45Gunner
Active Member
- Sep 22, 2019
- 191
- Boat Info
- 2000 460 Sundancer. Garmin 8612 XSV, GHC 20 Autopilot, GMI 20, 215 VHF, GC 12, Fantom Radar.
- Engines
- Twin 450 Diamond Series 6CTA 8.3M Cummins.
I researched this on the forum and everything I found was at least two years old. I am going to survey and sea trial on a 2000 SeaRay 460 Sundancer in two weeks. The boat is located nearly at the entrance to the waterway/river that goes thru Lake Okeechobee to Stuart. I have toyed with doing this but several people told me it is a miserable trip while others have said it's the fastest way to make it from the west coast to the east coast.
My dilemma is my wife has zero boating experience and I would not burden her with helping transition the locks. A friend with lots of boating experience has volunteered to go along. Everything I have read says have at least a crew of three. One pilot and two crew mates to handle the lines/fenders/etc. I am short one crew member.
I think I can run south from Ft. Myers just to the west of Key West, head out a couple of miles and possibly make it to Marathon the first night. Depending upon the weather, I would then run outside if good seas and inside if bad seas. So this could be a two or three day trip depending upon the weather. Yes, more fuel...but also a good way to get comfortable with the boat.
I would like some input from those that have crossed the Lake and from those that ran south. All suggestions, ideas, and insight welcomed.
My dilemma is my wife has zero boating experience and I would not burden her with helping transition the locks. A friend with lots of boating experience has volunteered to go along. Everything I have read says have at least a crew of three. One pilot and two crew mates to handle the lines/fenders/etc. I am short one crew member.
I think I can run south from Ft. Myers just to the west of Key West, head out a couple of miles and possibly make it to Marathon the first night. Depending upon the weather, I would then run outside if good seas and inside if bad seas. So this could be a two or three day trip depending upon the weather. Yes, more fuel...but also a good way to get comfortable with the boat.
I would like some input from those that have crossed the Lake and from those that ran south. All suggestions, ideas, and insight welcomed.