update mid-trip.
No narrative, just a little Jackson Browne and video of cruising the seas. Imagine 7 hours of this.Checking a live video feed of the engine roomEngine stats while moving our 17 ton home across the gulf at 22 mphGreat to see Clearwaterfuel holding outDried saltA frozen drink to chill a little on arrival at Clearwater. A Spot Gen4 SOS device reported our position to family via satellite while we are out of contact with land
So we left at 6am and arrived at our Clearwater dock at 3pm. That was a fast trip! We had allowed time to go slower to conserve fuel and not push the engines so hard, but the sea state wouldn’t allow that. Several of our looper friends checked in on us too after arrival. It was a day we’ll remember, and now we are transitioning to life on the west coast of Florida.
Thank you Ron and Nancy for allowing me to join your crossing safely from my family room with a Scotch in my hand next to a cozy crackling fireplace. Your blog and updates are fantastic and we love following you guys on your journey. See you both in February at Marco Island.
Tore
Ron and Nancy,
It’s been fun checking in on your loop travels. Just noticed that you landed in Clearwater after a long journey across the gulf. We are in Indian Rocks Beach just south of you. Let us know if you want to grab a drink while your here.
Reimanns 'round the loop in 2022 
Thank you Ron and Nancy for allowing me to join your crossing safely from my family room with a Scotch in my hand next to a cozy crackling fireplace. Your blog and updates are fantastic and we love following you guys on your journey. See you both in February at Marco Island.
Tore
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Man that looks like fun!
Glenn Bowman, CMM
General Manager
Afton Marina & Yacht Club Inc.
Phone- 651.436.1401
Fax- 651.780.7004
glennbowman@aftonmarina.net
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Ron and Nancy,
It’s been fun checking in on your loop travels. Just noticed that you landed in Clearwater after a long journey across the gulf. We are in Indian Rocks Beach just south of you. Let us know if you want to grab a drink while your here.
John & Ada Dow
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Praise God you are safe!!! Thank you for sharing all these wonderful photos they really capture the event!! Blessings
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So much fun to follow your journey.
The snow was flying sideways today here in MN. I bet you miss that!
Safe travels!
Heidi & Scott
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Congratulations Again. Loved the Videos.
Jumping the Gulf is one of the BEST BOATING experiences…….. EVER.
Welcome to the Club.
Merry & Skip
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