We just keep getting more snow around the Great Lakes so its time to head south while waiting for the ice to come off the lakes. I have chartered a sailboat out of Florida Bay, Key Largo for a week & plan to do some day cruising in the northern Florida keys. (my "mate" wants a land bunk to snuggle into) Has anyone sailed on the gulf side of the Keys .. and it there some special places to visit I should keep in mind. Thanks, John
Anyone sailed out of Key Largo?
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Randall
Keys Cruise
While there will probably be others that know more about this area than I do, I have chartered in the northern keys and can tell you it's a great area. The cruising guide most used is, "Cruising Guide to the Florida Keys", by Capt. Frank Papy. Lots of detail about the islands, navigation, sights to see, etc. On the Atlantic side you could try John Pennecamp State Park (very nice), or tie up to the many moorings over the reefs where there is excellent snorkling. The bay side is smooth sailing. Water's shallow, but well marked. The Keys are a great crusing ground with lots to see, and you'll be in one of the best areas. Wish I were going!
While there will probably be others that know more about this area than I do, I have chartered in the northern keys and can tell you it's a great area. The cruising guide most used is, "Cruising Guide to the Florida Keys", by Capt. Frank Papy. Lots of detail about the islands, navigation, sights to see, etc. On the Atlantic side you could try John Pennecamp State Park (very nice), or tie up to the many moorings over the reefs where there is excellent snorkling. The bay side is smooth sailing. Water's shallow, but well marked. The Keys are a great crusing ground with lots to see, and you'll be in one of the best areas. Wish I were going!
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Bill O'Donovan
Best of Both Worlds
Small family resort called Best of Both Worlds is at Mile 75 near Ismoralda and might rent you a 22-footer or 25-footer if no one is using them.
Small family resort called Best of Both Worlds is at Mile 75 near Ismoralda and might rent you a 22-footer or 25-footer if no one is using them.
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Paul Mieszczenski
Gilbert's
John, There are many good anchorages all over the northern Florida Bay area. Randell is right about Pappy's book, it is a must to plan and optimize your cruise time. If you draw 4' or less you can go pretty much where you like as long as you watch for the mud banks that are readily marked on the charts and in the book. We keep our boat at Gilberts Marina at Jewfish Creek. It is the first "resort" that you come to when driving down US 1. The rooms run $100 to $150, depending on what's going on and day of the week. Do a web search for Gilbert's resort for more info. The Tiki Bar is great and the resturant is good with nightly specials. The German food is authentic and always tasty. As far as anchorages, there are many, but two of our favorites are Tarpon Basin/Bush Point depending on the wind at the north end. Toward Islamorada, we like to anchor off Cotton Key with any wind out of the East. Hope this helps, if you're there on a weekend ask for Paul and Sandi on Ursa Minor. PM
John, There are many good anchorages all over the northern Florida Bay area. Randell is right about Pappy's book, it is a must to plan and optimize your cruise time. If you draw 4' or less you can go pretty much where you like as long as you watch for the mud banks that are readily marked on the charts and in the book. We keep our boat at Gilberts Marina at Jewfish Creek. It is the first "resort" that you come to when driving down US 1. The rooms run $100 to $150, depending on what's going on and day of the week. Do a web search for Gilbert's resort for more info. The Tiki Bar is great and the resturant is good with nightly specials. The German food is authentic and always tasty. As far as anchorages, there are many, but two of our favorites are Tarpon Basin/Bush Point depending on the wind at the north end. Toward Islamorada, we like to anchor off Cotton Key with any wind out of the East. Hope this helps, if you're there on a weekend ask for Paul and Sandi on Ursa Minor. PM
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Robert B.
Key Largo
Last spring we spend a week sailing out of Ft. Laurderdale, down to Miami and Key Largo. Tied up at the Tiki Bar docks for the night. Paul is correct, good food and lots of fun. The week went by much too fast and there was a lot we did not get to see. Use the cruising guides and plan your trip ahead of time with built in flex time. Great sailing!
Last spring we spend a week sailing out of Ft. Laurderdale, down to Miami and Key Largo. Tied up at the Tiki Bar docks for the night. Paul is correct, good food and lots of fun. The week went by much too fast and there was a lot we did not get to see. Use the cruising guides and plan your trip ahead of time with built in flex time. Great sailing!
