Okeechobee Cut to the Keys ?

[Dexter&Shrimpy]

Did this route twice, once in April, returned in August. Nice, quiet, you will see lots of wild life. Beats the heck out of the ICW south of Lake Worth that's for sure! We are currently on the west coast and headed back to the Keys later this week. We like the pace and people on this coast, feels more laid back than the east coast.

Enjoy your trip and make sure to check the water levels out online, I heard recently that they are on a limited opening schedule with the locks due to critically low water.

[Hudson Force]

We're currently headed down the East Coast. Be sure to realize that it's easy to cruise down the Eadt Coast and remain casual, There are anchorages that are easy, without crowding, at West Palm, Pelican Harbor, Fort Lauderdale and Miami without encountering any difficulties.

[kiper204]

We did end up going thru the Okeechobee and really enjoyed it. Rarely saw another boat. Really peaceful. We also did the straight run from Fort Myers to Key West. It was a good trip and we actually got to sail. A little rough coming in with the chop but not the worst we've seen. Still in Key West I heard a lot of negative things about KW. We really love it here, it's all how you chose to experience it I suppose. Thank you for all the comments and if you want to follow our little blog its at Sail Logs | Sailors don't blog, they log.

[chadlaroche]

Originally Posted by kiper204

We did end up going thru the Okeechobee and really enjoyed it. Rarely saw another boat. Really peaceful. We also did the straight run from Fort Myers to Key West. It was a good trip and we actually got to sail. A little rough coming in with the chop but not the worst we've seen. Still in Key West I heard a lot of negative things about KW. We really love it here, it's all how you chose to experience it I suppose. Thank you for all the comments and if you want to follow our little blog its at Sail Logs | Sailors don't blog, they log.

How long did your run from Ft myers to Key west take you? Was it a pain dodging crab pots the whole way ?

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by kiper204

We did end up going thru the Okeechobee and really enjoyed it. Rarely saw another boat. Really peaceful. We also did the straight run from Fort Myers to Key West. It was a good trip and we actually got to sail. A little rough coming in with the chop but not the worst we've seen. Still in Key West I heard a lot of negative things about KW. We really love it here, it's all how you chose to experience it I suppose. Thank you for all the comments and if you want to follow our little blog its at Sail Logs | Sailors don't blog, they log.

Happy to hear you had a good trip through the Okeechobee. I thought you would enjoy it.

Same for Key West. You can see it as an overcrowded, spoiled, tourist trap or appreciate the unique charm that the town has to offer, if you look for it.

[cheoah]

Hey Kiper, sounds fun! I came through there this past summer delivering my new boat to NC. Glad you're having a good trip, attitude is everything!

c.s.

[capngeo]

Just transited Lake O yesterday. 45' air and 5'3" water drafts.... No problems! Reported lake navigational depth was 6'3"

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by chadlaroche

How long did your run from Ft myers to Key west take you? Was it a pain dodging crab pots the whole way ?

'just a comment about the crab traps. Traps are not permitted within the boundries of the Everglades National Park. It's easy to run just inside the park boundries and not worry about the traps. We follow this route and, with our shoal draft, take the route by Schooner Bank and Yacht Channel to the area of Long Key and Lower Matecumbe. Of course this is not the direct route to Key West, but under the 65' fixed bridge leads you to Hawk's Channel and an easy run to Key West. If you poke about, like us, with a shoal draft, this might be your choice too!

[chadlaroche]

Originally Posted by CaptForce

'just a comment about the crab traps. Traps are not permitted within the boundries of the Everglades National Park. It's easy to run just inside the park boundries and not worry about the traps. We follow this route and, with our shoal draft, take the route by Schooner Bank and Yacht Channel to the area of Long Key and Lower Matecumbe. Of course this is not the direct route to Key West, but under the 65' fixed bridge leads you to Hawk's Channel and an easy run to Key West. If you poke about, like us, with a shoal draft, this might be your choice too!

Alas I draft 5'6 and I hate crab pots so much !