Keys to Sanibil Island

[Jaxfishgyd]

OK guys (and gals),
Have a couple who just bought a 35' Cruiser that I am attempting to teach how to drive. They plan on taking it to the west coast in a few weeks. They said they were just going to go across the state by means of Lake O, which I told them was closed at the moment...
I know how I MAKE THE TRIP going around the tip of Fla, but in their case, need to give them the easiest way, which I am thinking of Marathon area. I loaned my West coast chart to a friend who is down there now and they haven't bought one just yet,.
The boat cruises at 18 kts and holds 300 gals of gas.

 

[Pascal]

they can do down to marathon if they have time and want to sight see, otherwise, they can follow the "yacht channel" from islamorada - long key to cape sable.

it's well marked, 5 to 6' deep, easy route and saves probably 50 miles.

after that, it's up the coast from Cape Sable to Marco, naples, etc... an easy run. They should have enough range to make it from Islamorada to Marco or naples, about 80 to 100nm

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

If you are going to recommend a route to anyone better advise that they down load the "Local Notice" and pay attention to it, and watch the weather every day.

Keeps you from being liable.

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

Ben called and said he had the charts so over the weekend I can look at it and chart their course. Plus they have a laptop with the software that we will install.

Bottom line is though... THEY ARE NEWBYS at boating.

BUT both make no bones about it and want to learn... A nice change of pace for me as in most cases, the man "is too good to listen" or the wife "couldn't care less".

Pascal, is the route from Long Key to Cape Sable in "dotted lines" like other runs are, as in the ICW?

 

[CARL GUZMAN]

Hey every body I really miss you guys I've been nose to the grind stone , but I wanted to say hi...
I like Hawks channel better myself easier to follow and not too many sand bars, clearer water too....watch out south of Cape Romano just south of Marco, lots of sand bars miles off the coast

 

[Pascal]

yes.. the colreg line

the only tricky spot is the FL G and R 1 and 2, you got to take it slow and follow an Z or else.

but it's not harder than some of the passes in the keys anyway.