Ft. Myers to Marathon: recent updates?

[pmagistro]

We are planning on heading down to Marathon next week and hoping to avoid Key West and beating upwind into the easterlies. I read a bunch of older threads indicating that it's possible to cut straight across. What's the latest, after Irma and all?

Draft of 4' 4", ideally sailing overnight from Ft Myers nonstop to Marathon but flexible.

Thanks all!!!

[MV Wanderlust]

With a sailboat, it would be good to have folding props. You're going to encounter a plethora of crabpot buoys for the first couple of hours outside of Fort Myers and then again for a few hours on your approach to Marathon. They're easy to avoid but you have to keep your eyes peeled. The open Gulf won't be much of a problem.