Key West, Big Boat Haven

[shipwreck66]

Forgive if you've already been there, but are all the cool big boats all homeported in Key West? Everytime I thought I had seen the biggest sailboat yet, a bigger one would cruise past, one firing a cannon in jest. Pics were taken from our balcony, 8th. deck on Conquest, provided a great camera shot.

 

[Perew]

Is your Catalina flying high, or did you use a periscope for those photos? Or are you cheating with a pilot's license?
Pere

 

[Ed Schenck]

What amazes me is the size of these boats considering how shallow the water is around there. Last time I was down the newest Disney liner was at the pier. It draws over 25 feet. Sailing down from Tampa we only saw 15 feet max.

 

[Steve Kamp]

Ed, Key West has been a reliable deep water port since it's beginnings. During WW II, it was home port for many USN four piper destroyers and some of the Fletcher class destroyers. It was also the Atlantic Fleet sub base in the pre nuclear age. It was also the terminal for shipping traffic between KW and Havana during the early 20th century prior to the hurricane that destroyed Flagler's railroad.