Boating from Naples, Fl to Islamorada Fl on a 24'

the yacht channel is the way to go. It leaves you just east of conch key near long key viaduct. There you can follow the ICW to your destination. Been there, done that - not an issue.If your concerned, fuel at EC/Chokoloskee and have a good time. Remember - triple tails hang out at the bouys near the entrance to shark river - keep some baits and rigs nearby - great dinner fare. you naysayers, give the guy a break, this is a good trip!
 
no need to go all the way to marathon, it will add a lot of miles.

from the East Cape, follow the flashing Reds along Oxford and Schooner bank. Then the FL G off Springer, and the dogleg at the Yacht channel. It's deep enough up to 5' draft...

after the Yacht Channel, stay on the bay side thru Peterson Bank.If you need to go outside, you can cross at Indian Key, Whale Harbor Holliday Isle or Snake Creek. usually much smoother than going out at Long Key.
 
DO NOT MAKE TRIP USING MANUFACTURER MILEAGE ESTIMATE!

Do the work! Make trips with the intended load. At least 50 mile runs in different conditions. Rough/choppy water and running against the swell will really increase you fuel usage.

You really don't sound like you're ready for the trip.
 
I have a 265, the next model up, with a fuel flow meter and find the fuel use increases rapidly when the boat is fighting weather. With a couple people on board it runs about 12.5 gph at 22 knots (25 mph). That 2.0 mpg drops 10 to 15% when going up and down short swells or chop.

Before you go, look at your charts and make sure you're up on your navigation. You have long stretches between ATONs and some narrow passages especially following the yacht channel. While the channels carry five feet or more, you can't get off course much without finding shallow water. I is a great trip especially stopping at Everglad City which is 10 miles in from the sea bouy through the ten thousand islands.
 
You might consider the option of putting in at Goodland (or going to Goodland the evening before via the ICW) and going into the Gulf through Coon Key Pass. That way you avoid Cape Sable shoals entirely, which, pushes you out in the Gulf pretty far.

Good Luck, sounds fun.

David
 
quote:
Originally posted by Lucky Dog

You might consider the option of putting in at Goodland (or going to Goodland the evening before via the ICW) and going into the Gulf through Coon Key Pass. That way you avoid Cape Sable shoals entirely, which, pushes you out in the Gulf pretty far.

Good Luck, sounds fun.

David

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you mean Cape Romano Shoals, right? there are no shoals off cape Sable.
 
Lucky, I dont see the savings in going to Goodland. You have to navigate the shoals down there to get out into the gulf. If he leaves out of Naples, I can see recommending topping off in Marco. Once you leave Marco, You should be prepped to be self sufficient all the way to Marathon and have Everglades and Flamingo as emergency alternatives.

I would lighten my load as much as possible to reduce fuel consumption. And then be ready to jettison a couple of passengers if needed... just kidding...
 
I'm going to try to take an extra 25 gallon fuel tank for the trip. Also as Pascal suggested above I'm going to measure my actual fuel consumption from naples to everglades city. That will let me know two things.
1. Can I make it all the way down to islamorada with our fuel.

2. Will the wives still encourage us to go if the mileage is not acceptable [:-banghead] [:O]
 
i REALLY would forget about the 25 gallons tank... too messy, too dangerous. you also need something to transfer the fuel into the tank.

Even with some chop, you shoudn't have any problem running the 70 miles from EC to Lower Matacumbe, where you have a couple of fuel docks there starting with Bud and Mary Marina right at the end of the Yacht Channel

http://www.atlanticcruisingclub.com/search/FEC13.aspx

and btw, DO NOT TRUST the fuel gauge... do the test run to EC to see how much you used (top off the tank before leaving Naples) and based your calculations on that. Fuel gauges are rarely accurate so dont' be tempted to stretch it because the gauge shows you have more fuel than you thought.

dont' confuse yourself with MPG and things... once you know your boat burns XXGPH, keep track of running time (write down start time) and figure out how much fuel you've burned, how much fuel is left.
 
[/quote]
you mean Cape Romano Shoals, right? there are no shoals off cape Sable.
[/quote]
Yes, Cape Romano Pascal, sorry, keep me away from the helm, you never know where you'll end up.

I just recall the time we would save from Marco to Marathon by cutting off Romano via Coon Key Pass.

David
 
quote:
Originally posted by alfnator

I'm going to try to take an extra 25 gallon fuel tank for the trip. Also as Pascal suggested above I'm going to measure my actual fuel consumption from naples to everglades city. That will let me know two things.

1. Can I make it all the way down to islamorada with our fuel.

2. Will the wives still encourage us to go if the mileage is not acceptable [:-banghead] [:O]

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To make the fuel transfer unnecessary, use a real portable gas tank with a fuel line on it and put a three way valve in your main fuel line and run off the extra 25 gal. tank first.

