Naples to Marathon

[Yolosetodo]

Planning a trip from Naples to Marathon in a couple of weeks. Planning to cruise the keys.
Can I just power from Sanibel straight to Bahia Honda's big spanish channel? I draw 3.5 feet at most on an 38' Intrepid cruising at around 30 knots. Any help would be appreciated. this is my first trip to the keys.

[capngeo]

Use the "Yacht Channel"

[Yolosetodo]

Yacht Channel near Marathon?

[capngeo]

It's listed on the chart. If you're up for an adventure, you can cross from Flamingo to Key Largo with 3.5 draft.... I've done it in a Bertram 28. Took me two days; had to hole up in swash channels and bomb craters during low tides. Use the dink to scout your path while the mothership waits on the tide. Got more than one odd comment from the flatsboat crowd!

[Yolosetodo]

Flamingo by the Rangers Station on Everglades Nat Park? That's mosquito territory during the summer, you are a better man. That may be to low & slow for me. But is good to know that is doable. I am trying to get to Marathon as direct as I can from Naples without hitting bottom.
Thank you

[DotDun]

Head for the Cape Romano Shoals:
025 41.2728 N
081 41.7491 W

then a straight shot to Bullard Bank:
024 48.1812 N
081 09.4150 W

Then turn south/southwest and follow the markers to 7-mile bridge, keep red on port & green on starboard.

Once under the bridge to marker #2, turn east and head for Boot Key Harbor entrance.

It's an easy one!

[Jbw0721]

Are you going via Florida Flats?

[Yolosetodo]

Yes,
is the water clear?

[capngeo]

Right now it's not bad... Been very little rain down here.

[Trident]

I usually go from Northwest Cape to the 7 mile bridge. Only a couple of things to look out far and they are charted. Water can be clear or very murky. Lots of crab traps at times.

[Jacques2]

Hi !
Out of the subject, sorry... Nevertheless :
What is very funny with CF is the fact it is a real international forum ... At first time I wondered of the existence of a water passage between Naples (Italy) and Maratho (Greece)