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Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
Our good friend, Captain Sterling has done it again!!!!!! Really, fellow cruisers, do NOT miss this one!!!
Click her to see our winning entry
_FRIGHT B4 CHRISTMAS 2012 – YouTube_
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY4gFOO0H3Y
See you in Paradise!
Capt. Sterling
SterlingLadyIII
Our good friends at SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR Key Lime Sailing Club wish everyone a hearty, Happy New Year with these very special offers and Florida Keys news linked below:
http://app.streamsend.com/private/L7ZO/1oe/Q2yJYID/browse/17715227
WOW, looks like a very FUN time was had by all!!!! Check out these videos, particularly the first one linked below!
Angelfish Creek - Click for Chartview
I don’t think any channel in the Florida Keys has occasioned more comment here on the Cruisers’ Net than Angelfish Creek. For those who don’t already know, this creek provides a means to cruise from the Inside/Florida Bay Route (from Card Sound), to Hawk Channel and the briny blue. There has always been some question about depths along this route, and we have received many reports here on the Net about an underwater “rock,” near the point where the marked passage meets up with the deeper waters abutting Hawk Channel.
Most of Captain Copeland’s comments below concern another subject, namely, why planing hull craft tend to transit Angelfish at high speed. Boy, if the props on my vessel cost $40K each, I might do the same thing, and then again, I might not!
In re: to Angelfish Creek navigation: As a captain of a 50′ sport fish who navigates this creek frequently (not because I have a choice…I do not) with my 4’10″ draft, I have seen many posts from other boaters who seem very frustrated with “big sportfishers” who take this channel pushing high wakes or at high speeds.
I would like to explain WHY this is the case:
1. I will never take this channel under two hours before or after a low tide – particularly in a west wind or a full moon.
2. The $2M boat has wheels which costs almost $40,000.
3. The shallowest parts of the channel is at the eastern end (a rock ledge, yes…rock) and western (bayside) end (which is shoaljng). For us to get up on plane enough to make this passage, it is necessary for the large sport boats to go fast! There are only a few places in the creek itself where we can slow down in enough time to get up on plane again to get out.
4. Believe it or not big sport boat wakes are less annoying when they are up on plane and not chugging.
Please try and understand these boats also have the right to navigate this channel. And believe me, if we had a choice, we wouldn’t!
J. Copeland
I am sometimes asked who was the very first to support the Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net when our site first came on the scene back in early 2006. Well, the answer is Captain Paul and the Key Lime Sailing Club. I received a telephone call from Paul while he was traveling in the Philippines. His enthusiastic support of what we were trying to do really gladdened our hearts, and made everyone’s day.
And so, it is with much gratitude that we present the report below about this interesting facility having survived Tropical Storm Isaac with only very minor damage.
South Florida and the Florida Keys experienced heavy rains and strong winds brought by the Hurricane Isaac last Sunday. Thankfully Key Lime Sailing Club made thru the storm without any damage. The nearby restaurant Category 3 is one of the few places in Key Largo that kept their shop open during the storm and continued serving their delicious delicacies including their special stuffed hamburger. We are currently praying for the safety of places still on the path of Hurricane Isaac.
Key Lime Sailing Club and Cottages will be adding a new boat to the fleet. It is a 35’ Pontoon boat that can be used for bayside snorkeling and island tours. It will be ready this coming December for private charters and group charters. So book now for December or early next year and be one of the first guests to experience this new KLSC attraction!
Each cottage rental comes with designated 22’ sailboat that you can use for free for your entire stay! Use our kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, dinghies, snorkel gear, fishing gear, and bicycles all you want, also at no extra cost. Plus we give out a free Sunset Cruise to all our guests once or twice a week in Paul’s Catamaran around Florida Bay. Best vacation deal ever only at Key Lime Sailing Club!
Sailing lessons and sailboat charters are also available!
Check out our websites http://www.keylimesailingclub.com and http://www.keylargocottages.com for more info, you can also visit our Photos page and see uploaded photos of our dear guests and friends having a vacation to remember.
SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Pilot House Marina, is accessed from the Hawk Channel side of the Key Largo. The entrance canal cuts west towards charted “Lake Largo,” and Pilot House guards the intersection of the canal and lake.
This is really a great spot, with MANY improvements having been made over the past year or two. The SSECN is very proud to have these good people as a sponsor!
