Anchor out on Lake Okeechobee?

cardude01 · Jun 3, 2019

I’d like to make it all the way across the lake today, but I won’t make it to the Port Myaca lock before 5pm. I see an Active Captain anchor icon there outside the lock but just wonder if anyone here has done that.

Looks like the weather will be settled tonight.

High Wire · Jun 3, 2019

The lock has been a pass through but don't know if they still close the lock gates at night.

cardude01 · Jun 3, 2019

Oh, hope so. That would simplify things!

fryedaze · Jun 3, 2019

I would call the lock. I have seen sailboats anchored east of the lock on the east side of the bridge. If you have the time you could get to St Lucie dam and anchor.

cardude01 · Jun 3, 2019

I called the lock. They close at 5 today. Guess I’ll anchor outside.

I’m trying to get to Lake Worth by tomorrow.

Keysdisease · Jun 3, 2019

You can tie up on the pilings at the entrance to the locks too

:socool:

Seevee · Jun 3, 2019

cardude01 said:
I called the lock. They close at 5 today. Guess I’ll anchor outside.

I’m trying to get to Lake Worth by tomorrow.

At least weather looks good with SE winds.... have a great nite!

cardude01 · Jun 3, 2019

Taking longer than I thought. Looks like we may be to Myaca around 9:30. A little night cruising! [emoji15]

cardude01 · Jun 3, 2019

Keysdisease said:
You can tie up on the pilings at the entrance to the locks too

I might have to do that. We won’t get there till 9:30 or so at my current rate and I don’t know if I will be able to see where to anchor.

What pilings are you talking about exactly?

High Wire · Jun 3, 2019

Right outside the lock there are groupings of pilings intended for barges and such. Me, I would rather anchor clear of that stuff if the winds are going to be 10kt or less.

cardude01 · Jun 3, 2019

Oh OK gotcha. Yeah those things are hard to tie up to in my opinion.

cardude01 · Jun 3, 2019

I decided not to anchor out on the lake. Saw some thunderstorm chances pop up and didn’t want to risk it. Went to Rowland Martin Marina in Clewiston instead. Interesting crowd at the bar!

This is coming over the lake now. Supposedly 45 mph gusts. My wife would have been very mad at me! [emoji51]

Keysdisease · Jun 3, 2019

Tied up safe an, sound at the marina, throwing back a few with the locals, good move.
When in doubt, if there is a watering hole nearby, always include it in your plans.

:socool:

fryedaze · Jun 3, 2019

Good choice, it is too bad its not karaoke night, you would love it. What's your cruise speed? Your time line didn't make sense. What's your draft? On your way out of Clewiston you will pass the shallow part of the trip.

cardude01 · Jun 3, 2019

We cruise at 6.5 to 7.

I keep hearing the channel coming out of a Clewiston is the shallow part. Any more details I need to know?

O C Diver · Jun 4, 2019

cardude01 said:
We cruise at 6.5 to 7.

I keep hearing the channel coming out of a Clewiston is the shallow part. Any more details I need to know?

My track from Clewiston has me in the center of the channel until getting into deeper water. In the morning, there are lots of bass boats coming and going. Stay in the center of the channel and let them go around you as they draw much less water.

If you meet another boat and have to move to starboard, slow to idle until you're back in the center. If another boat wants to overtake you, tell them you're not moving out of the center of the channel until you reach deeper water (constrained by draft). You will be fine until you allow yourself to give up the center of the channel, so don't.

Ted

JohnEasley · Jun 4, 2019

O C Diver said:
My track from Clewiston has me in the center of the channel until getting into deeper water. In the morning, there are lots of bass boats coming and going. Stay in the center of the channel and let them go around you as they draw much less water.

If you meet another boat and have to move to starboard, slow to idle until you're back in the center. If another boat wants to overtake you, tell them you're not moving out of the center of the channel until you reach deeper water (constrained by draft). You will be fine until you allow yourself to give up the center of the channel, so don't.

Ted

Great advice!

JohnEasley · Jun 4, 2019

cardude01 said:
I decided not to anchor out on the lake. Saw some thunderstorm chances pop up and didn’t want to risk it. Went to Rowland Martin Marina in Clewiston instead. Interesting crowd at the bar!

This is coming over the lake now. Supposedly 45 mph gusts. My wife would have been very mad at me! [emoji51]

View attachment 89729

I saw that storm sweeping across the lake last night and immediately wondered what your plans were to handle it. Sounds like you made the best of the evening.

cardude01 · Jun 4, 2019

That was some skinny water coming out of Clewiston!

And to make it extra sporty, because that seems to be how I roll, my new alternator belt I installed a few days ago started slipping (smelled burned rubber). Slowed down immediately but couldn’t shut it down since it was in the shallow part. Finally got to a spot that opened up and anchored out and tightened up my belt. I have a spare in case this one is ruined but it seems to be holding up OK for now.

Always an adventure on the Bijou it appears. [emoji30]

JohnEasley · Jun 4, 2019

You rolled with it. &#55357;&#56835;
That’s a beautiful photo. Looks like a great day to be crossing the Lake.

cardude01 · Jun 4, 2019

CaptJohnEasley said:
I saw that storm sweeping across the lake last night and immediately wondered what your plans were to handle it. Sounds like you made the best of the evening.

We did not get much wind at the dock, but we were protected by the big lock walls I think. The boat got a good rinse!

The approach to that Rowland Marina was super shallow and narrow since the water is so low. I saw like 6” under my keel at one point.

Steve91T · Jun 5, 2019

We only made it an hour out of Cape Coral heading to the Franklin lock last night before that storm became an issue. I started looking for a marina and found pinchers. Reviews said good food, great drinks. That’s all I needed to hear.

We didn’t get close enough to the storm to get the rain, but it sure was windy. Heading back out today. We’ll see how far we get.

cardude01 · Jun 5, 2019

Nice! Keep us posted.

It was pretty shallow after going through the Moore Haven lock where you turn right.

Also shallow coming out of the Clewiston lock all through that channel getting out to the middle part of the lake.

Also super shallow coming to the Mayaca lock. Hug the greens on your port side.

Have fun!

Capecodder · Jun 5, 2019

Roland Martins is an experience, sugarcane farmers with a gun and a Fishing pole singing cowboy songs.

Steve91T · Jun 5, 2019

cardude01 said:
Nice! Keep us posted.

It was pretty shallow after going through the Moore Haven lock where you turn right.

Also shallow coming out of the Clewiston lock all through that channel getting out to the middle part of the lake.

Also super shallow coming to the Mayaca lock. Hug the greens on your port side.

Have fun!

Thanks for the heads up. I draft 3.6. You?

Steve91T · Jun 5, 2019

Capecodder said:
Roland Martins is an experience, sugarcane farmers with a gun and a Fishing pole singing cowboy songs.

Ha I can’t wait!

cardude01 · Jun 5, 2019

I draft 4’

Steve91T · Jun 5, 2019

Is 8kts ok or do they really want us doing idle speed?

We are just west of Sweetwater.

O C Diver · Jun 5, 2019

Many of those signs refer to outside the channel. Some signs have seasonal limits and may have different limits for in and out of the channel. Need to have a pair of binoculars handy.

Ted

Steve91T · Jun 6, 2019

cardude01 said:
I draft 4’

Made it to Moore Haven last night. Nervous about the crossing tomorrow since it’s so low. We’ll just take it slow and make sure we’re in the center of the channel.

Anchor out on Lake Okeechobee?

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