Okeechobee Waterway!

amuh60 · Post by **amuh60** » Jul 7th, '09, 16:33

Just got off the phone with the Navigation manager and the waterway is closed 6JUL-5SEP. They are doing maintenance to the major locks on the Ft. Myers side. Looks like I will be heading around the tip! Anyhow, thought I would post just in case someone were planning to use the waterway.

-ANDY

CaptPatrick · Post by **CaptPatrick** » Jul 7th, '09, 19:14

Looks like I will be heading around the tip!

Andy,

You can cut through to the Gulf at Marathon without going around She/He West. I'm sure that Kevin can offer some local advise. Stay within the channel markers after crossing under the US 1 bridge and you'll have 6' of water minimum for the first 10 - 15 miles, then all deep water from there.

Venice is a good port, just north of Charlotte Harbor, for fuel and dockage. If you have the fuel range and time, St Petersburg is another 50 or so miles north of Venice.

Br,

Patrick

amuh60 · Post by **amuh60** » Jul 7th, '09, 19:26

Capt Patrick-

I definitely like that idea better. Looks like it would save a good many miles. I am going to start studying the chart for that route tonight. I only draft 3' so looks like I should be plenty fine.

Thanks,

-ANDY

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Jul 7th, '09, 21:09

Andy,
Let me know when you are coming through. If I am out there I can "show you". Going offline for a few days this week and not sure when so here is my number. 786 525 5311

CaptPatrick · Post by **CaptPatrick** » Jul 7th, '09, 21:31

On calm days, the shallow waters around the Keys are gin clear and 6' can look like 2' from the bridge... The back bay markers around the Marathon/Gulf route can be pretty far apart so a good set of binocs and a keen eye are imperative. You'll experience some pucker factor going through for the first time, but it's a well established and approved route for any boat drawing less than 6'. I've been through on both 4.5' & 5' draft vessels and while there were moments of severe tounge-in-cheek disorder, never came close enough to the bottom to stir much sand. Co-captained a '50 Bert through there.

Then there's the old adage: "If you ain't been aground, you ain't been around."

If Kevin's around when you make the trip, he'll be the best guide you could ask for... Thanks, Kevin!

amuh60 · Post by **amuh60** » Jul 8th, '09, 14:44

Kevin- Looks like I will only make it to Ft. Lauderdale this weekend. I only have Saturday and Sundays to run. Anyhow, it would be the following weekend (17-19) I will be making that run thru and as far north as I can get in 2 days and 21kts.

Thanks again,

ANDY

amuh60 · Post by **amuh60** » Jul 8th, '09, 14:50

Kevin- Are there any military base marinas in the Ft. Lauderdale/ Miami area. I know there is Boca Chica Marina in Key West but cant find anything in the Ft. Lauderdale area. Only reason I ask is we are talking .50-.85 per ft vs 2.00. per night.

-Andy

wmachovina · Post by **wmachovina** » Jul 8th, '09, 15:12

Try Kings Bay in mid Biscayne Bay. used to be associated w Homestead AFB in the old days

CaptPatrick · Post by **CaptPatrick** » Jul 8th, '09, 15:29

Only military around that area, other than recruiting offices, is the Coast Guard. The Coastie station is just inside and on the south jetty of Port Everglades. Might be able to wangle something, but then it's DOT, not the military...

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Jul 8th, '09, 16:33

Becarefull approaching any government facility in these days of homeless security. Always best to hail them before you pull in.

Other wise wear your kevlar shorts.

Pat correct me if I'm wrong but the pass thru is by Faro Blanco marina. Been a while.

BTW when your going by Duck Key don't forget to stop by Hawks Cay the most over rated, over priced, filthy, mold infested, bad attitude dog kennel I've ever had the pleasure of ripping out an arm and a leg for, NOT!

CaptPatrick · Post by **CaptPatrick** » Jul 8th, '09, 16:46

Pat correct me if I'm wrong but the pass thru is by Faro Blanco marina. Been a while.

Yup, that's it, just to the west of it.

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Jul 8th, '09, 17:53

I am off that weekend. Will be playing around here on the boat and the 550SX. Just give me a call and I can meet you in front of Sombrero Beach and show you the way.

Faro Blanco shut down after Wilma in 05. Nothing but tore up docks and open land there now.

Buju · Post by **Buju** » Jul 8th, '09, 17:55

Moser channel... right past Pigeon Key, and under the 7 mile bridge... and you're on your way.

Wouldn't it be ok to slip under the Long Key Bridge (as long as there isn't a height issue, ie. no tower...riggers should be ok, it's a good 30 to 40' off the water) and continue westward from there???
Florida Bay pretty much ends at the Lower Matecumbe and it becomes more of a constant depth once you're S and W of NineMile and Bucannan Banks. Keep the route WSW and you'll get back on track of the same route, but save a good 40ish miles. Right? Or what?
I know there are some "ghost flats" and isolated sand bars out there...but, there are some down off of Marathon as well. Is there a factor I'm not considering?

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Jul 8th, '09, 18:20

Faro Blanco shut down after Wilma in 05. Nothing but tore up docks and open land there now

Kevin,
Is Faro up for sale or is somebody just holding onto the land?

CaptPatrick · Post by **CaptPatrick** » Jul 8th, '09, 18:44

Wouldn't it be ok to slip under the Long Key Bridge

Mark,

You may be right, I've never tried that route, but if it is do-able, it'd be a local knowledge situation only... Sure would be a PITA to get half way to the open Gulf only to back track and still spend the mileage on over to Marathon for a re-start.