The “I Love Lucy” is presently in Key Largo. We have great diving and snorkeling. We are at the pilot house marina, and they are very [cruiser] friendly,having a [cruisers'] lounge with a book exchange and large screen tv.
Ed & Lucy Guillard
Both Ed and Lucy of “I Love Lucy” are wonderful people to be around. They are always positive and enjoying life. This is one of the reasons we at the Pilot House love “Cruisers” in general and why we strive to make Cruisers comfortable during your stay at Pilot House Marina, in the heart of Downtown Key Largo…the Dive and Fishing Capitol of the World. Our latest improvement for Cruisers….A covered outdoor lounge for potlucks, socializing or just plain lounging around! Warm Regards….Don Brown
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Pilot House Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Pilot House Marina
Rodriguez Key Anchorage lies to the north of Rodriguez Key, off Hawk Channel, and northwest of marker #37. This is one of the only anchor down spots on the Hawk Channel side of the Florida Keys north and east of Channel Five.
My wife and I have spent 6 nights at anchor behind Rodriquez Key over the last 4 cruising seasons as we moved from and to Marathon in the Keys. The main issue for us was the sea grass and how it made anchoring difficult. We learned from experience that the best practice was to find a large area of sand drop the anchor and pay out the chain to the desired amount. Once done we backed down and set the anchor. Our usual practice in other anchorages was to begin backing down as the anchor touched bottom. At Rodriquez, that technique only gathered a large amount of grass and an anchor not setting. We had more than a few nights with 15kn of wind and we never dragged.
If you have a dog to walk, It is a long ride to the NW for a place for puppy relief.
John
what an informative post -. thank you
s/v ZIG-ZAG
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Rodriguez Key Anchorage
Rodriguez Key Anchorage lies to the north of Rodriguez Key, off Hawk Channel, and northwest of marker #37. This is one of the only anchor down spots on the Hawk Channel side of the Florida Keys north and east of Channel Five.
On 6/4/2012, we spent the night behind Rodriguez Key. It was a pleasant experience, we found plenty of water getting in there, you just have to pay attention to your chart and the shoaling off the southeastern tip of the island. The shoals are actually very well marked with floating buoys, but be careful because they extend out quite a bit further. It’s easy to see the color change in the water if you come in during daylight hours. We got there just before dark and found several boats already on the anchor, but there was still plenty of room and we dropped the hook in about 7′ of water. The wind kicked up out of the southwest during the night, but we were reasonably well protected. Not sure I’d want to be there in a howling northeaster!
David Ogle
S/V Double Decker
35′ Cheoy Lee Robert Perry Sloop
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Rodriguez Key Anchorage
Captain Paul and Key Lime Sailing Club are one of our oldest and most loyal SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSORS!
So, here’s the deal. If you rent a room at Key Lime Sailing Club, it comes complete with your own 22′ Catalina sailcraft. How’s that for a deal!
This is a great Place, As the Owner and on site manager for 11 years, I personally make sure each of my guests has the best vacation the Florida Keys has to offer, With its great Weather and setting around the beach getting some sun, Kayaking, Fishing, Snorkeling, swimming in the warm waters of the Florida bay, or Sailing off to see the Florida Everglades and the 100′s of Islands that make it up our Shoal Draft 22′ Catalina sailboat will get you there and Safely back to port to see one of the nicest sunsets in the keys. I am sure if you try us, you will be back again & again……….Check out our Site…..[Click sponsorship icon at above left to access the Key Lime Sailing Club website!]
…….. We are Easy to Reach But Hard to Forget……..
Thank You
Paul
SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR Key Lime Sailing Club is offering GREAT off-season rates. Check it out at their website by clicking either their sponsorship panel to the left, or the link to their web site below:
www.keylimesailingclub.com
Pilot House Marina continues to receive praise here on the Cruisers’ Net. Clearly, this is one of the most cruiser friendly facilities in the upper Keys.
We stayed at Pilot House Marina 5 days. The first morning our coffee maker died. I went to the ship’s store and explained the problem. The lady went to the resturant and made a pitcher of coffee for us. To our suprise, a pitcher of coffe was provided all the other mornings too. A VERY enjoyable stay and a caring and knowledgeable staff!