As to #1, that is a question you have to determine the answer to.

#2, depends on how much you are insured for.
:-)
 
I think you guys are nuts! Personally any kind of trip where a carry-on "spare" fuel tank
is of any consideration is a bad plan. I would love to get out to the NE side of Stellwagon Bank and I can... I just can't get back.

Trailer the sucker....
 
i dont think he needs extra fuel and plumbing an extrenal tank while simple isn't something you want to mess with unless you know what you're doing, especially gas!

for instance, the vent will have to be routed outside the hull, otherwise vapors could accumulate in the cockpit and find their way in the bilge. then you need to find a way to route the line in he engine bay... too many potential issues.
 
I really dont see where heading into Everglades will save him any gas. Topping off in Marco and heading straight for Marathon is the route I'd take. It would save the 20 mile or so round trip into Everglades.
 
On Monday the 15th I will be monitoring the forum for the "CG rescues 3 in Florida Keys" thread.

If you do not have a good knowledge of your boats fuel burn and range, IMO, you are in over your head and playing with fire for this trip.
 
Folks, I've been an RO on this site a long time and I read the posts here often. This site has saved me countless headaches over the years. For whatever reason I have only occasionally posted replies and have rarely started a new thread.

I said all that to get to this point - this thread is what Boatered is all about. Not only have the experienced in this group shared their first hand knowledge to help alfnator, it has been done with the right spirit.

alfnator, I say go for it! The trip sounds like a great trip/adventure and it makes me envious.

Continue to plan your trip carefully. It sounds like there are at least a few places to get fuel. As an old principal used to say Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. The recommendation to get a realistic fuel burn rate is among the best advice I've seen. My Wellcraft Walkaround will sometimes hit the manufacturer's fuel burn numbers. More often than not the fuel burn is GREATER than the Wellcraft numbers which of course reduces the range.
 
Marco woudl work as well but he needs to get a handle on his fuel burn and the longer run to EV will help.

once he leaves Marco and clears Cape Romano,he's going to wnat to run close to shore anyway with a single engine 24 footer so he won't be far from the channel entrance....

again, you really dont need and don't want to go straight to marathon from marco with a small single engine boat. you are way offshore. you want to stay close to shore, just off Cape Sable and follow the edge of florida bay and all the small keys and banks to islamorada.
 
I've made the run from Marco Island to Marathon and back quite a few times. My first stop in Marathon is Burdines for cheap fuel and a good sandwich. Typically, I run to just west of the marker at 25.41.161 81.38.776 then set a heading directly for Marathon. That way I never encounter depths less than 8'. Not much to see til you get to the seven mile bridge but it sure looks good when you get there.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mackeral Hunter

I said all that to get to this point - this thread is what Boatered is all about. Not only have the experienced in this group shared their first hand knowledge to help alfnator, it has been done with the right spirit.

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Excellent comment. The fact that I’m a first generation boater (if you haven’t figured that out yet) I really appreciate the helpful and knowledgeable responses everyone is willing to share with me. Without boat forums like this I only have limited boating common sense (easily debatable) , and trial and error to go by which is not a good thing while on the water.

Although, I don’t know my actual fuel burn except from the somewhat biased boattest.com results I plan to due as Pascal suggested and run from Naples to EC and measure my GPH burn rate. From EC then I will determine if we can make it or not?

I’m also picking up my EPIRB today and I’m giving my wife the route that we plan to take along with the stops. I also plan to communicate my locations when possible back to her (Uhm, maybe I should post them here with my wireless card just in case she decides she needs a bigger boat and some additional cash ). I also have BOATUS incase something happens and I will put together an oh $h1T bag. Plus if we have to wait for boatus we will start the BBQ and we might have a few beers left in the cooler.
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

i dont think he needs extra fuel and plumbing an extrenal tank while simple isn't something you want to mess with unless you know what you're doing, especially gas!

for instance, the vent will have to be routed outside the hull, otherwise vapors could accumulate in the cockpit and find their way in the bilge. then you need to find a way to route the line in he engine bay... too many potential issues.

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You may be right and he doesn't need the extra fuel.

And maybe I missunderstood, I though this was an outboard powered boat. If that is the case, there is no engine bay to worry about. And the hook up of the fuel lines is very straight forward. There also would be no venting issue with a portable 25 gal. fuel tank. Any more than there is with a 6 gal. portable tank.

Now if I did missunderstand, and this is a IO boat, than that is a different story. But still easy to do safely.

If you want to stay close to shore, head in after rounding Cape Romano shoals and follow the National Park markers that start south of Everglades City. They will lead you right to Sprigger Bank and the Yacht Channel. Just don't get confused by the markers for the dog leg at the Yacht Channel.
 
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