January 28th 2012
Boot Key Harbor City Marina Increases Fees
Marathon, FL
by Charmaine Smith Ladd

Tuesday of this week, the City of Marathon approved an increase in the fees for mooring and dinghy dockage at their public City Marina. An increase has been expected, as the City is challenged to keep their books in the black. However expected the increase in fees, unexpected is the enormous rise in costs for those who choose to merely anchor and access the amenities of the City Marina.
Mooring rates include dinghy dockage, one weekly sewage pump out (additional pump outs are available at $5 each), parking for one motor vehicle, and access to the marina commons (including laundry and shower facilities).
Dingy dockage rates include all of the above except one is at anchor and not assigned the use of a mooring.
Daily mooring increased from $21 to $22.
Daily dinghy dockage increased from $13 to $22.
Weekly mooring increased from $105 to $110.
Weekly dinghy dockage increased from $45 to $85.
Monthly mooring increased from $275 to $300.
Monthy dinghy dockage increased from $135 to $225.
Most transient boaters have no need for a parking space. Laundry is carded and one pays separately for use. Many cruisers shower aboard and do not use the marina for that purpose. Perhaps the City of Marathon should consider lowering fees for those who wish to simply access the City Marina for dinghy dockage. Having amenities listed and paid for on as “as needed” basis would be much more agreeable to those who have no use for many of the services included with dinghy dockage. It is the opinion of this writer that $225 per month to dock a dinghy at a City Marina facility is far too much.
Charmaine Smith Ladd, SEECN Special Correspondent & Representative
Executive Director, Mariner’s Barr (Boaters’ Anchoring Rights & Responsibilities)
csmithladd@marinersbarr.org

Sorry Charmaine, I would love to visit you there, but I don’t willingly submit to extortion. Those prices are ludicrous for the dinghy dock. I guess that’s a good way to chase away those at anchor, if that is their intention.
John Kettlewell

And water is 5 cents per gallon.
Does anyone know if the mooring field is staying full this winter?
Ted

That is INCREDIBLE!!! We were waiting for a weather window and intending to visit Marathon on our way from Key West to Bimini, but your article just changed our plans. Charging the same for a dinghy tie-up as for a mooring is simply insane, what were they thinking? We’d have taken a mooring if we could get one, but we are not about to pay the same if there are no mooring balls available. How very unwelcoming.
Heather and Derek

Maybe dockside could reopen a dinghy dock for $50 a month for those at anchor. Bring in business they lost over the years.
Philip (formerly “Winds of Change”)

This is the second laudatory message we’ve received during early 2012 about a good experience at the Dinner Key Mooring Field. Clearly, other cruisers have releated a different sort of reaction in the past, but these recent messages lead us to conclude that things may very well be looking up at this facility.
Dinner Key Mooring field is managed by the adjacent and sprawling, Dinner Key Marina. Both facilities are located in southern Miami, hard by the vibrant Coconut Grove community.

We spent a good 4 days in the Dinner key mooring field in early January when a cold front passed with strong N NW winds and really enjoyed our stay . True the dinghy dock was abit crowded but we always found room and the ferry was available till 5 pm also . The ferry had fenders all around it so I cannot imagine how it could cause any damage to anyone. The shower and restroom facilities were spotless at the time we used them and I liked the fact that they were all in one unit for complete privacy . We were lucky to have a mooring which was not too far from the dock so managed to stay drywhen going ashore in our tender . The Fresh Market had everything we needed and we enjoyed going to the movies and dining out in the Coconut grove restaurants . All in all a good stay . The staff were also very friendly and helpful giving information about the locality . If the winds had been from the E SE then it might have been a different story and we would have chosen somewhere else for better protection.
Kat

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For the Dinner Key Mooring Field

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Dinner Key Mooring Field

Just west of the Florida Key’s Inside Route’s intersection with Channel Five, one of the most important transition routes from Hawk Channel to the Inside Route (or the other way around), cruisers’ can visit the Fiesta Key – KOA Campground Marina. This is a small, quite place, with a stone breakwater enclosed harbor. Don’t look for major restocking facilities around here, but otherwise, Captain Dalton is quite right about it being a good place to “hang out for a few days.”

We have stayed here several times. Always enjoy the friendly staff and lovely surroundings. Spent much of our visit 3 years ago, watching a 300+ lb sea turtle in the inlet to the marina. He came and went at his leisure on a daily basis, as did my husband and myself. A cool place to hang out for a few days or weeks away from the cold weather in Virginia.
Dot Dalton

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Fiesta Key/KOA Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Fiesta Key/KOA Marina

Well, I can give a short answer to Captains Ed and Bonnie’s question below. We have anchored within sight of the old fort on Garden Key, and when the wind got its dander up, we did a very passable imitation of a Mexican jumping bean.
PLEASE, other cruisers who have had a similar/dissimilar experienced, share your experiences by clicking the “Comment on This Posting/Marina/Anchorage/Bridge” link below.

