Keys Bound

[RobertB]

Turns out I too am Keys bound - just not in my

My youngest son finally agreed to let me go with him to the Boy Scouts Sea Base for the coral Reef Adventure this summer. Now the biggest challenge is figuring out how to fit all my boating crap into a 12 x 24 inch duffle

[kmclemore]

Turns out I too am Keys bound - just not in my

My youngest son finally agreed to let me go with him to the Boy Scouts Sea Base for the coral Reef Adventure this summer. Now the biggest challenge is figuring out how to fit all my boating crap into a 12 x 24 inch duffle

Great fun, Robert - you'll love it! As an Assistant Scoutmaster I have led crews there twice, most recently last summer. Send me a private mail and we can talk about it, if you like... I may be able to give you some tips if this is your first time.

Mustache-man is me... my youngest son is on the far right...

[DaveB]

Sounds like you took the same routes we take every year. You may want to stop off in Tavernier and anchor just outside of the city docks and get provisions.
Tavernier has two small dingy docks you can dink to and a small park, free dingy dock.
There is a small beach you can anchor in 3ft. of water at the South end of Boca Chica following close to the shore and head SE before the marina entry. Great place to walk and have a cookout on the beach.
Also there is a nice sandy beach north of the tide station at sands.(north of the long dock)
Dave

Next day we sailed back past Elliott Key marina, another awesome 15 mile single tack sail, then did some snorkeling and motored up to checkout the Sands Key keyhole. Whimsey anchored in the lee of Sands Key ( they have pets aboard) while Miss AdVenture motored over to Boca Chica Key. There was only one other boat tied up there, so we basically had the whole place to ourselves. Palm trees everywhere, a cool coral block lighthouse, camping sites, flush toilets. Watched a spectacular sunset and had a calm nights sleep. Next morning we regrouped for the run south to Jewfish Creek and a slip at Gilbert's Marina. The sail started with light winds from the SW, but quickly changed to 20 to 25 from the N to NE. Needless to say we had a rocket ride down into Card Sound( went from main & 130 genny to reefed main & genny to just reefer main) where the wind let up enough to rehoist the genny and continue. After going under the Card Sound bridge we where wing on wing,in light wind, until we got to Jewfish Creek. Finished the day by tying up at Gilbert's , where we had dinner and drinks in their HUGE tiki bar. Next it's on to Islamora and the Lorelei.

[Catigale]

There are no prizes for finding Kevin in the pic.....

[THE CUSCUS]

Friday Feb 1

We left Gilbert's at around 1030 and motored into Blackwater Sound, where we raised our reefer mainsails ( wind was 20 to 25 from the NNE). We then had a nice broad reach sail all the way to Islamorada where we got slips at Coral Bay Marina. This is a nice, clean marina within earshot of the music from the Lorelei tiki bar. The Lorelei is a must stop for sailors, and has a great little beach to catch some great sunsets while sipping the BEST piña coladas you'll ever ave. We spent sat there too, rowing our dinks around, getting provisions and course back to the Lorelei for drinks & conch fritters

[THE CUSCUS]

Sunday morning we motored out of Coral Bay Marina and out into Steamboat Channel to the Channel 5 bridge, and into Hawk Channel ( oceanside now). Under a reefer main and full jib, we reached the whole way out Steamboat Channel at a nice 5-5 1/2 knot pace. Once out in Hawk Channel the winds let off some and we unreeled the main and put our J24 headsail on, for a nice 5 1/2 - 6 knot broad reach all the way to Boot Harbor, Marathon. Once in the harbor we dropped anchor near the abandoned bridge, which was easy rowing distance to Burdines. Monday morning we had breakfast at The Stuffed Pig, then took Whimsey out to Sombrero Reef for some snorkeling. The sea state was abit rough, we were the only ones out there, but we were able to get in the water for awhile. There were quite afew healthy looking Barracudas that found us very fascinating, so we cut our snorkeling out early and sailed back to Boot Harbor, reanchored, and headed to Burdines for dinner. Tues morning it was back out to Sombrero with both boats, to give it another try. The sea state was better, and quite afew other boats there as well. This time, no Barracudas, so we snorkeled to our hearts content. At about noon, we raised sails and headed for Bahia Honda. The winds were the lightest they have been since we were down here, so it was a painfull 3 knot wing on wing run. Whimsey raised her spinnaker, and took off on a deep reach , that took her way out into the ocean. On Miss Adventure, we didn't feel like raising our spin, so we just poked along. At about 3 miles from Bahia, the we had an unfavorable wind shift (and the wind slowed even more) and we motored into the mooring basin at Bahia Honda park. We viewed a spectacular sunset on the old seven mile bridge, had a hearty meal of spam and beans, and fell fat asleep.

[Sumner]

Sounds like you guys are having a great trip. Keep the reports coming ,

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[DaveB]

Try Chip on a Shingle, Corn Beef in chip layers in a jar and add sween peas and white gravy.
If you have a upright bread toaster cooked on your burner than it be called ...Shi..t on a shingle.
Good to see you have good passage and safe trip.
Dave

had a hearty meal of spam and beans, and fell fat asleep.[/quote]

[JoeG]

Hey Cascus,
Did I see Whimsey & Miss AdVenture sailing west in Hawks Channel south of Boca Chica Key around 1:30pm today? I was out on my just a bit further south of you. (If that was you.)

[THE CUSCUS]

Yes Joe, that was us! We left Bahia Honda at about 08:30, the winds started out light, but by Boca, it was quite the ride! We saw you, just your jib out? And another Mac 22, under just main, a little north of us. We are slipped at the KW Bight marina, slip 27, until next sat. Drop on in and say hi.

[JoeG]

We saw you, just your jib out?

Yep, I was single handed and I didn't want to bother with the main. I was tempted to raise full sail and catchup to you but I was headed in. I own the Key West Bait and Tackle which is next to the Half Shell Raw Bar. I will be working tomorrow afternoon and Saturday all day.

Believe it or not, there is a bar inside my tackle shop, stop in and I'll buy you a beer.

[Johnacuda]

My is dry and tarped. I'm looking at 10-20 inches of snow tomorrow. My marina doesn't think of opening before May. Color me jealous.

[JoeG]

Johnacuda,

I'm looking at 10-20 inches of snow

That's why I moved down to Key West from Northwest Pennsylvania 13 years ago.
(Sorry)

[Chinook]

Hi JoeG:

We hope to be cruising down the west coast of Florida next winter, likely to reach Key West by mid January. I've read that marinas are scary pricey there (up to $6/foot) and slips scarce at that. Also, it sounds like anchoring out can be problematic. What do you recommend in terms of short term moorage in Key West. Intent would be provisioning before heading out to the Dry Tortugas, but might need to hole up for longer while waiting for suitable weather.

Thanks, Chinook

[Obelix]

Cinnook,

Here is a link to the current mooring regulations in Florida. They installed mooring fields in several cities to combat derelict boats anchoring until sunk.

http://myfwc.com/boating/anchoring-moor ... t-program/

Obelix