Debi Starnes of Atlanta completed the Great Circle Loop, a circumnavigation of eastern North America through waterways connecting the Atlantic coast, Great Lakes, and other lakes and rivers, in 2014 with her husband Jim. The Great Loop takes boaters on a journey through seven U.S. states and Ontario, Canada, offering diversity of experiences, and can stretch between 5,000-7,000 miles depending on the route. While some finish in a year, others may take three to four years, and Debi and Jim documented their adventure over fourteen years completing it in sections.

1. DEBI STARNES OF
ATLANTA COMPLETES
GREAT CIRCLE LOOP IN
2014
By Debi Starnes, Atlanta

2. Introduction
 Debi Starnes of Atlanta, Georgia, serves as the
president of EMSTAR Research. She also owns
Sugar Magnolia Bed and Breakfast in Atlanta. In 2014,
Debi Starnes and her husband, Jim, completed the
Great Circle Loop, a circumnavigation of eastern
North America that travels through waterways
connecting the Atlantic coast with the Great Lakes and
other lakes and rivers.
Completing the Great Loop is considered one of the
greatest, most rewarding accomplishments for
boaters, particularly due to the diversity of
experiences it offers. The Loop takes boaters on a
journey that requires them to stop at ports in cities
across seven U.S. states, as well as various ports in
Ontario, Canada.

3. Great Circle Loop
 Boaters can choose among multiple routes,
depending on which the entire trip stretches between
5,000 and 7,000 miles. A number of factors affect the
amount of time it takes to complete, including the
vessel, number of side trips taken, and extent of
sightseeing. While some boaters finish in a year,
others may take three or four.
Starnes and her husband began their trip in 2000 with
a 30' Carver called For Play and ended the journey on
a 44' Symbol named Sea Fever. They documented
their adventure on their blog -
www.jimanddebi.blogspot.com. During the trip, the two
worked aboard using various forms of long-distance
communication. Their voyage, doing the Loop in
sections, took them fourteen years to complete.