Cruising from Ft. Myers to Miami

[Van]

I would like the help of those of you that might have sailed from FT. Myers to Miami. I will be helping a friend to bring his Beneteau 31ft to Miami, end of October (weather allowing). I have a lot of experience sailing my 37.5ft Hunter in Southern Ca. and SF and, occasionally Chesapeake Bay, but I have no experience with Florida waters.Please let me know your suggested route, harbors to stop, etc. I would like to sail/motor 60 to 80 nm per day.VanDreamquest37.5 Hunter Legend Shelter Is.

 

[Brent Headberg]

Re: Ft. Myers to Miami

Hello Van,There are 2 routes from Ft. Myers to Miami. You can go through the Okeechobee Waterway from Ft. Myers up the Calloosahachie River across the Florida Pennisula to Stuart and down the ICW to Miami, or if you'd rather do more sailing, head South out of Ft. Myers out in the Gulf of Mexico to Marathon in the Keys and then catch the Gulf Stream up to Miami.A friend of mine just brought an Islander 36 around through the Keys from Tampa Bay, around and up to West Palm Beach.Fair winds and following seas,Brent

 

[Bill]

Ft. Myers to Miami

If your mast height is less than 49 feet, you can take the canal to Stuart FL then the ICW to Miami. I have never had a short mast boat to try that route.My normal route is:Ft Myers to Marco Islandto Little Shark Riverto Boot Key Harbor, Marathonto Rodriguez Keyto Pumpkin Keyto MiamiOn our returns from the Bahamas in June (the buggy/rainy season), we do an overnighter from Marathon to Punta Gorda (25-30 miles north or Ft Myers. The bugs at Shark River are fierce.Bill

 

[Ed Allen]

other ideas

I agree with the two ideas. but the marathon route is a lot more fun. be sure to watch the channel going into and out of the channel 5 bridge area. there is a little dog leg in the marked channel as you approach from the north, its not a problem if you watch for it. the shark river stopover makes it an easier trip, but the bugs will do it to ya. so we often anchor a mile or so out. sounds nuts but it works very well. if your weather looks bad go in. we have anchored off several times and it keeps you away form the worst of floridas state bug.there is nothing at shark river but mangroves anyway.the coast is shallow enough to make it easy to anchor off. and it will save some time. after you pass thru marathon you can go inside hawk channel and stay out of the big water if you want or go out and get a current push south. Have a great trip.