Dry Tortugas

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Don Prince

Am planning a 2 week trip from St. Petersberg Fl. to the Dry Tortugas, then to Key West. Planning on going towards the end of april / beginning of may. This will be my first time down there and I am looking for any advice/helpful hints about the anchorage, best types of anchors to use, best way to Key West from the Tortugas (straight thru vs. overnighting at the marqueses), any first hand knowledge or tips about the Dry Tortugas will be greatly appreciated. I am aware about the lack of facilities there and the necessity to bring what you need and take out what you bring in. Thanks again, Don P. S/V RCONDO
 
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Mark Major

I sailed my H23 from Key West to the Dry Tortugas two years ago early April. Current charts should show the west approach. Sandy bottom anchorage. http://www.fortjefferson.com/home.htm gives you all of the information you will need while there. Look closely at your charts regarding Marquesas Key; you can't get close on the west side but it will offer some cover if needed. Very soft, sandy bottom. What are you sailing? Mark Major, s/v Lesismor
 
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Steve O.

archives

Search the "Destinations" forum archives for an article I wrote about my cruise there in 1999. The anchoarge in the lee of the fort is sandy and good holding ground. The DTs are in a marine preserve no discharge area. Also no fishing or spearing.
 
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steven f.

reverse the route

I've sailed there a bunch over the course of my life and have found that your planned route will be a bit more difficult as it is against the prevailing winds for the run from Garden Key to Key West. The winds, usually, are from a SE direction (this is, of course, subject to change) so your run to Key West will be against wind and you'll be dealing with the Rebecca Straights current as well. Of course some will argue with my point but we've found it more comfortable to sail from KW to DT than straight up to where ever your going up north. As for the anchor of choice, we use a Bruce is a primary and CQR is a second, have never dragged anchor 15' in the years we've used them. Enjoy, it is a great trip if the weather Gods are half way kind to you. If not you can truly get screwed over there if the winds pipe up from the NE while you're there.
 
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Don Prince

Thanks

Thanks to everyone for the good advice. A search in the arcives located more good info. Thanks Steven for the prevailing wind information as I think I will definitly reverse the route, sounds like the more enjoyable way. One more question about the leg from Key West to the Dry Tortugas, better to take the gulf side above the marquesas or the atlantic side below? Guess I should note that I am sailing a catalina 34 with a 4 foot draft. Thanks again, Don P. s/v rcondo
 
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steven f.

again, the winds

I'd say the Atlantic but in all honesty I've never gone the northern route so my opinion on this is just that, my opinion. I like the fishing on south side, usually catch some good fish. I guess if the winds were straight from the south I'd consider using the northern way but haven't done so, yet... Also, along the Atlantic way there are places to stop with a drafty boat like Boca Grande Key, Woman Key. These aren't too far from KW but still nice places to spend a night if the weather is decent.
 
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