Lake Ocachobee to miami!

[Jim-hen]

Hey folks, as hurricane seasons cranks up, we want to get out of the gulf. We are thinking about going to miami via the canal from lake O to biscayne bay. Does anyone know if a sailboat can use that canal? Are the bridges high enough or draw bridges specifically?

[Vasco]

Sailboats do it all the time ... it depends on your draft and mast height.

[denverd0n]

Hurricanes hit in the Miami area as frequently as they do in any particular place in the Gulf. Not sure why you would go from the Gulf to Miami if hurricanes are your concern.

In any case, the Okeechobee waterway is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. Here is their website with current information about water depths, and bridge heights:
USACE Jacksonville District

[iyamwhatiyam]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

Hurricanes hit in the Miami area as frequently as they do in any particular place in the Gulf. Not sure why you would go from the Gulf to Miami if hurricanes are your concern.

In any case, the Okeechobee waterway is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. Here is their website with current information about water depths, and bridge heights:
USACE Jacksonville District

We purchased our boat in Indiantown marina on the waterway just east of Lake O. If you are looking for a hurricane hole, that's one. Just FYI we took it east to the Atantic which involved negotiating one canal lock and one drawbridge at Port St Lucie. Something new.

[avb3]

Originally Posted by iyamwhatiyam

We purchased our boat in Indiantown marina on the waterway just east of Lake O. If you are looking for a hurricane hole, that's one. Just FYI we took it east to the Atantic which involved negotiating one canal lock and one drawbridge at Port St Lucie. Something new.

Not only is it a great hurricane hole, it is one of the least expensive place to put the boat on the hard, and you can work on it yourself. It certainly has my recommendation.

To answer the OP's question, yes, you can (I've done it in reverse), however, mast height can be an issue. Going by memory, maximum air draft is around 63'.

[RTB]

Originally Posted by avb3

Going by memory, maximum air draft is around 63'.

Ummm, make that 49'.....Okeechobee Waterway - Cruising Guide and Navigation Aids

Ralph

[avb3]

Originally Posted by RTB

Ummm, make that 49'.....Okeechobee Waterway - Cruising Guide and Navigation Aids

Ralph

I stand corrected... memory was faulty

My air draft is 45' and I knew I was OK. Great link BTW and highly recommended.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Jim-hen.