Grand Lucayan Waterway

[Freestyle]

I am thinking about cutting through this from Freeport to the Abacos.

The cruising guide says up to a 4 foot draft. I pull 3 foot 8 and can make the bridge clearance.

Anyone have any familiarity with this waterway.

Bruce
Freestyle
1976 43 DCMY
Tampa

 

[thoward]

I would check with the locals, the marinas should be able to point you in the right direction. You may even be able to hire a guide to get you across. I have several cruising guide books and lots of the info is incorrect according to those in the know. Entrances to channels as well as depths have changed thanks to hurricanes and other processes.

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

And find out if it's sandy or rock bottom too!!

 

[hatterass]

I have property on the Waterway. the Lucayan side is fine when you get to the N side of the Island it gets tricky and shallow. I have a chart and will check for you. I know there are a lot of sand bars.

OK just found it. the channel is marked at the N end. just watch out for the marsh land and you should be fine.
I wish I could come I have not been in months.
Good Luck
Capt. Dave

 

[mike]

Made the trip in our 53MY in 2001, no real problems. As already mentioned, the North side requires careful attention. The bridge is the first problem area make certain you pass through on a rising tide, as it's narrow and can be fast water. The North end is somewhat problematic, follow the local charts. Pay particular attention to the area marked by posts/pilings as you leave the waterway and head toward the channel and into the flats. This is a very poorly marked, narrow cut and hence skinny water at any time, even at high tide. This region is very similar to the cut into west end from the flats. It's a interesting transit, and it cuts a lot of time off the alternate passage around West End.

 

[Captned]

There are two Ocean sport fish docked near me today.(Miami Beach) One of them had transmission problems so they are having it fixed before they go on to the Abacos. They said they have been running that channel for years. They are leaving tommorrow or the next day and spending the night at Lucaya marina (?). They say its no problem but you need to stay in the channel and hit the north side on a high tide. They told me that the tide on the north side was two hours BEHIND the tide at the marina. They said it takes about 45-60 minutes to get to the north end from the marina. Hope this helps. One of them is a 53' with a 4'8" draft.


"WARNING! The information provided above is hearsay and should be treated as such."

Captned
78 46 CON

 

[Jim_n_Naples]

Second that...If you are coming from Miami it is worth cutting on a High tide....anything less you will be stuck with a long buggy wait. Memory Rock is a better choice for larger boats with draft or tide issues.

 

[Liquid Asset]

Bruce,
I was there last year, and I think you should be able to do that without any problems as long as you are careful and watch out for Sandbars. I have the charts if you need them. Let me know.

 

[Mike36c]

I've run it serveral times and as of last year they have brand new markers on the north side, not just a few poles with arrows but real red and green signs. I also noticed a lot of downed submerged trees, keep a good lookout. It's relaxing and a lot of fun.

 

[mike]

This month's Boating has a piece on running the Lucayan waterway.

 

[Timeless56]

In 1995 I ran a 1989 70 CMY through the canal. We hit the canal on the north side at high tide and had no problem through the entire canal until we were exiting on the south side. There had been a pretty severe storm roll through a few days before and several of the markers were missing as we exited the canal. Needless to say we got out side the channal and ran a ground. Mostly sand but not a fun experience. We layed over at Lucyan Marina, switched props and ran across to Ft. Laud the next day. That boat had a draft of about 6' and at high tide we were doing fine. Had a couple markers been in the right spot, we would have made it free and clear.

The Good Stuff
1987 52' Convertible
Catawba Island, Ohio