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    • Mar 18, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Southwestern Florida Crab Pot Discussion

      For the last week or so, there has been a lively discussion on the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) list about crab pots and fish traps as navigational hazards while navigating the waters of southwestern Florida, between Marco Island and the Florida Keys. I’ve copied some of this discussion below.
      As usual, with a copied discussion with this many contributions, it is impractical to obtain individual permissions, so I’ve just used first names.

      Sunday we arrived Marathon, FL from Little Shark River after navigating the minefield of crab trap floats through much of Florida Bay There was even a string right down Moser Channel to the Seven Mile Bridge. After a couple of hours of dodging traps I remembered a land clearing project I visited in Africa in the 70s. They were clearing light trees and shrub growth using a piece of ship anchor chain about 100 feet long with a Caterpillar D-8 ate each end. The Cats would move along in the same direction and the chain stretched out between them would knock down anything standing between them. How about a couple of trawlers with a chain between them clearing the way through the traps?
      Please no flames, I know the crabbers are out there working hard making a living for their families while we are just playing. I wouldn’t do this and am not advocating anyone doing it either, just recounting a memory and one the evil thoughts that came to mind as I dodged the traps for a couple of hours. Driving around Marathon I see several storage areas where I’d guess many thousands of traps are neatly stacked. Like an old Cajun friend of mine used to say “A crab don’t stand a chance around here!”
      It was a beautiful day, sunny, light winds, maybe 2′ seas and finally warm, and that made it all well worth while.We found water depths at least 8′ leaving Little Shark and most of the way down to Marathon where we are at Marathon Marina and Boatyard which is quite nice.
      Steve

      Serious question with probably an easy and obvious answer that I don’t know:
      If crab pots are in a charted channel, can they be moved/removed by a pleasure cruiser because they constitute a “hazard to navigation?”
      Wade

      I don’t know the legal answer but I suspect that an angry waterman, who thinks you are intruding on his source of income, could be a real problem that might be more difficult to deal with than the “authorities”.
      Frank

      You could probably legally move them but:
      1. There are so many of them that it would become your life’s work…at least until the season closes in May.
      2. You’d likely get shot at.
      Regards,
      Randy

      On my trips down the gulf past Flamingo, I usually run inside the Park boundary, it’s shallower but doable, and less traps
      It is illegal to trap in the Everglades National park, but on SEVERAL of these occasions, I was inside the park boundary south bound, watching trappers working their line inside the park boundary.
      Guess those park rangers have better things to do.
      See you in Paradise!
      Capt Sterling

      I had a fin keeled sailboat with completely exposed prop that twice got a pot line wrapped on it.
      When I changed boats I knew I needed a full keel boat with a protected propeller.
      We bought the boat in Charlotte Harbor and motor sailed it non stop to Marathon. And I was so happy watching the pots go by under the moon light at 3:00 am in Florida Bay. I didn’t try to avoid a single one.
      That problem is solved, for me anyway.
      Jules Robinson

      Coming to Marathon from the East, we observed hundreds of traps and every trap was right in the charted channel. The water depth is the same north of the channel so we dodged the traps by moving a hundred yards north where no waterman bothered to drop a trap. Needless to say, I couldn’t set the autohelm.
      I hope that prudent mariners will resist the temptation to mount spurs on their prop shafts. The spurs cut any lines that might wrap the prop but these spurs also might leave behind un-bouyed traps that will roam the waters for years attracting and killing thousands of crabs as they move.
      The watermen of Florida don’t capture and kill the stone crab; they just remove one claw and return the creature to the sea to grow another claw. (am I correct?)
      Let’s do all we can to preserve these tasty little critters and let the watermen continue to make a living even if they can’t tell a channel from open water.
      Foxglove

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    • Feb 26, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Marco Island to Marathon and Key West, Then North to Miami

      Below is a very informative and interesting string of messages copied from the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) list about cruising from Marco Island in southwestern Florida, to either Marathon or Key West, then north to Miami or possibly even the Okeechobee Waterway. There’s tons of useful cruising tips here, over a wide ranging swath of waters.

