Ft Myers to Marathon Key

S

shadow9999

Member
Nov 23, 2009
110
NJ and FL
Boat Info
Viking Sport Cruiser 50
Engines
Volvo D12's
I will be moving my boat back north this year beginning around May 22 or so. A bit of a late start for me as I usually like to leave Florida in early May to head north. My plan was to cut across the Okeechobee Water Way on day one in order to make it from my place in Punta Gorda on the west coast to Stuart on the east coast. However, I found on the Army Corps of Engineers web site that Moorhaven Lock will be closed from May 14th for about eight weeks for the installation of a Manatee Protection System, so the trip across the state won't be happening. This means that I am going to have to run around the southern tip of Florida. I've gone around Florida in the past, however, There were always planned stops at Key West and various other keys for recreational purposes.

I would rather not run to Key West and then continue east from there because for this trip I am interested in making the best time that I can and cutting off as many miles as I can since my original plan was to cut across the state. Can anyone give me any insight to the best way to get from the west coast to the east running around the southern tip? I have heard of people running from Ft. Myers to Marathon. I am aware of Cape Romano Shoals that I need to be well west of. Some people talk about getting east once you pass the shoals and running down Yacht Channel. However, I have heard of some very skinny water in this area as well. Others have talked about running straight from Cape Romano Shoals to Bullard Bank and then following the channel down to 7 mile bridge, passing under, and heading towards a marina for the night. Looking at the charts there appears to be good water but it does show depths getting down to 9 or 10 feet closet to Bullard Bank. Is this in fact a good way to run? Are these depths fairly accurate? The course I was told to run is from a point west of Romano Shoals at N25 41.273 W81 41.749 straight to N24 48.181 W81 09.415 and follow the channel from there.

I am also concerned about the weather. Having never left Florida this late, I don't know what to expect in terms of afternoon thunder storms and typical winds. I don't know if the summer weather patterns are all ready in place by this time or if things are still in transition.

Maybe I can look to get to a point farther east than Marathon on day one. Any input would be appreciated. I have a 41' Sundancer and I draft about 3.5 feet. I typically cruise about 23 to 24 kts.

Thanks!!!

Robert
 
:lol:

Key West is definately a stop for the way down. Nearing the end of the trip, time for some R&R. But if I stop there on the way up north, I will never make it to NJ!!! :smt043
 
You should have no problem running Yacht Channel.... I think its the most direct route. I ran it heading from the east coast to the west coast without a problem. Be sure to watch the weather. You will be 50 miles from shore and it can get rough.... A good stop will be Duck Key. Enjoy your trip and be safe.....
 
I assume you are referring to Moser Channel. Is is marked, but the day markers have quite a distance between them. Be sure to stay in it as it is shoaled on both sides. Once you are under the seven mile bridge, boot key is directly to your port side. There is fuel and marinas. We typically fuel at marathon marina or panchos.

Marathon marina has a nice restaurant and a new pool. All the ice you want with a fill up.

Ken
 
missnmountains said:
I assume you are referring to Moser Channel. Is is marked, but the day markers have quite a distance between them. Be sure to stay in it as it is shoaled on both sides. Once you are under the seven mile bridge, boot key is directly to your port side. There is fuel and marinas. We typically fuel at marathon marina or panchos.

Marathon marina has a nice restaurant and a new pool. All the ice you want with a fill up.

Ken
Click to expand...

That second point that I mentioned in my first post was gotten from another boater. That point is just to the south west of green number 17 at Bullard Bank and due west of red number 16. I am wondering if I should adjust this point a bit to bring me to the easterly side of these two markers and then make a starboard turn to go through them, and continue to folow the channel markers down under 7 mile bridge. I see on the chart some very skinny water (1 foot or less) just to the west of this area so maybe adjusting thei point slightly east is the prudent thing to do. Are these markers (red 16 and green 17) the start of Moser Channel? And is there anything that you know of to the north as I am getting into the shallower water that I need to be aware of? When I say shallower water I am referring to depth getting into the teens and then into the single digits starting around 15 NM before hitting this point on the line between this point and my first point west of Cape Romano Shoals. Will all of that be OK water until I hit markers 16 and 17?
 
It is very very wide there. do not worry unless you are trying to cut the corners. In other words keep close to the middle at Bullard.

Ken
 
jimandsue60 said:
I thought I read that the Moorehaven Lock closure has been rescheduled for June 11th http://www.waterwayguide.com/navupdate.php?area=7 .


Jim
Click to expand...

You are correct Jim. I haven't checked in a while. That notice came out early March. Now I just need to continue to check on the water levels. right now they are on a 2 hour schedule for the locks at both ends of the waterway. Normally they are on demand. Once the water drops another half of a foot or so, they go to a 7am, 1pm, 7pm schedule for the outer locks. Last year I ran Lake O while they were on that schedule. The water was at about 11 feet. Even though according to the information on the Army Corps of Engineering site, I should have no problem at the level, I found lots of very skinny water and made a note to myself that I would never go through the lake again with water that low. So I will keep an eye on the levels, and even though the waterway may be open, I may choose not to run it
 
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