Bill and Mary on "Our T"urn", Regarding your question on loop budgets and others comments on likely prop damage!!! You can easily calculate your own fuel expense, knowing your fuel consumption at various speeds and approximate overall loop distance for a reasonable estimate. Sure fuel costs will change over time and place, but use a per gal price on the high side to be safe We found on our first portion of the loop (2000 miles) from Fort Myers to Brewerton, NY that with a boat capable of planing at 17 knots if desired, that we chose to run at 8.5 knts often to save fuel and enjoy the trip more at this speed anyway!!!!! The major expense on the East Coast through the Hudson river was dockage cost which probably averaged $1.35-1.50/ft and we chose to stay at marinas almost every night as a mattar of comfort. With a new boat to us and not any knowledge of those waters , it just took one more concern off the table to stay tied up at nites.....So knowing that you are going to stay someplace every night , you can estimate the cost or anchor out to relieve some expense Other costs seemed fairly normal....possibly we eat out somewhat more just to experience local foods Maintenance/ oil changes, filters every 100 hours etc. are standard and easy to estimate....Pump-outs were often free, especially with fuel, but hard to find at times... Make sure your boat insurance is one which will allow you to phone in and get reduced rates at various points on the loop, like out of Florida (hurricane ) areas, and inland waterways west of NY harbor vs offshore saltwater routes.... Once we hit the Erie canal, the dockage cost dropped to nearly zero as most spots are free or nearly so, and a great place to spend a month !!!! As to likely hood of Prop damage!!!!!!!!!!......Obviously good attention to charts, appropriate speeds at skinney water levels, and attention to markers is most of the game to prevent damage................but some luck plays a part as who can see those infrequent logs out of sight and those shallow water low tide spots will come up and if careful, hopefully it will be soft sand or mud...................Yes we did ding a prop and shaft within the first 100 miles of our trip in the Stuart area which the Cruise Guides warn everyone about????????????.......and even with all that warning and alot of preparation on our part, I still managed to screw up........."totallly Captain inattention" to chart location and more important "depth sounder-depth"!!!!! After that grounding , my moto was "depth sounder -depth sounder" and never took my eye off of it for more than 30 sec unless on the ocean..................just a constant scan between water conditions out front, oil pressure, temps, and depth gauge!!!!!!! I think a spare prop at least is useful, however it is unlikely that once taken to a repiar area you couldn't get the damaged one repaired or replaced?????.....A spare would just speed up your stayover in some instances We also purchased unlimited towing insurance from both Boat U.S. and Sea Tow, buying Sea Tow after hearing of some limitations and problems of one boater with Boat U.S. towing....... Best of Luck, Ken