      I am interested in information related to leaving Marco Island and rounding the bottom of Florida, possible crossing over to the Hawk Channel at Seven Mile bridge. Anyone with experience, ideas, help? Thanks.
      Craig McAllaster
      “Cavalier” Island Packet SP Cruiser

      We did just that about 2 years ago. It seems like yesterday but unfortunately that is a long time ago in cruising days. Our boat draws 4.5 feet and I would love to leave again tomorrow and do it in the same boat.
      We made our way from Marco to Little Shark River, anchored there and left for 7 mile bridge. The water is skinny but you will get used to 9-10 feet and you will make it. Picking good weather is important. Many crab traps but just work your way through them. Go slow in places where dodging them is difficult and faster in open areas. Uneventful in crossing under 7 mile bridge. We had no tidal problems but I have heard of significant tidal flow so you probably should check the tidal flow times before leaving.
      We did Hawk Channel to and from Key West. Plenty of water, of course, but we experienced extraordinarily rough water. When the wind direction is from off shore the long fetch can make things uncomfortable. Hawk Channel provides easy access to the Key West area but in my opinion, it is not worth it if the water is rough. Hawk channel is not close enough to land to say you saw any local color of the keys.
      Now, if I had it to do again, I would take the bay side to key west. I have never been that way so do not have any direct experience but have heard many good things. Also have traveled by car to many places on the bay side and easily see why others rave about the “local color”.
      Wayne Prichard

      Craig,
      You didn’t say what your draft is and that can be a factor in this part of the world. Also, you didn’t say how long you plan to be gone or when you want to leave.
      Morning Star only draws 3-1/2 ft and we regularly leave Marco via Coon Key Pass. That makes a stop at Everglades City a short hop. Or you can continue on to Little Shark River for an overnight. The run from Little Shark to Marathon is not long and we have never found it to be particularly shallow. There are a few “banks” to avoid but they are well marked and if you are paying attention there won’t be a problem.
      From Marathon, you can pass under the Seven-Mile Bridge at Moser Channel or you can go east up the ICW on the Florida Bay side or you can head west to Key West via Big Spanish Channel.
      If you are contemplating Florida Bay, know that a strong northerly will blow a lot of water out of the Bay.
      Finally, if your goal is to do the “South Florida Loop”, a trip we highly recommend, I would do the Okeechobee leg first and head south from Stuart. That way when you leave Miami and head down the Keys the prevailing wind will be at your back.
      Regards,
      Randy Pickelmann
      MORNING STAR

      We traveled directly from Naples to Key West on the Gulf. It was 122nm dock to dock and an easy run, although we did travel at a faster speed than usual. We left Naples at 7AM, navigated the crab pots and then never saw another pot nor another boat until we neared Key West! Took the Hawk Channel from Key West to Marathon.
      ONE OLIVER II

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    • Feb 5, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Cruising Upstream on Little Shark River To Big Shark River and the Everglades

      The discussion below is copied from the “GL” (Great Loop) mail list. These messages describe what we think is a wonderful cruise up the Little Shark River, to the (Big) Shark River, and then well into the Everglades. Though no-one mentions it below, there are one or two shoal to avoid when cruising what I call the “feeder streams” between the Little Shark and the (Big) Shark River. However, these shallows are correctly charted, at least in our experience, and a GPS chart plotter has always gotten us past these potential hazards. Otherwise, this is a great cruise, unless of course you are doing this on a windless summer night. In this instance, the winged pests may just carry your boat out in the marsh and eat it there!

      Have many people made this treck up the Little Shark River into the Everglades in their Trawler?
      How far up is it and how easy to navigate? Any other comments appreciated! I note that it shows up on ActiveCaptain as a anchorage.
      I did see a nice Tarpon when at anchorage at the Little Shark mouth earlier this week! (lots of low tide fish activity there)
      Thanks,
      Jim

      When we visited the Little Shark River in early March 2005, we went about 7 miles up the river to the Shark River chickee. The scenery didn’t change much in that eight miles – not surprisingly, since it’s all mangrove swamp, for the most part with an occasional elevated platform for those more adventuresome cruisers in canoes and kayaks! The electronic chart was quite accurate – I suppose there’s not much shoaling to be concerned about. There are only a couple of daymarks in the first 2-3 miles, and then nothing. We could have gone farther without a problem – the water was deep enough – but we wanted to get back to the anchorage area near the mouth by mid-afternoon and were traveling at 1/2 trawler speed the entire 14 miles.
      It’s worth the trip to experience the Everglades mangrove swamps. That area was different from the area we observed during a pontoon boat trip
      into the Everglades from Flamingo.
      Bob McLeran and Judy Young

