Miami to Marco

[Kathy L]

Any one have an idea what the trip would be like from Miami to Marco. I'm woundering if it would be faster outside from Stuart (wheather??) or thru the Lake.

 

[Pascal]

i'm pretty sure that heading south then up the yacht channel will be much quicker. at 9kts, it's roughly 8 hours to long island, then about 2 up the Yacht channel to cape sable, and another 8 to marco.

vs 10 hours up to Port st Lucie, 18 across and 4 hours down the west coast.

check the mileage but that's what i recall when i did the baby loop around so fl...

 

[Genesis]

When I did that run I went south and through at Marathon.

A very nice run - two easy days.

 

[captddis]

I am not sure where you are leaving from. If you leave from Stuart, the lake is better. If you are leaving from Miami, take Hawk Channel/ FL bay route.

 

[CARL GUZMAN]

Come on Kathy where have you been we just did the cruise in the GuzCruiser and we can tell you all about it and tell you about the crab trap lines we picked up crossing the 7 mile bridge at 11:00 pm read some past post and you'll figure it out then come on and ask away

 

[Kathy L]

I guess I wasn't clear! We are in Stuart and with good wheather we can do 25kts. Outside it could be all the way. Thru the "O" waterway there would be a lot of "GO SLOW". I haven't looked at the charts yet, I figured someone out there would could give me some thoughts.

 

[CARL GUZMAN]

Ok well at 25nts in a 36ft you can perty much do what you want its going to be the same amount of time either way but you'll save alot going thru lake O and you can holler at us in Naples when you get here and have some lunch

 

[Liquid Asset]

Being in Stuart, I think you may be better to go through the lake. You are already there. If you want to take the scenic route, then I woudl run down south of Islamarada and go through Yacht Channel. That is what we did in June on our way to Lucaya. The only problem with the lake is you are second to all commercial trafic and could end up waiting. Yall have enough speed that it may not affect you though.

Are yall going to cruise this coast, or just go to Marco?

 

[Freebird]

I guess I wasn't clear! We are in Stuart and with good wheather we can do 25kts. Outside it could be all the way. Thru the "O" waterway there would be a lot of "GO SLOW". I haven't looked at the charts yet, I figured someone out there would could give me some thoughts.

Cutting through Chobee is the most direct route, but not necessarily the fastest. How much is your time worth?

There are the variables of water depth and commercial traffic to consider. You can cut through the middle if the water is deep enough at the time, or you can do the rim route and hope you don't get hung up waiting at the locks.

I'm sure you know how to go about checking the water levels prior to departure, if not, holler. I had planned to make the same trip a few months ago, but things didn't work out. The lockmasters should be able to advise you on scheduled commercial traffic for any given day as well.

 

[Liquid Asset]

The Rim route was closed as of the last time I checked, but it may be reopened now. You can check the Okeechobee website here.

http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/sfoo/index.html

 

[thoward]

We just came through a month or two ago. It took us 1.5 days from charlotte Harbor to Ft Pierce but, we did not push it or should I say can't push it due to lots of little boats. A boat your size should have no problem crossing in 1 day. You would be better off if it was NOT a weekend. 5 locks are open from 6-9(you should double check that) and a bridge or two. It is an easy run but make sure you have at least 1 if not 2 mates for the locks. We went straight across lake O, the Bluecharts were right on but have the binocs handy for it is quite a distance between markers.

You may know how the locks but then again maybe not so here it goes. Pull up by the outside markers and announce yourself and the type of boat and the lock dude will take it from there. Have your bumpers out and they will toss you the lines from overhead.

 

[Kathy L]

Thanks for the input. I'll let you know what we do.

 

[67hat34c]

We did the lake 2yrs ago, palm city to captiva, cruised at 19k. with locks and stopping in ft myers for fuel and stopping in Labell for a quick snack it was 12 hours. there are several slower areas and of course other areas where normal opperation would wipe out some docked boats but the majority was normal cruise speed. I would suspect that across the lake will be better, that is my vote.

By the way since there are now 3 FLY 36's in the pocket area, when are you guys going to get togeter for some photos? Get some at the sand bar, would make a great wallpaper for my desk top.

 

[Pascal]

stuart ????

from stuart then yes, take the OWW. from what i remember 3 years ago, the only no wake zones are at each ends (stuart and Ft Myers) and occasionally when passing a dock or marina. dont' bother with the rim route, cross thru the lake. if you leave early in the morning you shoudl make Ft Myers that same evening... then jsut a few hours the next day down to marco.