Great Harbour Trawlers
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      • California Humpbacks Perform Rare 'Triple Breach' (Video)
      • Betrayal in Georgia? Anchoring Rules Appear Worse Than Ever
      • Ga. Wreck Removal Delayed Again: Anchor SNAFU
      • Chesapeake's Tangier Island: Enjoy it While You Can
      • Robert Peek, Beloved Deep Creek Lockmaster, Has Died
      • U.S. Agency Warns of GPS Interference
      • Rudy and Jill's ICW Tips
      • A TT35 Day at the Sausage Factory
      • Cat or Monohull Sailboat Versus a Trawler (Images, Long)
      • Loopers Warned To Linger Post-Sally
      • Coast Guard Shallow Draft Navigation Survey
      • Forget Lithium for a Moment: Why Old-Fashioned Batteries Explode
      • Tracking Hurricane Laura Live (Streaming Video)
      • The Downsides of Cruising (Comprehensive)
      • Circumnavigator Who Eschewed Instruments Dies at 104
      • Maritime Liens: Don't Let Your Boat Get 'Arrested'
      • Gulf Stream Is Slowing Down
      • Attention Cruisers, Perseids Meteor Shower Peaks Next Week
      • Ladies Publish Great Loop Tell-All
      • New NOAA Model Forecasts Another Sahara Dust Cloud Arriving This Week (Animation)
      • TT35 Demonstrations Set for Next Week
      • Prep for a Busy Hurricane Season
      • It's a Marina! It's a Mooring! No, It's a French Design (Video)
      • Giant Floating Chain Saw To Rip Up Wrecked Car Carrier off ICW
      • Lock Sked Final: Great Loop Doable, But...
      • Georgia Caves, Defangs Draconian Anchoring Law
      • Heads Up, Boaters: Here Comes the Red Dust from Africa
      • Bahamas Changes It's Mind: Keeps Covid Test Requirement
      • Insurance? Tell All or Risk Claim Denial
      • Gulf 'Dead Zone' Bigger Than Connecticut
      • GPS Spoofing Mystery: AIS Crop Circles & Ghost Ships
      • Yanmar To Install Fuel Cell Propulsion in Boats
      • Bahamas To Boaters: Welcome Back, Wear a Mask
      • Covid Concerns Fuel Coast Guard Retention Drive
      • Birthday Gift for Her 70th, a TT35
      • Above Average Hurricane Season Forecast
      • Foreign Boaters Get Some Relief as Restrictions Eased
      • Catalina Island Reopened for Arriving Boats
      • When a Boat Isn't: Supreme Court Decides
      • Coast Guard Adopting 'i911' for Your Location
      • Makeover: Storm Early Warning System Explained (Video)
      • The Reality of Quarantine in Paradise
      • 92-Footer Sinks Off California
      • New York to Loopers: You May Be Out of Luck
      • Badass Origins of Boating Law
      • Can Cannabis Save Florida Waterways?
      • Tale of a Terrible Boat
      • Boating and Social Distancing (Video)
      • Powering Through a Mexican Gale
      • Bahamas Says Stay Away, Get Out
      • Composting Heads Are a Good Option
      • TT35 Ad Campaign: The Un-Tug
      • Coronavirus Song: 'Drone Shot of My Yacht'
      • Smuggler's Run: Florida's Own 'Mini-Loop'
      • Virtual Tours of Old Ironsides
      • BoatUS to Gulfport, Don't Break Law
      • Luperon's Swimming Robber or Maybe Not
      • Georgia Begins Undoing Anchoring Ban
      • Gulfport Joins the War Against Cruisers
      • Video on D.R. Consulting Gig
      • Reward Increased in Hunt for Dolphin Killer
