Anyone used the Okeechobee lately

[neworleansrich]

I need to move a boat from Jacksonville to the Gulf Coast. Has anyone run through the Okeechobee lately? Any issues?

[Matt Johnson]

About a month ago I took a boat with a 6' draft through with no issues.

Matt

[tuffr2]

Lots of active gators this time of year. Don't dangle your feet in the water.

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[FSMike]

U.S.Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville, Fl. office can inform you as to water levels, lock maintenance, etc.

[SV Bacchus]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Lots of active gators this time of year. Don't dangle your feet in the water.

Sent from my SM-G360V using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

That is a fact! June is mating season; they can be quite frisky and ones that are not normally a problem can become one.

1 & half weeks ago a 2 yr old child was killed by one inside Disney World, very sad.. Tot killed by gator at Disney: 'I am absolutely stunned ... ' - Orlando Sentinel

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by neworleansrich

I need to move a boat from Jacksonville to the Gulf Coast. Has anyone run through the Okeechobee lately? Any issues?

===

We came through west to east with 5 1/2 ft draft about a month ago. No problems at all.

Here is the Corps of Engineers site:

USACE Jacksonville District

As of yesterday the Route 1 depth was 8.85 ft.

[tikirawker]

I have never done this trip.
I would be more concerned about the mosquitos and no-see-ums than the gators.
Is a problem to worry about??

[Steadman Uhlich]

Here is a nice video log of Smacksman transiting from Port St. Lucy to La Belle, on a Albin trawler. He gives good narration of anchorages and other things. I enjoyed the video, and it is part of his 2015 series from Charleston to New Orleans. This shows what a cruiser will see on that route.

https://youtu.be/orb6saZA0GU

[Scaramanga F25]

If a sailboat what is your air draft?