Sailing in Intercoastal Waterways...

[James V]

I just did the Fl loop. From Ft Myers, through the waterway to the east coast Fl, Down the ICW to Marathon, Up to Everglades City and then back up to Ft Myers via the Gulf side. 850+ miles in 20 days. Not really enough time for this trip. 1 to 3 months is better. You can go to Key West if you like.

[DLT]

James,

You need to post a log, with pictures, for us to be properly jealous...

[James V]

Give me a couple days. Just getting back to "the real world".

[Idle Time]

James...we did it 2 years ago from LaBelle to Ft Myers down around and back up the east side thru Lake Okeechobee to LaBelle. How were the winds the way you went? We had them on the nose from Ft Myers to Long Key and then again going up the ICQ on the east coast. Spent most of our time motoring. Took 13 days...no smelling the roses. Our buddy boat had trailered down from OK and was on a tight schedule. We'd like to do it again and take our time. Perhaps go the direction you did.

[James V]

Winds were OK, however I motored the whole time. I wanted to see the places more than sailing and all but the 150 miles from Ft Myers to Marathon and across the big lake was waterway.

[Chinook]

I also have a beginning of a plan to sail to Florida from Texas in a year or two. Bradenton/Palmetto most likely my destination since I spent 29 years there. It'd be nice if our trip coincided with others in Macs going part way or farther down the coast, at least Everglades City, perhaps around to Miami. We'll have to keep watching this forum for fellow sailors with similar plans.

If you make it to Everglades City, beware of where you tie up. While heading that way, we talked with a cruiser who had stayed at the first of two marinas, a rod and gun club type of place. They didn't like it there, complained about too much air boat and tour boat traffic. We decided to pass that place up and go to the second marina. While motoring up the channel someone on a sailboat tied up at the gun club yelled out something about current and a bridge. I couldn't really hear what he said. As we approached the marina, which was merely a seawall with a short finger pier for a fuel dock, we sensed a strong up channel current, which seemed to be gaining speed (maybe 4 knots or so). Just about then, our maneuvering space became seriously compromised by several airboats approaching from our stern, and by a tourboat heading down channel. Amid all this distraction, the bridge came into view, about 100 yards ahead. Clearance was about 18 feet, and that 4 knot current was really urging us along. Barely had time to hang a U turn after the airboat traffic got out of our way. We were so glad to get tied up to the seawall (translate: slip), that we didn't notice the tiki bar, situated about 25 yards away. Very handy for securing a tall cool one, but a serious problem in getting a good night's sleep. Bottom line: next time we'll opt for the rod and gun club.