Everglades - The Hull Truth

Alanne · 02-04-2010, 02:19 PM

My son lives in Boynton Beach and wishes to take his 35' whaler on a trip to the Everglades.Then maybe rent a house boat for the family.
I have just two questions: How does he get there,and what does he do if he does?

That "if" is not funny. I may have to go to.

Alanne

caribbeancowboy1 · 02-04-2010, 02:58 PM

a 35' boat is not ideal for the everglades. is he planning to run the boat there or trailer? might be a better idea to drive there and rent a house boat and a skiff or bass boat. lots of great places in south florida to run a 35 footer just not the glades.

Steve_250 · 02-04-2010, 04:23 PM

A kayak or canoe is great in the Glades too...
Drive out sans boat, rent the house boat, putter around and take a canoe/kayak into the shallows and canals.
And don't forget a GPS with backtracking!!!!!

caltexflanc · 02-04-2010, 06:42 PM

We have taken larger boats, 46-56 feet into the Ten Thousand Islands / Everglades National Park and had a blast. This is wilderness boating; the only town of any kind is Everglades City which is fun to visit by boat. Anchoring out is the order of the day. Having a dinghy of some kind really enhances the experience, exploring the mangrove islands and small keys, Shark River, Cape Sable etc. The less draft the better. Getting there is fairly easy; simply put, go down to Marathon and hang a right. It would be fun by house boat as well.

George
Hatteras 56MY
Boston Whaler 130 Sport

footankleg · 02-04-2010, 06:48 PM

The houseboat fleet that existed at Flamingo in ENP was wiped out with Hurricane Wilma. There really is no need to take such a large boat into the park unless you are going to use it as a "homebase" and go exploring on a small boat/skiff.

I would suggest running down to Islamorada in the BW, get a hotel with a slip and hire a backcountry guide if fishing is the plan.