Trailering to the Keys, ideas wanted …

[Bob B.]

Our R25SC will be in the Keys this May until about mid June housing my wife, dog and myself. We plan to put in around the south end of Biscayne Bay and head up to the Marquesas. Then we will head back to our original put in and trailer back home. I am looking for any information relative to marinas with transient slips, places to stop and walk around, explore-eat-experience … basically any info those with experience can share as we have never boated this part of Florida before. We will likely travel Hawks Channel over the ICW.

I look forward to hearing from anyone who can help to educate me.

Bob.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I’ll offer a few ideas to get things started. Boca Chita, is an island at the top of the Keys we like to dock. Go during the week. John Pennycamp State Park in Key Largo. Blackfin Marina in Marathon will get you close to lots by foot. There are endless anchorage opportunities. We’ve spent many winters on our boat in the keys . If you’re so inclined go to our blog http://www.trailertrawlerlife.com and do a search for the keys and you should find a lot more information.

Jim

 

[Bob B.]

Thank you Jim. I will read your blog - appreciate your info. Is there a place you recommend putting in, truck trailer storage?

Bob.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I’ve never launched in the Biscayne Bay Area, so I have no first hand experience. Looking on my Garmin app I see a place called Black Point Park boat ramp, almost directly west of Boca Chita, south of Miami and NE of Florida City. Maybe others will chime in.

Jim F

 

[CaptT]

Hey Bob,
We live in the Tampa area and take our boat to the Keys at least once a year. We've only taken it on it's own bottom by way of Venice, Punta Gorda, Naples, Snake River and then directly to Marathon. We usually stay in the Middle Keys area because of the fantastic fishing.
I'm not sure if you are planning to trailer as far as Marathon, but if you are the Safe Harbor Marathon Marina does have a ramp and trailer/boat storage on site.
There is also a State Park, Bahia Honda, further west of Marathon that has a small marina with a launch ramp and trailer/vehicle parking. We try to spend a few weeks in this marina every trip as they have beautiful beaches, hiking trails, a little store and some great people running the place. The price is also very reasonable and it includes water, a 30 amp hookup, pump-out station, individual adjoining site, with picnic table, and some of the best sunsets in the Keys.
We also enjoy cruising from Bahia Honda down to Key West to spend a few days people watching while eating and drinking our way through the local establishments. I do want to warn you that for some strange reason the boat always sits lower in the water, and burns more fuel, on the way back then on the way down, go figure???? :?
Enjoy yourself while in our home State and safe travels.
Terry

 

[Bob B.]

Terry,

Thanks for the intel, we love hiking so trails are in our wheel house. Do you know if they allow dogs?

 

[Bob B.]

One option I am giving considerable thought to is putting in at Punta Gorda, Laishley Park. I have a friend who will wash down my trailer and store it for me until I return.

We will head to Fisherman’s Village to recover from the 1500 mile trailer pull. Then head to New Pass, and hang out at Bonita Dog Beach, next leg Marco Island and Smoke House Bay, resupplying at the Winn Dixie ( dingy doc ). Refuel at Rose Marina.

The next leg is the “Must have a large weather window”! My dog is not mat trained, so heading to the keys via the snake river route is not an option. Therefore, we plan to head into the gulf through Big Marco Pass, out to about the 3 mile line, and turn south in an attempt to get past the Cape Romano Shoals. We will travel to Key West and stop to rest entering the North West Passage at a Marina, likely Galleon.

This is a long expanse of open water for a relatively slow boat ( fast cruise for us is about 12 knots ).

I want to try this route, spending time in Key West, Marathon, the Marquesas and then reverse the legs to work our way back to Punta Gorda and our truck/trailer.

I think it is a very doable plan, weather/wind permitting - and late May to mid June generally has less heavy wind than March, April- less significant cold fronts etc. However, the crossing from Marco to Key West is a long one.

It may be a bit much for our little R25-SC.

If anyone has an opinion ( positive or negative ) please post your thoughts.

Bob.

 

[gwishon]

Bob, you can reduce the duration of the gulf crossing to Key West if you leave out of Goodland instead of Smoke House Bay. The crossing takes us about 6 1/2 hours in our R29S. (We do it with a buddy boat.)

Gordon

 

[Bob B.]

Gordon, how fast do you travel?

Where do you enter the gulf from Goodland?

I appreciate the response and will look into it … is it easy to navigate to Goodland from Smokehouse Bay?

 

[gwishon]

We typically travel at 16-18mph, fully loaded. On our last trip, we stayed overnight at Calusa Island Marina (it’s mostly a fishing camp but has showers and fuel), headed due south across Gullivan Bay, into the gulf. Gullivan Bay lies to the east of Cape Romano. There are some shallow areas, but we had no problems crossing it with our 28” draft, and the buddy we traveled with had no problems in his 36” draft Sea Ray.

If Key West seems too far, you could follow the 3-mile line to Long Key and the Upper Keys.

Gordon

 

[gwishon]

P.S. If you do take the Gulf route, beware of the hundreds of crab pots along the route, especially during stone crab season.

Gordon

 

[Bob B.]

Thanks Gordon.

Funny, I was thinking of the same Marina and route to the gulf as you took.

My biggest concern is getting close enough to the North West Channel before the afternoon winds pick up. I am thinking at 12 mph ( my boat speed ) looks like an 8 plus hour trip to Key West. Leaving early am if tide depth allows, hoping to be there in the afternoon.

Thanks for the info … including the crab traps.

Bob.