If you’re limited to 7 days you might be hard-pressed to cover the 350nm or so Keys
route. Unless you do an overnight or two, you will need to move everyday and hope the
weather or other issues don’t hold you back.
The Okeechokee route actually has its charms, especially if you like nature. But you might need to hire the “heeler” to get under the RR
lift bridge at Port Maraca (49’ clearance when open). The Army Corps has a policy of “one night
anchoring and move along” – lots of places to stop. The lake levels may dictate which route you would need to take at the lake – most likely the open
water route…the rim route can be a challenge with 5 foot
draft even when the levels are normal.
Hope this helps, and enjoy either way (and try to score a few extra days, especially if you’re planning the Keys route).