Florida Keys Passageway From East to West Coast

Jun 19, 2004
512
Catalina 387 Hull # 24 Port Charlotte, Florida
Does anyone know of a cut through between the keys from the east to the west coast so we don't have to run all the way out to Key West? Our mast is 56' and draft is 4'10". Thanks.
 

FrankT

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Jun 11, 2004
37
Hunter 410 middle river, md
The prior post is correct. The seven mile bridge at Marathon has at least 63+ft of clearance
 
Jun 19, 2004
512
Catalina 387 Hull # 24 Port Charlotte, Florida
Thanks and hopefully there's enough water. I'll check my charts out. Appreciate the speedy reply.
 
Oct 26, 2012
31
morgan 384 Tarpon springs
I have a Morgan 384 draft 5 with cruising stores 5'6" I'm in Tampa going to the Bahamas leaving from marathon. Thats the plan hope with in a year..mast 55 ' off the water
 
Nov 26, 2008
1,970
Endeavour 42 Cruisin
We have a 62' air draft and about 5'6" draft and made it thru the 7 Mile bridge passage with no problem.
There is another high bridge about 25 miles to the east you can also use, camt remember the name.

If you plan on stopping in Marathon, the mooring field is usually full until around April. And you cannot get on a wait list until you are in the harbor.
 
Dec 19, 2006
5,818
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Passage

I have used the 7 mile bridge a few times with my 5' draft and 58' mast
and the 7 mile bridge bridge is 65' bridge and dept I would check the tides
but did not have a problem.
Also I think it is called the 5 mile channel which is north of marathon and
goes from hawk channel to the Gulf.
Nick
 
May 24, 2004
7,164
CC 30 South Florida
Where are you headed? There are other points of crossing but nothing to be gained East of Marathon as you would come out to Florida Bay in which the channels are narrow and shallow. At Marathon you can cut into the deeper waters of the Gulf to head for Florida's West Coast and other locations.
 

Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
...Also I think it is called the 5 mile channel which is north of marathon and goes from hawk channel to the Gulf.
Nick
"Channel 5" just north of Long Key and it is 65' clearance also, but not sure much is to be gained by going that way and cutting more directly to the Gulf. Check the charts and see what you are comfortable with,

Sumner

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Mar 1, 2012
2,182
1961 Rhodes Meridian 25 Texas coast
If you plan on stopping in Marathon, the mooring field is usually full until around April. And you cannot get on a wait list until you are in the harbor.
But you can anchor. When I got stuck in boot key in spring of 2010, there were over 450 boats in there, Most on anchors.

Here's what ONE of the two dinghy docks looked like in Feb
 

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Mar 21, 2004
2,175
Hunter 356 Cobb Island, MD
Does anyone know of a cut through between the keys from the east to the west coast so we don't have to run all the way out to Key West? Our mast is 56' and draft is 4'10". Thanks.
ITMaster where are you. I'm anchored at Rodriguez Key tonight and will be in Marathon Tuesday...
 
Nov 26, 2008
1,970
Endeavour 42 Cruisin
But you can anchor. When I got stuck in boot key in spring of 2010, there were over 450 boats in there, Most on anchors.

Here's what ONE of the two dinghy docks looked like in Feb
Most on anchor? There's 350 mooring balls in Boot Key Harbor taking up much of the space. I doubt there is room left for more than 50 boats and a lot of them are permanent.
 
Mar 1, 2012
2,182
1961 Rhodes Meridian 25 Texas coast
Most on anchor? There's 350 mooring balls in Boot Key Harbor taking up much of the space. I doubt there is room left for more than 50 boats and a lot of them are permanent.
When did they add the extra 100 balls? and are they between Sisters Creek and the bridge? Admittedly I haven't been there since 2010.

When I first anchored in there in 1982, I was one of 3 boats between the creek and the bridge. Me, the tow boat I crewed on and one other cruiser.

But I'd bet there is STILL room to drop a hook somewhere.

Wonder if "Hey Driver" is still on the hook there?
 
Dec 19, 2006
5,818
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Jim/Java

When you get to Marathon you will like it except most likely be
very crowded but really liked it when we were there few years ago.
Turtle farm and railroad musem cheap taxi and great food.
Can take bus to Key West if weather is not good,
Nick
 
Nov 26, 2008
1,970
Endeavour 42 Cruisin
Different strokes for different folks.
Too crowded, too regimented, too slummy for our tastes.
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,507
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Love Marathon

The yacht club there has an ice cream bar set up for every meal, heaven.
 
Dec 19, 2006
5,818
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Cruisers

All I meant is cruising parts of Florida and saw that marathon city
mooring field was very good for cruisers who need some place to stay
and the City had it all setup to help out cruisers with out $$$$$ like Key West.
Sure Key West is so much more but $$$$$ and I like them both.
Nick