Cross Florida Barge Canal - navigable?

ADR

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Feb 26, 2019
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Florida Waterways System Plan.png
I read in a FL Waterways Plan that the full barge canal was not completed for environmental reasons. However, it also shows that there is an "other waterway" that still exists from the St. Johns River to Inglis area on the Gulf Coast. The question is: is it big enough for medium sized SR (35') to go thru, or is this more runabout or canoe only sized? I'm not from the area, but would be interested if anybody knows this waterway and what boats, if any, can get through it. Thanks in advance for any info!
 
I don't know of anyway to get from the east coast of Florida to the west coast except through Lake O.
 
or go around the keys. Nothing in North Central Florida unless you are in a kayak, and even then you'll be walking.
 
Based on that image I think they referenced the Rousseau which dumps into the lake. From there you cant proceed outside of a kayak. Not sure how you would connect to the St. John.

If you have any questions about the Caloosahatchee through lake O to the St. Lucie let me know. I’m familiar with that.
 
In Inglis, from the gulf to Lake Rousseau is navigable. There is a lock at the lake that has not been used in 40 years or so. You cannot go into the lake from the Gulf.

The rest of the "other waterway" is parts of the Silver River, the Withlacoochee river and the Oklawaha river that would have been widened and followed if the canal had gone through.
 
Thanks everyone for the info. I was afraid that it wasn't more than a ditch that never got dredged once I read about the canceling of the barge canal. Maybe someday, if they get the environmental stuff figured out...

Cheers! -A
 
I just purchased a 440 Express Bridge Cruiser which is currently located in the NE Tampa Bay Area. I have to move it to my dock in Boynton Beach which is near the Boynton Inlet. I had given some thought crossing thru the Okeechobee Water Way system buy after inquiring of several professional boat captains, I have decided not to go that route. I'm heading south to the Keys and will make the trip outside and off shore. Has anyone else made this trip and any words of wisdom they may want to share?
 
Depending on your range, tolerance for running, and your crew, you will likely want to stop at Marco or Naples for the night. You don't have to go all the way to Key West. There's a cut through to channel 5, or you could cut through at Marathon. Red Tide is raising its ugly head in SW Florida again, mostly from Venice South to Naples, so it might be better to first roll further South, like Sarasota/Venice Inlet, fuel up, and run from there directly to Marathon, staying far enough offshore to avoid lobster pots and the tide.
If you search the board, there was another member asking a couple of months ago about running the West Coast to the keys. Lots of good data there.
 
Depending on your range, tolerance for running, and your crew, you will likely want to stop at Marco or Naples for the night. You don't have to go all the way to Key West. There's a cut through to channel 5, or you could cut through at Marathon. Red Tide is raising its ugly head in SW Florida again, mostly from Venice South to Naples, so it might be better to first roll further South, like Sarasota/Venice Inlet, fuel up, and run from there directly to Marathon, staying far enough offshore to avoid lobster pots and the tide.
If you search the board, there was another member asking a couple of months ago about running the West Coast to the keys. Lots of good data there.
Thanks for the good info. Appreciated.
 
The 440 EB Cruiser failed survey and we moved on and have purchased a 460 Sundancer in Ft. Myers. After reading and studying and getting input from several sources, I have decided to move the boat to my dock in Boynton Beach utilizing the OWW. Has anyone crossed recently going west to east? Did you get to Stuart in one day or did you stop along the way and if you did, where did you stay? I would like to make it thru all the locks in one day but am beginning to wonder if it is doable. Looking for advice and feedback from those that have done it. Thanks.
 
It’s possible. Buddy of mine just finished yesterday. It’s a long day and you have to be at the first lock when they open full of fuel and ready to go. If you need specifics feel free to pm me.
 
Did you buy the 460DA at North Star Yacht Club?

Roland Martin's is a great halfway stop...
The boat I am buying was at a Marina located between two condo buildings. There is a tiki bar and restaurant near there. Not sure of the Marina name. Broker never gave it to me and I never noticed it.
 
When we had our previous boat we used to run across in one day, a very long day. Now we typically split the trip, spending the night at Roland Martin. This is due to draft and a couple of spots on the Stuart side downstream from the last lock. No issues, most any tide, in our 47db.

City marina on the fort Meyers side is good for fuel and overnight. As said previously, if you want a one day trip, be at the first lock when they open.

Run on plane every chance you get. Coming into Stuart, sunset bay marina, good for fuel and overnight.

If you stop over at Roland Martin, outside from Stuart we used to run all the way to Aventura where we kept the boat.

Running inside from Stuart, palm beach was about all we wanted in a day.
 
When we had our previous boat we used to run across in one day, a very long day. Now we typically split the trip, spending the night at Roland Martin. This is due to draft and a couple of spots on the Stuart side downstream from the last lock. No issues, most any tide, in our 47db.

City marina on the fort Meyers side is good for fuel and overnight. As said previously, if you want a one day trip, be at the first lock when they open.

Run on plane every chance you get. Coming into Stuart, sunset bay marina, good for fuel and overnight.

If you stop over at Roland Martin, outside from Stuart we used to run all the way to Aventura where we kept the boat.

Running inside from Stuart, palm beach was about all we wanted in a day.


Thanks for the info. I would like to make it to Stuart in one day. I sort of figured I would have to be at the first lock at 7 am. Depending upon the seas, I would like to run in the ocean to get to Boynton but if the seas are too rough, its going to be a long day down the ICW.
 
I have run from West Palm Beach to Boca Grand in one 18 hour day...........and it has also taken me 2 days to make the same run. Keep in mind that your ability to make a fast trip across the Okeechobee is largely dependent on other traffic locking thru.
 
I have run from West Palm Beach to Boca Grand in one 18 hour day...........and it has also taken me 2 days to make the same run. Keep in mind that your ability to make a fast trip across the Okeechobee is largely dependent on other traffic locking thru.

Frank's point is a good one, often overlooked.

You can come up to a lock which is open on your side, run right in and tie up.

You can come up to a lock which has just closed the gates on your side and is starting the cycle - might be 45 minutes to an hour before you clear the other side.

No control over that, and no way to plan for it.
 

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