gulf to Atlantic cut thru

[gafred99]

Is there a ICW from Tampa area to the Atlantic?
5' draft...

thanks and Merry Christmas..

[gtod25]

i.e if its a sailboat what mast height. If under 51ft then down the West ICW then across the Okeechobee.

Gerry

[hellosailor]

Look for Lake Okeechobee, the big puddle inthe middle of the Florida peninsula. There's a canal out to the ocean on both sides, with limits to draft and clearance. And the draft tends to vary with how much water has been in the 'glades in any particular year.

[gtod25]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Look for Lake Okeechobee, the big puddle inthe middle of the Florida peninsula. There's a canal out to the ocean on both sides, with limits to draft and clearance. And the draft tends to vary with how much water has been in the 'glades in any particular year.

Today's Route 1 Navigational Depth ÷ 7.57'

Lovely Trip. If mast is over 49 +/- ft you get to do this;


at the Port Mayaca Railroad Bridge.

[gafred99]

oh yes the other measurement is 45'.

So go in at Fort Myers out at Moore Haven, then looks like follow hwy 76.
How long does the crossing take motoring 4-5 knots? places to stop for supplies-fuel?

[gafred99]

Originally Posted by gtod25

Today's Route 1 Navigational Depth ÷ 7.57'

Lovely Trip. If mast is over 49 +/- ft you get to do this;


at the Port Mayaca Railroad Bridge.

I dont think members of my party will be able to hang on like that,,

they'll probably be to smashed and I am not stoping to pick overboarders,

[gtod25]

Skipper Bob™ Publications

And check out this web site

Active Captain

I know that this does not apply to you , but I always like people to invest some time and effort (and possibly money) in researching any voyage outside their normal cruising grounds. I was behind a large gin palace last week waiting for a bridge when the "captain" came on the VHF and said "hello bridge, I don't know which one you are as I don't have a guide book, but what time is your next opening".

The "boat tippers" are Billy Owens (tel:561 262 5200) and his buddy.

Enjoy your trip.

[gtod25]

on an internet forum seldom constituted THOROUGH research!

[Mechsmith]

Through the Okeechobee Waterway is a good trip, especially for beginners.
There is a lot of traffic from Ft. Myers to the gulf, and from the ICW to Indiantown. I usually motor there esp. on weekends. Fuel availiable frequently. Usually one can sail across the big lake and anchor anyplace on it. There is an abandoned canal SE of Moorehaven which is full of wildlife if your draw is shallow enough. Three feet can make it easily if Lake is normal height.

[fourdegreesc]

Unfortunately the Feds axed the Trans-FL barge canal after digging a lot of the way across. The locks are there and actually operate for some reason. It's nuts.

Maybe one day .... nah....

-dennis