Secrets of the Great Loop with Curtis Stokes

The Great Loop isn’t something you dabble in. It’s roughly 6,000 miles of rivers, lakes, locks, coastlines, currents, weather windows, and decisions that truly matter. Today’s guest, Curtis Stokes, understands that kind of journey—not from theory, but from a lifetime on the water. Curtis grew up boating and fishing. He sailed the East Coast and the Bahamas long before most of us ever touched a helm—myself included. That early pull toward the water became a lifelong calling. Curtis has captained vessels ranging from 75-foot classics to 180-foot superyachts, completed multiple circumnavigations, crossed the Atlantic more than half a dozen times, and logged countless offshore and inland miles. He holds a USCG 3000-ton Master, All Oceans license, along with international master certification—credentials earned only through experience, sound judgment, and responsibility at sea. As a longtime member of America’s Great Loop Cruisers Association, Curtis brings bluewater discipline to inland cruising, where bridges replace waves, timing replaces tides, and preparation makes all the difference. This podcast is for people drawn to the Great Loop—the dreamers, the planners, and those already underway. We’ll talk about boats, routes, seasons, safety, and real-world decision-making, guided by someone who has navigated both oceans and inland waterways with equal respect. This is about cruising the Loop smarter—and cruising safer. Transcript: https://www.yachtsite.com/reference/secrets-of-the-great-loop-with-curtis-stokes/