any Macs interested in sailing to Fort Jefferson in May?
- Thread starter TortugasRoyal
- Start date
I hope to make it out there possibly in the spring with the Endeavour. We want to spend 2-3 weeks in Florida waters and if everything is ok with us and the boat head to the Bahamas. We would try to be headed home to Utah in May. If you go post pictures and have a good time. Not sure if it is on the net or not but there use to be a story where Mac owners went out. A few had problems not being prepared but nothing major. I had a link but it doesn't work now, it was the Conch Cruisers. They also made at least one trip to Bimini,
Sumner
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1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac...
Endeavour 37 Mods...
MacGregor 26-S Mods...http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/endeavour-main/endeavour-index.html
Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Canada, Florida, Bahamas
Sumner
======================================================================
1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac...
Endeavour 37 Mods...
MacGregor 26-S Mods...http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/endeavour-main/endeavour-index.html
Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Canada, Florida, Bahamas
Make sure you check and check before going and lots of open water and been there a
few years back and be prepared for anything and make sure you pack with extra food water
spare parts,I know a few friends who were stuck for a week due to weather and even the high speed ferry stop running to Key West.
I had a great time for sure.
Nick
few years back and be prepared for anything and make sure you pack with extra food water
spare parts,I know a few friends who were stuck for a week due to weather and even the high speed ferry stop running to Key West.
I had a great time for sure.
Nick
I'm curious as to where you guys would launch from. I've been itching to take the C22 there for the longest time.
With east winds being dominant in the Keys, I didn't want to risk launching from Key West and having to beat or motor all the way back though notoriously short period waves. Marco Island makes sense, but it's 120 miles NW across the Gulf, with little or no resupply in the Tortugas and a good chance of getting stuck there for a while.
I'm still dying to go, though, and the Admiral is on board. Just waiting for the opportunity!
With east winds being dominant in the Keys, I didn't want to risk launching from Key West and having to beat or motor all the way back though notoriously short period waves. Marco Island makes sense, but it's 120 miles NW across the Gulf, with little or no resupply in the Tortugas and a good chance of getting stuck there for a while.
I'm still dying to go, though, and the Admiral is on board. Just waiting for the opportunity!
Some have put their trailer boats in at Port of the Islands Marina which is on Highway 90 east of Naples. There is a long waterway from there south that dumps you into the 10,000 Island region....
https://www.naplesboatrentalsatportoftheislandsmarina.com/
When we were in Everglades City with the Mac ....
.... I saw a ramp there. Had a tree at the time that if it is still there would require raising mast after you were in the water. It is just east of the Rod & Gun Club. As you can see the ramp is tight and ...
... the guys trying to launch there ended up having a bad day.
More on it here ...
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/FL-spring-2011/FL-Spring-11-13.html
I think there is also a ramp possibly at Goodland on the other end of the inland waterway that connects Goodland and Marco Island.
I think the advantage of any of the places above over Marco Island is that you could hang in the protected waters of the 10,000 Islands if you needed and then make the jump straight to the Dry Tortugas or go on down to Little Shark River...
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/FL-spring-2011/FL-Spring-11-15.html
... and leave from there. I agree that I'd rather go from this area vs. Key West for the reasons given above about the prevailing wind.
I have more info on that area on our trip report here ....
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/FL-spring-2011/Florida-2011-Spring-index.html
If we go with the Endeavour it will probably be from this area,
Sumner
==========================================================================
1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac...
Endeavour 37 Mods...
MacGregor 26-S Mods...http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/endeavour-main/endeavour-index.html
Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Canada, Florida, Bahamas
Thanks for all the info, Sumner!
I think the third place you mentioned might be Calusa Island Marina, which is a great facility, with a great ramp. It's our go-to launching spot for the 10,000 Islands. I always figured we would launch from there if we made the trip to the Tortugas.
I think the third place you mentioned might be Calusa Island Marina, which is a great facility, with a great ramp. It's our go-to launching spot for the 10,000 Islands. I always figured we would launch from there if we made the trip to the Tortugas.
[QUOTE="I know a few friends who were stuck for a week due to weather and even the high speed ferry stop running to Key West.[/QUOTE]
read May is the most quiet weather wise and not plan to work for those weeks allow lots of time to get back......
read May is the most quiet weather wise and not plan to work for those weeks allow lots of time to get back......
Maybe we will cross paths on Gasparilla Sound. I'll be working/wintering Ft Meyers November thru May 1. Gonna keep 26x on trailer, get it wet, explore days off. Not sure if I want to go home............