What would the anchorage be like if the wind kicked to say 25-30. Would it be safe to anchor there? It does not appearto afford any shelter until back to Key West necessary.. We don’t mind a moderate roll roll or chop.
Thank You & Our Lord,s Blessings
Ed & Bonnie
S/V Almost Heaven- 51′ O.I. Ketch

Wonderful news to hear that the Miami/Dinner Key Mooring Field is being operated in such an efficient, cruiser friendly fashion. Cruisers can now put this facility on their list of stopovers with confidence!

After reading the reviews I was skeptical of this marina. However the mooring field is a different division of the marina and you can tell it in the pride and we care attitude of James and his helper (sorry I did not get his name). After talking with James on a Sunday afternoon on our way down he gave us preliminary instructions and assigned us a mooring ball. Upon entry one call on the radio and James gave us final instructions and then made a stop to check if everything was okay. The next morning without a call his helper stopped by with the pumpout boat to see if we needed a pumpout and we did. After that we checked in. James gave us info about the marina, showers, places to eat and where to get supplies. These two guys made for a great experience. I’m sure they would always go out of their way to accomodate the customer.
S/V indecision
Capt. Mike

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Eastern Florida Anchorage Directory Listing For the Dinner Key Mooring Field

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Dinner Key Mooring Field

No Name Harbor Anchorage has been the source of many differing opinions, mostly negative, in the last month or so. Ed and Bonnie have a more positive opinion of No Name Harbor which is on the waters of the tadpole-shaped harbor, indenting the westerly banks of south Key Biscayne, near Cape Florida.

Awesome anchorage! We could not use the local mooring fields because of our 51 ft length & weight so No name was our only choice to avoid strong winds from ALL DIRECTIONS.Yes the bottom is soft mud however properly set hooks will hold at least to 30 mph no problem. In regards to the weekend party this is Miami’s back yard and should be expected near any large boating community. The actual fee is $20.00 per night to anchor and $8.00 to tie up to the wall until 11 P/M. Our personal comment is No Name Harbor is if not the best anchorage we have been in it comes close.
Our Lord’s Blessing to All
Ed & Bonnie S/V Almost Heaven

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For No Name Anchorage

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of No Name Anchorage

Niles Channel certainly seems to be having its problems as of Janaury, 2012. This is the second item cherry picked from this week’s Local Notice to Mariners which concerns these waters.
Nile Channel runs north from the Hawk Channel between Moser Channel (Marathon) and Key West, some 2 nautical miles east of Hawk Channel’s marker #50A. We list at least three anchorages available to cruisers along Niles Channel (linked below).
We have plotted the reported position of the sunken vessel detailed below, and it seems to lie on the Ramrod Key (eastern) side of the Niles Channel, southeast of the “M GRS” notation on chart 11445! Confine your cruising to the channel’s mid-width or favor the westerly side of the passage slightly, to avoid this hazard!
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is declaring a Navigational Alert for these waters!

FLORIDA-BAHIA HONDA TO SUGARLOAF KEY-NILES CHANNEL: Hazard to Navigation
The Coast Guard received a report of a 30ft partially submerged sailing vessel in Niles Channel in the vicinity of Ramrod Key and Summerland Key in position 24-39.114N 081-25.686W. Mariners are advised to stay alert and transit the area with caution. Chart 11445

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position On Niles Channel At the Above Reported Position of the Sunken Vessel

 
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Niles Channel Northern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Niles Channel Southern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Niles Channel–Pye Key Anchorage

Niles Channel runs north from the Hawk Channel between Moser Channel (Marathon) and Key West, some 2 nautical miles east of Hawk Channel’s marker #50A. We list at least three anchorages available to cruisers along Niles Channel (linked below).
The northernmost anchor down spot will be discovered just south of the 40 foot fixed bridge spanning the gap between Summerland and Ramrod Keys. And, the sunken debris, marked by the new aid to navigation detailed in the notice below, cherry picked from the Local Notice to Mariners, lies s short hop south of this northern anchorage.
ALL mariners northbound on Niles Channel, whether to anchor or to continue navigation north of the bridge, need to be aware of the sunken debris marked by the “temporary buoy,” and take all measures necessary to keep clear!
The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net is declaring a Navigational Alert for these waters!

