Florida Transit

[TXS-ALAMO]

What's The Best Way To Transit Florida From The Western Gulf Coast To Miami? I Draw 4.5 Feet And The Mast With Antenna Is 48 Feet Above Dwl.

[Cruisingdad]

Sorry, but need a bit more clarification: Are you coming from Texas and going to Miami? Or are you going from Fort Myers, for instance, to Miami?

[TXS-ALAMO]

I'm Leaving Galveston To The Bahamas Via The West Coast Of Florida.

[Eleanna]

You Can follow the ICW from galveston to Ocean reef on this map.

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=...ad83&layer=DRG

[Cruisingdad]

I have not made that run yet, but am soon to do so. I drop my boat in the pond within the next couple of months or so (at current timing).

Most of the guys I have talked to hit the Flower Gardens and hang a left. I have not talked to anhyone that has has coastal hopped across LA, but I understand it can be done. If you are going coastal, give the Mississippi a wide berth. A vigilant lookout for rigs and ships is pretty critical too, I understand.

Pensecola is a nice stop over. Some great friends of ours love that area.

My route will likely be a bit different. Although I would like to try and stop in Pensecola if I can, I think I will just make a passage out of it. Best time I have heard is 4.5 days. Others have told me to plan on 6-7. A group we are familiar with did this last December/January. They said it was a tough passage and got beat to death. Thier first stop was the Tortugas.

Once you make the West Coast of Florida, you can take the ICW through Fort Myers, Okechobee, and to Stuart (I think that is where it dumps you). from there, Fort Lauderdale, and punch across to the Bahamas. I have not been able to do this b/c my stick is to high (bridges are 55') and there are shallow areas.

What are you planning on doing? Are you thinking about going straight across or coastal? There is a friend of mine who is dropping his boat down there in November and going to hop across on the coast. What is your timing?

[PBzeer]

When will you be going? I'm heading east beginning of Nov. If I have crew, I'll go straight across. If not, I'll probably hop along the coast. From all I've heard, the ICW from Galveston Bay to Mobile is best left to power boats.

[Cruisingdad]

John, I have heard the same thing (regarding power boats).

[TXS-ALAMO]

Thanks Guys. I Plan To Leave Galveston In April Or May To The Bahamas For A Few Months And Then Through The Windward Passage Or Maybe The Mona Strait To The Canal. I Thought About An Eastern Mexico Route, But My Boat Is The "alamo" And The Mexicans Might Think This Would Be A Little Impolite. Can You Transit From The Lake Through The Miami Canal And/or Though The Tamiami Canal?

[Cruisingdad]

Hi Alamo,

Like the name. I doubt most Mexicans would even know the difference. Now, a name more like Border Patrol might just get you a few raised eyebrows. Ha! Ha! I am just kidding. The Mexicans I have met are really nice and very hospitable.

As far as your question, I cannot tell you. My mast and draft restricted me. I have found some of the best local knowledge is through the skippers at Sea Tow. The Biscayne Bay number is: (305) 361-9500. Ask for a captain or someone that knows the water ways. They are always more than ready to help.

Fair winds.

[Cruisingdad]

PS Just so you know, take the bug spray by the gallons. You cannot imagine the No See-Ums on that waterway. They may be bigger in Texas, but if Mosquitoes were people, Florida would be renamed China!