Key West Input Please

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Byrdman

New member
Looking at heading south for some winter boating and considering the Florida Keys. My brother Mike and his wife Brenda loved their time there aboard GYPSY. So just starting a local area education process. I love to fish and snorkel. Of course fresh shrimp aint bad either!
 
Hi Pat, Glad to hear from you, hope you had a great summer out in the North West. Sandy & I go over on the West Coast of Fl. For the Winter, Fort Myers Beach Area. We carry Pandy Girl with us. (We tow her behind our RV) We love that area Less wind, lot of water to Cruise on. Very close to the ICW over to the Big O lake & can go on East over to the Alantic . The fishing there is Good Also, at the Man made Reefs. We head south around Dec. 28th. & Stay till April. If you come through this area give us a call. We had a greet time when Mike & Brenda came by for a few days Jim & Sandy Jessup
 
I've never been to Key West with the C-Dory - only on slightly larger sailboats - but of all the places in the Keys, it may not be the best for pure boating. Reason I say that is the anchorage (at least the one I've used) is kind of dicey (wind against current; many folks drag), and it's a bit of a haul to the dinghy dock (across the sloppy/busy channel). Then it's very expensive, even just for the dinghy dock (brace yourself if you want a slip for the "big" boat).

If I were bringing the C-Dory down to the Keys, I think I'd try to base a bit further east - perhaps the Marathon area - and then if I wanted to "do" Key West, go for the day, taking the bus that runs along the Overseas Highway.

Pandy Girl: Where do you park (or camp in) your RV when you are there? Sounds like an interesting option (but I always have this feeling that Florida is "booked solid" when it comes to wintering/RV-ing there).
 
Byrdman! ...it's been a long time!

If you're taking your boat to KW, as a military retiree, be sure to check out Boca Chita Marina at NASKW (305-293-2402).

The marina has transient slips, and unless there has been a policy change, you can reserve a slip for up to thirty days. The marina also has a launch ramp and secure vehicle parking, bathrooms/showers, laundry facilities, and a bar with restaurant. It's a very nice facility.

Having your vehicle at the marina can be very handy for running the seven miles in to KW. If you find that you want a night ashore check-out "Fly Navy" the military hotel on Trumbo Point. Decent rooms at a good price (particularly good considering it's KW).

More information:
http://www.mybaseguide.com/navy/5-265/n ... facilities

Best,
Casey&Mary
 
Casey, that's a good point that I didn't mention: If you are connected with the military then Key West can be reasonable for slips/lodging.
 
Sunbeam, We stay at San Carlos RV Resort & Islands. They do have a lot of Snow Birds, but they usually have some to Cancel out. Last year there were several that stayed for two to Three weeks, then moved on. Jim
 
Byrdman,
We've been to the keys many times, but not yet with the boat. We're going Nov 27-Dec 6. NAS marina only has a few transient slips that are often full. Agree that making a 'home' marina in the mid keys and then 'visiting' KW from there is a better/cheaper plan. Also, many Keys boat ramps are short/shallow/ not deep enough for a 24 and have steep drop-offs at the end...so that will require some research. 255 venturer George Sass Sr (Viewfinder) liked Founders Park, another 255 used a ramp at the west end of Marathon Airport...you can see both on ActiveCaptain.com, which is a great free resource.
Download Cruising the Florida Keys, it's pretty good.
Get a SunPass online for 4 axles so you can use the turnpikes without stopping to insert $30 in quarters in the basket (no bills or credit cards allowed at some, $4.99 for card transponder).
Anyone who knows of any Keys boat ramps that a 255 could use at most winter tides, please list them.
thanks, and Cheers!
John
 
We stayed at the city marina, Garrison Bight, in 2012. It was very reasonable and well located. They stored our trailer as well, very cheaply, especially for Key West.Friendly folks, they provided fresh water to flush our motors when we left. I think it was officially a no-no.

Carpy
 
We have trailered to different parts of the keys several times with different boats and enjoyed them all. We think head-quartering near Marathon works best for us. All needed services available, easy commute to Key West either by boat or car (or island bus). Also easy commute to
Islamorada, Key Largo and upper keys. Lorelei's in Islamorada is our favorite sunset spot to eat inexpensively. Sit on the beach and look for the green flash and have light dinner for ($12 for good sized shrimp salad).

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_R ... da.htmlood

Nearest Walmart is in Homestead but there is a Big K (Kmart) and Publix grocery store that are walkable from harbor in Marathon. It's a great place to enjoy a winter. Have fun , Bob & Cynthia
 
We spent 2 weeks in KW last summer. We stayed at Sunset Marina on Stock Island. Cheap and great folks. Easy drive to Duval St. Spent 4 days in the Marquesas on the hook. No one around. Ft. Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas is remarkable, but watch the weather. We had a great time with old cruising friends who live on their boat in the marina.
 
Bought the 255 TomCat last April in Texas and trailered it all the way to the Florida Keys! Now in a wet-slip at Mangrove Marina in Tavernier, just north of Islamorada. Very nice, full service and inexpensive marina with a great ramp for launching the TomCat. Convenient location with many amenities within walking distance of the marina, superb water and reefs to snorkel! Recommend! Any other C-Brats here in the keys?
 
You will find some seasonal C Brats in the winter. Some had hung out in Tavernier (Lake Effect was one) and some at Black Fin resort near Marathon.(Valkyrie, and a couple others ). Cat o Mine often goes to Key West (Navy facility there)
 
The first 9/11 happened to Kauai in 1992 in the form of Hurricane Iniki, a Cat 4.
I was 200 miles away in Maui under tropical storm warnings, relatively safe.

Not so in November, 1999 experiencing wrong way H Lenny's eye on St Martin,
just 2 days after sailing there from Newport, RI.

I no longer prefer, having the choice, to be in hurricane prone areas in season.

Hurricane season in the Florida Keys officially does not end until Nov 30. Your
location, now Tavernier, in the middle keys, though still risky, has maybe one of
the better escape routes some 20 miles north into the mangroves of Everglades
National Park.

Pleasure cruises WSW towards KW, about 90 miles, increases your exposure and
vulnerability should the unwanted arrive. The lure of Jimmy's Margaritaville in KW
may be worth the risk.

Good luck and keep an eye peeled for current Invest 95L heading NW...

Aye.
 
I've wanted to drive out Highway 1 since forever, and that's what we're doing over Christmas break this year! So of course the very next thing I think is "Hey, I want to go boating."

Ideally, I'd like to run my own boat, Two Lucky Fish +1, but she'll be 3500 miles away.

So, anybody got any leads on a C-Dory I could borrow for a few hours? :-)
 
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