Jobs_a_ good_ un
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Were going on a bareboat charter in fort myers in a couple of weeks and I was wondering if any one new of any good marinas or had any cruising experience of the area
fort myers cruising area
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Salty John
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Go West, young man! (or woman). I'm sure you know that Fort Myers is inland on the Caloosahatchee river. If you go east from Fort Myers you get into the Okeechobee waterway which is the canal that takes you eventually to the east coast via Lake Okeechobee. To the west, you will run down the Caloosahatchee for just a few miles and arrive at Fort Myers Beach where there is an anchorage and a couple of good marinas. From Fort Myers Beach you can go to Captiva Island, Sanibal Island and Boca Grande, amongst other great places. How far you get will depend on how much time you have - it is all sheltered water unless you choose to run out into the Gulf. All the marinas are pretty good.
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Salty John
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Brian,
Yes, you can cross Florida from St Lucie inlet on the east to Fort Myers Beach on the west. It is a little over 120 miles distance. Controlling clearance is the bridge at Port Mayaca, which is 49 feet. There is a local company that has a clever boat heeling procedure that will get you another couple of feet. Thereafter the height restriction is set by power lines at 55 feet. Project depth is eight feet. There are four, I think, sets of locks along the way. Lake Okeechobee is the second largest lake in America. I haven't done this route myself, but probably will this year. I've done the 1200 mile east coast ICW from the Florida Keys to Chesapeake Bay eight times - not always "inside" all the way because I've always had quite big sail boats and "the ditch" isn't really suited to deep draft, tall masts and low power engines. I did do it all the way once with over six foot draft and really enjoyed it.
You can also go from Florida to Mexico on the Gulf ICW. I once used it to avoid all the well heads in the Gulf en route from Texas to Florida.
Yes, you can cross Florida from St Lucie inlet on the east to Fort Myers Beach on the west. It is a little over 120 miles distance. Controlling clearance is the bridge at Port Mayaca, which is 49 feet. There is a local company that has a clever boat heeling procedure that will get you another couple of feet. Thereafter the height restriction is set by power lines at 55 feet. Project depth is eight feet. There are four, I think, sets of locks along the way. Lake Okeechobee is the second largest lake in America. I haven't done this route myself, but probably will this year. I've done the 1200 mile east coast ICW from the Florida Keys to Chesapeake Bay eight times - not always "inside" all the way because I've always had quite big sail boats and "the ditch" isn't really suited to deep draft, tall masts and low power engines. I did do it all the way once with over six foot draft and really enjoyed it.
You can also go from Florida to Mexico on the Gulf ICW. I once used it to avoid all the well heads in the Gulf en route from Texas to Florida.
ArthurWood
New member
I can't add much to what js48 says but the Ft Myers, Pine Island Sound area was badly beaten up by hurricane Charley last year, so you might want to check on Sanibel, Captiva etc before you head that way. A good cruising guide to the area is A Cruising Guide to Western Florida by Claiborne Young. He has also written one for Eastern Florida. You can normally find the books in BoatUS or West Marine.
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Salty John
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I use the Claiborne Young guides mentioned by Arthur above. The Cruising Guide to Eastern Florida gives a good account of the crossing.
If you want to get from Tampa to the east coast the shortest route is through the bridge at Marathon (Moser Channel). There is an anchorage in Boot Key Harbour (Vaca Key)as soon as you are under the bridge. Then you can run up Hawkes Channel to Biscayne Bay, Miami and on up to wherever you are stepping off. All possible with up to 6' draft - more than that and you have to be careful!
If you want to get from Tampa to the east coast the shortest route is through the bridge at Marathon (Moser Channel). There is an anchorage in Boot Key Harbour (Vaca Key)as soon as you are under the bridge. Then you can run up Hawkes Channel to Biscayne Bay, Miami and on up to wherever you are stepping off. All possible with up to 6' draft - more than that and you have to be careful!
ArthurWood
New member
Stop in at Sarasota/Longboat Key en route and I'll buy you a beer. PM me if you are interested.
neale
Active member
Just come back from this area. Done Tampa Bay down to Sannibel and back in 10 days. There is still evidence of hurricane damage but nothing to deter anyone. It was a great trip with fantastic weather (for us Brits anyway) and the wildlife was amazing. Stayed at anchor most nights and found marinas farily expensive with little to do. If you go to the resturant at Cabbage Key, look for the dollar bill with MBM written on it. Its on the wall along with 70,000 others!!!!!
Neale
Neale