Mastering The
Great Loop
The Great Loop is a 6,000-mile continuous waterway that circles the eastern United States, crosses the Great Lakes, and loops back into the Gulf of Mexico. Ontario boaters enter it at Kingston, Peterborough, or Parry Sound across the 240-mile Trent-Severn Waterway, the Rideau Canal, or the Georgian Bay crossing — and this guide covers the routing, the 19' 6" air-draft and 5' water-draft limits, and the Boat Card safety custom.
Recommended Viewing: Official AGLCA Introduction
The Great Loop is the ultimate bucket-list journey for North American boaters. It is a continuous waterway that circles the eastern half of the United States and sweeps straight through the heart of Ontario, Canada.
What Exactly is the Route?
As detailed in the AGLCA masterclass [02:14], the route is not a perfectly perfectly round circle. It utilizes the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), the Great Lakes, the inland rivers of the Midwest, and the Gulf of Mexico.
For Ontario boaters, the Canadian segment is largely considered the crown jewel of the entire journey. As experts point out [05:42], Loopers are required to choose between crossing Lake Ontario to the Oswego Canal, or taking the spectacular northern detour...
| Waterway | Length | Locks | Draft Limit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trent-Severn Waterway | 240 mi | 44 | 5' 0" | Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay |
| Rideau Canal | 200 mi | 42 | 3' 8" (locks) | Kingston to Ottawa, UNESCO site |
| Georgian Bay Crossing | 100+ mi open water | 0 | — (weather-capped) | Parry Sound / 30,000 islands |
The Canadian Route Decision Matrix
When entering Canadian waters, migrating Loopers face a choice of legendary waterways. The decision dictates the next 500 miles of your journey.
- 1The Trent-Severn Waterway
Spanning 240 miles with 44 locks, including the gravity-defying Peterborough Lift Lock. It connects Lake Ontario directly to Georgian Bay.
Constraint: Do not attempt if Draft > 5ft
View Peterborough Entry Ramp → - 2The Rideau Canal
A UNESCO World Heritage site connecting Kingston to Ottawa. Known for its gorgeous historical towns and hand-operated locks built in the 1830s.
Constraint: Speed limits strictly enforced to prevent wake erosion
View Kingston Entry Ramp → - 3Georgian Bay Crossing
Notoriously beautiful but treacherous. Features 30,000 islands and sudden extreme weather systems. Essential to navigate with physical charts and radar.
Constraint: High risk crossing for < 25ft vessels
View Parry Sound Staging Ramp →
Vessel Requirements (The "Goldilocks" Boat)
You cannot just take any boat on the Great Loop. According to the foundational guidelines discussed at [11:05] in the tutorial, your vessel must clear several severe constraints:
Must clear the fixed bridge at Mile 300 on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.
Anything deeper significantly restricts access to the Trent-Severn and rural ICW anchorages.
The Power of the "Boat Card"
With thousands of vessels traveling the loop, recognizing fellow "Loopers" is a major part of the culture. As noted heavily in community literature [18:30], traditional networking is nearly impossible over roaring twin diesels.
That is why the tradition of exchanging Boat Cards was born. These are essentially business cards for your boat, featuring your VHF call sign, boat photo, and MMSI number so neighbors can hail you directly if their anchor begins to drag in a squall.
Key Route Checkpoint Ramps
Step by Step: Planning the Great Loop
- 1Pick your Great Loop entry waterway
Choose between Lake Ontario to the Oswego Canal, or the northern detour into the Trent-Severn Waterway and Georgian Bay. Ontario boaters mostly stage out of Kingston, Peterborough, or Parry Sound.
- 2Check draft and air-height limits
Before you go, measure your boat: 19 feet 6 inches of air draft and 5 feet of water draft are the working maximums for the full Loop. Anything deeper limits you out of the Trent-Severn and rural ICW anchorages.
- 3Gather your papers and electronics
Pleasure Craft Licence sticker, registration, VHF, radar reflector, lights, and flares sized to your hull. The boat card you carry becomes your first contact in a squall.
- 4Fuel and provision at a checkpoint ramp
Use the checkpoint ramps listed below — Peterborough Little Lake, Kingston Portsmouth, Parry Sound — as fuel, provisioning, and weather windows before committing to a long crossing.
- 5Log and report the crossing
Keep a written log of mileage, fuel burn, water temperature, and any incident. The log becomes your planning baseline for the return leg.
- 6Share your boat card before you head up
Leave a waterproof copy of your boat card (VHF callsign, name, MMSI) at the marina office and with any dock neighbours you’ll be leaving at anchor.
Great Loop FAQ
What is the Great Loop in North America?
The Great Loop is a 6,000-mile continuous circumnavigation route around the eastern United States, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico. Boaters from Ontario typically enter it at Kingston, Peterborough, or Parry Sound.
How many miles of the Great Loop are in Ontario?
No fixed number exists in the AGLCA reference. The Ontario-relevant sections are the 240-mile Trent-Severn Waterway (44 locks), the Rideau Canal between Kingston and Ottawa, and the Georgian Bay crossing out of Parry Sound.
How deep can my boat be to complete the Great Loop?
5 feet of water draft is the practical maximum. Deeper drafts rule out the Trent-Severn Waterway and most rural ICW anchorages on the U.S. side.
What is a boat card and do I need one for the Great Loop?
A boat card is a hard, waterproof card with your boat name, VHF callsign, and MMSI. It is the traditional way Loopers identify you at anchor — a practical safety contact when radios fail or a drag chain is active.
Is the Great Loop open all year in Ontario?
The Ontario sections (Trent-Severn, Rideau Canal, Georgian Bay) are seasonally operated. The Rideau Canal is typically closed in winter; Georgian Bay is a cold, short-window crossing even in summer.
Published: · Last updated:
Author: Ontario Boat Ramps Editorial Desk, Ontario, Canada. Questions from Loopers: call 289-228-7021 or use the sponsor form below.
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