Hal Womersley
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Pilot House Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Pilot House Marina
To find one’s way from the Hawk Channel to Marina Del Mar, you must run the marked and charted channel to what I call the Key Largo Canal, north of Lake Largo. Marina Del Mar has always struck me as a bit on the touristy side, but, on the other hand, it is one of the few facilities on the Hawk Channel side of Key Largo that offers transient dockage.
A good place to spend the night would be Marina del Mar. A little pricey (3.00 per foot plus electric) but a very calm marina and lots of stuff to do within walking or biking distance. Home to African Queen (boat used in Bogey movie of same name). There are 3 pools on site, two restaurants (Coconuts also has live entertainment weekends, and good drinks and bartenders), and a continental breakfast comes with the slip. Showers at two locations depending on what side of the marina you are on, and both excellent. Laundry facilites as well
Best local restaurant off site would be Ballyhoos about 2 miles south of the marina.
My normal morning activity is to get up early and watch all the fishing and snorkeling boats departing the marina. if you do want to snorkel or dive, Molasses is best and closest, and best time to go is between 11:00 and 1:00 (the commercial boats have all returned to their docks prepping for afternoon run).
If you decide to go talk to Candi, the dockmaster, and tell her the captain of In-T-Mate recommended the marina. No financial advantage for me, but it gets me good points when i do show up, and I stay there a lot.
Good luck and smooth sailing.
K. Conners
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Marina Del Mar Marina and Resort
Pilot House Marina can be a little tricky for first timers to locate. Study chart 11451, and scan the Key Largo section of the Florida Keys west of Mosquito Bank and Hawk Channel marker #35. If you look sharp, you’ll spy Lake Largo. Pilot House lies on the northern banks of the canal approaching Key Largo, just as the passage enters Lake Largo.
Incidentally, your depth sounder has not lost its mind if you note soundings exceeding 20 feet on Lake Largo. This body of water was a one-time Rock Quarry for Henry Flagler’s railroad that “went to sea.” But, that’s another story for another day.
We’re on a 46′ Sea Ray and stayed at Pilot House Marina for four days… thoroughly enjoyable! The approach is a canal that looks tricky but is not. The staff at Pilot House is knowledgeable and attentive, especially Dockmaster Don Brown (who even pulled our dog’s tennis ball out of the water not once, but twice!). There are two restaurants on site (one with a glass-bottomed bar), and a dolphin research center and a community park (with swimming pool, tennis courts, and fitness track) are within easy walking distance. Pilot House is not for the resort-minded, but is a casual, very friendly, and comfortable marina with unequalled sunsets.
Kim and Terry
“Hawkeye”
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Pilot House Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Pilot House Marina
The marked channel leading to Curtis Marina cuts off the ocean/Hawk Channel north of Tavernier Key. First time entry by visitors can be tricky!
This marina is almost always full with about 20 slips, mostly live aboards. Next to Curtis is Blue Waters Marina a live aboard marina. sometimes you can get a slip there. Our draft is 4.5ft & we had no problem. Stay to your port in the deeper water before coming in the markers to the channel.
Steve
The channel can be easily traversed with over 5′ draft to either Curtis Marine or BlueWaters marina. We draw 5’3″ and have no trouble with at least 1′ above datum, (3 hours +- high tide) The shallow spot is just before the channel entrance lighted G”1″ and R”2″, stay to starbord, over toward the red to avoid a hump. Once inside the first markers the channel is very deep.
If you need to wait for the tide, the anchorage on the NW side of Tavernier Keys is excellent, with depths raging from 5 to 8 feet at low water.
Capt. Edana Long
Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Florida Keys Marina Directory Listing For Curtis Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Curtis Marina
Actually, the “crash corner” referred to below by Captains Richard and Neena is NOT located on the approach channel to the John Pennecamp State Park Marina. Rather, it will be discovered on what I call the “Key Largo Canal” which lies just a short hop south of the marked entrance to the park. Key Largo Canal leads to Marina Del Ray, and several other facilities, while the park channel leads to, you guessed it, the Park marina and a nearby mooring field on Largo Sound.
It was with some trepidation that we decided to come into the park~ after all the cruising descriptions ” CRASH CORNER”, and “DANGEROUS TURN” gave some pause! Channel is well marked, we never saw less than 6′ on a mid tide, all the Cruise Boat ( they have a set schedule so you can call ahead and avoid the big cruise boat if need be) and Dive Boat operators are courteous and the Park Dockmaster Scott coudn’t be more welcoming. There is laundry on premises and several nice restaurants, a Publix and a West Marine are within a mile walk. Slips have electric, water and there is a good working pump out. We are delighted we made the stop.
