The Big O and I am not referring to Opra but to Lake Okeechobee. According to the Florida Cruising Guide the Okeechobee Waterway is not as great as other man-made paths between seas like the exotic Panama Canal or St. Lawrence Seaway for commercial vessels. It is, however, a major trip and shortcut for recreational vessels.
The trip starts at Ft Myers and follows the Caloosahatchee River 152 inland miles through cow pastures and the 25 mile trip across the lake itself, ending at Stuart, Florida. The alternative is the 350 nautical miles trip around the southern tip of Florida through the Florida Keys.
This is Captain Don's first trip on this waterway. When he and my Mother, Linda, traveled aboard their 47' sail oboist, Majestic Dream their boat needed at least 6' of water and that would be risky with a draft of 5' 10". On Ring of Fire we only draw 32" so let's say 3'.
We are excited about our journey on this "new to us" waterway. As I write this we are passing the Burnt Store Marina, which I find to have a rather thought provoking name. To more about the Okeechobee Waterway and the lake known as the Big O with see pictures follow the Wikipedia link below.
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