      Most boats anchor near the mouth of the river but we prefer a beautiful secluded anchorage farther up river. Continue 1.5 miles to daymark G69 and turn right (SE) immediately before the daymark. BTW, daymark 69 marks the end of the Wilderness Waterway canoe route across the Everglades from Flamingo. The bad news – after spending two nights at anchor and a few tide changes, our anchor was securely snagged and we had to cut it loose.
      Alan Lloyd
      Author, Great Loop Navigation Notes

      Hi Jim,
      In the summer of 2008 we anchored out in Whitewater Bay, which is about 5 miles into the Everglades. It was fabulous. We really felt like we
      were in the wilderness, with just the thousands of roosting birds for company (and the bugs… but then it was summer). After dark you could see the glow of the lights of Miami on the horizon, against the jet black sky full of stars. We left at dawn and had a beautiful, calm ride back down the river. There was plenty of water and the river followed the chart perfectly, so navigation was easy.
      Don’t miss it.
      Jo
      Jonah’s Whale
      EndeavourCat 48

      I have taken my Island Packet sailboat (draws 4.5′) all the way up the Shark River to its source in Tarpon Bay. The scenery does not change much along the way.
      Art Richard

      Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For The Little Shark River Outer Anchorage

      Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For The Little Shark River Southern Fork Anchorage

      Click Here For The Cruisers’ Net’s Western Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For The Little Shark River Upper Anchorage

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    • Feb 1, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Flamingo, Florida (south and a bit east of Cape Sable)

      Flamingo is the southwesternmost port of call on mainland Florida coastline. Where there once was a rough and ready frontier town here, now there is a Park Service concessionaire marina. Trouble is that in 2005 the Hurricanes washed tons and tons of mud and sand into the harbor and entrance channel. Eventually, the Park Service dredged, but ONLY to about 3 feet (or less) at low tide in places. I would be VERY hesitant to take any vessel into Flamingo at any tide drawing more than 3 1/2 feet.

      Ahoy All:
      Travelling in our RV this winter; a couple of nights ago we spent a night in Flamingo Florida to check it out. Very remote, no wi-fi, tv or phone signal (Sprint). We walked over to the marina , located off of Florida Bay. Marked channel coming in which is doable for trawlers if you’re very careful and use the tides. Tides on this side of the Bay, as opposed to the Keys side.
      Flamingo is part of the Everglades National Park, but the marina is run by a concessionaire. Floating docks. Only one boat was in the marina. Rates are $2/ft. including elec./water.
      Wade Ehlen
      Currently Boatles, but not for much longer

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    • Jan 27, 2010by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Cruising from Marco Island to The Florida Keys

      The northerly part of the cruise outlined by Captain Jim below leads through (or at least parallel) to the Ten Thousand Island region of southwestern Florida. Then, as is ably outlined below, there are several choices as to how to cruise from the Little Shark River – Cape Sable area to the Florida Keys.

      From EC or the Indian Key area, travel south along the inside boundryline of the Everglades National Park boundry (clearly marked on the charts) to avoid crab pots. Water is reliably 5 – 6 ft in this area. Outside the park, there are several large crab fields, but of course, deeper water. Which anxiety do you prefer? You do have choices. Again, best time for this area is generally noon and later, when afternoon high tides are coming on. Go into the Little Shark River for another neat, wild anchorage. Mind the shoal building southwest into the gulf from the north shoreline. No place to walk a dog.
      From the Little Shark, you’ll have several choices. One is the Yacht Channel south and east across Florida Bay. It’s shallow, and there are crab fields to avoid, but even in 20 kt winds, seas will be calm because of the shallow water. This choice takes you toward Channel 5 and Islamorada. Choice two is to head slightly southwest to Seven Mile Bridge and Marathon. That part of Florida Bay carries somewhat more water – 10 – 15 ft – but is still a fairly good ride in 20 kt winds, at least until you go under the bridge into Hawk Channel. Then, it’ll change abruptly, and get potentially uncomfortable. From there it’s only an hour or so to Marathon harbor and cover.
      The third option is to head west towards Key West/Las Tortugas. If you go to the Tortugas, be aware, it’s about a 65 mile open water transit west
      of Key West, and the last third of that is in deeper gulf water (100 ft). That trip is completely exposed from virtually every direction and carries ocean sea states. Don’t go to the Tortugas unless you are well provisioned and could stay a week or more if you had to wait out a weather window. Worst case is a shopping trip from the Tortugas on a ferry to Key West, but that’s certainly not optimum.
      Jim
      Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary

