As we cruise out of the anchorage in the AM we get a good look at some of the boats anchored. It’s a great wide open anchorage but many of the boats taking up space appear to be derelict rather than actively transiting the ICW.
Having traversed the Okeechobee Waterway a few times, I should have checked the water height of Lake O before even starting down the Saint Lucie River. I figured that Hurricane Eta dumped so much rain on the watershed that dumps into Lake O … it would not an issue. I do a quick check of the USACE website and it is 16+ feet. The highest I have ever seen it.
The ICW is a federal waterway so there is lots of debate about weather “No Wake” signs are enforceable. Either way… “Do unto others as you would have done unto you”. I find it rude when I’m in an anchorage and a passing boat does not slow to reduce their wake and items in my salon go-a flying. You will always find a few ICW boaters who turn off their AIS boat name broadcasting as well as mount their dinghy so nobody and read their boat name. After feeling anonymous they blast through “No Wake” areas. You always hear someone from the anchorage attempt to hail them on VHF CH#16 but they never answer. They don’t answer because they know nobody is going to have anything nice to say to them.
As I pass this marina that is full of Fleming Yachts.
I just did a quick search of Fleming dealers and low and behold… There is a Burr Yacht Sales Fleming Dealer in Stuart, FL.
I do understand why they have resorted to placing this sign out front of their dealership.
There are many beautiful homes and properties in this area. I’m digging the oversized stork lawn art.
Very quickly you are passing beneath the route 95 bridges that us northerners cross over on our drive to southern Florida.
American Custom Yachts has many beautiful custom yachts and a protected boathouse.
We arrive at the first lock going west on the Okeechobee Waterway. It’s the Saint Lucie Lock with a 14′ drop.
Soon a sailboat passes us and I think the captain and crew look really relaxed as they pass.
Then after it passes I notice that TowBoatUS has them on a hip tow.
At this point my track looks something like this as we approach Lake O
The weather is beautiful
After crossing Lake O and arriving in Clewiston we must go north around the rim channel to Moore Haven. The natural landscape and birds are something to see in this area.
There are many construction vehicles on the dike. It appears as if they are increasing the height of the dike.
Leg #18 of Winter 04 looked something like this…
MV Simple Life 