Scuba200ft

Looking for some advice. Heading to the Abacos June 15 (ish) for a month or two on our coastal 290. Plenty of electronics onboard and good charting skills.

Was planning on going through Okechobee, and still may, but the water level is dropping weekly and may just blow off the hole and go through the Keys. Any advice on where to cross, issues, dangers, etc?

Just follow offshore waypoints?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Would definitely be interested in chatting on the phone as well...



Shawn

joeschwantes

We have a similar 30' sport fish with twin Yam 250's

I know Okechobee today is 3.72 (9.72 above Sea Level) and this year has gotten as high as 10.2... the real problem there is the huge fire in the muck at the edge of the lake, near Moore Haven.. we are getting the smoke all the way to Cape Coral... The Franklin Lock only opens at 10 and 3,,,

We've gone to Freeport both ways, the Lake is a lot easier, but the smoke is an issue...now...

We have gone to Key west and back several times... and once followed in the wake of the "Key West Express" a jet catamaran... that was extremely smooth, in weather that would have been a lot rougher without the wake... It leaves Fort Myers beach at 8:30 every day...

We also have a condo in Coconut Grove and have gone from Cape Coral to Marco, to Marathon, and around the outside, to Miami as well as staying on the Inside through Largo, and Card Sound...

Good Luck

Scuba200ft

Thats a huge help, is local knowledge necessary or can you be vigilant with your waypoints and get through Marathon? (I assume thats Snake channel?)

__________________
Shawn in Tampa
"Yellowtail"
2005 Wellcraft Coastal 290

HDRyder999

Tampa to Marathon should be fairly easy. In fact, I'm leaveing Marco for Marathon in the morning. Stay west of the marker at 25.41.161, 81.38.776. When you pass that mark set a heading of 158 degrees to the entrane to Bullard bank at 24.48.837, 81.08.550. Follow the channel under the 7 mile bridge. You might want to pull into Boot Key and fuel up at Burdines. They usually have the best fuel prices in the area and free ice as well. Good luck.

__________________

"Third Friday"
2005 Pursuit 3100 Offshore
Yanmar Diesels

HDRyder999

Now you have the North and West identified.

__________________

"Third Friday"
2005 Pursuit 3100 Offshore
Yanmar Diesels

Scuba200ft

Thanks, and one more question, could I not pass through Snake Pass or Indian Key Channel or others North?

__________________
Shawn in Tampa
"Yellowtail"
2005 Wellcraft Coastal 290

Scuba200ft

Or more than likely, channel five? Thanks again so much...

Shawn

__________________
Shawn in Tampa
"Yellowtail"
2005 Wellcraft Coastal 290

HDRyder999

That all depends on the size of your boat, draught, piloting skills etc. For the few extra miles I'd go through channel 7 and not have to worry.

__________________

"Third Friday"
2005 Pursuit 3100 Offshore
Yanmar Diesels