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    • Dec 22, 2009by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Marco Island to Marathon Discussion (Western Florida to the Florida Keys)

      Below is a GREAT discussion copied from the GL (“Great Loop”) mail list about cruising the waters from Marco Island on the Western Florida coastline, south of Marthon in the Florida Keys. There were so many contributors to this string that it was not practical to seek individual permissions, so I’ve just used first names.

      Looking for a crossing buddy & or advice for the best route to Marathon. Lots of skinny water, a long passage at 9 kn & navigating shoals at the end in fading light leave me a bit nervous. Any advice or company appreciated.
      Peter

      We prefer to duck in at Little Shark River and anchor for the night. It is a wild, desolate and beautiful place. Take a run up the river a ways to sightsee. Leave early in the morning when the seas are down a bit. The trip from there to Marathon is only about 35 miles, if my memory is correct. Its an easy morning run and you will have lunch in Marathon.
      Regards,
      Randy

      If you have the time, instead of going from Marco to Marathon in one long run, stop at Everglades City along the way, and if you like anchoring out, too, try the Little Shark River. (No place at Little Shark for animals, if you have a dog aboard, but otherwise a beautiful, remote area.)
      From Marco, you have two choices. You can go inside down through Goodland, or outside around the Cape Romano, I think the name is, shoals. Inside, there’s only one trick, and that’s immediately south of Marco. There’s a bridge there, where if I recall correctly, the marker colors reverse sides. As you come under that bridge, you have to turn hard to stbd to catch a red marker that’s difficult to pick out on the south shoreline. Don’t miss it. Little fishing boats skip it and go straight across that bay to the green, but you can’t. That red is correctly charted, but confusing on the water. Thatchannel is shallow, but it carries 7′, so you should be OK. You come out of the inside passage in the 10,000 Islands region inside (east) of the Cape Romano shoals, and can run across the bay there in 6 ft or water until it deepens to the 10 ft range. The channel up to Everglades City is deep, and the river currents can be swift at peak ebb and flood. The dock there is old, but adequate. Dining ambiance is fun. Old Florida. Make your run from EC to Marathon (or Little Shark) the next day.
      As you run south, say just inside the Everglades National Wildlife Sanctuary and you’ll be clear of crab pots. Outside the park boundary, there are lots of them. That run carries 6′ or slightly more water all the way.
      At Marathon, sea conditions may change when you go under the Seven Mile Bridge into Hawk Channel. We made the trip in rather calm conditions in Florida Bay, but found 4 ft rollers in the Hawk Channel. Use the charts and run in shallower water north of the channel for a smoother ride.
      Hope this is useful.
      Jim

      I’ve done Marco to Marathon (and vice versa) several times in my 4.5 draft vessel. The only spots to be concerned about are on the Marathon end where you have to make a few zigs and zags to by pass some shoals. They are well marked on the chart. Plot a course through there then line up on Seven Mile bridge and you will have it made.
      RC

      I agree with everythin Jim says about Everglades City. I’ve done the “back door” from Goodland and out Coon Key Pass to avoid the long trip around Cape Romano Shoals, but I’d be VERY cautious with 5 ft. draft. Also, unless they have changed, the Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City doesn’t take plastic.
      Bring cash for your dockage.
      Regards,
      Randy

