Cheap slips around the keys

[whgoffrn]

Just got back from the keys and already planning another trip.....this time we went we stayed at a campsite at Bahia Honda in a tent and stored the boat in the camps (very small) dock for those that had camp sites (not fwc slips) .... The tent idea was not the best due to rain and damn tent leaking every night so I won't make that mistake again.... This next trip the plan is to stay in the boat the whole time but need slip with electricity and place with showers etc etc.....bahia Honda had slips with electric 2 dollars a foot and electric included which isn't bad but wondering where else can I find cheap slips at any of the keys.... And where do you all store your trucks and trailers???

[Norca]

I kept the vehicle at South Dade Marina last winter, they have good rates, but no transient docks.
We stayed e few days at John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo at 30$ a night with power,
But You tie up between wood pillars either bow in, or stern in, it's a bit of a hassle to get on or off the boat.
Ther is a 2 weeks maks stay I believe, but I think they are flexible on that if they are not too busy.
Thay also have a mooring field, but no power there of course.

[Flightfollowing]

Geiger key marina, $35 per night and nice facilities. It's primarily an rv park and restaurant, but has sea wall to tie up to with water and power. Shallow channel entry but works for macs.
Key west garrison bight city marina for about $2 per foot includes trailer truck parking, but charge $20 for trailer if not using marina, has ramp and showers and option for electricity.

[whgoffrn]

Thanks for the tips ....im going to attempt a 2 week stay down there starting at south dade and going to stop at every key down to key west so any others between largo and keywest that you can think of let me know

[Sumner]

Thanks for the tips ....im going to attempt a 2 week stay down there starting at south dade and going to stop at every key down to key west so any others between largo and keywest that you can think of let me know

This would be a great prep-trip for the Bahamas. Provision for 7-10 stays on the water without re-provisioning , stay out of the marinas and get use to using your anchor gear (especially in windy situations) . It would prove to be invaluable to you later and give you an idea if this is the type of cruising you like as it is pretty much what you would encounter in the Bahamas and build confidence in you and the crew and see if they like it also,

Sumner

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1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[whgoffrn]

Yeah definately..... i already seen a few good anchorages there as i was driving around i scoped out the landscape.....lots of places to go for protection....blackwater sound , lake suprise up in largo and gulf side of bahia looked perfect ...i almost chose to anchor there just so i didnt have to drive boat past the 5000 crab traps back to bahia....i got 8 of those rocker stoppers and with bow anchored to waves two stern anchors to pull the stern in direction i wanted and the rocker stoppers the boat was quite peaceful.....when i go back the plan is to anchor 2 nights slip 1 (for showering purposes primarily) for a two week trip

[Norca]

Another option is to use the mooring-fields, it is a lot cheaper than marinas at 20-30$ a night, and You have access to showers and all the other facilities, including dinghy-docks.
There is one in Boot Key Harbour, Key West and Key Largo, but in Key West it is far out, and not very protected for north-winds. We were there in Garrison Bight when a north-front was coming in, and the marina had one spot for power boats only they told me, so I explained I could lower the mast and get under the bridge I got a spot, and we were fine during the 25knot blow. I would have been really bad out there with almost a mile to get to shore in the dinghy.