Trip planning for Keys Jan.-Feb.

Bonzai

Bonzai

.
Jun 23, 2009
250
Chris-Craft SailYacht 35 St. Simon's Island, Ga.
Time to think about heading south for me. Crew looking at passport related delay so thinking Keys instead of Bahamas.
Looking for any info in line with going to Keys during January and February. 4'8" draft so leaning towards Hawks Channel unless weather prohibits. Leaving from Brunswick, Georgia area. I have read a lot from my searches thru the forum database. Just brain-picking for any recent info specific to this time window.
Thanks guys!
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

.
Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Inside Route

My draft is 4'10 and was able to go on the inside a few years ago and some
shallow spots but did not run aground.
nick
 
B

bobtigar

.
Sep 29, 2008
162
Morgan Out Island 33 Pompano Beach
I have been down the inside several times as far as channel 5. If you stay between the markers the water is 6'+. The last time I was awazedv at how deep it was in spots I thought s/b shallow. Bob
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

.
Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Cruisers Net

If you go on cruisers net you will get so much info,when I went on the inside
I checked the tides every day before traveling.
It was very windy in the Hawk Channel for a few days so we decided to use the inside route and if not for other sailboats we were traveling with I would not have tried this because most guides say you need to draft 4' but I did with my 4'10'' draft.
We went on the inside from Booth Key up to Dinner Key and I never went a ground.
Jim Seamans in JAVA is traveling south as we speak and south of Daytona Beach
and heading to the Keys
Nick
 
Claude L.-Auger

Claude L.-Auger

.
Dec 14, 2003
1,431
Hunter 34 Lake of Two Mountains, QC, Can
I crew on a friend's Hunter 37 for the Fort Lauderdale - Key West SORC Race in mid-January. Lots of boats down there for the Key West Race week and most marinas completely full. February might be better. The race course is offshore of all markers but wind conditions permitting, we usually run up Hawk Channel coming back up. The close to 5' draft has never been a problem but we watch the sounder and trace our route on the plotter ahead of time. The boat needs 61' clearance so we can't stay inside and go straight into Miami as Tuttle bridge only offer 56' clearance. Have a great trip
 
Bonzai

Bonzai

.
Jun 23, 2009
250
Chris-Craft SailYacht 35 St. Simon's Island, Ga.
Thanks everybody for comments. How is the anchoring on the inside route with 4'8" draft? My air-draft is only 50' so should have no probs clearing bridges. I was actually leaning towards Hawks Channel because I have heard the snorkeling/ diving is better on outside and deeper anchorages available. I plan to anchor whenever possible, no real need for a marina. I can carry supplies good for weeks at a time. Also any advice on visiting the Dry Tortugas welcome. I hear that when you go there weather can often hold you there for a while so will stock up accordingly. Hope to see some familiar boat names down there if anyone else heads that way! Gonna need help with all the rum and tequila I will be totin'. :)
 
Last edited:
seadaddler

seadaddler

.
Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Dry Torguas

The Dy Tortugas was fantastic and everyone should go for sure and yes the weather could keep you there for a while so bring extra and there is nothing
to resupply no water or food or parts if have a problem.
But it was fun and trying to go again but we cruise with our club every year
to the Keys and some times the weather keeps us from going places and windy
not in our favor for sailing.
Nick
 
Bonzai

Bonzai

.
Jun 23, 2009
250
Chris-Craft SailYacht 35 St. Simon's Island, Ga.
Re: Dry Torguas

Thanks Nick. I read SSECN all the time for info. Seems to be very little chance of actually anchoring any where around there, just mooring balls and marinas available. Of course I am certain that makes the mooring field owners and marina owners happy as pigs in chit. I will pay the prices as I have never been and really want to check it out.
 
Claude L.-Auger

Claude L.-Auger

.
Dec 14, 2003
1,431
Hunter 34 Lake of Two Mountains, QC, Can
Bonzai said:
Thanks Nick. I read SSECN all the time for info. Seems to be very little chance of actually anchoring any where around there, just mooring balls and marinas available. Of course I am certain that makes the mooring field owners and marina owners happy as pigs in chit. I will pay the prices as I have never been and really want to check it out.
Click to expand
People anchor off Key West harbor all the time but it is frequently windy and hence choppy as there is not a lot of protection. Also makes for a wet & bumpy dinghy ride going to the dinghy docks inside the Bight. Also good anchorage in Marathon but follow the channel carefully going in.
 
