Lake Okeechobee
 

Has anyone made the crossing from Stuart through Lake Okeechobee to Ft Myers? I want to make a loop around South Florida.

It's a really long way at slow speed. (through the canal part is slow, you could probably fly through the lake.)

I made the trip April 1st and August 1st. Its a nice ride 5 locks.

I have have crossed twice and also made that complete circumnavigation of south Florida. A very interesting trip and I highly recommend it. Just be aware that it will take some time to navigate thru the locks and idle zones which will slow you down. Leave the east coast in the morning and you will be in Ft Myers mid to late afternoon. Be sure to have proper charts as there are some shallows on Lake O to watch for. Good luck.
Bob

In my short time here I believe Bob has traveled the entire world- I want your boating life Bob! :drink:

Bob is right when in the Lake make sure to watch the channel, there is one place in wide open water that the channel is very narrow with only about 2` of water on each side. The trip should take about 8 hours with the 5 locks and you can run when not in idle zones

I make it from Tampa to Jupiter inlet in 10hrs and I never go much over 40MPH but you need to keep moving. the locks close at 9pm and I think they open at 7am.

Thanks, Guys.

I am looking to make the trip this Spring.

I have made the trip several times. Several over the years in boats that cruise at 30 MPH. Leave either coast no later than 9 AM. Usually a 6 to 7 hr trip, but if you get caught up by a barge in a lock - especially where they have to separate barge, and make two trips, then getting around the whole thing, you can loose over 2 hours! Lots to see on the trip at slow speeds, but it is nice to have speed in some of the long boring cuts! Good luck. Have lunch in Clewiston.

I've got a real interest in doing this, I would be coming from Tampa. I need to start doing some research!