Keys Bound

[THE CUSCUS]

A friend and I are taking our Macs ( a V22 and V25) down to the Keys this weekend for afew weeks of relief from the frozen north country. We're puting in at South Dade marina (as recommended here by many) and storing our tow rigs there. We are planning to head to No Name Harbor first, then work our way to Key West, where we have slips reserved at Key West Bight Marina. We have a pretty loose plan and will have to work around the weather & wind, but hope to also spend some time at Bahia Honda and do some exploring on the "inside". I expect to have internet at points along the way and will try to do some kind of trip report for my fellow mac owners that are snow bound. Hope to see some of you local Mac owners out on the water (or at some local watering holes). Look for the two Maryland registered Macs (Whimsey & Miss AdVenture) towing a pair of matching, wooden dinks.

[Tomfoolery]

I envy you. I'll be in SE Florida in a few days, but only for a few days.

The admiral suggested bringing the boat down for the winter, and some time noodling around the keys would have been fantastic, but I can't take that kind of time off I'm afraid, and it would be too hard moving my office to my in-laws' for a month of warm weather.

[Sumner]

Sounds like a good trip. Do you know if you are going down to Key West on the inside or outside or will it be dependent on the weather?

We came up on the inside from Marathon to South Dade Marina. It would be harder to sail this stretch compared to the outside, but....



... it is very pretty and you have a lot more options to anchor depending on weather/wind. We are going back to that area for sure.



Also the last night going up we anchored in Manatee Bay before going in to South Dade the next morning so that is an option if you get a late start in the day.

You can find all....



..... of our anchorages (GPS locations) on our trip report near the end from Marathon north...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... index.html

Have a good time,

Sum

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

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[Sea Wind]

Jim,
Hope you guys have a great time. We went to the Keys last March and were “stuck” in Bahia Honda for three days due to very strong winds, even the tour boats that go to Looe Key canceled for the whole week. I cannot think of a better place to be stuck with the boat and family.
We are planning to go to La Costa Island in early March. Looking forward to your report,
Pedro

[THE CUSCUS]

@tkanzler...you're crazy for not taking your admiral up on that! I try not to let my work interfere with my life too much. I am fortunate that it can work that way. Enjoy your time there, away from the cold.

@sumner.....I really enjoy reading your trip reports and your clever mods. Thanks for sharing with us all. Any reporting I do will surely be paled by yours. We are planning on going outside at the Channel Five bridge to Marathon and then to Bahia Honda and onto KW, if it looks good. Like I said, this is supposed to be a relaxing trip, no beating into crazy wind all day, so we will go/move as the weather dictates. We will be totally flexible.

@pedro.....Hopefully we won't get stuck anywhere (although I could think of afew places that won't be too bad....the lorelei for one). Are you doing the Sippy Cup this year?

[JoeG]

Cuscus,
Look me up at the Live Bait Lounge (in the Key West Bight) when you get to Key West. Would love to chat about Macs with you.

[THE CUSCUS]

Ok, Joe. We should be in KW Feb 8 or 9 until the 16th.

[Sea Wind]

I will participate in the Sippy Cup on my boat if I find crew. You guys should also consider joining us for the MUCK-about sail on July 12th

[DaveB]

WE just spent 5 days cruiseing Biscane and Cord Sound Bay, launching at S.Dade Marina. We pulled out Dec.31st.
It's a good 3weeks plus goint to Key West and back and doing some good gunkholeing will take another two weeks.
Bring your Gin Pole and Mast support incase you need or want to go under low bridges for wind protection or gunkholeing.
I personally like the inside route than go thru Channel 5 were bridge is 52 ft. high than go the Hawks channel route.
The Marina was closed for unknown days from Dec.28th when we arrived at Elliot Key.
Tell Bob at S.Dade you plan on at least a month stay as his rates have increased to $10 a day and a Monthly rate would be better.
Dave

A friend and I are taking our Macs ( a V22 and V25) down to the Keys this weekend for afew weeks of relief from the frozen north country. We're puting in at South Dade marina (as recommended here by many) and storing our tow rigs there. We are planning to head to No Name Harbor first, then work our way to Key West, where we have slips reserved at Key West Bight Marina. We have a pretty loose plan and will have to work around the weather & wind, but hope to also spend some time at Bahia Honda and do some exploring on the "inside". I expect to have internet at points along the way and will try to do some kind of trip report for my fellow mac owners that are snow bound. Hope to see some of you local Mac owners out on the water (or at some local watering holes). Look for the two Maryland registered Macs (Whimsey & Miss AdVenture) towing a pair of matching, wooden dinks.

[foursail]

Got out to the reef on Monday for the first time in months. Great day on the water just me and the kids. Came back to the dock with some nice trigger fish. The wife had to work. Too bad for her. So this weekend she wants to go out. If you want we can show you the reefs if the weather is good for ocean sailing, just let me know when you are getting down here. A good wind forcaster is www.windguru.cz. Right now they are forcasting 8 to 13 knots out of the northeast.

Dave

[foursail]

Some thoughts on destinations. Indian Key in Islamorada ocean side. Just on the other side on Florida Bay side is Lignum Vitae Key.


Dave

[THE CUSCUS]

Thanks Dave & DaveB for the local knowledge. We are only taking the boats one way, will take the bus back to get the rigs and pull out in KW. Ligumvitea is def on the short list.

Pedro, I will look into the Mucksail, but my available time off from work is going to be very limited after this trip.

[THE CUSCUS]

Update 1/29/13
After two days of driving, we arrived at South Dade Marina. It was Sunday about 6 pm and Raphael, the caretaker, let us in and showed us where to park so we could rig the boats up in the morning. We totally de-rig the boats for transport (bare poles) so we spent Mon morning re-rigging an raising the masts. By noon we were both in the water. Two of us continued to prep the boats while the other two drove into Key Largo for fuel, ice, and groceries. At about 3 we motored out the canal and into Barnes Sound. There was a good 15 to 20 breeze blowing from the east. We sailed across the sound and into the lee of Key Largo, near Steamboat Creek, where we anchored for the night. At daybreak we motored into Little Card Sound, sailed a cross it, then motored into Card Sound, sailed across it, then motored into Biscayne Bay, then sailed up to Elliott Key Harbor. The harbor is closed due to damage from tropical storm Sandy, but we anchored close by and rowed in with our dinghies. We walked across the island to see the ocean. Then we turned around, and sailed the whole way back to Little Card Sound. An awesome beam reach in 15 to 20. You just don't get this kind of consistent wind back home on the Upper Chesapeake! We then motored up the canal by Alabama Jack's, anchored and had a nice dinner.

[THE CUSCUS]

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.

[Tomfoolery]

@tkanzler...you're crazy for not taking your admiral up on that! I try not to let my work interfere with my life too much. I am fortunate that it can work that way. Enjoy your time there, away from the cold.

I just got back from my puny 4 days in the Boca Raton area, visiting my in-laws, who have a dock on one of the canals, but the Admiral is staying there for a while longer. BUT, I'm now giving serious thought to towing the boat down there for the winter next year. I'd have to plan it carefully, as I'd need to move my office there for a few months, and I'd have to set up for long-distance towing, and we'd have to bring our aging Lab with us, but it may be doable. Spending a few days in the warm air and sunshine is making me think about it, that's for sure.

And do keep the reports from the Keys coming. I'm tracking (as it were) your travels - basically just living vicariously through the innerweb.