Key West & Dry Tortugas

[seadaddler]

I know they have been discussed already many times but I am stuck on land for now until I get the OK to go sailing from my wife and doctor,it's not so easy
being really nice to them all the time for me.
Any way if you were leaving Boca Grande and headed for lets say Key West with a 5 ft draft sailboat and 58 ft mast where would or did you stay marina and or anchorage.
If you stayed in a anchorage where was a good safe dinghy dock,I heard dinghy stealing does happen in key West,so any and all info would be a big help for my first trip to key West and than on to the Dry Tortugas.
I don't know for sure if I will go to Dry Tortugas first or Key West.
Nick

 

[zeehag]

dry tortugas was awesome--we anchored at fort jefferson--is room in there for a few boats---dinks land on beach....is gorgeous and clear water.....holding is sand......i donot know key west......

 

[seadaddler]

Great

How long to Dry Tortugas from Ft Myers and which route into the fort.
Nick

 

[zeehag]

come in from north side--is roughly 24 hours from ft myers...phil sed......is gorgeous trip.....into fort is well marked--stay inside markings as water shortens up realllly good.......

 

[Alan]

If you're looking for a place in Key West we stayed at the Galleon Marina in old town Key West. From there you're walking distance to everything in the town. If you're not into walking there are cabs and scooter rentals all over the place. Along the docks are loads of restaurants and night life.

Been looking at places in Punta Gorda/Ft Myers. Got any recommendations for a nice place with a dock for my sailboat?

 

[seadaddler]

My Aunt

My aunt's health has not been good and may need to sell her house on canal with great location to go sailing but too soon yet to call,she just doesn't want to give up her home but she may not have a choice being in rehab now and 90 it's been not good for health lately,big $$$$ for her house location location,FT Myers.
Punta Gorda I would think should have plenty of houses with canal and docks for sale,don't know any one off hand and I keep my boat in Burnt Store Marina.
All though I do have a friend who's x boss builder is selling a house in Port Charlotte would sell for 1 mil and I think they asking $500,000,dock,pool and new big house.
I am living here 2 years full time and I did buy in 2004,I did talk to real estate people when first down here and they did help but prices were high in 2004 and now they are down.
Nick

 

[Sailm8]

Hi Nick
As Nick said many bargins in the housing area. We are on the cusp of recovery so don't wait too long. I live in Punta Gorda Isles and we love it. We are on a canal with the boat just out the door. When talking to real estate people, if you do, make sure they know you have a sailboat. Some areas of the canals have bridges.

RE: Tortugas

Easy sail from Boca Grande. ike was said 24 hours or so. Never more that about 200 miles off shore. The water is shallow and we juke that if the boat sank we would just stand on it for rescue. This can make for some large closely spaced waves.

Our club will be going down in October for Fantasy Fest. There are waiting lists for marinas but plenty of mooring balls and open anchorages. A&B is also a good marina but require you back in if that means anything. All marinas are around $4.00/ft but worth it to avoid a dinghy ride in the dark with the dinghy police everywhere giving out tickets.

 

[seadaddler]

PG sailing Club

I just joined last meeting and please the trip to Key West they are doing is not Oct,no luck I would have loved to make the trip and hoping so but going to the Med in Oct for 23 days.
I just can't get a break so looking to do that trip with the club,maybe I can do other trips,we doing steak dinner next month.
Nick