OMG! We haven't been through here since 2005 - and, we never intend to be here ever again. The ICW from Stuart to WPB was absolutely insane with so many boats and crazy drivers. Of course it was a holiday weekend and the boaters were out in big numbers.
There are 8 opening bridges to pass through between Stuart and WPB and most of them are timed so that you should pass through each of them at 30 minute intervals, assuming you can make the expected speed while dodging the crazies.
Here's a typical southern Florida boater passing by in the narrow channel. Not only do they exhibit no common sense boating skills, they also don't display any common sense political views.
8 white knuckled hours later we are passing through our last bridge. Only a short passage now to the anchorage area in Lake Worth.
Of course as we were approaching this last bridge the engine started sputtering and losing RPMs. I checked and, yes our fuel filter suction gauge was in the yellow, approaching the red, needing to be changed. We were able to limp through the bridge and proceed on at a reduced speed.
Still a steady stream of boats passing each way but a bit more settled as we exit the constricted canal waters into Lake Worth. The engine is running ok at 2000 rpm.
We entered the lake and pulled over and anchored and changed the fuel filter. Only a 15 min job but you need room to pull over into a safe area to anchor without any crazies. Filter changed - we thought of staying put for the night but there were too many boats rocking us with huge wakes. Need to push to a more protected area.
Well, we're not in Kansas anymore, or the Chesapeake for that matter. A different scale of yachts here in West Palm Beach.
Another "typical" sailing yacht passing by our anchorage spot. They anchored just down from us but never invited us over for cocktails.
And then, the other side of the southern Florida boating community. And boaters wonder why Florida home owners are concerned about boats anchoring permanently in front of their million dollar homes.
We moved on from this guy and found a spot to anchor close to the inlet where no speed boats were racing by.
