Sailors of the Keys

Bob 04 H260 · Sep 21, 2011

I found Pappy's guide very dated, I liked the Managing the Waterway, by far the best guide we have ever used (http://www.managingthewaterway.com/guides-books/keys-detail).

Bahia Honda is very nice, best beach. You can not launch and leave your trailer/truck there unless you have a slip, expensive ! Also you can not rinse the salt water off your trailer after launch.

We liked a mooring ball in Marathon or Dinner Key the best. We anchored a week in Sunset Lake, Miami, short walk to South Beach.

I think the marina at Plantation Key is great. Staff are good to deal with, cleanest showers on our trip. You can leave leave your trailer and truck there. Nice area to sail in, easy to cross over to the ocean side.

Pictures of our trip are here,
https://picasaweb.google.com/macsailor/OttawaToKeysCruise?authuser=0&feat=directlink&fgl=true&pli=1#

good luck, enjoy, Bob

CanuckSailor · Sep 29, 2011

Be careful anchoring in Bahia Honda - holding is very very bad, and the current is quite strong. If a storm kicks up, you can find yourself up against the bridge as one guy in a Pacific Seacraft 22 did last winter. I watched him drag by, then had to stop and deal with my own boat as it started to drag as well. Not a good memory.

Happy Dolphin · Sep 30, 2011

Looking at Bob's adventure to Fla and the Keys makes one JEALOUS!!! Maybe by 2013 we will join the adventure? Still re-learning seamanship and developing the GUTS to explore unknown areas...

Bill1565 · Oct 1, 2011

Keys are not unknown. They are famous. Same currency, same 60 cycle 110. If you stay away from Miami, most speak english.

Bill1565 · Oct 1, 2011

Nice painting

Sumner · Oct 1, 2011

Bill1565 said:
Nice painting

Wow!! Looked at some of your other art....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/byross/

... I had to get Ruth in to see it. We love it and can't wait to see what comes out of your trip.

If you guys haven't looked go look at his art. Lots of other nautical art there also and love the photos also,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

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sailaway78 · Oct 1, 2011

Good info

A lot of very good info. at Cruisersnet.net. They have current info. on marinas, anchorages, fuel prices and a lot more. Places for cruisers to comment, so is very up to date.

MrBill_FLL · Nov 8, 2011

Bob 04 H260 said:
I think the marina at Plantation Key is great. Staff are good to deal with, cleanest showers on our trip. You can leave leave your trailer and truck there. Nice area to sail in, easy to cross over to the ocean side.

Something changed? (founders park (aka: plantation yacht harbor))

Last time I was there, they said I could not leave my truck and trailer there, without renting a slip....

no slip, no trailer storage.

seadaddler · Dec 13, 2011

Bob 04 WOW

Nice info and I guess it's time for me to start planning a trip to the keys,I made the trip in 08 but it was 4 1/2 days from Ft Pierce around to Punta Gorda so no not much time enjoying the trip which was great any way but really need to go back and taking time to enjoy it more.
Nick

sailingandsuch · Dec 13, 2011

I am also planning on taking a cruise down to the Keys in mid/late January or in April. If anyone does go, be sure to post back and let us know about your trip! Good luck to everyone and may your cruising dreams all come true!

MrBill_FLL · Dec 14, 2011

fwiw, I posted this on another board for someone looking to go to they keys without a boat.

There's a motel in key largo that has some cat22's and oday's included with your 5 night stay... mom and pop motel, but looks clean, and an option for those up north wanting to do a little day sailing. (I've been trying to get them for a 2-3 day weekend, but they are not very open to the shorter rentals).

(key lime sailing club / motel) - google that...

-no affiliation.

Sailm8 · Dec 14, 2011

CanuckSailor said:
Be careful anchoring in Bahia Honda - holding is very very bad, and the current is quite strong. If a storm kicks up, you can find yourself up against the bridge as one guy in a Pacific Seacraft 22 did last winter. I watched him drag by, then had to stop and deal with my own boat as it started to drag as well. Not a good memory.

+1 Lots of grass with sand over a hard bottom. Had to reset about 4 times and then dove on the anchor to check it. Luckily it was a calm night. I would consider the marina if you can fit in.

Watch the current. On a previous trip I rescued a snorkeler being swept away. She was exhausted trying to fight the current and was swept through the bridges headed for Ft Myers.

Bob 04 H260 · Dec 15, 2011

Regarding parking a truck and trailer at Plantation Key, you are correct MR Bill you have to rent a slip to park. If you have a shoal draft boat they had slips for as little as $450 per month when we were there. It is a great location to sail, the "cow pens" are right out in front of the marina a nice area to sail a trailer sailor. There is not much within walking distance so if you do not have wheels it is a long haul for groceries, restaurant etc.

One point is that Bahia Honda will not allow you to rinse your boat and trailer off with fresh water in the park after hauling it out of the salt water.

enjoy your holiday, Bob

Sailors of the Keys

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