Clearwater Fla to Nassau

[CaptJenks]

Hi everyone

We have just bought a new boat in Clearwater, FL. We are looking to go across to Nassau and have heard cruising the locks and Lake Och. Is the way to go then head across from Stuart, FL. Does anyone have experience doing this route? Words of advice? Time to go across the State etc? Cheers CJ.

[capttman]

What is your mast height and what do you draft? those are the only worries if you fit then it cuts off a lot of time just check your charts.... No way I can do it with 62 foot mast and 6 foot draft

[ReMetau]

Why not go through Marathon, FL and then use the gulf stream to take you to Bimini. We made it from Marathon to Bimini in 15 hours.

[Unicorn Dreams]

30' Boston Whaler in profile unless he has another boat, so air draft and Gulf Stream wouldn't be much of an issue...

[capttman]

Well then nothing to worry about mast height or draft hahaha

[capttman]

Originally Posted by ReMetau

Why not go through Marathon, FL and then use the gulf stream to take you to Bimini. We made it from Marathon to Bimini in 15 hours.

What took ya so long LMAO

[AnchorageGuy]

CJ, You really need to say what the boat is, the 30 foot Whaler? Here is the most current info on the Lake levels. Chuck

U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District
Lake Okeechobee and Navigation Depth Report
Data Ending 2400 hours 08 JUL 2011

Today's Lake Okeechobee Stage = 9.94 (Feet-NGVD29)
Today's Route 1 Navigational Depth ≈ 3.88 Feet Today's Route 2 Navigational Depth ≈ 2.08 Feet Bridge Clearance = 53.52 Feet S-308 Tailwater Elevation = 9.98 (Feet-NGVD29) Report Generated 09JUL2011 @ 13:15 ** Preliminary Data - Subject to Revision **

[CaptJenks]

Hey everyone

Thanks for your note.

Yes as outlined in my profile... 30ft Boston Whaler with 2 saltwater 250 mercruiser. Hull draft is only 2ft, overhead clearance of 14', file capacity 298 gallons.

We have heard best to go across to Lake O, heard it is better to cruise down to the Keys then across.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks

CJ

[AnchorageGuy]

Here are the details of our trip across the Lake just over a month ago,
http://tinyurl.com/6kug4w5

And a little photo tour
http://tinyurl.com/6dlhuga

Hope it helps. Chuck