The Loop Legends & Stealth Trawlers
Five ways to conquer the Great Loop without buying a boring boat.
Most boaters treat the Great Loop like a math problem: find the youngest, whitest fiberglass hull that fits the budget and hope the engines hold out until Chicago. They settle for “good enough” and end up in a sea of identical production boats that lose half their value the moment you hit the first lock.
The “Smart Money” knows that the 6,000-mile odyssey is actually a lifestyle choice. Do you want to be the budget-savvy captain who knows every bolt on a legendary Ford Lehman? Or the offshore explorer who wants a stabilized fortress that can cross to the Bahamas after the Loop is done? This week, we’ve curated five vessels that prove you don’t need a half-million-dollar yacht to live like a maritime king. From a solar-powered “Stealth Trawler” in Michigan to a stabilized Ocean Alexander that treats six-footers like a minor inconvenience, these are the boats that make the journey the destination.
1. The “Loop Legend” // 1988 Albin 36 Trawler The quintessential entry-level ticket to the Loop. At $39,500, you get the legendary tri-cabin layout (for actual privacy) and a bulletproof Ford Lehman diesel. It’s a mission-ready tool for the practical dreamer who values mechanical simplicity over flashy lines.
2. The Storybook Freighter // 1997 Florida Bay Coaster 35 For the cruiser who views the Loop as a grand performance. This Jay Benford design is a “People’s Choice” winner that looks like a miniature North Sea tug. With a shallow 3’6” draft and a commercial-grade “get home” system, it’s the ultimate conversation starter in every port.
3. The Refitted Royalty // 1987 Albin 48 North Sea Trawler The “Unicorn” find of the week. While most 80s boats are maintenance mines, this one was repowered in 2020 with twin Caterpillar C7.1s (320 hours) and a lithium power bank. It’s a classic Ray Hunt deep-V hull with the mechanical heart of a 2024 vessel.
4. The Continental Command Center // 1999 Ocean Alexander 48 Classico The “Final Boss” of Loop boats. This is a stabilized, twin-engine fortress powered by legendary Lugger diesels. It’s for the captain who refuses to compromise on safety and wants a boat capable of crossing the Gulf Stream the moment the Loop is finished.
5. The Stealth Trawler // 1987 Ocean Yachts 48 Super Sport Our Michigan wildcard. A 100% freshwater sportfish secretly converted for off-grid looping with a 780W solar array and 10-battery house bank. It clears every bridge with ease and lets you sit in total silence at anchor while the traditional trawlers are stuck running their generators.
See you on the water,
The East Coast Cruiser Crew