Jeff6566
Member
ICW , SR370, October/Nov. Any input appreciated. Time , fuel used, equipment, suggestions...
Thanks
Thanks
Thinking about a cruise - Houston to KeyWest ; anybody done this
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- gulf coast key west texas
FootballFan
Well-Known Member
I have never transited from Clearwater to Houston. Look at your charts, I don't think you will have ICW from the panhandle of FL to Clearwater, this will be open water.
From Clearwater south, ICW to Fort Meyers, then open water down into the Keys. For the open water segments time of year will make a difference on schedule. For example in Feb/Mar you may have to hold for weather a few days. By Apr/May weather disruptions are less frequent and shorter.
Clearwater to the Keys (lets pick Marathon), timing will depend on how hard you want to run. Also if you can run outside south of Clearwater it will be faster (assuming you run on plane when possible).
Going outside cruising at 20 knots, Venice in 3.5 hours, Boca in 5.5 hours, South Seas in 6 hours.
Our favorite jump off to the Keys is Pink Shell at Fort Meyers Beach which is a couple of hours from either Boca or South Seas. From Pink Shell to Marathon (outside only) 4-5 hours.
If you make the trip south from Clearwater using the ICW as much as possible - add 2 days. Lots of no wake and depending on the time of the year heavy traffic. There is at least 1, maybe 2 bridges you have to open even in a DA.
I laid out best possible time. West coast of FL is a fantastic cruising area, would recommend enjoying some of the transit through the area and take your time.
From Clearwater south, ICW to Fort Meyers, then open water down into the Keys. For the open water segments time of year will make a difference on schedule. For example in Feb/Mar you may have to hold for weather a few days. By Apr/May weather disruptions are less frequent and shorter.
Clearwater to the Keys (lets pick Marathon), timing will depend on how hard you want to run. Also if you can run outside south of Clearwater it will be faster (assuming you run on plane when possible).
Going outside cruising at 20 knots, Venice in 3.5 hours, Boca in 5.5 hours, South Seas in 6 hours.
Our favorite jump off to the Keys is Pink Shell at Fort Meyers Beach which is a couple of hours from either Boca or South Seas. From Pink Shell to Marathon (outside only) 4-5 hours.
If you make the trip south from Clearwater using the ICW as much as possible - add 2 days. Lots of no wake and depending on the time of the year heavy traffic. There is at least 1, maybe 2 bridges you have to open even in a DA.
I laid out best possible time. West coast of FL is a fantastic cruising area, would recommend enjoying some of the transit through the area and take your time.
All's Well
Well-Known Member
We ran from Ft Lauderdale to Seabrook a couple years ago (in Dec.) to bring our boat back to TX. We made it in 5 days running daylight to dark - I wouldn't run it that fast again
highslice
Well-Known Member
- Mar 28, 2008
- 5,990
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- 270 SLX
2013 Sea Doo 155 Wake
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- 496 Mag
Bravo III
Corsa
Is it really 2 hours from the north tip of Captive to the north tip of Fort Meyers Beach? I mean I know in high season it is easily 2 hours in a car, but in the summer it is more like 30 minutes.
FootballFan
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I would stand by that for planning purposes.
I have done it faster (south seas). Staying on the inside your going to run 15 miles or so maybe on plane, then most of the time it seems you will hit traffic. You veer off before the miserable mile to cut over to the outbound channel.
15 to 20 minutes on each end for the channels in and out ofmarina.
I have done it faster (south seas). Staying on the inside your going to run 15 miles or so maybe on plane, then most of the time it seems you will hit traffic. You veer off before the miserable mile to cut over to the outbound channel.
15 to 20 minutes on each end for the channels in and out ofmarina.
swaterhouse
Well-Known Member
My boat did this with a Captain on a delivery trip last spring. Happy to share daily runs with you, but this was at an average of 23kts on a 58 so not very comparable. All in all not a fun trip, weather was ok but it's a long boring run between not so great destinations.
- Oct 6, 2006
- 12,153
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- 1996 450DA
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Transiting the NW Gulf Coast as a transient, finding a slip in protected water, room in a boat yard or in a hurricane hole will be very difficult, if not impossible. Keep a long range view of the forecasts for the area not only for tomorrow but for a much longer range view. Personally, I'd consider delayoing the trip to December
- Jan 26, 2008
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- SOLD 2005 420 DA w/T-8.1S Horizons
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Where specifically is the miserable mile?
FootballFan
Well-Known Member
If you look at the charts, follow the ICW from Captiva going south. At some point it turns towards the east which is the route into the river for downtown Fort Meyers and the start of the Okeechobee waterway that crosses the state.
I don't remember the exact marker number, but after the split which goes south, the channel narrows down as it passes by a couple of small islands.
If you find Tarpon Point marina, it is not far after you pass the area going south.
The channel becomes narrow and it seems there is always a huge amount of traffic going both ways. Everything from small bowriders to large sportfishers all lined up passing through. All is no wake, constant traffic maneuvers. Then you get the small boats that want to pass. I guess it lasts for a mile, maybe that's where the name comes from.
Not particularly dangerous, just heavy traffic, heavy hassle, and SLOW.
- Jan 26, 2008
- 2,836
- Boat Info
- SOLD 2005 420 DA w/T-8.1S Horizons
- Engines
- 2018 Sea Hunt 255se w/Yamaha 300hp
Thank you. Planning on doing some cruising in those parts in the future and getting my trip notes built.
FootballFan
Well-Known Member
There are two areas on the west coast ICW where it seems everyone who owns a boat or rents a boat all show up and it gets crowded.
The miserable mile is one, the other was discussed in another thread last year. The area around the two bridges (Cortez and Anna Marie). One (or maybe both) of the bridges do not have a speed restriction for going under the bridge.
I have been sitting there waiting on a bridge opening, look around and could easily count 100 boats in view, with people in center consoles weaving through the traffic on plane going under the bridge.
Doesn't keep me from going through there when I need to, but definitely both areas can be a "hassle".
The miserable mile is one, the other was discussed in another thread last year. The area around the two bridges (Cortez and Anna Marie). One (or maybe both) of the bridges do not have a speed restriction for going under the bridge.
I have been sitting there waiting on a bridge opening, look around and could easily count 100 boats in view, with people in center consoles weaving through the traffic on plane going under the bridge.
Doesn't keep me from going through there when I need to, but definitely both areas can be a "hassle".