      • Our Favorite Fugitive Arrives in Mexico
      • Humungous Crane To Slice Up Wrecked Car Carrier
      • Avoid Getting Screwed by Georgia; Just Go Around
      • Radar Detects 'Fowl' Weather in Keys
      • Old Abe the Naval Architect
      • $20,000 Reward in Dolphin Killings
      • Great Lakes Search for Sunken Planes
      • Great Harbour Advises D.R. Boatbuilder
      • Despite Sewage Apocalypse, Mayor Blames Boaters
      • Loopers Will Need NY Certificates
      • Dorian Dog Story 'Spiked'
      • $209,000 for 61-Foot Hatteras MY
      • Refloating Effort Progress
      • Free Bahamas Cruising Guide
      • New Florida Anchoring Bans
      • Propane Fire
      • Psychedelic Fibers Advance Knot Theory (Video)
      • Wanted on the Waterways 1/4/2020
    • Ken Fickett's Blogs
    • Cruising in the Time of Covid: Think Outside The Loop
  • Owners
    • Moving Aboard
    • The Odyssey Begins
    • The Search For Adventure
  • Home
  • About
    • A Family Affair >
      • Ken Fickett
      • Becky Fickett
      • Travis Fickett
      • Jessica Fickett
    • Mirage Manufacturing
    • Factory Support
    • Careers
    • Contact
  • Boats
    • TT35 >
      • TT35 Specifications
      • TT35 Key Features
      • TT35 Design Discussions
      • Towing Resources
      • PRESS
    • N37 >
      • N37 Specifications and Layout
      • N37 Photo Gallery
      • N37 Brochure
    • GH37 >
      • GH37 Specifications and Layout
      • GH37 Photo Gallery
      • GH37 Brochure
    • N47 >
      • N47 Specifications and Layout
      • N47 Photo Gallery
      • N47 Brochure
    • GH47 >
      • GH47 Specifications and Layout
      • GH47 Photo Gallery
      • GH47 Brochure
    • GH74
  • Great Design
    • Trawler Truths >
      • Trawler Truth 1
      • Trawler Truth 2
      • Trawler Truth 3
      • Trawler Truth 4
      • Trawler Truth 5
      • Trawler Truth 6
      • Trawler Truth 7
    • Design Discussions >
      • Twins vs Single
      • Shoal vs deep draft
      • Stability vs Ballast
      • Fishtail Rudders
      • Space Age Core
      • Core Materials
      • Unsinkability
    • Economy
    • Our Naval Architect
  • Construction
    • Lamination
    • Interior
    • Rigging
  • Trawler Times
    • News >
      • California Humpbacks Perform Rare 'Triple Breach' (Video)
      • Betrayal in Georgia? Anchoring Rules Appear Worse Than Ever
      • Ga. Wreck Removal Delayed Again: Anchor SNAFU
      • Chesapeake's Tangier Island: Enjoy it While You Can
      • Robert Peek, Beloved Deep Creek Lockmaster, Has Died
      • U.S. Agency Warns of GPS Interference
      • Rudy and Jill's ICW Tips
      • A TT35 Day at the Sausage Factory
      • Cat or Monohull Sailboat Versus a Trawler (Images, Long)
      • Loopers Warned To Linger Post-Sally
      • Coast Guard Shallow Draft Navigation Survey
      • Forget Lithium for a Moment: Why Old-Fashioned Batteries Explode
      • Tracking Hurricane Laura Live (Streaming Video)
      • The Downsides of Cruising (Comprehensive)
      • Circumnavigator Who Eschewed Instruments Dies at 104
      • Maritime Liens: Don't Let Your Boat Get 'Arrested'
      • Gulf Stream Is Slowing Down
      • Attention Cruisers, Perseids Meteor Shower Peaks Next Week
