Miami to Marathon

[drakes]

I am headed South ot of Ft Pierce tomorrow in a. New to me boat with 4 1/2 foot draft

Usually I go outside at wpb or Port Everglades its easier to just go around to the bridges

Weather is looking like it may kick the gulfstream up a little more than I feel good about, so I guess I am getting bridge practice.

I have never been south of Angelfish on the "inside" can I make it with 4.5 foot draft?

Any particular spots to watch for ?

Any i n fo much appreciated. Thanks.

[sailorboy1]

Don’t you have charts?

I have never been south of Lake Worth but am heading south to Marathon and beyond in the next day or so. I have charts and it looks pretty straight forward to me!

[drakes]

There are a few places on my charts where it loks pretty thin around card sound, blackwater sound and islamorada. I have seen others post here that 5.5 is too much draft. Thats why I am asking about 4.5. My name is Drake boat
" Isabel" Pearson Invicta

[Snore]

It has been a few years but I used to sail out of Hillsboro Inlet.

Take the time to make a list of the bridge names. Nothing worse than not knowing their names. While looking them up in Active Captn, Check the opening times. Especially in Broward County CH9 get busy. So make your transmissions short. Atlantic Blvd Bridge vessel X approaching from the north requesting your next opening.

Also try to time your approach to the bridges, makes it easier.


Forgot the buoy number but just north of George Bush Blvd Bridge the ICW does not follow the apparent path and jogs to one side (west?).

The big challenge of running the ICW is doing certain basic bodily functions. Can’t autopilot while you —— ya know. So get creative.

[sailorboy1]

I’m 6.5’ and still feel it is straight forward. If you want to go looking for shoals check ActiveCaptain

[SailsWithFists]

4.5' draft is an easy cruise on the inside all the way to Marathon. Shoot the ICW bridges in south Florida at night, they open on demand. I usually left from Lake Worth at 7pm and was in the Florida Bay by 9am. No boat traffic, no waiting for timed openings, no sweat.

[drakes]

Great tip on running at night. I have done the south fl bridges 6 or 7 times but always during the day, I did not realize they went to on request at night Thanks for the tip

[DotDun]

IMO, Hawk Channel looks a lot better than the inside thru Wednesday this week. Not sure what you are seeing.

[Smart555]

Originally Posted by drakes

I am headed South ot of Ft Pierce tomorrow in a. New to me boat with 4 1/2 foot draft

Usually I go outside at wpb or Port Everglades its easier to just go around to the bridges

Weather is looking like it may kick the gulfstream up a little more than I feel good about, so I guess I am getting bridge practice.

I have never been south of Angelfish on the "inside" can I make it with 4.5 foot draft?

Any particular spots to watch for ?

Any i n fo much appreciated. Thanks.

We have many times traveling this route an with 4.5 draft it’s not a problem!
The only you should pay attention on place “Tarpon Basin” if you going in low tide time.

[sailorboy1]

Just did it outside and down the Hawk Channel with my 6’4” draft and the only problem was the last turn into the mooring field that was 6’3” deep at the time.

[kcj]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Just did it outside and down the Hawk Channel with my 6’4” draft and the only problem was the last turn into the mooring field that was 6’3” deep at the time.

Glad you made it!

I would be more concerned about the lobster traps than the shallows with the extra draft...,

[drakes]

Hey. I made it too. Inside all the way. No Draft problem. Did hit a trap about 20 miles from Marathon

Had to go in the water to cut it off. Untangle etc

Spent the rest of the day talking to myself about why it is legal to drop them in the channel

I am all for supporting local fishing etc. But with so much water out there why do they have to drop them in the channel

Great trip inside. Much easier / enjoyable to find safe places to anchor

Thanks again for the input

[roberttigar]

The ICW Bridges in Broward and Dade county operate on a schedule 24/7.
It has been that way for the last 10 years at least.