Looking to settle in western FL or Myrtle beach or?

[Mystic Dreamer]

Well, I'm from NY so car traffic isn't a deal breaker. How long of a trip is it across the Oke waterway and can you do it safely with the draft of a 52 or 58DB?

When crossing the Oke, there are no wake zones (locks, bridges, marinas), but much of it is where you can run on plane. Of course with a large bridge boat you need to be mindful of your wake with other boaters, but I have seen big sportfishers running through at 25+ knots. The cruise from Tampa to Stuart is best done in 2 days and it is a really cool way to see some of "old" Florida. I will be crossing over in April before I jump off to the Bahamas in May. Then it will be back to Tampa via the Keys and up the West Coast... what is better than that?

Anyhow, to the origional point, Tampa Bay offers great amenities all around- Since you are from Long Island you would have easy access to Islip on direct flights with Southwest. Tampa/ St. Pete/ Clearwater has great restaurants, professional sports, top rated beaches AND great cruising with access to the Keys and Florida's east coast! Most of all it is back to being affordable.

Brian

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

Interesting, I just looked at NOAA chart 11428. I take it the speed limit through the waterway (except for the lake itself) is 5 mph? Are there marinas along the waterway or just on the shore of the lake? Transient docking?

Yes, there are marinas along the way. On day 1, I typically leave St. Pete around 7 or 8 am, stop off in Cabbage Key near Captiva for a "Cheesburger in Paradise" and then begin heading across the waterway until I reach the lake. I stay the night at Roland Martin's on the South West side of the lake. http://www.rolandmartinmarina.com/ Then it's just a half day or so to Stuart.

 

[Ozzie-iv]

Oh well, my two bobs worth..if you wish to move

Sydney Australia..

We live at a place called Bilgola plateau. Can't beat it just can't beat it..everything is here
golf courses (plenty) tennis courts(plenty) restaurants, saltwater(plenty) fish(plenty)
gorgeous girls(plenty LOL)

Check it out on google earth

Ozzie

 

[JindySR]

Northern beaches house prices might put him off a bit! but this would be my choice of a place to live if I had to move back to Sydney