With all of the locks plan on a full day.

I have done this also, plan on a whole day there are 5 locks.

Oh, you will be on the list. I hope TMR runs itself by the time this needs to get done.

Just heard that the Franklin Lock (the most westward lock) will be closed for maintenance May 26-July 1.

That is the kind of info that makes or breaks a trip.

How do you find out good info like this?

All day is right, when we did it, we started in Stuart first thing in the AM, stopped for lunch / gas once, and got to ft myers in time to check into the hotel & have dinner.

We did it two yrs in a row in May. It was HOT.

The people who did it a lot had special gloves for holding the ropes in the locks.

I keep my boat at a marina a few miles west of the Franklin Lock.They told me about the lock closure.You can check w/the Army Corp of Eng.Either call them or check the web site about other closings.
The good news is that the 2 mile no-wake zone near the I-75 bridge will no longer be in effect tomorrow.Freekin sea cows are gone for another season.

WOW,,,all day ?! I quess i was off by a hair !

For your reading pleasure:

http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Divisi...navigation.htm

Main page:
http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/

my father did this run on his 37 riviara. he brought it to holmes beach this october from boston. i will have to check how long it took him, im sure it was longer then a gofast as he cruz's around 26 knts he said it was a very nice ride.

just 2 weekends ago he took his boat from holes beach to the keys then around the keys to bocha honda ( or something, then up a bit. he then turned to come home and the boat he was with took there right out to the bahhamas