The 2026 Great Loop Challenge powered by Honda Marine is putting a boat, its technology and its crew to a real-world test across thousands of miles. See what they're learning along the way.
This week, Dock Side Live Radio is replacing our regular edition of The Next Boat Journey with a 2026 Great Loop Challenge powered by Honda Marina Special Edition.
The 2026 Great Loop Challenge powered by Honda Marine crew is moving north, the boat is performing, and the technology aboard the custom 30-foot performance boat is being put through a real-world test few recreational boats will ever experience.
During our latest live check-in with the crew, they reported that the boat had completed its scheduled service, received fresh oil and was running strong as the team continued toward Detroit and the Great Lakes.
“We just got serviced up, new oil, all systems are up and running great, and we're en route heading on up close to the halfway point,” the crew reported.
Ahead are some of the most interesting sections of the route. The team plans to travel through the Soo Locks into Lake Superior before eventually returning south, entering Lake Michigan and traveling directly through downtown Chicago on the way toward the Illinois River and Mississippi.
Technology Being Tested in the Real World
This isn't simply a long-distance boat ride. The 2026 Great Loop Challenge powered by Honda Marine is putting marine equipment through thousands of miles of changing water, weather and operating conditions.
The crew specifically highlighted its Raymarine electronics and FLIR thermal imaging system. At night, the FLIR camera and ClearCruise system provide the crew with visibility even when looking through the windshield into darkness.
The twin Honda engines are also earning praise.
“These Hondas are... impressive,” the crew said. “It's amazing the power, the stuff we put these engines through, and they're ready to go.”
Another important part of the setup is the Portā bracket supporting the two Honda VF350 engines, each weighing roughly 700 pounds.
The system provides significant vertical travel, allowing the engines to be raised in shallow water while also giving the crew the ability to fine-tune engine height for performance and efficiency. During the interview, the crew reported running the plate at approximately 41 percent, which they had found to provide their best combination of economy and performance.
Finding the Right Propeller Setup
Propeller performance has also been part of the learning process.
Because the team did not have the opportunity for extensive testing before departure, they changed propellers during the journey. With the newer setup, the crew reported strong grip, no cavitation in sloppy water and improving efficiency.
Those results matter on a boat carrying approximately 400 gallons of fuel and producing 700 horsepower.
Despite the weight and horsepower, the crew reported seeing some of its best numbers around 1.5 miles per gallon. They also described a broad operating range between approximately 30 and 42 mph without a significant change in efficiency.
That's what makes this journey so interesting for boaters.
These aren't products sitting on display at a boat show. They're being used day after day, mile after mile, in changing conditions across some of America's most challenging waterways.
And they're being used for something bigger than proving what a boat can do.
They're helping carry an important mission around the Great Loop.
Listen Thursday at 5 PM with encore editions Saturday & Sunday at 5 PM as we ride along with the crew and hear how the boat, equipment and people aboard are handling the journey.
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