Anyone every gone from Florida West coast to East coast by water?

jff

jff

Member
Mar 29, 2008
510
Atlanta
Boat Info
2017 Crest Pontoon
Engines
Yamaha
I'm curious if anyone has gone from the West coast of Florida, somewhere between Sarasota and Naples, all the way down and over to the Miami area? If so what are the highlights, concerns, things to be aware of, etc.? Any information about this trip would be appreciated. Thanks!

Regards,
Jason
 
jff said:
I'm curious if anyone has gone from the West coast of Florida, somewhere between Sarasota and Naples, all the way down and over to the Miami area? If so what are the highlights, concerns, things to be aware of, etc.? Any information about this trip would be appreciated. Thanks!

Regards,
Jason
Click to expand...


Try this website http://www.greatloop.com/

Lots of great info on every step of the loop including the portion you are asking about.
 
That's a little vague. Are you thinking of doing the Naples Key West, Key Largo route or going across the state through Lake O? BTW, going around the Florida Peninsula north of the keys isn't a boater's trip.
 
I'm not sure what we're thinking about - I guess I was wondering if it's easy and common for people to go from Fort Meyers all the way down to the keys and then back up to Miami (going around the Florida Peninsula). What do you mean when you say that isn't a "boaters trip"? As for Lake O., not sure what Lake O. is? Do you mean that waterway from Fort Meyers that cuts across all the way over to the Stuart Florida area? If so, that would be another option - has anyone done that? If so any thoughts/suggestions/considerations?

Regards,
Jason
 
We did the Okeechobee water way last December from Stuart to Ft. Myers. It is quicker than qoing around the Keys. You need to check the water levels. Right now they are pretty good, but the C of E is currently draining the Lake out the Caloosahatchee.

Over all the trip is pretty nice.
 
Made the trip twice once in FEb and once end of March, both times via the keys.

Departed from FT Myers, thru the keys, Hawks Channel all the way to FT Lauderdale.
11 hours
Gulf was dead calm both times.

Hawks Channel was 2-3' and not a problem. Either the Gukf or HC will be the problem areas for the WX.

Just because the Gulf could be ok does not mean HC will be OK

Check


We cut thru the Keys at 7 mile bridge, at Pigeon Key, just west of Marathon.
 
missnmountains: How many hours was it on the Okeechobee water way from one coast to the other side? Were their fuel stops anywhere in the middle? Marinas/restaurants?

John: did you make any stops betwen Fort Meyers and the keys (I'm wondering if there are fuel/water/restaurant/marinas on the way)? Someone earlier in the thread said this was not a 'boaters trip', any idea why they would say that?

Regards,
Jason
 
What I meant was that going from Ft Myers to Miami not being a boaters trip is that for some practical reasons you can't go along the shore of the Florida Pennisula.

As others have said one trip is to go across Florida from Ft Myers through Lake O. The water level should be okay but check with the Corp. as to water levels and locks operating.

The other trip, is to head for the keys. Most people go from Marco Island to Marathon (@90 miles). No gas, hotels or marina's in this stretch. :smt043:smt043:smt043

Once you hit the keys you can run in the protection of the keys depending on the wind and there is fuel, marinas and the like. You do need to plan and know where you can obtain fuel etc.
 
A few questions for anyone who has gone from one side to the
other via the canals/Lake Okeechobee:
- Are there any marinas on Lake Okeechobee?
- Is it a good place to stop over for the night or best to just
go from one side to the other side non-stop?
- How long (at what speed) did it take you to go from one side of
Florida to the other using this passage?
Regards,
Jason
 
Why is that? Are there hazards in that area/on the lake that make it extra tricky?

I'm trying to plan a trip from the Ft. Myers area to the Stuart area, ie. cross from one side to the other - trying to figure out how many hours that would take, where the stops/fuel would be, what the dangers are, etc.

Regards,
Jason
 
I heard crossing the lake is the most treacherous portion of the trip, and has been the end of the trip for many an unwary boater.
 
The trip via the Okee waterway should take less than a day. However when we did it, the water was way down and they were cycling the outside locks only at 10am and 3pm (St. Lucie and Franklin locks). We could not make the second lock the same day, but there is a campground with about six slips on the inside of the Franklin Lock. You will not be able to access any marinas on route 1. Route 2 is usually too skinny for most boats. There are many marinas on both the Ft. Myers side and the Stuart side.
 
You did the trip in your 2006 Sundancer 48? Was Route 2 (which is Route 1 and which is Route 2?) too skinny for your 48? I assume not since you made it. What about the bay itself, another poster suggested a guide - what was your experience/thoughts having done it?

Regards,
Jason
 
Yes we did it in our 48 December 17 and 18th. You do not need a guide. Currently the locks are cycling as needed during the day. Last I checked there was about 6 to 7 feet of water. Route 1 is the quickest straight across the lake. You will need an electronic chart as there is a gap of 30 miles or so with out any markers.

There are five locks from one side to the other all easily navigated. We draft 48 inches. It was very tight last December on the east side, but you should not have any trouble now.
 
The lake is at 15 feet right now so crossing Lake O is no problem. You can stay in Clewiston. If you don't stay on the boat they do have rooms and there is a restaurant bar.

I think it is 83 miles from the Sanibel bridge to Clewiston and 56 miles from there to Roosevelt Bridge. Factor in the locks and its a full day! I think it is more like a two day deal.

You can cruise especially if it isn't the weekend traffic to slow you down. Compared to the gulf there aren't any waves or current to fight so you can cruise.

There isn't much along the way in terms of services so pack the cooler with food and drink and enjoy, it's a nice trip.
 
Oh and the danger in Lake O is the rocks. If you hit one and sink you boat then the danger is the gators and snakes. LOL :smt043:smt043:smt043:smt043
 
It is only a one day trip from Stuart to Ft. Myers. As I said, it took us two days, because we missed the Franklin lock by about an hour. We idled on the east side of the lake for an hour and a half due to the skinny water. This will not be a problem for you as the water levels are up.

There is no reason you cannot make it in 8 to 10 hours. Also as I said, it is an easy trip, but boring once you are crossing Lake O.
 
See, it just goes to show you that people can have differing opinions with identical facts. Remember, getting there is half the fun.
 
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