Miami to Ft Myers Fl

[jusbumn]

I Will temporary move the boat from Miami to Ft Myers. Which is the best way, time is not an issue.

 

[Canuck Dennis]

Depends what you want to see etc, The Lake crossing from Stuart is fun for those who have not done it before, down thro the upper Keys and up past the Everglades is much more adventurous and lots of fun. ymmv

 

[Maynard Rupp]

We have done both several times. The lake route is about 40 mikes longer. Going around the bottom, (Florida bay), is nice also. We stop at Plantation Key, then follow the ICW until the "yacht navigation line). We stop at Everglades City next and enjoy the most beautiful 7 mile ride in from Indian Key. Next, if you can avoid low tide, the trip north through Goodland Pass is nice. You wind up in the Gulf north of Marco Island.

 

[dottieshusband]

I'm sure ther are varied opinions. We went Miami to Marathon via Hawks Channel, then to Marco, on to Venice, then Fort Myers is a short hop.

 

[Freeebird]

I'm sure ther are varied opinions. We went Miami to Marathon via Hawks Channel, then to Marco, on to Venice, then Fort Myers is a short hop.

To Venice and then Fort Myers? That really was the scenic route.

I like going through the lake myself, and it gives everything a nice, freshwater cleaning on the way through. I read something that they're changing the lock hours, so you may want to check if you decide on that route.

 

[capttonyf]

We have done both several times. The lake route is about 40 mikes longer. Going around the bottom, (Florida bay), is nice also. We stop at Plantation Key, then follow the ICW until the "yacht navigation line). We stop at Everglades City next and enjoy the most beautiful 7 mile ride in from Indian Key. Next, if you can avoid low tide, the trip north through Goodland Pass is nice. You wind up in the Gulf north of Marco Island.

When doing Deliveries on bigger boats I've always done the Marathon Route. If you have time and not worried about a few extra miles, Key West can always be a fun spot to stop before heading north. I try to avoid the Lake route because it's to easy for mistakes to happen and some of it is slow going and other than the short distance acroos the Lake you steering the whole way. Also the Locks can slow you down at times. By mistakes, I hit a submerged Log once in the canal and tore up two wheels. Granted that can happen anywhere but I think running shallow, narrow canals ups your chances.

Besides, to me the Keys are a much nicer ride, pretty blue water instead of brown muddy water.

Tony

 

[Freeebird]

Don't forget about the five million crabpots around the Keys. Talk about having to steer...

I would think the weather would dictate the best route to take.

 

[capttonyf]

Don't forget about the five million crabpots around the Keys. Talk about having to steer...

I would think the weather would dictate the best route to take.

Very true, depending on the time of year, But if the weathers good get out of Hawks Channel and run down the outer edge of the reef. Aqua on one side and deep blue on the other. Not a bad ride, I can picture it now, a Beer,,, I mean "Cup of Coffee" in one hand, and a Ham Sandwich in the other. Lol.

Tony

 

[Freeebird]

Get out of the channel with a cup of beer in one hand and a sandwich in the other? You'll need a third hand to call Sea Tow! LOL

 

[capttonyf]

Come to think of it you can use the old Captain Ron Reference. "Navigate" Nahh, Don't Know How to Navigate. I just steered" Just follow the color change all the way down until you see a big Giant bridge and then Turn Right. You can't miss it, it's like 7 Miles Long with a high spot in the middle. it might as well be a road. The high spot by the way is where you want to Aim, just in case your wondering.

Tony

 

[Freeebird]

All kidding aside, I've never come into anyplace in the Gulf between the Keys and Marco. It's pretty boring out there when you run a line from Marathon. As for the lake route, when you're on the river and canal parts running 10 knots, you feel like you're flying. The lake itself isn't anything to look at, but the river portions are very scenic.

 

[capttonyf]

True,,,, you may even see a cow or two.

Tony

 

[dottieshusband]

To Venice and then Fort Myers? That really was the scenic route.

I like going through the lake myself, and it gives everything a nice, freshwater cleaning on the way through. I read something that they're changing the lock hours, so you may want to check if you decide on that route.

Ft Meyers is a short from Marco.... We went to Venice enroute to Clearwater, and across.

 

[Maynard Rupp]

One good reason to use the "yacht navigation channel" instead of going to Marathon and north is to avoid crab traps. The yacht nav. channel is the border of the Everglades National Park. They don't allow any traps in the park. No commercial fishing at all. A trouble free ride.

 

[capttonyf]

One good reason to use the "yacht navigation channel" instead of going to Marathon and north is to avoid crab traps. The yacht nav. channel is the border of the Everglades National Park. They don't allow any traps in the park. No commercial fishing at all. A trouble free ride.

How deep, and wide is the channel, and where do you enter it? Also what do you think is the largest size boat you can run through it?

Tony

 

[captainwjm]

Depart from the AIWW around mile 1174 at Long Key light and head towards Arsenic Bank and generally follow the Park boundary markers. Depth shouldn't be too great of concern until you reach the Marco area where you'll have to decide to go via Goodland or around Cape Romano.

As said above, weather is the determiner for Lake O or Everglades routing.

 

[captddis]

I have run the yacht channel many times and I would limit it to 4.5 ft There should be 5 ft but don't count on it.
I cut in at channel five and run up to the East Cape then head for Cape Romano staying clear of the shoals.

Took a new 58 Conv throught in 1990 and never slowed down. Would not do it now.

 

[Maynard Rupp]

Everglades City is a very nice stop. You turn in at Indian key. A beautiful 7 mile ride and good restruants along the Baron River. Leave there on a rising tide and go through Goodland Pass. Nice ride and a lot shorter than going around the Cape Romano shoals.

 

[Dan Mapes]

I am not thinking you want to cross Okeechobee if it gets below 11.0 feet.

http://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml

We have done both as well, and the ride across the lake is indeed dull. If you stop at Roland Martin in Clewiston they put insect repellent in the condiment basket on the table. Gives you ideas right?

There is nothing in Moore Haven but the town dock is good for an over night.

We ran on the inside of the keys down to Marathon and this is not for the faint of heart if you pull 4 feet.

Then there is this;

http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Porta...4PortMayacaLock4HrClosuresforDiverRepairs.pdf

And this;

http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Porta...obeeWaterwayLockHoursofOperationMarch2015.pdf