Join us as Team Shurhold Crosses the State of Florida traveling along the Okeechobee​ Waterway!

[@koppersrailroad]

That is a great video. I worked on the Railroad bridges you encountered, great to them again. About to buy a carver 396, and plan this trip. The channel on the short cut across the lake can be tricky. Glad you made it safely.

[@SF-rl7hl]

Great video of instructions thank you! I will be utilizing this pathway with my boat!

[@MY_SOLACE]

Great video! TY

[@RussellD11]

what are the lock fee's??

[@beboboymann3823]

Excellent vid. Fascinating journey.

[@Shurhold]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@junemartin1475]

Very informative.

[@Shurhold]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jonathancapestany6379]

Thanks for the information and description. Buying a newer to me boat in port st lucie and thinking about doing this crossing, not sure if the locks are back opened, heard they where working on some maintenance.

[@Shurhold]

You should do the trip is is fun. Here is a link to the status pages for the locks. www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Lake-Okeechobee/Okeechobee-Waterway-OWW/

[@alexandermartinristl4634]

great video. thank you!

[@Shurhold]

Glad you liked it!

[@paultaddeo6421]

Not only is Shurhold make great products ,but also makes interesting and informative products. A true boater. Thanks for the information and education. Your boat trips inspire. Looking forward to more videos very much appreciated .

[@Shurhold]

Glad you like the content.

[@Grady252]

Nicely done Barry! Great info. Hope to try this someday.

[@Shurhold]

Thanks! This is one of our favorite trips to do.

[@Grady252]

By they way, how long does it take to do this crossing?

[@Shurhold]

It depends on the speed of your boat and if there are any delays at the locks. It is about 6-7 hours for us.

[@wolfgar187]

Great video, qq what boat model are you running?

[@Shurhold]

We run a 43ft SeaVee Express

[@wolfgar187]

@@Shurhold that is a really beautiful boat and great cabin setup. Enjoy

[@trekkeractual]

Great video!

[@Shurhold]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@cestmoi1262]

Crossed Florida from Stuart to Ft. Myers, about 1985. An interesting trip. At Indian Town Marina alligators had to be chased off the dock in the morning. Took the Rim Route rather than the Open Water Route (no GPS). Interesting to see the many alligators (some with heads 3 feet long), certainly not a good location to go swimming and 50 miles/hour bass boats.

[@Shurhold]

Sounds like a fun trip!

[@SF-rl7hl]

Sounds fun

[@madeleineb7026]

Very informative, Barry. I assume engines are kept running. I have a 27' sailboat and this will be my first time through locks. Biggest concern: my crewmate dropped out of this part. I wonder if I can handle it solo... Is there enough line so I can be in between the cleats? Seems unlikely and very difficult to maintain control.

[@Shurhold]

People do it solo, but as the boat gets longer it gets harder to do. There is usually plenty of line. Down is harder than up. They ask that you kill your engines while in the lock.

[@frankmelero5511]

Great Video. Crossing the Lake Okeechobee thru the fast way is there a Marked channel or have to use GPS? Thanks

[@Shurhold]

Yes it is marked, but parts of it the markers are spaced apart further than you can see. So a GPS is highly recommended.

[@frankmelero5511]

@@Shurhold Thanks for the reply and info 👍

[@rossvillegas3927]

one last question are there fuel stops along the way? thank you sir

[@Shurhold]

Are do not know what the current status of many of them are, but there are several stops. Clewiston at the bottom of the lake for sure and a couple more on the west side of the trip.

[@MichaelRega]

Excellent and informative video, thanks cap and crew! Just two salty comments, first, fenders are not bumpers, and the use of "10-4" is improper for marine radio. "Roger" is correct for marine. 10-4 is for truckers on CB radios. Great safety tips through the O waterway and an awesome boat!

[@Shurhold]

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for the more precise clarification. Always better to be more accurate.

[@donfrank5878]

Thanks Barry- great video, hey what model Tiara is the GoldFish

[@rossvillegas3927]

do you think i can safely navigate with my 2002 capri bayliner? open bow with an optional cover inboard 4 cylinder. thank you

[@Shurhold]

I can not speak for your ability as a Captain or the seaworthiness of the vessel. What I can say is people have made the trip in small center console, PWC, etc... You will need a good GPS for the lake portion, plenty of fuel and a nice weather day.

[@sailingsvsalacia8398]

Was this trip done in one day or did you stop for the night somewhere like Indiantown?

[@Shurhold]

We have done it both ways. We have crossed from Stuart to Ft Meyers in about 7 hours. We also have stopped for the night at the campground next to the Franklin lock. Years ago I also did a night a Roland Martin's at the bottom of the lake. It all depends on how early you start, how fast your boat is, and if you are even in a hurry at all. A great trip every which way.

[@stephenrothman6058]

On that Fort Denaud swing bridge, couldn't have gone right under it? What's the clearance? How about in a 22 foot Pathfinder with no T-Top?

[@Shurhold]

It is 8.9 ft clearance. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Denaud_Bridge

[@daviddore-smith5978]

Are there speed limits along the route or are there areas of no limit?

[@Shurhold]

Yes there are limits in many areas, but there are also many areas with no limits. Many of the speed zones change due to season as well for Manatees. Checker here: myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/manatee/data-and-maps/

[@Shurhold]

Here is a great link that has a ton of crossing info including time, clearances, etc... www.offshoreblue.com/assets/oww/oww-navpak.zip