ICW Jewfish to Channel 5

[EdHouston]

All knowing list

I need help!

Looking at the charts it would seem a sailboat with 4.5' draft could make the trip from Jewfish to channel 5 on the FL ICW.

I would like to move the boat I have just purchased from Key Largo inside into the Gulf, is it feasible to move this boat down the ICW with a draft of 4.5'?

Please help I must plan this trip in the next few weeks and its inside or outside and I would like to take the inside passage if I can.

Ed

[PBzeer]

I have 4.5' draft, and I always stay on the outside. The charts indicate I could stay inside, but I'd rather not deal with the depth issues and crab pots.

[billangiep]

Ed Gulf side from Marathon north to Key Largo I never saw less than six feet .

[tboicey]

I just did this trip in February with 4.5 feet. No problem.

The channel all the way is clearly marked but narrow. You may have to motor some sections if the wind is coming from dead ahead, as you cannot veer out of the channel in many places.

Also a concern, officially the bridge at Jewfish creek does not open on weekends. We have seen it do so, but officially it doesn't so you can't count on it.

Watch out for those silly fishing buoys that are everywhere including in the channel. Bring snorkel gear, we needed it once to pull a crab pot line out of the rudder.

[sailaway21]

Darn!
I opened this thread hoping to see a local news organization's video of a large grouper who'd found his way into the ICW. (g)

[EdHouston]

Hey guys thanks so much, inside it is local knowledge is imperative.

Ed

[WuWei]

Just watch out for Venice, esp near the inlet. You definitely don't want to be outside the channel- shallows are no joke. We draw 4'.