      Because of very strong easterly winds in March 2009, we enjoyed several relaxing days at the Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City and then an additional night at anchor in nearby Russell Pass because a pre-arranged boating club visit ran us off the quay wall at the R&G Club. We were offered a short section of the quay at is southern end just beyond a slight jog in it, but upon sounding it with my lead line, I discovered I had about an hour to vacate it before I was aground – off to Russell Pass where we were in the company of 11 other vessels.
      An easy day to the Little Shark River headed into the seas saw us well up into the river beyond the last nav marker because several sailboats were occupying the more generally used open area inside the mouth of the river. The wind funneling down the river and the severely reversing currents made that a bad decision for us, and the second night was spent much more comfortably at anchor off the coast a mile south of the river’s mouth. The wind was howling right out of the east making the area close in flat calm.
      My chart plotter shows the route I took to be 60 NM to Boot Key Harbor at Marathon from the Little Shark. I stayed just inside the National Park Markers until the jagged coral bottom began to look too close to my 4.5 foot deep keel. Even after going south of the markers (before Oxfoot Bank), I was clearing it by less than a foot. This all may well have had to do with that strong wind blowing the water out of the bay.
      Rich

      Another option if the weather turns on you and you don’t want to push on is behind New Turkey Key ( 25038’52.36″N x 81016’47.50″W) Protected from anything but wind out of the south. Easy to get in and out. There’s a nice beach you can go ashore. There were tent campers there when we passed thru.
      What’s the status of Flamingo? We spent a week there Feb 2008. They were still recovering from storm damage, but it is one of the highlights of the loop for us. We finally left when we started running low on food.
      Mike & Tammy

      My route plan shows 37.5 NM from the mouth of the Little Shark River to North West Cape on Cape Sable, to the N side of the span at the Seven Mile Bridge. You will need to add extra mileage if you don’t go direct from NW Cape to Marathon. If you take the “Yacht Channel route, which is what I suspect Rich did, you wind up almost 20 miles east of Marathon at about Long Key. This is a good strategy if the wind is strong out of the east because you can hug the shore at Cape Sable and then you get somewhat of a lee from the shallow waters of Florida Bay as you run down past First National Bank, Oxfoot Bank and Schooner Bank.
      Randy is exactly right. Lots of wind that day, and I was looking for the most water I could find for my 4.5 foot draft.
      Rich

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For The Little Shark River Outer Anchorage

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For the Little Shark River Southern Fork Anchorage

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For The Little Shark River Upper Anchorage

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For The Rod and Gun Club

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    • Dec 22, 2009by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Anchoring On Little Shark River (north of Cape Sable, and south of Ten Thousand Islands)

      This is one of the first reports we have had here on the Cruisers’ Net (this posting was copied from the AGLCA mail list), about shallow depths on Little Shark River. To be sure, there is some shallow water there, especially if you try to navigate through to (Big) Shark River. However, in the instance below, I’m guessing the anchor in question was dropped fairly close to the river’s southeastern shoreline.
      I’ve always suggested that those who want to anchor near Little Shark’s mouth, drop their hook on the mid-line of the charted cove northwest of #4. This is a great spot. HOWEVER, don’t get your anchor too near this shoreline either. The waters near to shore have a foul bottom.

      When we anchored in Little Shark River, near the southeast shore between G”3″ and R”4″, the anchor was in ~7 feet of water at high tide. Strong SE wind predicted, so we put out plenty of scope. The next morning, when we got ready to leave, the anchor was in ~3 feet of water (low tide) and we draw ~4. Fortunately, that scope and the wind had us in deeper water. The tide didn’t get high enough for us to retrieve the anchor until after mid-day. We decided to re-anchor and enjoy the area for another day. I was used to 1-2 foot tides in the Gulf and didn’t pay attention.
      The point is, don’t rely on charted depths and do check the tide predictions. There is plenty of water in Little Shark River, but not near the southeast bank at low tide.
      Great anchorage!
      Bill

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For The Little Shark River Outer Anchorage

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For the Little Shark River Southern Fork Anchorage

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For The Little Shark River Upper Anchorage

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    • Dec 16, 2009by:   Claiborne Young No Comments

      Little Shark River Outer Anchorage (north of Cape Sable, south of Ten Thousand Islands region)

      I have always recommended anchoring on Little Shark River IF the wind does NOT die. Should you be caught here in calm conditions, the winged pests may pick your boat up and take it to the marsh grass, to devour it there. Otherwise, this is a beautiful, well protected anchorage.
      In the absence of an unusually low tide, which seems to be what Captain RL and Karen are describing below, the entrance to Little Shark River maintains 6 feet at MLW. Once on the rivers’ interior reaches, depths improve for quite some distance upstream.

