FYI, current status of the lake.
Reference link: USACE Jacksonville District
Today's Lake Okeechobee Stage = 12.81 (Feet-NGVD29)
Today's Route 1 Navigational Depth ≈ 6.75 Feet
Today's Route 2 Navigational Depth ≈ 4.95 Feet
Bridge Clearance = 50.77 Feet
S-308 Tailwater Elevation = 12.73 (Feet-NGVD29)
Report Generated 23JUL2020 @ 14:39 *
Note the bridge clearances per the standard list are when the water level is at 14.5 feet. Today the water level is 12.81 feet, hence the seasonal increase in bridge clearance is 14.5 minus 12.81 = 1.69 feet.
Of issue is that while bridge clearance / air
draft increases with declining lake water level the
keel draft clearance also decreases. Rather skinny water don't wander from the defined route.
Not a lot of water below the
keel. The fetch on the lake can derive significant waves which thence result in even skinner water below the keel as the boat rides the troughs of the waves and can be blown from the channel.
Reference https://www.offshoreblue.com/cruisin...bee-depths.php
The above chart was created to provide mariners with a guide for navigating Route 1. This chart is based upon bathymetric surveys (2007 Channel Condition Survey) of the Okeechobee Waterway performed by the Corps of Engineers. Conditions are subject to change and mariners should remain alert and aware of the actual on water conditions.
Available water depth may be temporarily impacted up to 1.1 feet by strong winds
Perhaps you could bring your own barrels and fill them to garner the requisite heeling. If you accurately know your air draft you can calculate how much heel in required. No time for guessestimates.
I suspect that the limbo service is no longer available, not much demand for such and the liability exposure would be significant because one can easily damage a boats structure by point load over weighting the
deck, or loose a
mast if not heeled over enough. Note the barrels can not be supported by the
lifelines / stanchions they have to be supported by tying to the athwartship hardpoints on the high side.
It is not hard to just travel the ICWs, and / or go out to sea and really sail instead of
motor on a ditch for miles on end.
Keep your eye out for storms, Gonzola appears to be the first of significance, not sure where it is headed later next week.