The Great Loop Podcast

Captain's Log 18 | From Hilton Head to Myrtle Beach Aboard SeaDAN | 5/27/2026

Chris and Deb Winnenberg are back aboard SeaDAN with a huge Great Loop update from Hilton Head to Myrtle Beach. In this episode, they cover: * Harbour Town and Shelter Cove Marina * Golf at Hilton Head during the RBC Heritage * Anchoring off the 18th hole at the tournament * An unforgettable dolphin encounter * Big Carolina tides * Rough crossings near St. Helena Sound * Charleston and the MegaDock * Touring the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point * Beautiful anchorages on the South Santee and Waccamaw Rivers * Cruising through the Rock Pile * Myrtle Beach adventures with family * Broadway at the Beach and PopStroke Plus, Chris and Deb share what’s next as SeaDAN continues north toward Norfolk and the Chesapeake Bay.

Captain's Log 17 | Crossing Hell's Gate | 4/7/2026

Chris and Deb are back on the bridge with another Great Loop update—this time cruising from Amelia Island up into Brunswick, navigating rolly sounds, Coast Guard encounters, and even a close call in “Hell’s Gate,” before settling into the charm of Savannah and the iconic beauty of Hilton Head Island. From hidden gem restaurants and “Velcro marinas” to dolphin sightings, anchoring adventures, and a bucket-list golf tournament experience, this leg of the journey is packed with stories, laughs, and a few lessons learned along the way.

Captain's Log 16 | Wrapping Up Florida on the Great Loop | 3/23/2026

14 views Mar 23, 2026 Captain's Log [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLseR2KfBqx_-20iibkAMqVR7pN7oNewBF] Chris and Deb are back on the move, wrapping up their Florida chapter with a jam-packed stretch of family visits, boating challenges, and a few unforgettable stops along the way. From a magical trip to LEGOLAND with the grandkids (complete with pirate treasure hunts and 32 million LEGO bricks!) to cruising past manatees, dodging tight channels, and even spotting gators by drone — this leg of the Great Loop had a little bit of everything. They share the realities of life on the water too — from pricey marina fuel and lost fishing rods to upgrading their onboard washer/dryer and navigating tricky tides along the Intracoastal. Plus, hear about their time at TPC Sawgrass, favorite waterfront restaurants, and what’s next as they head toward Savannah and Hilton Head. If you love boating, travel, or just good stories from the water — this one’s for you.

Captain's Log 15 | Frozen Lines & Florida Sunshine – Life Aboard in Sanford

In this episode, Chris and Deb check in from a very cold and snowy Cincinnati after hopping off the boat for a quick Midwest pit stop (because apparently eight degrees sounded like a good idea). They recap the last couple of weeks aboard in Sanford, Florida, where life has been anything but boring. From learning to fly a brand-new drone over water (and surviving the backwards controls) to discovering hidden gems like the Old Jailhouse restaurant and local breweries, they’ve been soaking up everything this charming river town has to offer. Highlights from this episode include: * Their first overnight anchorage at Butcher’s Bend — complete with alligators, manatees, glassy water, and incredible star-filled skies * Exploring Winter Park and finding what might be one of the best steaks ever * Testing out alternative transportation options like bikes, rental cars, and the SunRail * A competitive (of course) Topgolf outing * More fun at their favorite German spot, Hollerbach’s * And a true boater lesson learned the hard way: always tie down the dinghy cover when 40+ mph winds are in the forecast They also share what it’s like when a polar vortex makes its way to Central Florida — frozen hoses, icy dock lines, and a near $900 dinghy cover replacement that thankfully turned into a muddy but salvageable recovery mission. Looking ahead, family visits, a cruise up the St. Johns River, and dreams of anchoring off Harbour Town during tournament week are all on the horizon as they prepare to push north on the Great Loop. It’s everyday loop life — part adventure, part problem-solving, part golf, and always a good story. As always, thanks for tuning in and following along on the journey.

Captain's Log 14 | Freshwater, Brick Streets, and Gator Crossings | 1/20/2026

In this episode of the Great Loop podcast, we share a full update from Sanford, Florida, where we’ve taken a winter freshwater detour along the St. Johns River. We explore downtown Sanford, visit the Central Florida Zoo’s Asian Lantern Festival, tour Daytona International Speedway, scout fuel access by dinghy with close alligator encounters, and share favorite restaurants, golf courses, and marina tips. From boat projects to drone plans, this episode captures why Sanford is one of our favorite unexpected Great Loop stops.