I'm looking for waterways that are navigable between daytona beach and pensacola?

Question

where can i find printable charts for the trip

Answer 1

Blue water charts, West marine has charts that's quite a trip. Across the Okeechobee water way ? Inter-coastal water way to Port St Lucie south fork to Okeechobee water way.to the west coast then straight up to Pensacola.

Answer 2

Charts are at west marine, or, of course use a GPS with a charts program installed. Either way youll want to be sure you have the most recent chart for each area, to cross refference with your GPS, Chart plotter findings. It's not that big of a deal, realy, Ive made the trip twice. Just note if things are looking funky at the inlets. Shoaling occurs, and things can change quickly. I like to sit back, and wait for a local boater to go into the inlet before I follow. This is at the inlets from the gulf or ocean into the intercoastal. Otherwise, its no biggie.
If youve never been through locks before. You should study up on the process of going into them. If you do a search on the okechobee waterway, you'll find more info. Lots of good links etc.
Youve got a bunch of locks that you have to go through with your boat to get across. Some are subject to mainainance and closures.
Check with the Army corp of engineeres website.
http://www.usace.army.mil/public.html
They run and maintain all the waterways and locks that take you through lake Okeechobee etc, etc. It lists closures, schedules, marine chanels for communication with the lock masters, etc. Its helpful!!!
I'd buy a couple of chart books for east and west coast of fla. West Marine. BUT, insist on getting the most up to date version. See name of chart maker, then contact them to be sure that the one your looking at is the latest version if the date doesnt look to recent.
Basicly, If you buy two chart books availible at west marine, One for the east coast of FLA, and the other for the west, ...you'll have all the charts.
I like also using a recent version of a cruising guide for those areas. Its worth the extra couple of bucks, if its a recent one. It will give you all the inside info, on problem areas, good places to stop. Costs of different marinas, etc, etc.
Good Luck. Its a fun trip!!! OH BY THE WAY! Be careful of creating a wake in the middle of the canals in the middle of the state, when it seems like theres no reason not to haul ***. If you see guys fishing in any little side canals or what have ya. I know of several guys who have been shot at, by REd-neck fisherman who dont like you rippin thru scaring thier fish. Just keep an eye out. If you see a guy fishing, slow down, and give him some room. Ture story.

Answer 3

try nobeltec navigation suite,interfaced with the gps,works great especially if running at night.icw to port st.lucie across lake to west coast then north.always have paper as backup.