ICW depth for northern Keys

[Maurie Rosenber]

Ahoy,

Does anyone know the maximum draft for the ICW Between Miami and the Keys?

I ask because it looks like some of the cuts in the Northern Keys look like they shallow to 5-6' range at the ends.

We are bring our boat around from the Sarasota in the Gulf to Stewart FL and can't use the canal as our mast is to high.

If there are other relevant forums for this kind of trip (we have started and our now at Ft. Myers Beach) it would be great!

Maurie

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Maurie.

[Snore]

Take Hawk Channel - much easier!

[smj]

I wouldn’t want to take over a 5’ draft on the Florida Bay side of the Keys. I much prefer the bay side as it’s a gunkholers delight and there are anchorages everywhere.

[sailorboy1]

you need to go around Key West into the Hawk Channel unless you have a real shallow boat

[Captain Bill]

When I was through there last spring there were places where I had less than a foot of water under my keels and I draw 4 feet, but it was at or near low tide. The worst area was between marker 65 and 90. Roughly Tavernier creek to Teatable key channel. That area is best done at high tide if you draw more than me. My guess is that more than 5.5 is not doable at any tide if you want any safety margin.

[smj]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

you need to go around Key West into the Hawk Channel unless you have a real shallow boat

Plenty of depth for most boats running from Marco Island under 7 mile bridge to Hawk Channel.

[Group9]

Originally Posted by smj

I wouldn’t want to take over a 5’ draft on the Florida Bay side of the Keys. I much prefer the bay side as it’s a gunkholers delight and there are anchorages everywhere.

I agree. We took a five foot draft (wing keel) down the inside route a few years ago. Near Cotton Key, we started leaving a sand trail in the water, but were still moving along. After about a quarter mile of that, we stopped hard, and abruptly, in the middle of the channel.

We had to use the dinghy to heel ourselves off. Later, at our next haul out, we could seen the deformation of one of the wings of the lead keel, where we had obviously ridden up on a protruding rock.

Later I talked to a Towboat US operator who told me he estimated the chances of a five draft making it through most days, without hitting, was about 50/50. The problem being those protruding rocks that didn't get removed when they first dredged it out.

I've decided that (the rocks) is why there is often a difference of opinion on what drafts can be taken on that route. If you miss them, you report there is plenty of depth. If you hit one, you say it's not deep enough.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by smj

Plenty of depth for most boats running from Marco Island under 7 mile bridge to Hawk Channel.

says the cat owner to the deep draft mono owner

[smj]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

says the cat owner to the deep draft mono owner

You’ve got a point there, but honestly we’ve done that trip more times than I can remember and can’t remember seeing anything less than 8-9’. Also seen a ton of deep drafted monohulls make the trip.

[RichandHelen]

Our prior boat had a 5' draft. We did the run down the inside numerous times because the Admiral liked "The color of the water" . While we never ran hard aground, there were numerous occasions when we felt our wing keel make contact with the sand. We never encountered the stone bottom mentioned above. I learned not to give myself an ulcer by staring at the depth gauge because we so frequently indicated six inches to zero under the keel. You take this route you takes your chances.

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by Maurie Rosenber

Ahoy,

Does anyone know the maximum draft for the ICW Between Miami and the Keys?

I ask because it looks like some of the cuts in the Northern Keys look like they shallow to 5-6' range at the ends.

We are bring our boat around from the Sarasota in the Gulf to Stewart FL and can't use the canal as our mast is to high.

If there are other relevant forums for this kind of trip (we have started and our now at Ft. Myers Beach) it would be great!

Maurie

===


We go from Marco Island to the Channel 5 bridge east of Marathon using the so called "Yacht Channel" which skirts along the edge of Everglades Park and Florida Bay. No problem with our 5 1/2 ft draft but pay close attention to the charts. From the Channel 5 bridge we run in Hawk Channel north towards Biscayne Bay and Miami. If you draw more than 6 ft you'll need to take Moser Pass west of Marathon or go south through Key West.

[Seighlor]

Originally Posted by smj

Plenty of depth for most boats running from Marco Island under 7 mile bridge to Hawk Channel.

This is the way to go... Through Florida Bay in the marked channel to 7-mile bridge. Have done it multiple times with 6'4" and 8' draft sailing vessels. No need to go all the way to Key West.

[dennismenace111]

If your boat is too big to fit under the bridges on the caloosahatchee...sail around Key West and stay out beyond the reef, weather permitting! You will pickup a 3 or 4 it favorable current if you get to the gulf stream.

I've done it many times from Key West to Miami, usually after Key West Race week in January..it's an overnight trip in blue water...but.. pick your weather window. The Gulf Stream can be nasty.

[sailorboy1]

Well all I can say is that I'm going from Gulfport MS to Marathon Fl end of the month in my 6'4" draft boat. That's about a 580 mile trip and I'm not inclined to save 17 miles to take the shortcut to the 7 Mile bridge instead of going around Key West.