Sumner

Sumner

.
Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
Bonzai said:
. How is the anchoring on the inside route with 4'8" draft? My air-draft is only 50' so should have no probs clearing bridges. I was actually leaning towards Hawks Channel because I have heard the snorkeling/ diving is better on outside and deeper anchorages available. I plan to anchor whenever possible, no real need for a marina.... :)
Click to expand
We went up the inside from Marathon to just south of Miami. Loved it and will go back. Once north of Long Key you have lots more options for protection from fronts and wind from any direction. Predominately the wind is from the east so you are on the right side even if no protection from the west. But in the northern part of that stretch you can pick and chose in case a front is passing through with west winds. There would be many more options where to anchor on that side but your right no reefs on that side but you aren't going to overnight on them on the other side either. The water is clear and the swimming is good, but would be too cold for me now. April for me and it is just right without a wet suit on.





I've documented going up that side with the anchorages we used like above in out trip report down the Florida's west coast and over to Marathon and then north here...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/FL-spring-2011/Florida-2011-Spring-index.html

Also don't forget that the depths shown are normal low tide depths so usually are more than shown on the chart. As was mentioned above if you are going through an area where you worry then work with the tides.





We saw lots of other boats that had drafts similar to yours. You are ....





.... going to motor a lot more on that side but it is also very interesting if you like seeing island after island.

I would not rush past this area just to get further south. My next destination down there is from Marathon south to Key West on the inside but I'll visit that northern stretch also. Not many people go to the area between Marathon and Key West on the inside and looking at it on the charts really interests me.

Have fun but take your time down there :),

Sumner

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================

Our Endeavour 37

Our MacGregor 26-S Pages

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links[/FONT]
 
Bonzai

Bonzai

.
Jun 23, 2009
250
Chris-Craft SailYacht 35 St. Simon's Island, Ga.
Thanks Claude and Sum. Good info. Sum I really hope to run into you sometime. Your blogs and posts have been extremely helpful to me over the years. Maybe see u guys out there!
 
Sumner

Sumner

.
Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
Bonzai said:
Thanks Claude and Sum. Good info. Sum I really hope to run into you sometime.
Click to expand
Hope to be headed down in the next 10 days. Will take the Mac but will go and work on the Endeavour and will put one or the other or both in and hopefully stay until it is hot so at some point will be over in that area and want to do the Dry Tortugas and possible over to the Bahamas so let's keep and eye out for one another,

Sumner

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================

Our Endeavour 37

Our MacGregor 26-S Pages

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links[/FONT]
 
Bonzai

Bonzai

.
Jun 23, 2009
250
Chris-Craft SailYacht 35 St. Simon's Island, Ga.
Sumner said:
Hope to be headed down in the next 10 days. Will take the Mac but will go and work on the Endeavour and will put one or the other or both in and hopefully stay until it is hot so at some point will be over in that area and want to do the Dry Tortugas and possible over to the Bahamas so let's keep and eye out for one another,

Sumner

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Our Endeavour 37[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Our MacGregor 26-S Pages[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Mac-Venture Links[/FONT][/FONT]
Click to expand
Sounds great. Will be heading there about week 1 of January from Brunswick,GA. Will send you a message when I get started that way to see where you are. Cya there!
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

.
Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Java

Hey by the way Jim Seamans & Joan are down east coast of Florida
and not sure exactly when they will be in the keys.
I will be heading to the Keys around end of May.
Nick
 
Bonzai

Bonzai

.
Jun 23, 2009
250
Chris-Craft SailYacht 35 St. Simon's Island, Ga.
seadaddler said:
Hey by the way Jim Seamans & Joan are down east coast of Florida
and not sure exactly when they will be in the keys.
I will be heading to the Keys around end of May.
Nick
Click to expand
Nick, May run into Jim and Joan, will be looking for them too. I hope to be headed up the East Coast by April. Gonna try to make it to New England.
 
heritage

heritage

.
Apr 22, 2011
939
Hunter 27 Pecan Grove, Oriental, NC
We sailed to the dry tortugas this march. There is a ferry from key west to the tortugas running everyday. Arrives mid-morning and leaves that same afternoon. They serve a buffet lunch on board and invite any campers or cruisers to join in on the meal. It was a modest cost and solved our cooking problems for the week! They also sell drinks and ice.
 
Sumner

Sumner

.
Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
heritage said:
.. They serve a buffet lunch on board and invite any campers or cruisers to join in on the meal. It was a modest cost ...
Click to expand
Interesting, care to share the 'modest cost' (I might be more modest than you ;)). I had friends that took that ferry last year as one of the wife's bucket-list items is to go to every National Park (they don't have many left actually to do).

Thanks,

Sumner

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================

Our Endeavour 37

Our MacGregor 26-S Pages

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links[/FONT]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top Bottom