Fort Myers Beach to Tampa Bay

[Pammy]

Anyone ever do this in a pontoon? We have done Ft Myers (not Ft Myers beach) to Tampa Bay, but in my research, I see that it is a bit confusing coming through San Carlos Bay. I have a good chart and I am studying it diligently before we go....but gaahhh!
I am guessing about 8 to 10 hours if we do the Intracoastal the whole way. We are taking 15 extra gallons of fuel, in addition to the 24 gallons in the fuel tank, so I am sure we will have to stop and refuel at least once.
Any advice or tales from others that have made this trip would be appreciated.

[Bamaman]

Pammy:

Anytime you buy a new boat, just about every dealer will allow you to use one of their trailers for delivery as long as it's returned promptly without damage. They'll also deliver the boat to you for much less than fuel that you'll burn on the intercoastal.

If you're having negative thoughts or questions about making the run north, just have it delivered.

Even though my new Bennington is kept hanging in a boathouse, I did buy a new trailer. We intend to take our boat to different lakes, and intend to do some 200 mile river cruises. Since our last pontoon didn't have a trailer, we missed out on some great recreational boating. A new trailer is well worth the $2K-2.5K they cost when you have so many great places to visit.

[GregF]

Which part of San Carlos Bay is throwing you?

Run the intercoastal out Matanzas pass, Shoot pretty much straight west to the Sanibel coast and go under the last bridge. Then you will be in the ICW that takes you up north.

[Pammy]

We will get a trailer. Wes will just have to research it to death.ha ha we surely will need one for hurricane emergencies.

We are excited about the trip, really. Just heard about the "terrible/miserable(?) mile" around the San Carlos Bay Area and it caused a bit of concern. Also the time is a question to us as we have never made a trip like this in a pontoon boat.
I think it will be great. I take the longer trips on my motorcycle when I can and always find it to be much better than traveling by car. So the boat should be like an RV on the water. I'm amped!

Greg, by the charts I have, it looks like you can go from east to (north) west across the bay once you clear the pass but it doesn't say how high the long bridge is on the west side. I would hate to get there and find we couldn't make it under.
It looks like that is where you live, so you would clearly have ultimate knowledge of the area.
I appreciate all advise and tips.

[BobG]

it doesn't say how high the long bridge is on the west side. I would hate to get there and find we couldn't make it under.

Aw, c'mon. Just disconnect the biminis and lay them down, and crouch down, and you can get a pontoon under a four foot high bridge!!!

[tuned]

Just disconnect the biminis and lay them down, and crouch down, and you can get a pontoon under a four foot high bridge!!!

I tried that with my wheelhouse once but the plywood just wouldn't budge.
We managed to squeek under one particular rail bridge by having my crew 'press the bow down' so the boat was a bit more level. Basically walked it thru with hands on bridge. I was just praying that the water didn't rise before my return trip.

[tms0425]

That sounds like a fun trip. That bridge height should be no problem, I think 50-60'+

The "miserable mile" isn't too bad with chart, gps, depthfinder, and a little patience. We've done it in a 40' houseboat with a flat bottom, coming out of the river. The biggest problem there was really big wakes from a couple go-fasts and such.

[GregF]

Like Tom says, that bridge is no problem. If you shoot straight west from Matanzas pass you won't be anywhere near the miserable mile. It is a straight shot and you can run 25 MPH all the way.
If it is a nice day you can even keep going out the pass and run the outside but it is farther that way because you have to run the outside radius of Sanibel.

The inside is not a bad ride. I haven't really run much farther than Boca Grande Pass tho.

[BobG]

...Matanzas pass...out the pass...Boca Grande Pass...

Bizarre! You have passes in the water???

[Ron Burgundy]

...Matanzas pass...out the pass...Boca Grande Pass...

Bizarre! You have passes in the water???

Yep, lots of them.

[Pammy]

Sounds like they will be launching the boat at the Punta Rassa boat ramp so that will put us out past the bridge. Now if we can get them to drop us on the Sanibel side of the bridge that would be better....
I think it will be a great trip. We are anxious. We are having bunks made (for the v toon bottom) for the boat lift and the lift company is dragging their feet. We have been let down and the lift won't be complete this weekend.
We have to alter our plans. Supposedly the bunks will be on Monday or Tuesday.. Wes doesn't want to leave the boat in the water for at least 2 nights so we will wait another week. Sigh....
You guys have been great. We will be sure to let you know the particulars of the trip. Time, gas consumption, awesomeness, etc...
The weather channel says that a week from this Saturday may be a great weather day.

[GregF]

Punta Rassa is the north side of the Sanibel bridge but if it is not dead low tide you should still be able to shoot pretty much straight West and pick up the ICW around #5.

You want to be running south of Pine Island, the big land mass you see North West of the ramp. Sanibel will be off to the West. You are going through the gap. Once you pick up the ICW it is just "follow the yellow brick road". If it is busy, follow the other boats. That is a fairly well beaten path.

If you are not in a huge hurry. Cabbage Key is a great place for lunch. It is past the end of Captiva, around #58 as I recall.

[GregF]

...Matanzas pass...out the pass...Boca Grande Pass...

Bizarre! You have passes in the water???

A pass is the gap between 2 barrier islands between the back bay and the ocean or gulf

[Pammy]

I felt more at ease when I found out they would be off loading us North of the bridge. Maybe we can talk them into taking us across the bridge to Sanibel.
We have been from that point home a few times. Someone was just warning us about the Miserable Mile and I was concerned...mostly because of the time it would eat up and of course if Wes scratched a toon right out of the box....well it might set a bad tone for the rest of the very long trip. Ha ha
I wish we could do it this weekend. Next weekend is supposed to be nicer, rain wise, anyway. We are taking so much stuff with us, I told Wes we might have to tow a dingy just to hold all of our crap.
If anyone sees a blue Manitou that looks like its about to sink...it will most likely be us.

[GregF]

You will have an extra $3 an axle for the bridge toll ($6 for a car, extra for a trailer) and you will end up south of the bridge if you go to Sanibel but that bridge is not really a problem. It will dump you right on the ICW. The ramps are next to the bridge, on both ends (Punta Rassa on one end or Sanibel on the other). You are over thinking this. It is not going to be a problem either way. The bridges are high and the water is plenty deep enough for a pontoon just about anywhere there if you are not hugging the causeway coastline.
You would have to go out of your way to get to the miserable mile.
Low tide on the 6th will be about lunch time at Punta Rassa.
I assume you will be long gone by then.