      • Ladies Publish Great Loop Tell-All
      • New NOAA Model Forecasts Another Sahara Dust Cloud Arriving This Week (Animation)
      • TT35 Demonstrations Set for Next Week
      • Prep for a Busy Hurricane Season
      • It's a Marina! It's a Mooring! No, It's a French Design (Video)
      • Giant Floating Chain Saw To Rip Up Wrecked Car Carrier off ICW
      • Lock Sked Final: Great Loop Doable, But...
      • Georgia Caves, Defangs Draconian Anchoring Law
      • Heads Up, Boaters: Here Comes the Red Dust from Africa
      • Bahamas Changes It's Mind: Keeps Covid Test Requirement
      • Insurance? Tell All or Risk Claim Denial
      • Gulf 'Dead Zone' Bigger Than Connecticut
      • GPS Spoofing Mystery: AIS Crop Circles & Ghost Ships
      • Yanmar To Install Fuel Cell Propulsion in Boats
      • Bahamas To Boaters: Welcome Back, Wear a Mask
      • Covid Concerns Fuel Coast Guard Retention Drive
      • Birthday Gift for Her 70th, a TT35
      • Above Average Hurricane Season Forecast
      • Foreign Boaters Get Some Relief as Restrictions Eased
      • Catalina Island Reopened for Arriving Boats
      • When a Boat Isn't: Supreme Court Decides
      • Coast Guard Adopting 'i911' for Your Location
      • Makeover: Storm Early Warning System Explained (Video)
      • The Reality of Quarantine in Paradise
      • 92-Footer Sinks Off California
      • New York to Loopers: You May Be Out of Luck
      • Badass Origins of Boating Law
      • Can Cannabis Save Florida Waterways?
      • Tale of a Terrible Boat
      • Boating and Social Distancing (Video)
      • Powering Through a Mexican Gale
      • Bahamas Says Stay Away, Get Out
      • Composting Heads Are a Good Option
      • TT35 Ad Campaign: The Un-Tug
      • Coronavirus Song: 'Drone Shot of My Yacht'
      • Smuggler's Run: Florida's Own 'Mini-Loop'
      • Virtual Tours of Old Ironsides
      • BoatUS to Gulfport, Don't Break Law
      • Luperon's Swimming Robber or Maybe Not
      • Georgia Begins Undoing Anchoring Ban
      • Gulfport Joins the War Against Cruisers
      • Video on D.R. Consulting Gig
      • Reward Increased in Hunt for Dolphin Killer
      • Our Favorite Fugitive Arrives in Mexico
      • Humungous Crane To Slice Up Wrecked Car Carrier
      • Avoid Getting Screwed by Georgia; Just Go Around
      • Radar Detects 'Fowl' Weather in Keys
      • Old Abe the Naval Architect
      • $20,000 Reward in Dolphin Killings
      • Great Lakes Search for Sunken Planes
      • Great Harbour Advises D.R. Boatbuilder
      • Despite Sewage Apocalypse, Mayor Blames Boaters
      • Loopers Will Need NY Certificates
      • Dorian Dog Story 'Spiked'
      • $209,000 for 61-Foot Hatteras MY
      • Refloating Effort Progress
      • Free Bahamas Cruising Guide
      • New Florida Anchoring Bans
      • Propane Fire
      • Psychedelic Fibers Advance Knot Theory (Video)
      • Wanted on the Waterways 1/4/2020
    • Ken Fickett's Blogs
    • Cruising in the Time of Covid: Think Outside The Loop
  • Owners
    • Moving Aboard
    • The Odyssey Begins
    • The Search For Adventure
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An Ode to Old (and New) Florida

