St. Pete to Ft. Lauderdale via Okechobee- May 2010

[Mystic Dreamer]

St. Pete to Ft. Lauderdale via Okeechobee- May 2010

I am planning a trip to from St. Pete to Ft. Lauderdale around May 19 to May 25, and assuming the lake has water and the locks work, want to take the Okeechobee waterway.

How long does the waterway way take from Ft. Myers to Stuart? I know there are many variables, like traffic and locking, however I am trying to get a realistic estimate. I was going to plan 8-10 hours to get accross- does that make sense?

Brian

 

[chuck1]

Brain,
Did you do a search on the big "O" crossing yet? There has been some good threads on it before including places to watch out for and pictures, etc.

 

[chuck1]

Quick search the one by John was the one I was thinking about.


http://clubsearay.com/forum/search...._searchinfo=1&photoplog_searchquery=okechobee

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

John's thread helps, and I now remember reading it when he posted it- I crossed the waterway about 15 years ago and was looking to cross last June on my way over to the Bahamas. (Last June through September it closed due lock maintenance and I went "around" through Channel 5 in the Keys).

Anyway, it looks like planning up to 10 hours to cross makes sense...

Brian

 

[fwebster]

If it helps, West Palm Beach to Boca Grande was 16 hours @ 29kts, with normal traffic, 2 locks to wait for and no stops for fuel. We passed Ft. Meyers in the late afternoon and the waterway was pretty crowded.

 

[earthmover17]

Brian,
Stay in touch as I plan on crossing Oke about the same time. It seems water shouldn't be an issue this year. Only issue could be if the Army corps makes another brilliant decision to work on the locks in the middle of the height of there most use.

Jack

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

Jack,

Yes, I am hoping with the El Nino this year the water levels should be fine for navigation.

My plan is to leave St. Pete early on Wednesday June 19 (like 5:30am) and then make it across the Oke and stay the night at Pirate's Cove in Manatee Pocket (Stuart). - (I realize this would be a real long day, so I may split it up by staying in Ft. Myers Wednesday night and cross Thursday.

Then on to Bahia Mar in Ft Lauderdale for Thursday (or Friday if I split the crossing) through Saturday night. Sunday morning it's back up to Stuart somewhere, Monday back across the Oke to Useppa, then Tuesday back home to St. Pete.

FYI, I will be traveling with a 41EC and we cruise around 23-24kts. You, as well as anyone else, are welcome to join in...

Brian

 

[hansen64]

Jack,
Does that mean the mega Sea Ray will be on the east coast/Bahamas all spring, summer and fall in 2010? I hope so!
-mike

 

[earthmover17]

Mike,
I liked the place in Boca where we kept the boat and the owners were very accommodating. Plan is to bring her around in May and slip in Boca. I assume the Floppy Armada will be going somewhere for Memorial day and I wouldn't want to miss that.

Jack

 

[roger275]

Re: St. Pete to Ft. Lauderdale via Okeechobee- May 2010

I am planning a trip to from St. Pete to Ft. Lauderdale around May 19 to May 25, and assuming the lake has water and the locks work, want to take the Okeechobee waterway.

How long does the waterway way take from Ft. Myers to Stuart? I know there are many variables, like traffic and locking, however I am trying to get a realistic estimate. I was going to plan 8-10 hours to get accross- does that make sense?

Brian,

In November we ran from Sarasota to Moorehaven in about an 8 hour day. Then from Moorehaven to Stuart in 3-4 hours. I think you can easily cross from Ft. Myers to Stuart in 8-10 hours but do contact the 5 locks to check for closures before you go. If the lake's rough consider the "rim route". Friends of ours did it in their 32' cruiser and said it was fine. The 20 miles or so on both sides of the lake are very cool.