Great loop speed record attempt

redneck joe

redneck joe

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Robert Youens

Great Loop Jon Boat Adventures Abound Rocking party at the Grafton Oyster Bar upon arrival, thanks Jan. Hopefully people posted photos. Stayed at a beautiful home, thanks Allison. Headed out...
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redneck joe

redneck joe

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He may still yet have a shot

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John Kucko Digital

Ageless Wanderer Update: Just heard from 71 year old Robert Youens on his “Ageless Wanderer” 16-foot Jon boat. He’s cruising on the Tennessee River in this day 19 of his odyssey and tells me “this...
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aspeck

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It is going to be close, but I think he will shave a few hours off the old record (even though the 40ft Contender "Lady Lor" with her 4 man crew already broke the record last week). He will be the fastest single man. Fastest Jon Boat. And longest single man Jon Boat run. And if he hadn't run aground, hit the storm off shore and been forces to run the intercoastal waterway for 3 days, gotten slowed by a lock that closed an hour earlier than expected, had boat trouble (wave and shore pounding caused a crack and ribs that needed replaced), another storm, and motor trouble (faulty vent valve that took some time to diagnose), he would have been done a few days earlier. It is conceivable that IF everything went right he could have done the loop in 16 days.

It has been impressive to follow his journey.
 
redneck joe

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He met the kayaker doing the loop backwards.

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Robert Youens

Great Loop Jon Boat Great Meeting Peter Soon to be the youngest solo looper! Amazing... we have a lot in common!
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aspeck

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📍 Thursday, July 31, 2025 – 6:31 AM Eastern / 5:31 AM Central
⏱️ Robert Youens has now been underway for 18 days, 22 hours, and 0 minutes since launching his historic Great American Loop speed attempt from just off Fort Pickens, Florida at 7:31 AM Central Time on Saturday, July 12.

💨 He’s already flying down the river this morning at over 30 MPH, focused and determined on his final leg to the finish. Hundreds of thousands of us are watching this incredible journey unfold in real time.

🎯 His goal? To complete the entire Great Loop in less than 19 days, 19 hours, and 50 minutes—a feat never before accomplished in a 16-foot Jon boat, solo, without a support team onboard.

Let’s keep cheering Robert on as he closes in on this record. He’s not just chasing time—he’s chasing a dream, and he’s taken the hearts of so many of us along for the ride. ❤️🇺🇸

📡 Follow Robert live:
👉 Garmin Tracker
 
aspeck

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redneck joe said:
i thought he left on 10 July? So already missed.
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I believe weather delayed him from his original start date. He has a few hours to go to break the record …

He has a couple more hours on the Tombigbee and then through Mobile and back to Pensacola. Almost there barring any mishaps or breakdowns.
 
redneck joe

redneck joe

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Well that would be cool. If he doesn't make it the running aground will be the culprit, 4 hours there then the repair time later on.

Unfortunately the Garmin tracker isn't loading for me.
 
redneck joe

redneck joe

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John Kucko Digital

Ageless Wanderer update: Robert Youens, aboard his 16-foot Jon boat, has cleared the Demopolis Lock and Dam in Alabama as he navigates his way along the Tombigbee and Black Warrior Rivers there....
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