Captain Al’s Blog

I have been boating for over 20 years,,, I spent 15 of those years boating on the Des Plaines and Illinois River in Central Illinois. My family and I have watched boaters year after year slam their boats into barges, crash into piers as they docked, and occasionally crash into other boats while pulling into and out of their slips. Docking at the gas dock was another story altogether. If the gas attendant was busy helping others, forget about docking. The wind would blow you away. I watched and watched and concluded “There must be a better way.”

While storing my boat at the Harborside Marina on the Illinois River near Wilmington Illinois, I met my partner, Roger Leyden. We became boating buddies and for 12 years knew nothing about the Landing Loop. We just traveled together and had great boating experiences. We both eventually left the River and now dock our boats at a marina on Lake Michigan.

The docking situation seemed to get worse on the Big Lake.  More wind, rougher waters, and many more boats. I watched and watched again. On any given week end I could see 4-5 boats crash into the piers, mates on the boats trying to lasso the cleat, and the clincher was seeing a friend jumping over his boat railing onto the dock, missing the pier, and falling into the water.  He also broke his ankle in the process. I concluded that I had to do something about the way we dock our boats.

I bought an extension pole at a home center and began playing with PVC pipe, wire, rubber pipe, Velcro and plastic hose . It took me 2 years to come up with something that worked every time. I have 10-15 different proto types in my basement showing the progression and the development of “Landing Loop”. Now the question became; How can I get it manufactured economically, who would make it, and how much would it cost?

That question will be answered in my next blog.

See you next week
Captain Al

P. S. If you live or boat around Wilmington Illinois, you can purchase the Landing Loop at Harborside Marina. Just ask Ron at info@harborsidemarina.com.

Our Customers speak ……….

“used the landing loop this weekend at fuel dock with stiff off dock breeze/ had to ask people to not help/great product.”

Truly yours, P C

“I have been using your Landing Loop for the last two months and just love it. You have saved my wife from falling overboard, you have saved our boat from all too often crashing into a dock or pier in the wind, and you have really made docking a pleasure for us……before Landing Loop it was a nightmare!  Thanks for a great idea that has helped our boating pleasure immensely!!!”

Thanks, Dr. K

“WOW!
THANKS AGAIN Allen!
You really know how to make your customers happy,

We’ll be your best reference and promoters in the Texas area. We have a 2007 Catalina 350 sail boat that we cruise in and around Galveston Bay so we’ll be sure to tell everyone about your products and excellent customer service.”

Yours truly,

B.K.

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE LANDING LOOP.

Landing Loop testimonial- from First Mate Aboard……

The wind is up and you are arriving at a new dock with no one there to secure a line. We have all faced this challenge, and it’s not a pleasant situation. For years I have tried to lasso the cleat on the dock, and often I was successful. But too many times I was not.

The solution has arrived. I now use the Landing Loop to secure our bow line every time with confidence, and my success rate is 100%. I can’t tell you how much the Landing Loop has improved the quality of our cruising and reduced the worry. Thanks for a simple and perfect product!

Testimonial —from Serenity

I am writing to express my complete satisfaction with the Landing loop I purchased. My husband and I bought a 27 foot cruiser when we retired last year. I am the first mate, and not being as spry as I once was, docking was often a challenge. When I saw your add, it promised to make this much easier on me.

My first try with the loop was at our local marina with a strong wind. For the first time I can recall, I was able to capture the pylon with ease as we went back into the slip. Next try was at a marina with a cleat on the dock and a strong current. Again it was a breeze. This was a far cry from the problems I had last year. I felt really good when we cruised up to the city dock at Beaufort, NC where there were people in the park watching the boats. I was able to capture the cleat and maneuver us like a pro!

Last month we had my adult son on board. I proudly showed him my loop and he was skeptical (to say the least). After we came back from cruising I was at the bow and used the loop to capture and secure the bow pylon. My son was at the stern, where he tried to lasso the stern pylon. He later told me that after his 8th attempt, he reconsidered his opinion!

After docking, I have had other boaters who recognized the Landing Loop come over to check it out. I always give it a enthusiastic recommendation.