Ft Meyers Beach Info Needed

Richard Hill · Post by **Richard Hill** » Jun 29th, '02, 15:02

Does anyone here know the waters around Ft Meyers Beach well? I'm specifically interested in knowing if it's feasible to operate a 4'8" draft sailboat out of the south end of the island and use Big Carlos pass. It doesn't look feasible to me, but some local folks say "no problem". What's the real skinny? Thanks for the help.

captrahill@comcast.net

John R. · Post by **John R.** » Jun 29th, '02, 21:27

The pass is supposed to be about 11 feet but I know it has shifting shoals inside and outside the pass. It shallows to about 5 feet give or take some as you enter the Gulf just past Lovers Key, it may even be shoaled shallower than that. I would never venture that pass with any kind of keel depth pressing over 3.5' under me and I live here. I would only use Matanzas pass at the north end of the island (Estero Island aka Ft. Myers beach). Big Carlos Pass also has some mildly strong current at times. I don't know who has been telling you "no problem" but I've been living here 22 years now and I don't know anybody with a sailboat with any significant keel that would use that risky pass rather than any easy pass like Matanzas. Don't overlook that there are also submerged piles outside that pass. Be smart and safe, use Matanzas.

Any other questions just call U.S. Coast Guard Ft. Myers Beach at:
239/463-5754.

Richard Hill wrote: Does anyone here know the waters around Ft Meyers Beach well? I'm specifically interested in knowing if it's feasible to operate a 4'8" draft sailboat out of the south end of the island and use Big Carlos pass. It doesn't look feasible to me, but some local folks say "no problem". What's the real skinny? Thanks for the help.