South and East Coast Florida Sailors

[Rick Webb]

We are starting to preplan for a posible trip on a J-29 from Fort Walton to Jacksonville. The boat has a 5' 6" draftand the Okechobee is at a little more than six right now. Anything new or about to happen along the way that we will need to know about? My original though was the Peterbuilt or Kenworth Waterway but a couple of guys really want to make the trip, so we'll see.

 

[Bill1565]

Currently lot of rain in South Florida. Okechobee will get deeper soon. Mast height limit 50'. Will go down as water goes up. You will need to keep posted on your trip, things change quickly there.

 

[LouTheFish]

before you commit to crossing via Okeechobee - if the lake levels are OK for you - be sure to check in with Indiantown Marina, and ask for Billly's phone number: he'll tell you, depending on your mast height, if he can get you under the Port Myaca railroad bridge. If he says no, then head for the long way around. BTW, having Billy heel you over to get through the bridge is a hoot!

 

[Rick Webb]

Mast Height Shouldn't be an Issue

Thanks. The mast height is ether 44' or 48' not sure which model the boat is. Was not an issue here and we have the shortest bridges. Nothing at all real definitive we are studying and planning defore we commit.

 

[med2463]

We are starting to preplan for a posible trip on a J-29 from Fort Walton to Jacksonville. The boat has a 5' 6" draftand the Okechobee is at a little more than six right now. Anything new or about to happen along the way that we will need to know about? My original though was the Peterbuilt or Kenworth Waterway but a couple of guys really want to make the trip, so we'll see.

Here's a link for daily Okechobee reports by Corp of Engineers. http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Divisions/Operations/LakeOWaterways.htm