Sailing Away to Key Largo :)

[BaySailerBill]

Hi All,The Admiral and I are taking our first real vacation (without the kids) in seventeen years next week. We booked a timeshare condo in Key Largo that includes a Catalina-22 for seven glorious days. To say that I'm excited is a major understatement. The bride has been on the internet for months researching things to do, but I already know what's on the top of my list and fortunately it will be tied to the dock outside our bungalow every morning. I've sailed Narragansett Bay for thirty years, but to sail in Caribbean waters has always been my dream. (Well don't pinch me Bunky - because I'm on my way!)I'm sure that some of you old salts have sailed the Keys, do you have any suggestions, must see places or insight to those waters that I should know about? I've already picked-up Frank Papy's Cruising Guide and read it cover to cover. Any Suggestions?Thanks,BILL

 

[Ross in Tampa]

see it all...

Congrats on the long awaited vacation. You will have a blast.We just got back from 8 days sailing in the keys. Aside from my outboard crapping out on us, the trip was magical.Send me a private message, I will fill you in with some highlights.Ross in Tampa

 

[Paul Akers]

Go to Key West.

While I visited my Aunt in Naples in March, I rented a car (via AVIS) and drove to Key West for 3 days/2 nights. It was a great experience - but be sure to spend an evening to really see the street people, Mallory Square sunset ot a windJammer sunset cruise (nice and romantic). Spring break was just starting and it was getting quite crazy. (Hint: Do it when no cruise ship is in town).P.S. It will only be about 180 miles RT for you and a GREAT driving (or boating) experience.

 

[Tom Monroe]

I've done it ...

I did your vacation a couple years ago, out of Key Lime Sailing Club. Had a great time. We sailed out into the bay islands every afternoon to explore, fish, and snorkel. (Mornings I usually spent lazing away.) Usually we'd tow a kayak behind the boat, anchor somewhere, and explore. Just a beautiful experience !!!!We're looking to do it again, out of a place that has the same setup S of Marathon, which we found to be a bit prettier.Don't let your love of sailing keep you from doing a Pennekamp reef visit, and a drive to the dolphin research station is also worth a half day away from the boat.And it's hard to find a bad fish dinner down there ... eat and enjoy.A couple things our host taught us that are worth passing on ... 1. There's a little toady looking kind of fish that's small and hard to see that's in the soft bottom all over Florida Bay. If you step on it barefoot, that's a real problem! So always wear reef booties or some such when you go over the side.2. The wind can change from pleasant to OMG real quick. Keep an ear on the VHF, and don't get too far downwind.Have fun.Tom

 

[Sailm8]

Used to go every year in our 22

Kept the boat at LArgo Aluminium for 400/year. Don't miss Rodriguez key for just dropping the hook and relaxing. Molasses reef for snorkeling (mooring balls). You can make the Christ statue if you leave early and have good wind. Good snorkeling at the elbow. Pennekamp park is nice. There is more that enought to keep you busy. Coconuts at the holiday inn to eat at least once. Find the Mandalay bar - local place. Loralie bar was fun . Grocery was the LArgo shopper. Not sure if it is still there.There is a great fish market behind the firehouse - can't remember the street.Islamorada fish company next to the Sportsman Paradise (Bass Pro Shop) has great fish and outdoor dining. Don't miss Key lime pie on a stick!!!My guess is that you can only day sail the 22 so it is kind of limiting.

 

[jackhartjr]

If you get to...

...Big Pine Key, (Where all of the little Key Deer are) ask the locals where No Name Bar and Grill is. You will thanks me later. Best pizza around!Jack

 

[letterman]

frind a spot in Marathon

Bahia Honda State Park. Take a pair of 10x50 binoc's, unless you can get a telescope. You can stay in their parking lot ans scope out the stars. But before that, hit the old bridge ans watch the sunset for the green flash (blue if your are really lucky). Look down in the water and watch the sharks and rays eat as the tides come and go. The beach is natural...just as you would see it without people...great place to relax.Hit the side streets on the islands from Key Largo and look for iguana's. They are like squirrels up here. And at night, look south and you should see the lights of the two biggest cities in Cuba...Havanna to the west and Santiago de Cuba to the right. It amazed me that they were 90 miles away!