FLORIDA- FLORIDA KEYS-BAHIA HONDA TO SUGARLOAF KEY–NILES CHANNEL: Temporary Buoy
A temporary buoy has been placed at Niles Channel Bridge in approximate position 24-39-36.0N 081-26-06.0W marking fallen debris from the old Niles Channel Bridge fishing pier deteriorating. Mariners are advised to remain clear of this structure. Chart 11445

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position On Niles Channel Near the Postion of the New Marker Described Above

 
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Niles Channel Northern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Niles Channel Southern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Niles Channel–Pye Key Anchorage

The brief discussion below is copied from the American Great Loop Cruisers’ Association forum. Really, there are at least three different routes from Marathon to Cape Sable and the Western Florida coastline (or the other way around), but the first message below refers to only the easternmost of the three, known as the Yachtsman’s Channel.
In the second message below, our good friend, Captain Chuck Baier, gives some good general advice about this passage!

This is actually the reverse of what you want to do but it gives you some perspective. There is a place called Yachtsman’s Channel which is accessible from Channel 5 which is well north of Marathon. In fact you could take the ICW all the way to Yachtsman.
From that channel you pass by Cape Sable and which is the edge of the gulf.
Name Not Provided

We have made that crossing several times. About the best advise I can give you is to wait for the weather. You don’t have any information that I can find on the type of boat you have, the draft or how fast you can travel so the question is hard to answer. Ideally you want to wait until any fronts forecast on the way are already through and the seas have settled down. You can wait at Indian Key or Shark River to be a little closer. If you have a slower trawler you will want 24 hours of wind and or seas NOT on the beam and 10 knots or less winds. We use 24 hour wind and wave reports from weatherfax rather than NOAA vhf forecasts to make our decision. Best advise I can think of is to not try and outrun any approaching fronts.
Chuck

The exchange of anchoring information below is copied from the AGLCA mailing list, and organization that all of us at the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net continue to HIGHLY recommend.
The SSECN Florida Keys Anchorage Directory actually notes (at least) three good, anchor down spots in Tarpon Basin. Captains Dave, Alan and Jean, speaking below, seem to refer to what we term the “Tarpon Basin Interior Anchorage.” Follow the links below to check out all three possible anchorages!

I am looking for Good/Safe anchorage (overnight) along the route from Key West to Miami.
Dave
Saltie, Mainship 40′

Try Tarpon Basin at ICW mile 1140 at red daymark 48A.
Alan & Jean Lloyd

There are many options and Alan’s is an excellent recommendation. There is a dinghy dock in the NE section of the [Tarpon Basin] cove. Picnic tables etc. next to the community building.
Ted

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Tarpon Basin Interior Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For Tarpon Basin Northern Anchorage

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For Tarpon Basin Southern Anchorage

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Tarpon Basin

We have had earlier, laudatory postings here on the Net concerning the Key West city mooring field off Fleming Key (serviced through the Key West City Marina on Garrison Bight), but, speaking in my role as editor, I can tell you from personal experience that Captain Colket has a point in his remarks below. I guess it all depends on wind direction and speed, but I have been in this field when it was very comfortable, and at other times, we did a passable imitation of a Mexican jumping bean.

I must take exception regarding the Key West mooring field. I spent one December there. The nearest protection to the north is the Florida Panhandle. There was a persistent two foot chop the entire month, sometimes more. The dinghy ride to the dock was fun if you like getting soaked. By the way, they didn’t tell us the moorings do not have pendants attached. We arrived after the office closed, and had to put crew overboard to attach a line to the mooring. There have been many reports of boats dragging the moorings there. Nancy came close to going home, and I was one day away from giving the boat away by the time we found another location.
Garrison Bight Marina is a good alternative to the expensive marinas downtown. Best way to visit Key West is by car.
Happy cruising,
Peter Colket

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For the Garrison Bight – Fleming Key Mooring Field

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Garrison Bight – Fleming Key Mooring Field

I knew about the Shuttle Bus in Key West, but I did not realize that this same excellent service was available in Marathon. You learn something new every day in this business!

The shuttle Bus stops in Marathon a short walk away from Sombrero Dockside Marina. Right beside the Publix Market.
It stops on the Highway in Big Pine and I do not think it is anywhere near a Marina. You can check the website and use Mapquest, Google maps to check.
We are currently sitting at Sombrero Dockside and used the Shuttle Last Year, it is an easy walk.
Mitch & Carole

The inexpensive Key West Shuttle is one of the best ways for cruisers to get around ashore in this fascinating community. Thanks to Captain Bill for providing this great means to access info about this service.

