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Florida west coast cruising

Discussion in 'Marinas & Waypoints' started by thatcher, Apr 19, 2012.

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  1. thatcher

    thatcher Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2010
    Messages:
    57
    Location:
    nassau, bahamas
    hello everyone - Never been on the west coast of florida, and wondering what stops to make from tortugas north.
  2. missnmountains

    missnmountains Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    Messages:
    35
    Location:
    Cape Coral, FL
    Here is my short list:

    Ft. Jefferson on Dry Tortugas
    Key West We usually stay at Conch Harbor.
    Marco Island
    Ft. Myers Beach
    Rumrunners south end of Cape Coral for Lunch
    Sanibel Island Beaches (Bomans is my favorite)
    South Seas on Captiva
    North Captiva Red Fish Pass
    Cabbage Key for Second Lunch
    Charlotte Harbor
    Harpoon Harry's up in Fisherman's Village for third lunch

    How far north are you going?

    Ken
  3. thatcher

    thatcher Member

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    Dec 1, 2010
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    Location:
    nassau, bahamas
    Thanks for that. I don't know how far,maybe to Naples. I am looking at 2 weeks, We anchor a lot, and like small towns rather than cities.
  4. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Jul 11, 2005
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    14,432
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    This pretty much covers everything. Siesta Cay if you go further north.
  5. Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

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    Feb 27, 2006
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    Location:
    Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale FL
    Check out Active Captain, Southern Waterway Guide and Cruiser's Net.

    activecaptain(dot)com
    Waterway Cruising Guide | Home
    Cruiser's Net Marina West FL – All

    There are lots of great places to see on the West coast. I would go North of or stay South of Naples if you like small towns and anchorages.
    Check out Goodland, Everglades City, Pine Island, Useppa Island, Pelican Bay anchorage off Cayo Costa Island, Boca Grande, Palm Island, Englewood, Manasota Key, Venice, etc.

    Siesta Key is OK. But there is not much in the way of marinas on it and only so, so anchorages around it.
  6. kkreicker1

    kkreicker1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2011
    Messages:
    127
    Location:
    Naples, FL or Saugatuck, MI
    I live in Naples, FL and a few things come to mind. You really need to keep in mind that the west coast of Florida is not designed for larger boats. I know that the MY ANTITHESIS(130') based out of Marco Island has some problems dealing with tides.

    Up in Naples, FL I have a 68 foot boat and even I have problems at times. I have a draft of 5'5". So keep in mind if you are going to be going through the West Coast watch your depths and keep an eye on your charts.

    Cheers,
    Keith
  7. kkreicker1

    kkreicker1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2011
    Messages:
    127
    Location:
    Naples, FL or Saugatuck, MI
    I love Goodland, FL!!! Some great places to eat. I run down from Naples for lunch ever other week. Great Place. But keep in mind. You have to be in a smaller boat. Unless you like to keep your boat in the channel and tender in.

    Keith
  8. thatcher

    thatcher Member

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    Dec 1, 2010
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    Location:
    nassau, bahamas
    hello everybody. we are 92' with a 6' draft. Ill be heading to captiva island for a few weeks. id like to try crossing over via lake okeechobee to palm beach. It looks like theres enough water now, can this be done with our size boat? Are there places to stop for the night. thanks in advance
    chris
  9. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    I would NOT cross it right now with a 6' draft and a 6.5' navigational depth. I would wait until the lake comes up more and has at least a 7' minimum navigational depth and really would shoot for 7.5 navigational depth or more. Yes it can be done in your size vessel. Dockage can be had at ACY in stuart, most likely the marina in Indiantown, Roland Martins for sure if you call ahead, a few on the west side between Moore haven and Ft. Myers if you don't mind staying on generator and at Fort myers city marina. The channel from the West side of Lake Okeechobee to the rim canal is the shallowest area by far. Also avoid the wreck on the chart on the East side of the lake about 2 miles West of Port Mayaca lock. It does exist and sticks out of the water when the lake is low.
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2017
  10. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    We've done it with 85' and a 5' draft, but a 6' draft would scare me at most times. There just seems to always be some area that's an issue.

    He cannot go to Roland Martin's with a 92' boat if the lock is in use so need to call ahead. The lock is only 78' in the middle and 70' on the sides. If it's open all the way then it's possible and it often is. When we went to that area for the night, we anchored outside and tendered in.
  11. thatcher

    thatcher Member

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    Dec 1, 2010
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    Location:
    nassau, bahamas
    thanks guys. I found the current depth. a little shallow. wait and see
  12. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Why don't you just go around?
  13. thatcher

    thatcher Member

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    Location:
    nassau, bahamas
    want to try something different. coming up to captiva from nassau via marathon.
  14. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    In June 2015 we went from east to west. In the lake, north of Clewiston, there is a double dog-leg to get over a shoal. Were 5.5' to operate, bumped twice. Snail botes on their keel leaning over all around us (D S's).
    You need 6'? Fancy props? Go round..
    Hawks channel was a breeze to stilts'ville.
  15. thatcher

    thatcher Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2010
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    Location:
    nassau, bahamas
    thanks for the info everyone.