      Anchored in the Little Shark River on Sunday Dec. 13, 2009. Very buggy but we have a screen enclosed cockpit, stayed in the cockpit all night to view the Geminid Meteor Showers’¦spectacular show. Several dolphins circled our boat all night. No problem entering the river but when we left the next morning it was a very low tide and at one point we did tap the bottom but didn’t have any problems getting out. Our boat draws 5 1/2 ‘˜. A great place to view the wildlife and stars, also no cell phone reception which can be good and bad. A welcome change from the Keys.
      Capt. RL & Karen
      s/v Last Call
      45’ Island Trader, Ketch

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Little Shark River

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    • May 18, 2009by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Dogs and Anchoring on Little Shark River

      Moving north from Cape Sable (the southwesternmost tip of mainland Florida) Little Shark River is the first good anchorage opportunity. Unless the buggies are out (which can REALLY happen if the wind dies), this stream affords many excellent anchorage opportnities.
      HOWEVER, I had never, before reading the message below, considered how hazardous these waters might be to visiting pets. Our fellow cruisers have a real point in the discussion below. Indeed, there are plenty of alligators about!
      This discussion was copied from the MTOA List-Serv.

      Keep a close watch on your dog between Little Shark river and Flamingo if you stop….Gators!
      Gerry

      We always do keep a close watch on her. especially in areas like that. quicktrip to the beach by dinghy and a leash walk on the beach to do her
      business. never runs free
      Jay

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Category That Includes All the Little Shark River and Shark River Anchorages

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    • Apr 24, 2009by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Flamingo Report (near Cape Sable)

      Flamingo is the southernmost port of call on the Western Florida mainland coastline. Prior to the 2005 hurricane season, it was a reasonably good port of call, even if depths crept up to 4 1/2 to 5 feet at low tide. Then, one of the hurricanes (Wilma, I think) washed tons and tons of sand and mud into the harbor and entrance channel. The marina was completely closed for a long time. It finally reopened and the Everglades National Park (of which Flamingo is a part) dredged, but ONLY to about 3 to 31/2 feet at low water in the entrance channel.
      Captains Charlotte and Dennis' report below gives a good picture of what's to be currently found at Flamingo. I do NOT suggest using this port if your draft exceeds 3 1/2 feet! Even then, proceed with the greatest caution!

      Subject: Flamingo News
      Cruising News: We visited Flamingo in March,2009.  The Park said the channel was dredged, but it must have been minimal as we found no difference from the soundings that we took earlier in the entrance – see our entry below.  Basically in the vicinity of the red nun where you turn right, favor the green side.  Inside the marina basin with our 3.5 ft draft we never touched bottom – we did not take soundings there.  The floating docks are in fine shape.  Some do not have electricity.  Fresh water was fine.
      In 2007 we sounded the entrance to Flamingo in canoe with depth sounder  and found that the shallowest area was near floating red mark 14.  If you favor the green (west) side of the channel in this location, the shallowest depth was 3.8 feet corrected for mlw.  We have found similar depths in both 2008 and 2009 (2009 = 4.1 ft corrected for mlw on green side of channel in vicinity of red 14).  The rest of the channel was deeper.  We draw 3.5 ft.  March 2009 the marina at Flamingo said the channel had been dredged but we found it about the same as previous years, although it may be deeper in the actual marina entrance at the end of the channel, where we have always found good water.
      This past March, the old concessionaire – Xanterra – had just left the Park and a new one had just taken over.  The motel, condemned after one of the recent hurricanes, was being torn down and the Ranger's station displayed plans for a new hotel, restaurant, pool, new bicycle paths AND a tram that would take you anywhere in the Park from the Flamingo area!!!!  they did not speak specifically about plans for upgrading the marina but you would assume that would occur.  The existing ranger station and attached restaurant building are historical structures and will continue to be used – although the restaurant is closed.
      The Ranger activities are still in operation as is the general store which sells gas and diesel and light provisions (for a day of fishing and for the campers and RVers who are "pitched" nearby).  Many small flats boats haul in and out.  There is a back country tour boat and a new boat that goes out into the Bay – the old one having been destroyed by a hurricane.
      For Friends of Ivan, the wonderful waiter from the old restaurant, who may be wondering how he is doing –  He left with Xanterra and is now in Death Valley, working in the restaurant.  We do miss him as he lived in Flamingo year round for many  years – an unbelievable achievement in itself.  He was well-loved by those who got to know him.
      We have enjoyed ourselves in the past in Flamingo and anxiously await its refurbishing.  When the hotel facilities reopen, I suspect the place will once again be atwitter with serious bird watchers and other nature lovers.  If you take the time to look, Flamingo and the Park have some wonderful nature – to spy on both on bicycle and a-paddling.
      The winter months are the best for Flamingo.  The spring (now) the park is overwhelmed by mosqitoes (this winter with little rain we did not suffer 1 bite!).  You must walk in full sun and stay off grass this time of year – a real hardship in the hot sun!
      Hope you give Flamingo a try in the future.  You can call them for an update or try the Everglades National Park web site.
      Happy exploring!
      Charlotte Posey

