Your hosts are Joe and Barbara Huber from Lexington Ky and Fort Myers Beach Florida. Our loop wake is starting around February 1st 2019. We were exposed to the loop by our dear friends Mike and Leann Rowe on their boat ROWE BOAT. The Rowes lived in Lexington back in the 80’s and Leann and Barbara worked together at WVLK radio station. We have traveled all over the world through the years together and have enjoyed every trip, their company and more importantly their friendship. So why not follow their lead on looping. They crossed their wake and completed the Loop in 2016. Now, as Gold Loopers their advise and council have helped us through the process. I went to my first AGLCA meeting with them in 2015 when they stayed with me at our condo in Fort Myers Beach only 3 miles away from the Pink Shell complex. We have attended Rendezvous and Trawler Fest since then to learn more about what boat we wanted and needed. We also attended classes and took on boat training with Captain Chris.
The boat shopping took us to several cities around the country and quite a few models and brands. Whenever we were at a marina with the Rowes on their loop Mike would go on and on if there was a Fleming docked there. We toured a Fleming at one of those stops. So when a Fleming came up for sale less than 8 miles away from our Condo it seemed like it was meant to be. It cost lots more than we had budgeted but we are only doing this once and love the space on this Fleming 55. We bought the boat 15 months prior to our departure date. We have updated the electronics and went through most all of the systems on the boat. Added hand held remote controls for the bow/stern thrusters and windless. Replaced canvas, isenglass, motor on dinghy and lots of other things. So here we are just 3 weeks away from casting off our lines. What have we forgot? what did we not do in our prep?…well follow along and will find out together.
As far as what did we do to fund this event. Joe retired from a family farm equipment dealership started by his dad in 1972. He started working in the family business in 1967 at another dealership at the age of 12. Fast forward to today the dealership is being run by our son Ryan and our nephew Jason. Barbara has worked in the advertising business since 1978 at 2 radio stations and several advertising agencies over the years. She now owns her own agency which she intends to run during our loop trip. So internet is a big need through the trip. We think we have that covered as well. If we go for a long period without posting it’s either we were wrong about that or we are having too much fun to find time to share. Please comment and we will answer as we can.
So the most often question we hear is where did the name come from. Well at one of the agencies where Barbara worked they hired a temporary receptionist for a few days. On the temp’s first day when Barbara returned to the office she introduced herself and said my name is Barbara Huber and I am expecting a phone call I’ll be in my office please forward the call. Not 15 minutes later a call came over the intercom BALAHULA you have a call on line 1. Well that became her nickname… many people still call her that or even shorten it to Bala. When it came time to name our boat there was not much discussion, we knew the name. (Actually Joe knew the name, he wants me to love this. The jury is still out 😉 🤞🏻)
I hope you and Barbara have a fun and safe trip. If you need anything on the way just give me a call.
Thanks Paul! Let us know when/if you all wanna join or meet us on any part. We have a list of friends and family that have said they want to join us. Except for Ryan, it’s a first commit basis. Some sections of the trip are spoken for already.
So glad you are blogging about the trip, and hope you post lots of pictures!
We will! Waiting for our new electronics. They shipped today…getting them installed ASAP then we begin. I told Paul to let us know if you want to join us on a portion of the trip. Bill and Mary Joe are joining us a couple of times along with several friends and of course Ryan is coming several times. One with dogs and one without. I sure miss those two furry members of our family.
Barb and Joe,
Congratulations on casting away lines and getting underway.! We wish you all the best and hope we can see you when you are in the Chesapeake Bay/Potomac River environs.
Kevin and Becky
Barb and Joe,
Congratulations on casting away lines and getting underway.! We wish you all the best and hope we can see you when you are in the Chesapeake Bay/Potomac River environs.
Kevin and Becky
How exciting! I have such great fond memories of you, Joe and Ryan. I am so happy you are living a dream. Enjoy, and be safe. I hope to tune in to hear about your adventures.
We too have fond memories! Stay tuned!
Best of luck. We are looking forward to joining at a few points on your journey
Hi Barbara and Joe,
Great to see this trip is happening for you.
Hi Barbara and Joe! This is so fun to see. We enjoyed getting to know you while helping you get into this fantastic yacht. We wish you well on your journey. Clark and SaraNell
Great story behind the name BALAHULA ! We are thrilled for you and your adventure on a beautiful boat!!
Hopefully we can visit during your stay in Florida. Look forward to more blog entries. Wow – Italy is going to be wonderful 🙂 Cheers to both of you.
We will definitely be getting in touch. We said we need you to see what it looks like all moved in.
Congratulations on starting your loop. I hope to do it after I retire. Could you tell us a little more about the boat and systems?
Thanks, Doug Moore
Tennessee river, Scottsboro Alabama
Our boat is considered a little big for the loop. It is 60’6” overall is 16 ft wide. Carries 1043 gallons of fuel
300 gallons of fresh water, and 100 gallons in the black tank. Her draft is 5 feet. It has twin 450 HP Cummins engines. Twin generators 9 KW and 17 KW. Overall height is 18’6”.
We have already found marinas that can not handle our length at older docks.
We have 3 berths and 2 heads with separate showers. A full size frig.
She is a 2003 model. Weight is around 60,000 lbs or so. We are working on a video tour that we will post when done.
Check out Fleming’s on Yachtworld to see photos and specifications. The hull has remained the same for over 40
Years so they all look alike.