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Advice on the Smugglers Loop

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Gregsmithl60, Jul 21, 2024.

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  1. Gregsmithl60, Jul 21, 2024
    #1
    Gregsmithl60

    Gregsmithl60 New Member

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    Hi all,
    Me and a buddy are planning on doing the smugglers loop in Florida. We've never done it before and I'm looking for some advice, what to expect or any information some of you that have done it might have.
    We're planning on sometime around the first of the year. How long should we expect it take if we just plan on running most of the day and not really looking for the sightseeing part of it.
    We're going to be in a 21 ft. walkaround cuddy with a single outboard (I know it's a lot smaller than most of you guys are used to.)
    Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated
  2. Pascal, Jul 21, 2024
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I ve done it years ago, took a week but with some fairly short runs every day to enjoy various spots.

    i guess if you run 8 - 10 hours a day you can do it in 3 days…

    all depends on what you want to do
  3. Capt Ralph, Jul 21, 2024
    #3
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    "not really looking for the sightseeing part of it."
    Then why?
    The mini loop is great for stopping and visiting.

    For a speed run the locks are going to bug you some.
    Open water on the left coast may be a challenge.
  4. MBevins, Jul 22, 2024
    #4
    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Smugglers loop ?
  5. Ken Bracewell, Jul 22, 2024
    #5
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    Google Smugglers Run Loop in Florida
    Basically a run across the lake and around the keys.
  6. Pascal, Jul 22, 2024
    #6
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Aka south Florida loop using the Okeechobee water way across the state and around the south tip of Fl thru the key

    nice scenic trip which combined rural Florida, the keys, the Everglades and the developed part
  7. MBevins, Jul 22, 2024
    #7
    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Thanks, figured it was something along those lines.
  8. boatpoor, Jul 22, 2024
    #8
    boatpoor

    boatpoor Senior Member

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    Don't skip Dry Tortugas.
  9. Gregsmithl60, Jul 22, 2024
    #9
    Gregsmithl60

    Gregsmithl60 New Member

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    We're planning on about 4 or 5 days,so sounds like we'll have time. From what I've found online it looks.likenthe run from Stuart to Ft Myers can be done in a day as long as the locks cooperate. Not sure about the rest of the trip as far as where to plan stops for the night
  10. Gregsmithl60, Jul 22, 2024
    #10
    Gregsmithl60

    Gregsmithl60 New Member

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    We're just looking forward to making the run. I'm sure we'll stop some in the Keys
  11. Gregsmithl60, Jul 22, 2024
    #11
    Gregsmithl60

    Gregsmithl60 New Member

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    The Gulf side is I guess my biggest concern. No predicting the weather. We're not taking the biggest of boats.
  12. Pascal, Jul 22, 2024
    #12
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    The gulf side is usually pretty easy since the prevailing winds are easterly. Obviously don’t try it with S thru W and N.

    Watch out for traps on between the keys and ft Myers… if you stay within the boundary of biscayne national park you should be fine

    Everglades city is a fun stop, the Rod and Gun club (assuming it’s still open) has dockage and is a trip down memory lane.
  13. StillLearning, Jul 22, 2024
    #13
    StillLearning

    StillLearning Member

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    Crossing the lake in one day (either direction) Stuart to Fort Meyers was much easier when the locks were open later. A few years ago they moved the closing time earlier by a couple of hours. I think currently they are at 5PM, so some locks your last lock through might be 4:30pm.

    We did 1 day crossings several times in our previous boat. Draft was less and the low spot just out of Stuart was not really a concern. It was a hard day, running every mile on plane that we could.

    Last time across was on our current boat, did not attempt 1 day, broke it into two days. Spent the night at Roland Martins. If you are attempting 1 day, there is a decent marina just after the last lock on the Fort Meyers side. Little shorter than going all the way to the city marina in Fort Meyers.
  14. MBevins, Jul 22, 2024
    #14
    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    FYI, there is no longer a Marina in fort Myers proper. (Thank you Ian)
    If stopping, Sweetwater, east of town,
  15. abfish, Aug 1, 2024
    #15
    abfish

    abfish New Member

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    We had a easy run through the Okeechobee last summer until the thunderstorms starting popping. I think the criteria was lightning within eight miles, no opening for thirty minutes after the last strike. Another strike in 15 minutes restarts the clock.

    If it's close to the last opening time, you could easily be done for the day.
  16. Capt Ralph, Aug 1, 2024
    #16
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    There is a low coming in. It will probably wrap around the keys and up to the GOM.
    Keep a weather eye open...
  17. boatpoor, Aug 1, 2024
    #17
    boatpoor

    boatpoor Senior Member

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    I saw that this morning, this could get ugly.