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    • Apr 14, 2009by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Adventure On The Little Shark River and The Wilderness Waterway (south of Marco Island)

      The message below, which was copied by permission from the MTOA List-Serv, is one of the best adventure stories we’ve ever had here on the Cruisers’ Net. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend Ben and Barbar’s cruise to anyone, except small boat operators, but, boy, wish I could have been along!
      Little Shark River is the first practical stopping point for cruising sized craft north of Cape Sable. The river features many wonderful anchorages, and there’s little in the way of depth problems.
      HOWEVER, farther to the east, lies a marked track (which continues from Little Shark River) known as the Wilderness Waterway. This SHALLOW passage was put together by the Everglades National Park, and is meant to facillitate exploration of the Everglades BY BOATS 18 FEET AND SMALLER!
      As you will see, Ben and Barbara did not realize that upstream of markers #69 and #70, they actually left Little Shark River, and southeast of #59, they started getting into some really shallow water. I suspect their 36-foot trawler may be the largest vessel to EVER cruise the Wilderness Wateray.
      So, to be repetitive, enjoy reading about Ben and Barbara’s excellent adventure below, but leave cruising the Wilderness Waterway to small, outboard type powercraft! On the other hand, don’t hesitate to anchor on Little Shark River (WEST of the Wilderness Waterway). If the bugs arent’ out too badly, this stream can make for memorable overnight stops!

      We left Marathon early Monday morning (April 6th) There was a pretty heavy storm forecast for Tuesday and we wanted to get as far up the west coast as possible. We had decided we would go to the Little Shark River (part of the 10,000 Islands of the Everglades). If the weather seemed bad we could duck in there and wait it out. Sooooo, away we went and got to the Little Shark River and sure enough it was beginning to get rough out in the Gulf.
      We started up the river and there were already several other boats anchored within a mile of the mouth. The river was beautiful and we decided we would keep going and see as much of it as we could. We did not have any charts for this area, but the channel markers were well placed and so we just followed them. After several miles the “river” opened up into quite large bodies of water. These were as much as a mile across…again they were well marked. We continued and all the time we were watching our depth finder. Two Cats Too draws 3.5 ft. of water. Several times our depth finder showed 2.5 and even – – – (you know what that means!). However, we were not touching bottom. The water was pretty choppy, so we decided that was the reason we were not “bottoming out”.? After several hours when we got to channel marker “1” (we were one mile from Flamingo)? we ran out of water! Let me add that there were fishermen EVERYWHERE! At this point it was getting late so we found a place to anchor at channel marker “3”. There is a river right at marker “3” and we went up the river a few hundred feet and got a good set on the anchor. Both Ben and I have grown up around the Everglades, but have never seen this part of it. We are used to “rivers of grass” and small hammocks. This was mangrove forest so thick you could only see a few feet into them and they are over 50 ft. tall. There was NO artificial light and the night was the darkest dark I have ever seen. The silence was eerie and the occasional “hoot” and “growl” only added to the mysterious feeling. Several big splashes in the water sure got our attention! The next morning, thinking we were absolutely in the “middle of nowhere”, we were awakened by a large barge full of tourist (out of Flamingo) passing us and all of the people were hanging over the rail looking at the “funny creatures” on the yellow boat! We back tracked, several miles and it took a few hours, to get to the mouth of the river and spent the night.
      We did [eventually, in Marco Island] find out you are supposed to get a permit to stay overnight in the Everglades. We did not know this, so we did “register” with the ranger by telephone. In talking with the ranger he said they really recommend that only boats 18 ft. or less do the inner islands of 10,000 Islands. Some of the time we had cell service, but most of the time we did not. When we were near Flamingo we did, but away from Flamingo we did not. Are we glad we did the Little Shark River…YES! Would we do it again…NO! Much too shallow for a trawler. We were very lucky we did not end up “high and dry”! Anyway, the first few miles are fine and are really the prettiest part of the river.
      Ben and Barbara Falmlen
      Two Cats Too


