Key Biscayne To Marathon: Can I Go The Inside Route?

gettinthere · Mar 2, 2015

Have not, I draw 5'6". But the "common knowledge" is that the limit is 5'

sunman · Mar 2, 2015

dont take my word for it...
what do the charts say
it's your boat
your the captain

Bill1565 · Mar 2, 2015

Joe Mullee said:
My boat is currently in Key Biscayne and later this week I'll be moving it to Marathon by myself. I'll have plenty of days to make the trip and for various reasons would prefer the inside passage where I can take my time and anchor out a few nights rather then the ocean side route (Hawks Channel). I draw a little less than 4'6". Can anyone who's taken the inside track offer advice about depths and anything else important to know? Thanks, Joe Mullee

Shallowest spot we have found is 5 ft near Marathon. Also 5 ft humps in bay bottom on way to anchorage in Tarpon Basin.

seadaddler · Mar 2, 2015

Did it

I did the inside route a few years ago and have 5' daft and yes a few skinny
spots so watch the tides carefully and just go slow.
But if the winds are not bad the hawk channel is pretty good.
i was traveling with other sailboats with less draft than me and they would warn me when skinny water a head.
it was a great trip from marathon to dinner key and have also done the trip
north to south in Hawk channel with plenty of anchorage.
Nick

Sailm8 · Mar 2, 2015

I've done it and draw 4 foot 2 inches but have my depth alarm set to go off at 5 feet. It never went off except anchoring at Alabama Jacks at the head of the keys. Good burgers and cold beer.

bobtigar · Mar 2, 2015

Joe Mullee said:
My boat is currently in Key Biscayne and later this week I'll be moving it to Marathon by myself. I'll have plenty of days to make the trip and for various reasons would prefer the inside passage where I can take my time and anchor out a few nights rather then the ocean side route (Hawks Channel). I draw a little less than 4'6".

Can anyone who's taken the inside track offer advice about depths and anything else important to know?

Thanks,
Joe Mullee

our boat draws a little less than 5' We have gone down the inside a few times and never had a problem. Yes, you'll se some 5' water, but they are humps and quickly pass. If the wind is tight you can sail thru Card Sound, Blackwater Sound, etc. In a lot of areas I was surprised that the depth was 8-9'-even in some of the cuts.

I believe that the tide range is only 1'

It is a more interesting trip than Hawks channel.

Bob

Velero49 · Mar 2, 2015

Hi Joe,

I did the trip in 2013. Whats your mast clearance? I did not have a choise with my 63.4ft air draft. I anchored on the west side of the bay near and airport/powerplant about 30 miles from the stadium marina. I was kind of scary watching 6-7 ft were we anchored. The next day we went out to Hawk channel via Angel Fish creek. I draw 5.5ft, it was very slow going and bumpy in the west side of the creek, until we reached a house on the starboard side after that you should be ok. Once in Hawk channel be aware that there are a zillion floats marking crabpots. I made it in one day. If you are going to the mooring field in boot Key harbor call them ahead to reserve a mooring ball. Also you need to check in with harbor master in person. Where is or final destination? Im in the Ft Myers area if you are coming this way let me know.

SV FELA

gettinthere · Mar 2, 2015

You cant reserve a mooring ball in Boot Key until you are in the harbor.