Visit our Popular Forums

timbenner · 02-01-2016, 08:25

We're looking for experienced advice regarding rounding the Florida Everglades from the Florida Keys to Ft. Meyers? We have a 4' draft.

I'm looking at a charted route, with channel markers, from Fiesta Key headed Northwest, but see 4' to 5' depths along the way. Has anyone taken this route? Any advise?

four winds · 02-01-2016, 08:44

Do you wish to visit and anchor in the everglades along the way? So far I have bypassed the area.

To bypass,... you will notice a few widely spaced offshore markers that if taken by the starboard will be a route around all shallow waters. This is also a more direct course as well, if I recall correctly.

wayne.b · 02-01-2016, 08:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by timbenner

We're looking for experienced advice regarding rounding the Florida Everglades from the Florida Keys to Ft. Meyers? We have a 4' draft.

I'm looking at a charted route, with channel markers, from Fiesta Key headed Northwest, but see 4' to 5' depths along the way. Has anyone taken this route? Any advise?

===

That route is known locally as the "Yacht Channel". We frequently use it going north and south From the Keys to Ft Myers Beach, carrying 5 1/2 ft of draft with no problem at all. It's important to pay close attention to the markers along the way, particularly the little dog leg through Flashing Green "1" and Flashing Green "2". Stay 100 yards west of FG"2" before turning north. There are also numerous crab pots, especially during the winter months. The bottom along the Yacht Channel tends to be grassy which can give you erroneously shallow readings on your depth sounder at times.

timbenner · 02-01-2016, 09:47

Wayne.b

Thanks for the reply! 5 1/2' depth is great for us. Sounds like it will be an easy trip, excepting the crab pots.

I wish the water police in the Keys paid more attention to crab pots placed in channels.

wayne.b · 02-01-2016, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by timbenner

Wayne.b

Thanks for the reply! 5 1/2' depth is great for us. Sounds like it will be an easy trip, excepting the crab pots.

I wish the water police in the Keys paid more attention to crab pots placed in channels.

===

You're quite welcome. Here's a correction to my original post:

It's important to pay close attention to the markers along the way, particularly the little dog leg through Flashing Green "1" and Flashing Red "2". Leave FR"2" 100 yards to the east before heading north.

tinkrman69 · 03-01-2016, 10:08

I've taken that rout in my whatkins with 4' draft. going to Key west tho. I find it better and just as much motoring to go to Mossier channel at the 7 mile bridge and off towards Bullard bank before taking a 350 bearing to just off Marco. it gives a better angle on the wind and less motoring time in the thick of the traps

Cadence · 03-01-2016, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by timbenner

We're looking for experienced advice regarding rounding the Florida Everglades from the Florida Keys to Ft. Meyers? We have a 4' draft.

I'm looking at a charted route, with channel markers, from Fiesta Key headed Northwest, but see 4' to 5' depths along the way. Has anyone taken this route? Any advise?

Go outside!

sailm8 · 03-01-2016, 11:38

Many stop at Little Shark River and Marco island to break up the trip. Watch the bugs at Little shark River. They are fierce and you need good screens. Many anchor about a half mile off the mouth of the river to avoid the bugs.

timbenner · 03-01-2016, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailm8

Many stop at Little Shark River and Marco island to break up the trip. Watch the bugs at Little shark River. They are fierce and you need good screens. Many anchor about a half mile off the mouth of the river to avoid the bugs.

I was thinking about stopping at "Middle Cape" or "East Cape" the first day to explore that area, roughly 10 miles south of "Shark River". Is the "Shark River" a better stop??

sailm8 · 03-01-2016, 13:44

It might make for a shorter day. Never been there.

W32PAMELA · 03-01-2016, 14:12

Middle Cape is a great stop in settled weather but even in settled weather you may roll. There can be exceptional fishing along the beach and at the point especally at the slack tide. Don't get too near the point. A very shallow bar extends westish from the point. If anchoring east of the Cape move in carefully paying attention to the depth sounder.

Shark River is a good all weather anchorage.

timbenner · 03-01-2016, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by W32PAMELA

Middle Cape is a great stop in settled weather but even in settled weather you may roll. There can be exceptional fishing along the beach and at the point especally at the slack tide. Don't get too near the point. A very shallow bar extends westish from the point. If anchoring east of the Cape move in carefully paying attention to the depth sounder.

Shark River is a good all weather anchorage.

Can't find "Middle Cape"? Is it north or south of Shark River?

timbenner · 03-01-2016, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by timbenner

Can't find "Middle Cape"? Is it north or south of Shark River?

Upps - I see it now. Thanks

Magnawake · 03-01-2016, 17:23

Made an over night trip from Marathon to Ft. Myers with no problems with water depth. We draw 3.5 ft. We were trying to outrun bad weather so didnt want to make a two day trip. We only cruise at 7.5 kts. As we left Marathon we saw many crap pots but as we got way out they went away. As we headed towards Marco Island the pots came back in full force. We didnt get any sleep all night due to watching the radar and using a spotlight to verify pots. I wouldnt do it again at night unless I have a sailboat and a way to cut lines from the rudder. If you wrapped a prop at night it would be interesting getting it off especially in rough seas.