      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Geographic Sub-category That Shows All Little Shark River Anchorages

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    • Feb 20, 2009by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Little Shark River (Southwestern Florida, south of Ten Thousand Islands)

      Little Shark River is, without a doubt, the best anchorage south of Indian Key on the Western Florida (mainland) coastline. These waters are the subject of frequent postings here on the Net’s “Western Florida” section. Captain Norm’s description below truly conveys the isolate feeling of the more upstream anchorages on the Little Shark.

      Spent three days anchored in Little Shark River in Everglades National Park with Bob and Stephanie aboard September Song and Rick and Lynnie aboard Rickshaw. Very remote area – it’s just us, the birds, the mangroves, and the river running about 4 knots. (No kayaking in that current.) Spectacular stars. We anchored upriver a bit away from where other boats typically anchor. It was remote enough to give us a tiny feel of unease. We saw the occasional fishing boat and a herd of teenage Outward Bound canoeists who were on the 14th day of a 20 day journey. Yikes! Bob and Stephanie led us on a dingy expedition. We explored some of the inner-reaches of the rivers and streams in this Everglades paradise. Did not see any alligators, but did see tons of birds.
      Norm decided to try his luck fishing. He caught several small catfish with the squid from the freezer. (It’s there for bait – we don’t actually dine on squid.) He was trying to hook mangrove snapper, or river trout, or the little black shark that sister Joyce and Steve used to catch here. Released the catfish. Decided to try a different bait. Tried meatballs and pepperoni, but either the fish are vegetarian or they don’t like Italian food.
      Norm Naughton
      Aboard M/V Tide Hiker


      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Sub-category That Shows All Little Shark River Anchroages

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    • Sep 16, 2008by:   Curtis Hoff No Comments

      Little Shark River (Southwestern Florida) Florida Cruising Advice Needed

      Below you will find a series of messages about the Little Shark River. This very interesting, but sometimes very buggy anchorage lies well south of Everglades City, and a short hop north of Cape Sable. It is one of the most backwater cruising possibilities in all of Florida. Just don't try anchoring here on a still, summer night. The little guys will come out, pick your boat up, and consume it in the nearby marsh!

      Will be cruising from Marathon up to Little Shark and hope to see some real Everglades wildlife and do some exploring.
      How far in from the river entrance does one have to go to get the Everglades experience.?
      Will be in our 43 ft Hatteras DC.
      Thanks for any info.

      You can go up five or six miles, we have a five foot draft boat. There is plenty water, but anchor in the middle to allow the tide.
      Danny and Kris Fletcher
      Nordhavn 46

      We've had our former Sanderling into the Little Shark River 8 miles. Definitely into the Everglades, but it wasn't what we expected it would be, however, it was fascinating, nonetheless!
      For the money, the best overall experience came at Flamingo, Florida, where we took a 2 hour tour on a pontoon boat into the same Everglades. Saw a different aspect of the Everglades than we saw on the Little Shark River – much more like what we had expected.
      Keep in mind, different land areas of the Everglades are at different elevations and therefore have totally different flora and fauna. Even a foot of elevation difference can change things quite dramatically.
      Bob McLeran and Judy Young

      Email Claiborne to respond to this posting

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