Sailing the Everglades

[Mark Major]

I plan a trip through the Everglades come early March. I will sail from Ft. Meyers, enter via Little Shark River and exit Flamingo, and sail back via the Gulf. Anyone have experience through the Everglades? (Stepping the mast and the "plug" are knowns, but do share). Mark Major s/v Lesismor '86H23

 

[Joe]

Everglades cruising.....

"Cruising the Florida Everglades" by Sue and Larry (see related link below)I have included a link to this recent article that you will find interesting. Friends who have cruised the area say it is fabulous, but take your no-see-um netting. Have a great trip

 

[steven f]

what type of boat?

Just curious about the type of vessel you are going in. There is a wall in Flamingo that requires being lifted over to get back out. There is a lift but it is mainly for smaller boats. As for draft, I've found that there is a lot of water in there but the overhanging Mangrove trees make you stay in the middle of the rivers, if you can even stay there. For bug protection we spray our screens twice a day with off, this keeps the no-see-ums from getting in, seems to work well. Watch the currents in the larger parts, it cranks through the rivers in there, especially the Little Shark and up into Oyster Bay. Sounds like a very kewl trip, I look foward to hearing how it goes for you. We will be down there in April for a week and again in May for another week. If you see a H33 with diesel and water jugs lashed all over the boat, Wind Walker on her butt, fishing poles in the water with two middle aged Crackers at the other end of the poles stop by for some Snook, they grow em big in there.

 

[Mark Major]

Thank you.

Joe, thanks for the link; Steve, mine is a Hunter 23 with 2.5' draft. I understand the sling over the "plug" can handle a 26' boat weighing 4 tons, and then there is a fixed bridge near Flamingo with 10' clearance. I chose March, for other times I've been in the 10,000 Island area, Little Shark River, and Oyster Bay, and there just aren't words to describe the bugs better than the fact there are 40+ varieties of mosquitos, 13 of which bite, and then the "no-see-ums"...I'll report back after returning. Mark Major, s/v Lesismor