We are Tom and Nancy Yates and finally left from Bobcaygeon, Ont. on Sept. 17 aboard our Marine Trader, Wanderlust, to start the Great Loop.....Unfortunately, everything that could go wrong, has and the boat is presently at Killbear Marina on Georgian Bay awaiting an estimate for a large hole in the keel after a run in with a rock. We had water in our fuel tanks, which delayed us for a couple of days and then after getting out of the correct channel, we hit a rock very hard and had to run the boat up onto a sandy beach (a rarity on Georgian Bay!) in order to keep it from taking on more water. Some kind souls took us into Parry Sound, where we purchased another pump in order to hopefully be able to pump enough water out of the boat to enable us to get back to Killbear Marina to have the boat hauled. It was a nerve wracking ride, but we made it. The hull must dry for a couple of days before any fibreglass work can begin and we are back home in Bobcaygeon. I am looking for advice as to whether we should continue on at this late date or should we leave the boat there and start out in the Spring? Will marinas soon be closing in these northern areas? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Tom and Nancy Marine Trader 38 Wanderlust