Florida Loop

[slickstick]

Who's done this one?

Looks like a fun adventure... I was mapping it out, solid 6 days probably. The part I didn't realize was such a leap is going clockwise jumping from Key West to Marco Island. Unless I am missing a fuel stop, it looks like Marco Island is the closest. Looks like around 94 miles. Too close to not bring extra fuel and even then, on a 21 ft boat it seems a little risky without other boats joining. Hopefully there's a closer stop I am missing.

Thoughts from anyone? Anyone done this and have experience to gleam?

 

[slickstick]

Nobody? ?

I did find a middle of no where fuel stop at "Flamingo Island." One option would be to hug back up the keys, hit Flamingo Island, then continue up to Marco Island. Looks to about double the mileage of that leg, though.

 

[Betik]

No clue.... have you considered having a chance vehicle ?? Especially for the tricky part where fuel is sparse ...

 

[slickstick]

No clue.... have you considered having a chance vehicle ?? Especially for the tricky part where fuel is sparse ...

Second boat? Would be a solid idea, obviously. Don't really know anybody interested with a rig.

 

[Betik]

Not a second boat, I meant a truck ( with a trailer hopefully) that will take a parallel route to you just in case things get bad.

 

[InmyElement]

Would love to do it someday when I retire...always been intrigued with the great loopers.

Home - America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association

America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association (AGLCA)TM is an organization of people who share a sense of adventure and a curiosity about the boating adventure known as America's Great Loop.

www.greatloop.org

 

[FLJetBoater]

Many boats have trouble making it across the 55 miles to Bimini. 94 miles would be a huge stretch if you had anything except glass-like water with no headwind.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

That is one hell of a trip in a 21ft Yamaha.

 

[veedubtek]

Head back up to Marathon/middle keys somewhere and hop up to Everglade City. Does add alot to the trip though.

 

[BlkGS]

Can you even go through the canals to/from the lake? I can't Imagine that'd be very fun, the lake is super shallow so the canals have to be even worse.

Can you go back to a more Eastern key to make the trip shorter?

 

[veedubtek]

Yeah, just gotta stick to the channel. I plan boating across this year for the Bimini trip instead of trailering. Just something I've always wanted to do.

 

[slickstick]

Not a second boat, I meant a truck ( with a trailer hopefully) that will take a parallel route to you just in case things get bad.

Not sure exactly how that would help in this case with the jump between the keys and the West Coast.

 

[slickstick]

Head back up to Marathon/middle keys somewhere and hop up to Everglade City. Does add alot to the trip though.

Closer to shore so probably a little safer, but still about an 85 mile hop. Stopping at Flamingo Marina cuts it down to around 71 miles.

 

[slickstick]

Can you even go through the canals to/from the lake? I can't Imagine that'd be very fun, the lake is super shallow so the canals have to be even worse.

Can you go back to a more Eastern key to make the trip shorter?

Well it's designed for boat traffic and if any boat could do it, a Yamaha jet could.

It looks like the canal is 8'+ deep.

 

[112Vulcan]

I haven't done the loop but I've boated (my old Sea Ray) from Cape Coral to Key West and Cape Coral to the east coast via the Caloosahatchee River and Lake O. It is 90 miles from Marco to Key West. What do you want to know?

 

[Betik]

Not sure exactly how that would help in this case with the jump between the keys and the West Coast.

There is a good change that you might not be able to complete the trip and it will be good to have trailer ready to pick you up. It is like 600 miles right ?

If I was making this trip I have would have gotten 20 gallons of spare fuel and started from Marathon with the objective for Chokoloske. Send the chase drive for Flamingo Marina. By the time the drive is at Homestead you will know if you are cutting short for Flamingo Marina or continuing north. So you reroute for the driver for Chokoloske. Spend the night there an then head to fort Myers.

In all honsty as fun as this sounds, I would have spend 400 gallons worth of fuel for this find of trip. We are talking George Town and back for that kind of fuel.

 

[JimmyB]

I like the idea of a trip like this. Sort of like the “Bud Light” of Bimini trips. More manageable but plenty of sites and adventure. You stay domestic entire time so no customs. More options on places to stay. More confidence in grocery stores and gas stations. And if weather is bad then more on land options. Seems more manageable for inland boaters like me who are overwhelmed with the prospects of an open water trip to the Bahamas. Good luck. I look forward to following the results.

 

[Betik]

@JimmyB i am 100% in agreement with you, I was more thinking about dollars aspect of it. Bahamas is great and I have made that crossing 3 times, but we stay statewide when possible and the incremnty I am not sure it is worth it.....

 

[slickstick]

I haven't done the loop but I've boated (my old Sea Ray) from Cape Coral to Key West and Cape Coral to the east coast via the Caloosahatchee River and Lake O. It is 90 miles from Marco to Key West. What do you want to know?

How would you feel about doing the Marco Island to Key West leg in a 21ft Yamaha with no other boats?

 

[slickstick]

There is a good change that you might not be able to complete the trip and it will be good to have trailer ready to pick you up. It is like 600 miles right ?

If I was making this trip I have would have gotten 20 gallons of spare fuel and started from Marathon with the objective for Chokoloske. Send the chase drive for Flamingo Marina. By the time the drive is at Homestead you will know if you are cutting short for Flamingo Marina or continuing north. So you reroute for the driver for Chokoloske. Spend the night there an then head to fort Myers.

In all honsty as fun as this sounds, I would have spend 400 gallons worth of fuel for this find of trip. We are talking George Town and back for that kind of fuel.

What makes you say there is a good chance we might not be able to complete the trip?