 

[seadaddler]

5'Draft

Any one do the keys with 5 ft draft,where to go and not go.Has anyone with 5 ft draft come from east coast Florida up around the west coast Florida. Nick

 

[Bob4203]

Next to Jules Verne Underwater Hotel

Hey Bill,Is that Russian sub still in the mud? My wife is from Providence and I boarded here during a visit a few years ago before she sunk!A very excellent (the best) Grouper sandwich on Largo can be found at this hidden little reataurant next door (south) of the Jules Vern Underwater Resort. I forgot the mile marker (locations are always by milemarker)down there, but you will see the signs for the resort. The Jules Verne resort is really the old Navy/NASA SeaLab set up in the Bahamas back in the 60's-70's. They will let you walk the grounds. Now its a place you can spend the night underwater, but is set up in this curtained lagoon in murky water. Pricey for a nights stay. If your a scuba diver and the weather holds you back from open ocean work, the lagoon is an alternative only for the dive to the lab and supporting equipment. Its a last resort thing! Take some day trips to Marathon and even to Key West just to see the beauty of the ocean from the long bridges. Outstanding restaurants are everywhere but eat at where the locals go for the better values. You folks in New England have those big clawed "lobsta's". However, if your a lobster lover, in the Keyes they serve Florida Spiney Lobster, which in my opinion is a sweeter meat. Delicious!!!!!!!!!!!Have a great and safe trip.......BobGeorgia

 

[Buck2796]

Yes, Nick ...

My 420 draws 5.5'. I've been taking it back and forth to KW (from Norfolk) 6 out of the past 7 years."Any one do the keys with 5 ft draft,where to go and not go." This will sound like a trite answer, but, if the chart says there's 5' or less, don't go there (at least, not without local knowledge). Otherwise , go.MANY people, in all types and sizes of boats, run down the East coast of Fla. to the Keys, then up the West coast to wherever. If you don't want to go all the way to KW, there are 2 65' bridges (Ch5 bridge and Seven Mile bridge) that you can go thru and then proceed North.Enjoy your trip, respect the charts, talk to the locals, and have fun.

 

[BaySailerBill]

Thanks for the insight

I'm packing my bags right now. Yesterday I spend some time on my SeaClear charting several routes to explore. Naturally we all know about the best laid plans of mice and men, I don't expect to see everything that I would like to. We are planning to take several days sight-seeing the land locked activities, but there are a few must do things I plan on the water. I will snorkle at the Christ statue on the reef and I will sail to Big Pine Key to have a Pizza. But most of all we plan to simply enjoy spending a lot of quality time just enjoying eachother, after all that is what this vacation is all about. After eighteen years and three kids it will be nice to see if I'm still living with the girl that I fell in Love with. Geez, that was mushy, this is a sailing sight and I'm sure you guys don't want to hear that stuff.Well it's back to packing, thanks for all of your help and I'll post an update when I get back.Happy Sailing,BILLPS: Bob - yes that comy sub is still sitting in the mud at the bottom of the bay. The Army corp of engineers tried raising her last year but it proved to have more holes then a pregnent nuns story. They are coming back this year with the Navy to try again.

 

[seadaddler]

5 ft Draft

I am always looking for input and advice from anyone who cruise to the keys with 5 ft draft.I hear how you need 4 ft draft to do the inner route.I am ordering some cruising guides for all of Floridabut it's always nice to hear from anyone that has don it.Nick

 

[opsailor]

"Inside the Keys"

Cruising inside the Keys (ICW) is great, even with 5' draft. We just returned after moving our boat from Bradenton to St Augustine, and learned a lot.There are three problematic areas (going northbound):1) Steamboat Channel north of Shell Key, beginning at marker 86. Proceeding northbound for about three miles, start your journey at mid-tide, rising. You will see a couple of 5 1/2 foot areas.2) Next are the markers from 65 to 62. Making the turn from northeasterly to northerly, stay on the left or west side of the channel (red markers). It's 7 1/2 feet on the left, less than 5 on the right. There is virtually no tide in this area; depth is determined by wind only. And DON'T go into the shallows to the west; you're in the Natl Park, and a grounding is serious.3) Baker Cut starting from Markers 58 to 55. Stay in the middle.

 

[seadaddler]

Just Got my Book

As I was reading the forum the mail man pulled upto deliver my first book of cruising the Florida Keys.I leave in two weeks for NY and splash our boat for thisseason cruising around New England and planning the tripin the fall to the west coast of Florida,I'll have all summerto read the new book but always listening for advice so keepit coming.Nick