Heading south for the winter

[PT26]

Snooks

Yes you can dinghy into their dock, I told them what I was up to and the reply was... No worries, take care of what you need to do your dinghy is fine right where it is. Awesome people with a great attitude

So we will be leaving in the morning headed for Marathon.

( side note, I am the luckiest guy to have such a great wife. Always willing to jump right in the middle of it all to get it done, she's my BFF )

[hanleyclifford]

1715 PT 26 entering Boot Key Harbor.

[PT26]

Boot Key Harbor

It was a nice day we had a good run from Key Largo to Boot Key.
We did have to run the A4 this morning but that was ok with me after all we went through the last couple days. The A4 ran like a dream... Sweeeet
We ran along on the inside using the protection of the land because it was to get real windy and it did. We hit Steamboat Channel perfect at high tide, super shallow no passage possible for us at low tide. We were able to sail for a good portion of the day.
The Captain said we are going to hang out here for a little while and do some short trips and the come back to the mooring here.
A mooring is 225 a month includes dinghy dock, showers and pump out when you need it so its a good home base to be on for the area.

[PT26]

Leaving boot key harbor

We left Boot Key Harbor yesterday and anchored around the corner in the Fanny Key islands. Our stay was awesome, we even hopped the bus and checked out the sailboat races a few days ago.

We're heading back to the mainland, Everglades City FL being our first stop.
--Trina

[Mo]

Sounds allot better than most of us further north....-20 C Here this morning...thats about 4 F.....wish I was sailing the coast of Fl today.

[Marian Claire]

PT. If you get a chance stop at City Seafood just before the low bridge. Richard, IIRC, owned the place when I was there 5+- years ago. Very helpful, lent me his golf cart to haul gas, offered for me to tie up on the dock for free and a great shrimp sub. I tied up to the nice/new docks at the abandoned resort for the first night. Then anchored up in the north end of the loop past the Rod and Gun Club. No telling what the rules are now. Dan S/V Marian Claire

[hanleyclifford]

Anybody got a read on PT26 loc stat? My last is about 15 nm NNW of Boot Key.

[hanleyclifford]

PT26 halted near Russell Bay off channel into Everglades City.

[PT26]

Long run

It was a long run from the Keys to Everglades City!
The currents and wind shifts off the tip of Florida are really something.
This area has a bazillion crab and lobster pots, made us a little nervous knowing we would be traveling at night. We did ok hit one with the dinghy, skimmed one with the boat I guess I would rather be lucky than good at this point!
Once in the lee of the west coast we had a nice wind that moved us along.
It did get late and we sailed for hours in the dark.
Upon arriving Trins said I should slow down and back it off we were coming in at six knots in the dark... I backed off but the current ran so strong it didn't help much. So with what we learned while cruising and using the charts as a "guide"
We charged up the river and found our spot, a little spooky and fun all at the same time.
Resting up today anchored up near Jenkins Key, Everglades city Fl. Then off to Marco Island to check it out... Kinda cold 80 degrees today lol time for a cool one.

[Mo]

Well done! Enjoy your stay there.

[PT26]

A few Pics


An ideal motorboat for an A4? This one we saw at Sombrero Beach.


Paul and Trina at Sombrero Beach, Florida Keys


Paul looking for something... making a total mess.


Mooring Field at sunset in Boot Key Harbor


Last night, sailing under the moon to Everglades City, FL

Have a great Evening Everyone!
--Trina

[hanleyclifford]

Hi Paul and Trina, Thanks for those pictures. You guys must be having a great time. Running at night thru crab traps can be a little nerve racking. Is there any way to make that run in daylight? Hanley

[PT26]

The run from Boot Key to Everglades City

Hi Hanley,

No the run is 83 .5 miles from where we were to the entrance.
Then you go up river at least 2 miles to find shallow and protected water.
Now if you have a fast boat maybe... But there is no escape, the traps make the Chesapeake Bay look like no ones there! With a fast boat you would still be dodging traps all day, some spots were almost impassable
We tried going out farther and it seemed to get worse, inside or outside there was no difference.
If one was ever a drift here they would not go hungry for sure!
All the best

[Marian Claire]

The only way I have found to avoid the traps is to get in close and be within the Park boundaries. The park waters are closed to the commercial boats. WARNING: This can put you into some shallow water. You can cross Florida Bay from up near Islamorada and head for Cape Sable then stay close in as you go north. This info is based on my trips before 2010 so things may have changed.
Dan S/V Marian Claire

[PT26]

Everglades.city to Marco Island

What a nice day, we left on an out going tide with wind in our favor.
We charted our course and had wind almost all day with only a few tacks To keep us on the rum line and then a broad reach the rest of the day just before arriving to Marxo Island. We lost wind and motored into the channel.
This place is a zoo to say the least, we hope they all have to work tomorrow!
We found fuel at a good price and a free pump out here at Marco River Marina.
Water was also free and trash too. They were cool enough to let me rinse off the salt on the boat, a good stop.
Anchoredge is just east of the marina in 12 feet a few boats not many
We leave at first light for Fort Myers FL.