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Bob
Best Grouper Sandwich in Key Largo
We go to Key Largo every summer with the kids to dive John Pennekamp and soak it all up. If you do decide to come over to the Atlantic side by walking across US 1 or docking on that side (Best Western in Key Largo has docking along the canal wall), next door to the "Jules Verne" underwater hotel is a small out of the way restaurant overlooking the bay. Its nothing fancy. I forget the name, but its one of those great local finds with a pretty basic menu and the best Grouper sandwich in the upper keyes!!! Great breakfasts too. Look for the restaurant and/or Jules Verne Billboard on US 1. Have a great sail Bob
We go to Key Largo every summer with the kids to dive John Pennekamp and soak it all up. If you do decide to come over to the Atlantic side by walking across US 1 or docking on that side (Best Western in Key Largo has docking along the canal wall), next door to the "Jules Verne" underwater hotel is a small out of the way restaurant overlooking the bay. Its nothing fancy. I forget the name, but its one of those great local finds with a pretty basic menu and the best Grouper sandwich in the upper keyes!!! Great breakfasts too. Look for the restaurant and/or Jules Verne Billboard on US 1. Have a great sail Bob
if you have time check out miami
i lived in miami for 10 years and there is nothing as breathtaking as the skyline at night!! 25-30 mi north of homestead you are going at a great time enjoy!!! p.s. if you do get to miami try versailles cuban restaurant on 8th street for some of the best cuban cuisine anywhere!!! joe's stone crab on south beach is great as well (i always do take-out) and the dolphin (fish) should be super enjoy!!! sailorhayes@hotmail.com
i lived in miami for 10 years and there is nothing as breathtaking as the skyline at night!! 25-30 mi north of homestead you are going at a great time enjoy!!! p.s. if you do get to miami try versailles cuban restaurant on 8th street for some of the best cuban cuisine anywhere!!! joe's stone crab on south beach is great as well (i always do take-out) and the dolphin (fish) should be super enjoy!!! sailorhayes@hotmail.com
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mrbill
Holiday Isle
about mm 83, ocean side. has the original tiki bar, rumrunner, and the sandbar on the ocean side draws quite a crowd on weekends, including ultralights and a bbq-houseboat, loreli on bayside a little farther south has great sunset party. not sure exactly where you can go from bayside to ocean other than snake creek, without dropping the mast. where do you pick up boat?
about mm 83, ocean side. has the original tiki bar, rumrunner, and the sandbar on the ocean side draws quite a crowd on weekends, including ultralights and a bbq-houseboat, loreli on bayside a little farther south has great sunset party. not sure exactly where you can go from bayside to ocean other than snake creek, without dropping the mast. where do you pick up boat?
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mrbill
gilberts
Watch out for the current in front of gilberts, runs about 4 knots! Gilberts is worth the stop. going north under the draw bridge is also nice. alabama jacks at card sound bridge makes gilberts look like the hilton, but they have good food and cold beer. barnes sound and biscayne bay. are great sailing grounds and theres angelfish and ceasars creek to the outside. the weathers been great, no bugs, come on down!
Watch out for the current in front of gilberts, runs about 4 knots! Gilberts is worth the stop. going north under the draw bridge is also nice. alabama jacks at card sound bridge makes gilberts look like the hilton, but they have good food and cold beer. barnes sound and biscayne bay. are great sailing grounds and theres angelfish and ceasars creek to the outside. the weathers been great, no bugs, come on down!
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Tom Monroe
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mrbill
depends were your from
I am using a full wetsuit right now. however you see all the snow birds in the water with just a suit. (its cold this week, only 72 or so... last week it was in 80's. and sunny.) timing is everything this time of year....
I am using a full wetsuit right now. however you see all the snow birds in the water with just a suit. (its cold this week, only 72 or so... last week it was in 80's. and sunny.) timing is everything this time of year....
Temperature is a relative thing!!!!
Full wetsuit diving in a mountain lake I have opened up the suit on the surface to cool off!!! Surface temperature in the low seventys and the temperature below the thermocline in the 40's. A lot also depends upon body fat and general metabolism. I always wear a light wetsuit for protection from the sun and jellyfish. There were a lot of jellys off of Panama city 3 weeks ago. I mean hundreds(thousands) in rows from wave action??? Reading about the Apostle Islands they recommended wearing a wetsuit for kayaking even in July and August!!!! Tom
Full wetsuit diving in a mountain lake I have opened up the suit on the surface to cool off!!! Surface temperature in the low seventys and the temperature below the thermocline in the 40's. A lot also depends upon body fat and general metabolism. I always wear a light wetsuit for protection from the sun and jellyfish. There were a lot of jellys off of Panama city 3 weeks ago. I mean hundreds(thousands) in rows from wave action??? Reading about the Apostle Islands they recommended wearing a wetsuit for kayaking even in July and August!!!! Tom
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george
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george
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