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Franklin Lock West

Location: Okeechobee Waterway
Mile Marker: Okeechobee Mile 121.5
Lat / Lon: N 26° 43.432' / W 081° 41.733'
Depth: 5-10 Feet
Description:
NOTE: Per Florida Statute 327.4109

The owner or operator of a vessel or floating structure may not anchor or moor such that the nearest approach of the anchored or moored vessel or floating structure is:
1. Within 150 feet of any marina, boat ramp, boatyard, or other vessel launching or loading facility;
2. Within 300 feet of a superyacht repair facility. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "superyacht repair facility" means a facility that services or repairs a yacht with a water line of 120 feet or more in length; or
3. Within 100 feet outward from the marked boundary of a public mooring field or a lesser distance if approved by the commission upon request of a local government within which the mooring field is located. The commission may adopt rules to implement this subparagraph.

4.20

(5)

4.20 out of 5 stars

Holding:

4.40

Good, Mud

Wind Protection:

4.00

All Around

Current Flow:

5.00

Wake Protection:

4.40

All Around

Scenic Beauty:

3.60

Ease of Shopping:

1.00

Shore Access:

4.00

Pet Friendly:

3.50

Cell Service:

4.40

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Franklin Lock West

Reviewed by: Donna Gambino, Blue Moon, on Apr 21, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 3.5'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

3

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

1

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

3

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

We tried anchoring but saw it drag as we backed down on it (twice). I'm sure it would have been fine since the winds were light but the lock tender said we could use the dolphins (piles) if we wanted. So we got out some lines and tied bow/stern to the dolphins which worked great. They are about 70 feet apart. Nice park location. No swimming (we saw a big alligator swim by!)

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Review for Franklin Lock West

Reviewed by: Capt Maria Langer, Do It Now, on Feb 4, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 32'
Draft: 2.5'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

4

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

3

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

4

Cell Service:

4

After a 40-mile day, I was looking for an easy anchorage on my way to the Okeechobee. This was about as easy as I could get. It's a big, rectangular area bordered on one side by a state park campground, another side by a seldom-used road, and on the third side by private properties with boat docks. I pulled way in past the wooden piers (dolphins?) and dropped anchor in less than 10 feet of water.

The wind was blowing hard off the river/canal when I arrived, but soon made a 180° shift. The boat did a lot of swinging at anchor and I believe the anchor may have dragged about 10 feet during the night when it got very windy. But I woke in absolutely calm water with no wind right about where I was when I went to bed. I probably could have prevented any movement if I'd laid out more chain, but I didn't want to swing to any shore.

The campground (which I expected to be closed due to hurricane damage) was open and full of campers on that Friday night. Still, it was quiet. I was able to row my pups to shore in the dinghy so they could do their business. Leashes are required and so is cleanup. There's a bathroom in the campground that's open for use.

Cell service was good, with 2-3 bars on Verizon and 4 bars on Google Fi.

This is a good anchorage for staging an early start up the canal toward the lake. It can easily accommodate 3 or more boats.

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Review for Franklin Lock West

Reviewed by: DeeDee H on Aug 28, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 3.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

4

Ease of Shopping:

1

Cell Service:

4

Stayed here overnight when we didn't arrive at the lock before it closed. Quiet and small anchorage with one other boat. Good holding and protection. View of campground on shore and pretty sunset.

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Review for Franklin Lock West

Reviewed by: Franyo Paulo on Jan 3, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

3

Ease of Shopping:

1

Cell Service:

5

Somewhat tight anchorage; set hook well, then take up some scope on rode to minimize arc of swing whilst staying put. Well protected.

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Review for Franklin Lock West

Reviewed by: Ted Cowley-Gilbert on Jan 9, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 25'
Draft: 2.0'

Overall Rating:

4

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

3

Cell Service:

4

Stopped over night here. Anchored east of the dolphins at end of canal, next to the camp grounds. Enough room for a couple of small boats to anchor. Quiet place, good protection from the winds and wake.

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