The Keys??

[woodee148]

going to trailer the boat down to Fl in jan. we were originally tring to get a timeshare on Captiva but nothing is coming up. Heard that the keys are nice and am thinking about heading there instead. can anyone make any suggestions on this trip? I looked at the map and there are lots of options. I would like to narrow it down. Also I will be coming from Ontario fresh water. Is there anything else I should have on board while in the salt waters of the keys?
I have the obvious basics (only a hand held VHF) as well as my Power squadron cert and the standard safety items, jackets, flares, fire ex, manual and auto bailer, oars etc.
Then boat is a modified "V" with a 5l merc I/O this is ok there?

thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: The Keys??

best find accommodation's soon. we spend August in a house on Little Torch Key. our 23 Chris Craft is in the water all month. we do wash it down every night and apply the covers, this gives us a clean unsticky boat in the morning. salt spray makes things sticky. then when we trailer it, it gets through flush, and wash down.

do not miss a trip to Looe Key Reef, http://www.see-floridakeys.com/moreinfo.php3?ZID23=2177&page=thingsdo&ClassID=5

we did this trip, several times until we were comfortable taking our boat out. it is 7 miles off shore. when you head out of the marina, and go under the bridge the house we rent is about 1/2 way on the right.

no name pub is a must go, the greatest pizza, and atmoshere. http://www.nonamepub.com/

you need to see the Key Deer,

all of this is on Big Pine Key. you can venture to Key West, and do they tourist thing. but it has gotten so commercial, i stopped visiting. Big Pine is 3/4 of the way down the keys. be prepared to tow on a 2 lane road from homestead to key west.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: The Keys??

Welcome down and ditto some of the previous posts. John Pennecamp State Park is a great place to visit with a ton of reef fish available to snorkle or scuba. Also Bahia Honda is another state park about half way down. Both of these locations have ramps that will accomodate boats such as yours. Key West itself is a zoo. But a friendly zoo! Lot's of people from another planet. But if you have come that far down you have to do the sunset thing out on Duval St. And one of the posts mentioned grounding your boat. You also cannot drop and anchor in places that will damage the coral. You will find lots of moring buoys in these areas, though. And be prepared to see some of the most beautiful gin clear water in Florida. Have a great time.

 

[woodee148]

Re: The Keys??

That's great, thanks all for your input. I am going to check some of the places in the RCI cat. and I may ask your advice again once I check out a couple of areas

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: The Keys??

When you guys go down to key west, where do you put your vehicle and trailer?

-E

 

[triumphrick]

Re: The Keys??

There is a public ramp at Bahia Honda, just a little north of the state park. We have tent camped at times and left the boat and trailer at that ramp. You do not have to be camping to use it however. As far as John Pennecamp there is dock space with power and water. The phone for Pennecamp is 305 451 6325. Also if you google florida keys boat ramps a ton of sites come up. Enjoy!

 

[sea wolf]

Re: The Keys??

We rented a houseboat out of Islamorada back in the early 90's. Had a great time. Spent a week on it. No GPS back then, but we sure could have used it, though we knew how to read a chart & plot a course. I hear Marathon is nice, but we didn't make it there. You definately will need a depth sounder, don't even think about going out without one. And watch out for sea grass. A big fine if you damage any.