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Jul 8th, '09, 18:48

Yup, not sure about the bridge clearance....I would have to consult a chart.
Channel 5 is another option too. Just grabbed a chart and that is the way I would go. It will save about 20 miles. Yeah, you will thread Sprigger Bank and Arsenic Bank but it is a pretty straight shot. Nav aids are spread apart but binos would solve that. If you feel better about Mosier Channel in Marathon I can still escort you thru there. Just let a brother know!

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Jul 8th, '09, 18:52

Bruce,
They should be building a resort there fairly soon. I forget which Keys Tycoon owns it but we are working with them on office space for us. They should be starting our dock space in the next couple months. Can not believe it has been vacant since Wilma.

wmachovina · Post by **wmachovina** » Jul 8th, '09, 19:08

Go inside from Miami to yacht channel nort from marathon shortest Or outside to Snake Creek (drawbridge in Islamorada) to theyacht cannel easy route either way Bill

wmachovina · Post by **wmachovina** » Jul 8th, '09, 19:47

Sorry for the spelling but was on my I phone-- The intracoastal from Miami south to Maraton is well marked smooth but requires precise navigation, easy to get out of the channel. Southbound from Miami offshore is easy,just stay .a little (120 Feet deep) outside or you fight the stream. then turn in at Snake Creek ( Islamorada) hang a left to the yacht channel and turn north. Pretty ride and the route I always take if the wx is good. call me I'm in Stuart now after winter w Seachele in Islamorada 772 240 6146 Bill

Bertramp · Post by **Bertramp** » Jul 9th, '09, 12:04

Andy .... you have a PM. My dock is empty for the next few weeks and i only charge a beer a day to B31 members. Commercial Blvd, 3rd canal north on west side of ICW.
Steve K

AndreF · Post by **AndreF** » Jul 9th, '09, 12:25

Thought we crossed Marathon thru "Adams Cut" years ago ?

CaptPatrick · Post by **CaptPatrick** » Jul 9th, '09, 13:19

AndreF wrote:Thought we crossed Marathon thru "Adams Cut" years ago ?

Andre,

Only Adams Cut that I know about is in North Carolina, connecting the Neuse River/Pamlico sound to the back bay of Morehead...

wmachovina · Post by **wmachovina** » Jul 9th, '09, 15:41

Adams cut's in Key Largo but as Buju will tell you if you're more than six feet duck if you're movin :shock:

AndreF · Post by **AndreF** » Jul 9th, '09, 15:51

Couldn't remember if key Largo or Marathon. I remembered name because we have an Adam's Cut in Louisinana I used to use alot below Morgan City. Current rips in it and it's literally a cut thru the coral- sheer sides and saw-blade marks too, as I recall. We'd come thru at nite with sealed beams showing tarpon on bottom.

Buju · Post by **Buju** » Jul 9th, '09, 18:19

Yep, that's it Andre. The whole thing was dug/cut out with big ol Vermeer Trenchers. Sheer drop, fossilized coral limestone walls. About a mile from my house at about MM103.9 Proper name is something like Marvin D. Adams Waterway- but no one says all that... it's just "Adams Cut".
Connects Largo Sound to Florida Bay. John Pennekamp Park is on Largo Sound... back in a maze of mangroves. Good snook, tarpon, snapper (even occasional Cubera at night) grouper and occasional Permit in the Cut at certain times. There are a couple of real healthy saltwater crocs in there as well, one is about 12' the other about 9'. Scare the living hell outta you when your wading the bayside mouth at night catching snook, and the 12 footer pops up 10' directly in front of you."Ummmm, time to go home"...
But as far as crossing through there... nah. It's about 40 to 50' wide, and the bridge is low. It's got more than 6' clearence, I've seen plenty of FB boats go under with fold down tops, but not more than 15'. And just finding it through N.Sound Creek, or S.Sound Creek is difficult w/o local knowledge. Then, you'd have to navigate the ICW south through FL.Bay for 25 to 30 miles... some spots it's hard not to run aground.
I'd say the best bet would be Ch.5 like Kevin mentioned (sailbot height bridge) or Long Key like I brought up, or all the way down to Moser Ch. under the 7-mile Bridge.
With that rudder shelf like it is, I'd think that running aground hard could be a real delay for ya Andy... much more than waiting on high tide. Right?

If you need any help w/ local knowledge when in the upper Keys gimmie a call @ 305-619-0956. Afraid I cannot offer up any dock space, because I myself am at the mercy of launching ramps... Know some good anchorages though, and reef spots if you feel like some fresh caught/speared hogfish, snapper, or grouper to accompany the AnnieC and her valiant crew on their homeward journey.

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Jul 9th, '09, 18:48

Pat,

To bad Lenny moved back to NY.

We could get him to plow a clear path right thru the coral. I remember your Keys trip.

Hell of a nice guy, but stubborn as a mule when navigating.

CaptPatrick · Post by **CaptPatrick** » Jul 9th, '09, 20:14

At least he finally learned that if he wasn't going to take my "navigational" advise, and I got up out of the co-pilots chair it probably meant that I was fixing to bump him off of the wheel again... Probably should have signed on with him for the Mediterranean cruise on the Hatt, but not sure my blood pressure could have stayed below the explosion point for the trip. I think he about gave John "The Big One"...

Hope he and Betty are doing fine! I miss 'em both, (within reason...)

berty 28 · Post by **berty 28** » Aug 15th, '09, 01:46

wmachovina wrote:Try Kings Bay in mid Biscayne Bay. used to be associated w Homestead AFB in the old days

kings bay has been gone since the early 90's only thing left is the golf course and most dont have enough $ to play there also you can do the channel 5 run and save yourself some miles only sketchy while insight of the bridge

bertram31.com

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