Sailing across southern florida

[Chuck Creel]

Can you get across the lake anymore from say daytona to Tampa or do you have to go around the keys.

I am looking at buying a boat near Daytona and brining her to Mobile Bay or Pensacola,Fl.
Expected delivery frame around Febuary or March..


Thanks

 

[woodster]

you may want to use a truck and hual it over there its really not that far ....and if you dont know the boat very well you might be in for a very eventful voyage ...and i dont know if you can cross the upper part of fla from atlantic to the gulf by water ....i remember some thing about a canal they were building across fl to connect the two but i heard that got stopped because it was messing up the everglades

regards
woody

 

[navigator97]

From Datona, you would have to go south thru the ICW (or outside in Atlantic) to Stuart - then thru Lake Ocachobee and come out on the west coast - IF the lake is deep enough to navigate. It was deep enough in the past, then level dropped and it was closed to thru traffic fo a good while. It may be deep enough again. But, call Army Corps of Engineers to determine if passage is possible. Have your draft info ready.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Lake Okeechobee was open when we were sailing around Florida in March: http://www.sailmiami.com/Okeechobee/ . The lake is only about 35 miles of the crossing, the rest is canal. You will see in the link that there is a 49 foot maximum clearance at the railroad bridge. There used to be a fellow who would come and help you under the bridge for about $100. He would fill water barrels on your side deck until you cleared. We went around, much more fun sailing the Hawk Channel.

 

[Benny]

A lot depends on the draft and mast height of the boat you intend to purchase. The Army Corps of Engineers can advice you of the water levels in the Okeechobee Waterway and any scheduled closures for maintenance.

 

[seadaddler]

Cruisers net

Look on Cruisers net for latest info on Okeechobee water way on dept and yes a 49 ft bridge that can get help heeling if needed.
Its a nice sail a round the keys,whats your daft and mast height,I sailed around the keys from Ft Pierce up to Punta Gorda in 4 days anchoring each night except last night we sailed over night to Punta Gorda.
Weather conditions will be the biggest challange.
Nick

 

[Chuck Creel]

Thanks for all the tips and info. Have a call into the owner to verify mast height , draft, etc before calling the corp. Looks like it will be a fun trip. IM thinking of having the owner bring her back with me ," or at least part way" just because of not being familiar with the boat. Once across the lake and out to west coast, id like to briing her straight across the gulff as possible to carrabelle or even Panama City. The Hunter 34 should be a comfortable ride and looking forward to sailing her. Yanmar 3YM30 has abt 6oo hrs onher so it should be broke in well for the trip . lol..

Thanks again for all the info.. Will keep you posted.


Capt Chuck Creel

 

[BobM]

Yes, better check...I don't know what year your boat is but a quick search netted 51.5 feet for a Hunter 34. Tack on a Windex and VHF antenna and you are going around my friend! 49 feet is the limiting clearance per the web site provided by another.

 

[seadaddler]

55

If 55 ft is the height with all the stuff top of the mast you could have the guy heel you over with barrels under the 49 brigde some on this forum did it,my mast is 55 plus and was told I would be pushing also depends wether the lake water level is at the time and could be 1 ft more less but need to check the height yourself before trying for sure.
Nick

 

[bill326]

If you decide to heel the boat, remember that it takes a surprising amount of heel to lower your mast that far, and some engines do not like to be run for very long beyond about 15* or so. Check your manual and maybe consider a tow.

 

[kloudie1]

What year model 34, Chuck? That is quite a trip for a new boat! Looks like about 900 miles through the Okeechobee.. I crossed there about 4 years ago in a big powerboat, a 53 foot Hatteras Sedan (10 kts, 10 gallon/hr), helping a friend on his new boat to deliver from Ft. Lauderdale to St. Pete. We had no problems but the boat draws 4 feet and is about 25 feet tall. Nice scenery but there was a lot of ditch.

 

[kloudie1]

For a 53 foot boat height, including VHF, the safe number is going to be in the vicinity of 25 degrees of heel.. The pros do it with a lead line 47 feet long or so from the masthead. When it touches the water, the boat is heeled enough. Those numbers must be determined by measuring the actual distances on that particular boat. It is not strict geometry because on some wide boats, the mast base rises a little as the boat heels..The masthead line is the best way to get it right.

 

[sailaway78]

Hi Chuck,
I did the Okeechobee crossing when I brought the Seidelman home from NJ. It has a 55' stick, and draws 4' 6". You can get hooked up with Billy, who tilts the boat at Indian Town marina. I used to have his number, but can't locate it now. There is also a bridge coming out of the ICW into the waterway that is low enough you will have to get under it at dead low tide. Other than that it's a piece of cake. I helped Peter bring back their boat from Cape Coral a couple summers ago. From Ft.Meyers to the entrance at Pascagula was four days in a Hunter 33. ( A Cherubini) Give me a call if you have any questions Imight be able to answer.