RICHARD & NEENA RODGERS
MV SLOOPLESS
It’s fun to stay at John Pennekamp State Park on Key Largo. They have a few slips for big or small boats and lots of mooring space for small boats. We stayed there in our 53 ft. Hatteras right at the park dock. Very interesting to go in through the marked mangrove channels and plenty of water depth with minimum of 5 ft. plus. Take the park boat to snorkel or scuba at the underwater state park coral reef or just go out and grab a free govt. mooring ball with your own boat (watch the charts carefully). Great park to walk around there and some minimal park type food, but nothing else you can walk to.
Depending on how far you usually cruise, you can easily make that your only stop between Marathon and Miami with two 50 NM days or so.
Doug
Moving south from Miami, Angelfish Creek is the first really practical inlet that skippers of cruising sized craft might consider to cruise from Biscayne Bay/the Florida Keys Inside Route to Hawk Channel, or the other way around. For the past five years or so, there have been rumors of an underwater “rock” on the Hawk Channel side of this passage, near the channel’s edge. Some have reported finding this hazard the hard way, while others have sworn it was not there at all. Looks like our fearless roving reporter, Captain Jane, had good luck here!
Our January 2011 update for Angelfish Creek: We favored greens 1, 2, 3. And favored the reds 6 to 14. No problem for us at 1.3 above MLW. We draw 5 feet. The lowest we saw was 7 feet at the entrance near Green daymark 1.
Your Fearless Roving Reporter
Captain Jane
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Angelfish Creek
The entrance channel to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Marina is found off Hawk Channel, on the east side of Key Largo, at flashing red marker #2 which lies west, northwest of Hawk Channel marker #35. By panning down on the linked Chart View page below you can find marker #35 off Mosquito Bank.
We stayed three nights over Thanksgiving weekend 2010. The facilities were fine, but the showers weren’t available since a contractor was working on the park facilities. Our only complaint was the no-see-ums, which were voracious when the wind wasn’t howling. Helpful folks at the marina, and acted like they were actually glad we were there!
Skipper Jack Kuhlmann
Captain Jane’s observations on this anchorage mirror my own experiences. It’s fine if you must anchor near to Hawk Channel, as long as the weather does not get to agitated. Give me a well sheltered Florida Key Anchorage on the inside route very time, but, with the draft of Captain Jane’s vessel, that would be an iffy proposition at best.
Anchored on north side of Rodriguez Key
Sometimes you don’t want to stop and savor the swells of Hawk Channel and just want to get to Marathon — especially if your vessel draws 5 feet or more. With Pennekamp State Park now off limits to boats drawing more than 4 1/2 feet, according to the ranger who answered the phone the two times we have asked, that leaves safe harbors few and far between for many cruising boats.
Rodriguez Key anchorage took good care of us during a small craft advisory one December night. Yes, we rocked enthusiastically when the front came in but we didn’t drag. We chose a spot in the charted anchorage on the island’s north side, close enough to be in her lee. Another vessel was quite a distance north of the island. She was there in the morning in apparently the same position as at sunset.
We experienced excellent holding in 8 1/2 feet of water– winds were gusting at 20. North swells made it not my favorite experience but tolerable. I’ve experienced far less comfortable southern swells at Indian Key and similar conditions at Pumpkin Key. We set two anchors, a Fortress and a plow.
It might have been more comfortable on the south side of the island, where another sailboat anchored that night, but I’m not sure as the swells in Hawk Channel are difficult to hide from. The NOAA predictions had been so wrong that day, it was difficult to know which side to choose.
We met some experienced skippers who use this anchorage every crossing. It certainly makes possible a two-day trip between Dinner Key and Marathon which can be useful in a period of frequent cold fronts when three-day weather windows can be hard to find.
In short, Rodriguez Key is a swell anchorage (pun intended) with excellent holding. The charted shoal on the eastern point appears to be marked by small floats. In a blow, set two anchors and bring plenty of ginger snaps.
Captain Jane
S/V Lady Jane
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Rodriguez Key Anchorage
"Blue Run Springs Park Manatees – St. Johns River"
by: Glen and Jill Moore
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To A “Navigation Alert” Position at Angelfish Creek Eastern Entrance