Rim Route Versus Direct Route Across Lake Okeechobee
This AGLCA Forum report documents the Beach’s careful planning for a rim route versus direct route crossing of Lake Okeechobee. For their decision and description of their crossing, go to /?p=147301.
So the captain would like to take the rim route to cross the lake. The lock tenders say it is not recommended. The other boaters here at Roland Martin’s, who have not made the trip, say it is a bad idea. They claim that
everyone they know who has done it says it is loaded with debris, tree limbs, old refrigerators, and such. The captain is not buying the horror stories but the admiral won’t go since “everyone” says it is a bad idea.
Would love for some “experienced” boater feedback. Today’s water depth was 6.88′; we draw 4′.
Jeanne & Kenny Beach
Daybreak
Comments from Cruisers (3)
Did the rim route last April in a 44′ Trawler with 4′ draft. Had no problems.
Don’t believe the stories you hear. We have crossed several times by both routes. The rim route shallow spot is between 4 and 4B just south of Port Mayaca lock. But you can exit the rim route around red 54, and head direct to green 5 on the lake route and avoid the shallows. This way, the rim route is actually slightly deeper than the lake route.
There are two down sides to the rim route. It is about ten miles farther, and the Torry Island swing bridge is manually operated, and the operator will not begin opening until he sees the boat waiting.
It’s been 6 or 7 years since we traveled the rim route and we heard the same stories about hurricanes pushing debris into the channel. Went anyway. Draw 3 feet and never saw less that 10 feet on the depth gage. Never saw any debris.