Key West Vacation

Bob 04 H260 · Nov 17, 2013

Dan, no one replied so I will tell you my experience.

I have contacted sailing clubs in areas where I was going to go on vacation. Almost every time they suggested I stop by the club and they would try and get me out for a sail.

I just did a search for sailing clubs in the Keys. Only one pops up,
http: //www.upperkeyssailingclub.com/index.html I would email them and see what they say.

You could also look at clubs on Biscayne Bay, say the Coconut Grove Sailing Club. I have been there for dinner, very friendly group, great sailing location. I know they have a sailing instructors, maybe you could have a half day of "sailing instruction" on a keel boat ?

There are lots of companies doing half and full day sailboat charters in Biscayne Bay.

Maybe one of the Keys sailors on this forum will make you offer ?

good luck, Bob

higgs · Nov 17, 2013

Do not fear the ocean. For a day sail it is no different than any inland lake. It isn't like your going for a week or more to cross it.

dive7mmwet · Nov 17, 2013

Most are what we call cattle boats for divers, as they pack as many as they can in to make a profit, 6 pac's are mostly charters for fishing and run big money. I agree with renting unfamiliar waters / reefs and lots of shallow water, marine sanctuary's and the un predictable winds the Key's you got to know the area. and have a great chart plotter not offered on any rentals! That said most of the tours I know of out of KW are like booze cruises/sunset cruises, pirate cruises and all are large groups.
This is one that my pal Jon has used to treat VIP's to the area less the crazy's and they have great reviews
Namaste' Private Sailing Adventures
http://namastesailing.com/
or try
http://sunsetsailkeywest.com/
Have fun and make sure to stop in and feed the Tarpon at Robbies on the way down
http://www.robbies.com/
and a fish sandwich at Craig's is a must!

Joe · Nov 17, 2013

DanKo said:
I wouldn't feel comfortable renting a boat myself (even if someone would rent me one), because I have never sailed on the ocean.

Thanks!

Dan

Sounds like a great opportunity to get some salt water experience.... remember.. you're not going off shore. You might find it easier than lake sailing.. since generally the wind is more consistent, there is less traffic to contend with and you don't have to turn around unless you want to.

cptjak · Nov 17, 2013

keywestsailingcenter.com

David in Sandusky · Nov 17, 2013

Yeah, you and you wife could take a course from these guys, and sleep at the dock on your boat for no extra charge.

http://www.sailfloridakeys.com/index.htm

Or, go for a day sail with one of their captains.

You and your wife will enjoy either one!

Benny17441 · Nov 17, 2013

I understand your apprehension; sailing unfamiliar waters can have its pitfalls that when you are on vacation it may bring unnecessary complications. The Florida Keys are generally shallow requiring you play close attention to the depth sounder and to channel markers. Wind and current can push you off a channel if you are not alert. There are also many marine Protected Areas and should one accidentally ground in one of them it could carry some stiff fines. It is unlikely that you would be doing any Ocean sailing if you just want to go out for a couple of hours. Probably be going around some of the minor Keys in protected waters. Navigation would be more important than boat handling skills. Go ahead and google "boat rentals in the Keys" and see what you come up with.

MrBill_FLL · Nov 18, 2013

I haven't found much in the keys for sailing.

http://www.keylimesailingclub.com/yorboat2.htm
^this motel provides small sailboats with your room, but has a minimum stay...

-no affiliation.

in miami, there are a few options. castle harbor, and ARC (iirc)

Barnacle Bill · Nov 18, 2013

You can charter smaller boats out of Marathon. Sailing the Keys is not all that difficult and you can stay inside the Hawk Channel, which is not like going out on the Gulf Stream, etc. There are lots of places in Florida where the water is skinny and it requires the same sort of diligence to keep enough water under your keel to keep from grounding as it does in an inland lake. When sailing anywhere, but especially on big water, you always want to watch the weather and it makes no sense to go out when the winds or seas are not favorable. But, this is an opportunity for you to learn to sail in salt water and you can start by daysailing and learning a bit about how to read the water (to distinguish between deep and too shallow, and to determine the difference between sand and hard coral reefs). Charts tell you where the water is shallow and around the keys you will never be out of sight of land and so navigation is fairly easy. There are books and cruising guides on the keys which you can buy and read before you go down there to get an understanding of buoy systems for navigation, anchoring, places to go and see, what to be concerned about sailing in Florida, etc. It could be the start of the next leg of your personal sailing journey.

capta · Nov 18, 2013

DanKo said:
Thanks for the great advice! Higgs, even if I felt confident taking a boat out, I know my wife wouldn't share that confidence.

I think you are being very wise not to try to sail around KW at this time, alone. KW is surrounded by reefs and has a considerable amount of traffic, both commercial and pleasure, none of which, I would imagine, you have in abundance on your lake.
I know of no boat in particular, but there are several marinas in the area and I'm positive that if you wander the docks you'll find some friendly Conch who'd be overjoyed to take you out in exchange for some cash to pay his bar bill.
Do bring knee pads as they are a necessity if you are going to do the "Duval Crawl", as it's called, visiting every bar on Duval street in one evening. And of course, grandma's hangover cure. Great fun.

wufibugs · Feb 7, 2014

I'd look in Islamadora. Several boat rental places there and depth is far less of an issue than right around Key West.

Kings Gambit · Feb 7, 2014

See More; Less Hassle than Chartering

Hop the Yankee Freedom III for a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park. Seventy miles each way; see a lot of pristine ocean; visit the park, snorkel; see neat stuff. Conditions around the Keys and just about anywhere in FL during the Fall can be quite changeable and unpredictable. I like to say: "The wind can blow from any direction at any time, and at any speed." One never knows, unless perhaps an old salt. Then there is the shallow water all around, etc.

jimmcgee · Feb 7, 2014

If you walk around Key West bight you'll see several sailboats that advertise to take you out for the day. It's not cheap but it'll get you out with a captain if you're concerned about going out alone.

Marathon is about an hour north of Key West and has a more mellow vibe. Google "sailing charters marathon fl" and you'll come up with a couple of options.

Islamorada is a bit far north for a quick trip.

Best of luck. The waters there are beautiful, just remember they're thin. Keep an eye on the depth finder and you'll be fine.

RECESS · Feb 7, 2014

People are often surprised at the lack of beaches in the Keys. The nicest one for us is Bahia Honda. There is a free bus that runs from Key West, it is about a half hour drive.

The picture I have always used in my avatar is my son sitting in my lap at Pigeon Key located off of the 7 mile bridge.

MrBill_FLL · Feb 7, 2014

long key has a decent beach. most at the hotels are trucked in sand.

the sand is under the water mostly.

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=24.807129,-80.833647&spn=0.013673,0.024269&t=h&z=16

MrBill_FLL · Feb 7, 2014

DanKo said:
In case anyone is interested, we chartered a 32 foot boat for five hours. The owner/captain was with us, but let my son raise the sails, etc. and let us steer and trim. We had the option of going to snorking spots, but the wind was so nice we just sailed for the five hours. We had a lot of fun and I will definitely sail in the keys again.

details pls.

boat/outfit? price? location?