Advice on sailing across florida via Lake Okeechobee

[stajen]

been looking at sailing from st marks and cutting across to the east coast via Lake Okeechobee, any advice? we are going this summer and have a 27 foot hunter we sailed around the keys from melbourne up into the gulf last summer-1000 miles or so of coast line. I didn't want to do the exact same thing again since i have a time crunch and want to go to the carribean this summer.
thanks

[Mechsmith]

That is a pleasant trip but you will probably have to motor the whole way. Only one out of three times have I been able to sail across Lake Okeechobee. Lots of traffic on weekends near both ends. 49 ft. Bridge clearance just east of the lake. Fuel easy to find.

If you intend to jump off from Marathon, Key Largo, or Miami though you will only save about three days from Ft Myers if you use the yacht channel through Florida Bay. If you can leave from the St.Lucie, Jupiter,or Palm Beach inlets you can save five or six. You may find a buddy boat to travel with. I think that Gov't Cut Channel (Fishers Island) would give you the best chance of that. Waiting for a weather window to cross the gulf stream will probably mess up your schedule worse than anything.

[stajen]

thanks. I'm not sure where the trip will take me, and I think i could enjoy cutting through, but I'm not sure where we will go from there. Any other advice is much appreciated.