Fort Myers to New Smyrna via Lake O

[danshat]

Hoping to take our inaugural trip to visit (read show off to) the family at Christmas time. They are all flying in from Colorado and staying in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Since i'm in the Fort Myers area I'm wondering how long the trip through Lake O takes. As much as I'd love for everyone to see how far the boat has come I don't want to spend several days making the trip. If it'll take more than one long hard 15 hour day to get there I'll pass on it.

Any advice?

 

[motoryacht lover]

I run at about 22 knots and from Manatee Pocket (Stuart) it took me 10 hours to get to Fort Myers Municipal Marina. And that was with almost no waiting at Bridges and locks. We went straight across the Lake. There was not that much traffic that day either.

 

[Boatsb]

Dan the run through the lake and locks is one long day in itself. Its about 160 miles if I remember right. New Smyrna is probably another 200 miles north.

 

[danshat]

I guess it's a two day minimum then. Guess that shoots that idea.

 

[Pascal]

at what speed do you cruise? at 9 kts, it's 2 easy days across plus a long day up to New Smyrna... . There aren't too many no wake zones except at each end and by a few "marinas" but there are often many small fishing boats which you dont' want to swamp.

it's a nice easy trip though

 

[Boatsb]

at what speed do you cruise? at 9 kts, it's 2 easy days across plus a long day up to New Smyrna... . There aren't too many no wake zones except at each end and by a few "marinas" but there are often many small fishing boats which you dont' want to swamp.

it's a nice easy trip though

or if you take a Hatteras run in the ocean and don't worry about bridges, illegal immigrant ( pronounced manatee) zones and such.

 

[Pascal]

titusville swing bridge is probably the only bridge he has to worry about on that leg and besides the trailer parks south of smyrna and a few short spots near Vero, ft Pierce and the haulover canal there are very few speed zones.

 

[Boatsb]

I just ran from Port Canaveral to lake Worth and there were plenty of slow zones, boats in the way and congestion by bridges.

Take the boat out and run it like it was designed to run. Its a Hatteras not a Bluewater.

2 good engines should allow for 2 digit speeds. Spool them up and enjoy.

 

[Boatnut]

Unless you are one of those CINOs mentioned a while back, IMO traveling outside in good weather is the way to go, especially if time is an issue. You can travel uniterrupted at the speed of your choice. There are other ways to go somewhere on a boat other than the ICW. Of course if some rolling from swells bother you, or the boat can't take, maybe you need a better boat, or maybe take up playing tiddly winks. LOL

 

[67hat34c]

Did that several years ago from Stuart-Palm city bridge to Muni Marina in Ft Myers and back. Dont remember exact time but it took me 12hrs from Captiva to RiverWatch Marina at the palm city bridge and that included stopping in Ft Myers for fuel. We cruised at 20kts. The Lock at Pt Myaca (spelling) was open as lake level was low.

You will need to monitor lake levels before your trip and confirm all locks are open(5 locks). There are a couple of draw bridges that need to be opened for some boats and one swing bridge in indian town. I enjoyed the trip. Also there are also normal cruise areas with docks and boats present, they get upset when you bash them with a 3foot wake.

Lake has one hazzard besides keeping in channel, Rocky Reef is on West side just outside of the River, be very careful to stay in channel.

 

[Freeebird]

The run across the lake is fun, and given your draft, I doubt you would have any problems going straight across. Have the family compromise and meet you at a marina near Stuart. Either that or compromise a bit more and have them meet you at Roland Martin's place on Okeechobee. As for running in the ICW by choice, I really don't get it unless the weather is bad.

Regardless of whether or not there are many no wake zones or bridges, you still have to dodge sailbotes and crap, not to mention having to watch your wake to keep people from complaining. If you just flat don't care about watching your wake, I guess it's OK. Then there are those who enjoy the "look at me" feeling from running in congested areas with a boat that's more than capable of running outside. Makes you wonder why these types don't own houseboats.

 

[Pascal]

Unless you are one of those CINOs mentioned a while back, IMO traveling outside in good weather is the way to go, especially if time is an issue. You can travel uniterrupted at the speed of your choice. There are other ways to go somewhere on a boat other than the ICW. Of course if some rolling from swells bother you, or the boat can't take, maybe you need a better boat, or maybe take up playing tiddly winks. LOL

LOL... anyone can go outside, punch a waypoint and set the pilot... no skills required that why many choose to run outside: it's easier on their limited navigation skills! in fact the nr one reason i hear when chatting on the dock in the evening, incl. many "delivery captains", is how it is too hard to run the ICW...

 

[Freeebird]

So if it's so hard to run the ICW, why would anybody want to do it?

 

[captddis]

c'mon pascal, you are really grasping at straws with that answer! It is easier because you don't have the traffic, bridges, depth issues, manatee zones, no wake zones, waverunners, sailbotes, whiney grouchy people running 8 kts and hogging the channel, people with empty docks yelling "no wake", marine patriol, local sheriffs, local water cops, restricted bridges etc.......


A lot of the ICW runners are scared to be out of the sight of land. Some are running top heavy boats that do not handle well offshore. Everyone has their reason.

I just got back from moving a friends boat from Detroit to Michigan City on the Great Lakes. Had 3 weather days and all 6 running days were rough with winds between 14 to 29kts. I wish there had been a ICW. would have been able to run every day.

 

[Freeebird]

You left out saving time and fuel by running outside when the weather isn't an issue. Maybe Pascal gets paid by the hour/day/mile.

 

[captddis]

I have to follow up on the ridiculous statement that no navigation skills are needed offshore. Try running a MY in big following seas, try entering a inlet on a outgoing tide with the wind and sea opposing. You need to log your position every half hour in case your electronics go out. You need the abilities to Mcguyver things to get back in if a problem arises. ETC.



All you need for the ICW is a chart and a pair of binoculars.

 

[Freeebird]

Yeah, I had to wonder about that too. Exactly what navigational skills does one need to operate in a ditch? Short of holding your position waiting for a bridge or coming into a marina, I'm not sure what's left. Horn signals?

 

[Pascal]

I have to follow up on the ridiculous statement that no navigation skills are needed offshore. Try running a MY in big following seas, try entering a inlet on a outgoing tide with the wind and sea opposing. You need to log your position every half hour in case your electronics go out. You need the abilities to Mcguyver things to get back in if a problem arises. ETC.

been there done that... no big deal.

 

[Freeebird]

Got any pictures?

If not, I'd like to hear then when's and the where's. Just making conversation of course. I'll tell you my stories if you'll tell me yours.

 

[Pascal]

Yeah, I had to wonder about that too. Exactly what navigational skills does one need to operate in a ditch? Short of holding your position waiting for a bridge or coming into a marina, I'm not sure what's left. Horn signals?

well, randy, you try it with a 6+ draft and you tell us... I guess you're one of these guys who think that just because he is between the green and the red, the USCOE guarantees a 12' controlling depth across the channel.

hey, what i'm trying to say is that there is no right way or wrong way... it basically come down to personal preference, cruising speed, etc... saying that running the ditch is for unseaworthy boats or CINOs makes no sense.

anyone is free to pick the route they prefer.