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Hey Pholks!

Going down to Key West for MOTM and I'm bring the sailboat. It's a 22' Hunter and we've got a great setup at the Westin resort.

Anyone have any experience sailing around the keys? I'm not looking to get crazy, but I'd like some information about taking the boat out for a day cruise, catching the sunset (hopefully someone will get a pic of us!) I'm going to put in at Garrison Bight, and sail around the north and west side of the island to our slip. Looks pretty straightforward...but I don't want to take anything for granted.

The Hunter has a very shallow draft w/ the keel up...and I do have a motor (5hp outboard) for maneuvering.

So let's hear it!

Okay... first. Loue Key - good snorkel spot. Not carribean color snorkeling but nice. You pull up, hook one of the moorings and jump in. Make sure you have a chart and a good set of eyes. The key is submerged half the time... tide dependant.

next, for the best sunsets... w/ people = Mallory square (duh). Peaceful commune w/ nature = Newfound Harbor. Just off of Loue Key, South of Big Pine Key, it makes a great anchorage. If you can spend the night, all the better. I was there on a full moon so the moonrise was as magical as the sunset. Lots of grass in the harbor but you'll be fine with the keel up. For me on a H36 charter it was nerve wracking to see 3.6' on the depth sounder from a boat the draws 5+. Anyway, low traffic, few if any neighbors and quiet enough to hear a fish fart.

For a quick day sail, just head out to the end of the reef. It's fun to see the depth drop from 25ft to "DEEP" (over 300) instantly. The color is intense and you can pull in the sails for a swim call.

If you're really hardy, check out the dry Tortugas but 70 miles is outside your range I imagine.

Thanks! Sounds like good advice. We're planning one day sail of 6-8 hours and one sunset cruise. The rest of the time we'll be on land with the rest of the MOTM pholks.

Whats up buddy? Cant wait to see you and Meg in 3 weeks!!

You may need to plan on cutting all the way around Fleming Key (North) in order to get over to the Hilton Pier (or Westin as it's apparently changed to).. the bridge for Fleming Key Rd. that cuts over the canal between KW and FK at Trumbo Point (Naval Air Facility) only has like a 12'-14' clearance...

I've been to a couple of cool lil hidden spots w/friends.. dont recall the names of the places since I was just in tow to wherever they were going.. but I'll find out for ya!

HsvParrothead wrote:Whats up buddy? Cant wait to see you and Meg in 3 weeks!!

You may need to plan on cutting all the way around Fleming Key (North) in order to get over to the Hilton Pier (or Westin as it's apparently changed to).. the bridge for Fleming Key Rd. that cuts over the canal between KW and FK at Trumbo Point (Naval Air Facility) only has like a 12'-14' clearance...

I've been to a couple of cool lil hidden spots w/friends.. dont recall the names of the places since I was just in tow to wherever they were going.. but I'll find out for ya!

Thanks for that! My mast is down and easy to raise when needed. I was going to motor over to the Westin, then put the mast and all the rigging up after we dock. Makes getting in and out of the cabin a challange, but nothing impossible.

We're looking forward to seeing you too buddy! It's been way too long!

Bump!

I've sailied around the north and west side of Fleming Key, out and about the west end of KW and out to Sand Key. Sand Key is/was great for snorkeling, don't know if you want to sail that far out, I forget just how far it is. I know you're gonna love it, especially the sunset from the water. Mallory Square for sunset is fun but it's better on the water.

Sand Key is 6.5 miles offshore.. I think it is still great snorkeling but apparently according to those who have lived here longer it's not as good as it used to be... all the storms the past couple of years resulted in a lot of bleaching of the coral. However, when John and I were last out there with a couple of friends we did manage to swim with a considerable amount of tropical fish, Yellowtail Snapper, Nurse Sharks, rays, lobsters and sea turtles.. the best time to hit it is between noon and 2pm.. at this time Fury and Sebago have headed back in from the morning excursion and you can have the reef all to yourself before they return w/the afternoon group! NICE!

Got time for a "practice" sunset run at Pass-A-Grille channel??