From Lake Champlain to Key West

[Tom Wells]

As I put the boat (a Hunter36) away this past weekend I was thinking ahead to a plan I have for next year to sail it south for the winter to Florida---likely Key West. I will likely do it in stages but would love to hear from anyone who can give me some insights on the trip ahead. Great ports not to miss? Hazards to watch out for? Intercoastal trivia? How about how long this would take if I really teked down (say 10 or 12 hour days at 6 knots). A good place to call home for the winter months ( well not really home---I still have to go to work once in awhile so I will need to fly back and forth wehile it is in Florida)? Anything helpful will be appreciated.

 

[Chuck15486]

I have some information

Tom -If you send me your e-mail address I would be happy to send you copies of the logs I made this past fall, Buffalo, NY to Solomons, MD. I will include you on the e-mail list when I continue the trip to Florida in the spring.CFDickhut2@cs.com

 

[Daryl]

Going South

If you travel every day and don't take lots of breaks for sight seeing you can plan on about 30 days to Key West. As a general rule you travel the same distance each day that you would travel in about an hour in your car. Plan on traveling outside the ICW when you go through New Jersey. Many snow birds schedule a stop at the Annapolis boat show in October. They have great show prices on gear. You will still have the threat of late season hurricanes.

 

[Tom]

Offshore??

If time is important couldn't one travel farther by sailing 24/7 offshore??? Sailing either inshore between the gulfstream or farther east on the other side of the stream. Motoring on the ditch 12 hours a day doesn't sound like fun!!! I used to fish on the ditch west of Myrtle beach SC and it was just muddy banks and barges!!!! Well I did see a lot of copperheads and one really cool eastern diamondback rattlesnake.  When running the ditch do most sailers try to time the tides??? I noticed that some sections had the current running pretty strong according to the tides. We plan to run from Key west north to the Chesapeake next year and hope to ride the stream at least to NC. I know going south has to be more work but it would still seem easier than the ditch. The stream is pretty far offshore from Cape Fear to Charleston but seems to be closer to the coast as you go farther south. Maybe somewhere in GA head towards the Bahamas??? I am sure that far better sailers than I have figured out ways to go south without running the ditch. Running the ditch makes perfect sense for stinkpotters but for a sailboat there are few chances to use the sails.Tom

 

[Derek]

Ditch will drive you mad

If you try and make the whole trip. I take my boat up and down each year Toronto to Miami. Toronto to NYC 5 days. NYC to Miami 8 to 9 days and 7 to 8 days northbound mostly on the outside. Depending on weather sometimes have to go inside of Hatteras. Your big challenge will be finding somewhere to leave your boat while you commute north. You would have to rent a dock for the season or perhaps a mooring ball. Transient rates are excessive in South Florida. Email me at Derek@cdnimage.com if you have specific questions.