Thanks to everyone - so far. One of the things I also have to consider is that I am 6'4" tall so I don't want to do a lot of constant stooping over a 3-4 month period. I still need to hear about fuel capacities as well. Diesel vs gasoline would also be helpful but I imagine that changes from brown water to blue as far as general availability. Still listening...... From: fred@tug44.org To: johnj531@hotmail.com; great-loop@lists.trawlering.com Subject: Re: GL: looking for advice Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:24:11 -0700 John J, You probably just started a wild & crazy discussion there. But in the words of Skipper Bob, "get the smallest boat you can be comfortable in." For me, that's my American Tug 34/36 footer. I would not want anything larger, but that's just me. Think about other issues too, such as locking. I like the pilothouse trawler because it puts my door amidships and rather low, so I can easily grab onto pipes etc when locking. Fred Tug 44 From: "John Joerger" <johnj531@hotmail.com> Sent: Monday, March 11, 2013 12:51 PM To: "Great Loop" <great-loop@lists.trawlering.com> Subject: Re: GL: looking for advice I am a newbie just starting to look for the right boat. My goal is to loop up the from Chesapeake Bay to the Hudson, Erie Canal, Great Lakes and Mississippi, take a break for hurricane season and then finish the following fall. I retire in 4 1/2 years so I have some time to learn from all you pro's as to which is the best boat for the trip. My initial thought is a Mainship 40 or 43 due to shallow draft and low air draft but I am willing to listen to the advice of those who have made the trip before. I am thinking two staterooms and two heads for privacy for the extra crew I will carry from time to time (especially through the canals and locks) but also want to understand the needed capacities for fuel, water and sewage. I am a Master Mariner but the smallest ship I have sailed was 600 ft long and powered by steam. Ears wide open........ John J _______________________________________________ http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address, unsubscribe, etc.) go to: http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/options/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com