Tides on the Florida west coast are about 2 feet. I was very happy to only have
a 3 foot draft when we went through there. Most of the primary channels are 6+
feet, the secondary channels are often 4 feet or less. There are large areas,
like Pine Island Sound, which includes the resort islands of Captiva and
Sanibel, where a 6 foot draft would only work in the primary channel, and you'd
probably take bottom a few times trying to get into the marinas.

This holds true south through the Keys. The Florida Bay side of the Keys is
largely 5 feet in the channel. Its also crystal clear, so you have the illusion
of gliding a few inches above the bottom.



"Donal" wrote in message
...

"katysails" wrote in message
...
felton asked: How shallow a draft do you need?
They're saying no more than 4 ft...and that's getting "iffy".....the
municipal marina is only 5 ft and the mooring fields at low tide are at
4-5....

What is the tidal range?



Regards


Donal
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