By KEN FICKETT
For more than 200 years the southern tip of Florida has been a hangout for pirates, smugglers and thieves. Still considered the most porous border in the U.S., mile for mile more illegal drugs pass through southern Florida than any other border area. But you don’t have to be a drug runner to enjoy the scene. Cruisers have discovered the last bastion of frontier in the swamps, groves, islands (and high-rises) of the “Florida Mini-Loop.”

Looping around South Florida was not possible until the Okeechobee Waterway (OWW) was created in 1937, cutting a route through the center of the state. This project connected Lake Okeechobee (the second largest lake contained wholly in the U.S.) to both coasts by channelizing the St. Lucie River on the east and the Caloosahatchee River on the west and adding five locks and dams, maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. This 117-mile route opened a more efficient shipping route, allowing product to be moved across the state without ships going all the way around the Florida Keys.
 
With water as clear as gin, dawdling can become a habit in and around Hawk Channel, the outside route through the Florida Keys. 
​

For the recreational mariner looking to start the Florida Mini-Loop, entering the OWW is straightforward from the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) in Stuart, Florida. After two easy lock passages, you enter Lake Okeechobee. Crossing the lake is easy in decent weather and even if the weather isn’t perfect it’s not terribly difficult. Spend the night at Roland Martin’s Marina on the southwest edge of the lake in Clewiston. If the Tiki Bar at Roland’s doesn’t suit your style for dinner, head to the Clewiston Inn. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, this classical revival–style inn built in 1938 will take you back to the days of the Sugar Barons.

And if Roland’s is full, press on a few miles farther through the first lock on the Caloosahatchee to Moore Haven (population 1,680), where you can tie up at the Moore Haven City Docks.

After winding through fragrant orange groves and miles of sugar cane fields, the OWW ends in Fort Myers. You can’t beat the facilities at the Fort Myers Yacht Basin—or its location. This municipal marina is adjacent to Centennial Park and a short walk the historic downtown River District with dozens of great restaurants and plenty of history. Fort Myers was once the winter playground for Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone. Back then the billionaires camped out together and worked together to solve America’s problems.
 
Located near Florida’s southern tip, Everglades City is the gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands.

Paying attention to the weather, head south along the Gulf beaches of Fort Myers and Naples. Your next adventure should be Everglades City. Once a hotbed of drug smuggling, in 1983 nearly half the population of this tiny city went to jail as part a huge federal drug bust. The Rod and Gun Club has nearly one-eighth mile of side-tie in a very protected dockage. The old hotel and restaurant have seen better days, but it is worth the visit to the wood-paneled lobby with its vintage hunting lodge atmosphere just to step back in time. Skip the Rod and Gun club for dinner, though, and instead try the stone crabs and smoked mullet dip at the waterside City Seafood. The beer is plenty cold.

Heading south at displacement speeds your next stop is Shark River. You are in the heart of darkness as far as South Florida goes. With an easy entrance and great holding, this protected anchorage has superior fishing. Hang out awhile and then head south to Key West.

The southern terminus of U.S. Route 1, Key West is literally the end of the road for land travelers. But it’s only the midpoint of your Florida Mini-Loop adventure. Key West has good anchorages and tons of dockage. At the very least rent a bicycle and tour the town that Ernest Hemingway declared second only to Havana. Key West has a higher density of great restaurants than any other place I know in the U.S., and I suggest you hit El Siboney for great Cuban food.
 
The Florida Mini-Loop is replete with cozy marinas and anchorages along the way—perfect for aspiring loopers looking to hone their skills.
​

To head north along the Keys, you can either take the “inside” route through Florida Bay or navigate Hawk Channel on the ocean side, depending on the weather. In strong northers the “outside” (ocean side) route can be a better deal at times as it keeps you on the lee side of the islands. My preference is to be inside from Bahia Honda Key to points north to hit my favorite watering holes like the Zane Grey Lounge above World Wide Sportsman in Islamorada; the Caribbean Club, where Humphrey Bogart filmed Key Largo; and Alabama Jack’s, a dinghy ride from your anchorage in Card Sound.

With the skyline of Miami on the horizon, Biscayne Bay is a beautiful place to spend some time between the wilderness of Elliot Key and the beat of Coconut Grove, Calle Ocho and the Miami Waterfront. Here you’ll find more highlights of smuggling history. A dinghy trip up the Miami River takes you to where a barge loaded with 10 tons of marijuana traveled undetected in broad daylight. To top that, a Cuban gun boat with defecting navy crew—and 50-caliber machine guns mounted on deck—once parked unnoticed in the Miami River for five days. Everybody thought it was part of a movie set.

The last stretch north can be a trudge through the bigger cities (Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach), but still interesting. Tying the knot back in Stuart completes the loop. It’s the only opportunity to be on the ICW for several hundred miles and end up where you started, never backtracking or covering the same ground twice.

Today smuggling still goes on with everything from cocaine, cigars, rum and orchids being brought in. Timeless on one hand, ever-changing on the other. Welcome to South Florida. 
 
 

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GALLERY WITH MORE LOOP PHOTOS
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©Mirage Manufacturing, 2015
3001 NE 20th Way, Gainesville, FL 32609, Phone: 352.377.4146,  sales@greatharbourtrawlers.com