Browse this site for all sorts of info on the Key West shuttle:
http://www.keywestcity.com/department/?fDD=14-0
Note that seniors can ride one way for $.50. The shuttle does stop at the Key West Airport and many places in Marathon and Big Pine Key. You will need exact fare. The website has a number you can call for real time information (305-809-3910).
Bill Donovan

I have been preaching from my pulpit for years now, that the fly in the proverbial ointment when it comes to the struggle for Florida Anchoring Rights, is the very real problem of abandoned vessels (“derelicts”) and what I term, “live aboard hulks” (vessels that are being lived on, but which will probably never move again)! These problem vessels are the excuse that the anti-anchoring forces keep throwing in the mix every time the debate rages about Florida anchoring.
Many others here on the Cruisers’ Net, and on many other forums, have opined that the problem of derelicts and “live aboard hulks” can be solved with existing Florida laws and regulations, thereby not penalizing all other boat owners.
Now, our good friend, and true friend of the cruising community, Captain Jay Bliss, member of the St. Augustine Port Commission, has provided us with the means below to research derelict vessels in Florida, on a county by county basis. Thank you Captain Bay for providing this wonderful resource!

Hi Claiborne,
Here’s the pertinent website for the identification, procedures, for Derelict, Abandoned,and AtRisk vessels in FL

http://myfwc.com/media/407584/GeneralOrder21.pdf

For those that reside in any particular patch in FL, they can get an idea of the problem boats in a particular county by going to this site

https://public.myfwc.com/LE/ArrestNet/DerelictVessel/VesselMap.aspx

At that url, examine the Legend (rh side), then clik “Queries”. The page there allows you to type in a FL county. Do that, and press Search.
Your county will show problem boats as colored circles. Clik on a given circle, and you’ll see further details about that boat. Stats are in the lower left side of the page. You can compare counties, etc. You can learn dates boats were identified, etc. It’s a valuable tool to see how we progress in ridding our Public waters of problem boats.
Jay Bliss

Cruisers visiting the warm waters and sun kissed sands of Key Largo during late January 2012, will want to make every effort to attend this FUN event!

A festival chock full of fresh stone crabs, conch, local seafood, music, entertainment and fun for the entire family, including a Conch Cook-Off, cooking demonstrations, a peel-and-eat shrimp eating contest, a “little mermaid” contest and a kids’ play area with live fish aquarium & touch tank. Arts & craft vendors, Junkanoo band, magic shows, face painters, food, beverages and key lime pie.
More details at:
http://keylargoseafoodfestival.com/

Well, it’s not the cheapest night’s entertainment I’ve ever come across, but it sure sounds like a LOT of historic FUN. Those fortunate cruisers who are visiting Key West this January, should seriously consider marking this event on their calendars!

Step back in time and enjoy an opulent night of period costumes, dinner, dancing and fireworks, celebrating the glories of the Flagler era. From 6-10 p.m. at the historic Casa Marina – A Waldorf Astoria Resort, located at 1500 Reynolds Street. Seats limited; 180 guests maximum. Tickets are to be available for purchase at the Flaglerkeys100 site. Cost per person: $100, includes one hour of open bar cocktails, dinner, beverages, fireworks as well as a silent auction to benefit Friends of Old Seven, a nonprofit organization formed as a community effort to save, enhance and maintain the historic Old Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon, a significant piece of railroad history. More details to follow, check:
http://www.flaglerkeys100.com/flaglers-100th-anniversary-gala-costume-ball

Little Basin is a semi-enclosed body of water, just off the Florida Keys Inside (Florida Bay) route. Its shores are overlooked by World Wide Sportsman – Bayside Marina, and several other smaller facilities. IN addition to “Ma’s Fish Camp,” listed below, also give Islamorada Fish Company a try, just next to WWS. GREAT grouper sandwiches and dockside dining!

Little Basin is a nice anchorage if you don’t draw too much. I was able to hug the channel with a wing keel catalina drawing 4 feet. Stay close to the channel. Across the street is a great little restaurant. Ma’s Fish Camp. Great Bahamian Conch Chowder and fish dip. I am a snob for both and they have some of the best of both in the keys. The Key Lime pie is great and they will also make a salad and put grilled fish on it for you. North about one block up the street is the Keys Hurricane Memorial Park which is worth a visit for the history. Also a decent package store.
Bob

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Anchorage Directory Listing For Little Basin Anchorage

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Little Basin Anchorage

Bayside Marina is the (what else) marina part of the mammoth World Wide Sportsman’s operation, in the heart of Islamorada. There’s lots of neat restaurants, shops and provisioning possibilities within walking distance.
HOWEVER, Captains Brooke and Susan are quite correct in their comments about the shallow entrance passage to this facility. We have often sounded 4 feet during MLW, while cruising into Little Basin. Deep draft vessels need not apply, but for those whose draft does not exceed 4 feet, give this facility a try!

Today it was a short trip to Islamorada and are at the World Wide Sportsman Marina. Diesel is $4.09 and slip is $2.00/ft including free pumpout and electricity too. This is an EXTREMELY shallow approach 4′. Tide is 1 hour after Alligator reef if you want to come here. It really is nice once you get in.
Brooke & Susan

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For World Wide Sportsman’s Bayside Marina

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of World Wide Sportsman’s Bayside Marina