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Please Note That Postings Below From Fellow Cruisers Are Listed in Chronological Order, Based on Publication Date
How many places do you know where a sailboat is provided with your room or cottage with so many wonderful and engaging activities to enjoy?
Well, read on and start planning a visit to the REAL Florida Keys…Key Lime Sailing Club is a unique slice of KEYS ENJOYMENT…give it a try and let us hear about your experience.
Key Lime Sailing Club, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, always has very special offers for their visitors! Key Lime Sailing Club is on the Inside Route side of Key Largo.
Welcome to our unique little hideaway. Secluded, serene, and perfectly located, our self-contained cottages have everything you need for a relaxing waterfront vacation.
CLICK FOR PHOTOS AND MORE!
Clear Kayak
* Cottages with Free designated 22′ Sailboats
* Shared Kayaks
* Paddleboards
* Canoes
* Paddle boats
* Sunfish
* Hobie Wave
* Fishing and snorkeling gear
Sailboat rentals:
36 C&C on port tack with 6 volunteers onboard
* 36′ C& C
* 33′ Morgan Islander
* 22′ Catalinas as Bareboat or Captained charters
* Captained Sunset Sails on a 47′ all electric Lagoon Catamaran
* Captained Day Sailing with snorkeling or kayaking trips on a 47′ all electric Lagoon Catamaran
We have been stretching out and have added a marina in February 2017:
South Dade Marina and Eco Adventures to the Key Lime Sailing Club & Cottages Family.
From the marina we will be running:
33 Morgan Islander arriving in canal
* Kayak rentals and tours
* Sailboat rentals
* Captained sunset sails 6 pac on 34 Gemini Catamaran
* Captained 8 hr daysails 6 pac on 34 Gemini Catamaran
with one or 2 activities available
* Kayaking Everglades
* Mangrove snorkeling
* Beach barbeque
* 10 to 11 hr 32 mile round trip ocean Sail to Snorkel Turtle Reef
Last year we also added Morning Star Sailing Charters
Morning Star runs a 50′ Ericson that has been doing snorkel
47 Lagoon layout
6 pac sailing charters in Key Largo for 30 years.
This year we upgraded Morning Star activities to include:
* Sailboat rentals
* Sailing lessons
* Bareboat and Captain charters
So we now have 3 locations with a shared activities and boats:
1. Key Lime Sailing Club & Cottages: Bayside Key Largo
2. Morning Star Charters: Ocean Side Key Largo and south Dade marina
3. South Dade Marina & Eco Adventures: Florida Everglades / Manatee Bay / Florida City
* American Sailing Academy an ASA School : Located at South Dade Marina and Key Lime Sailing Club
* 68′ Formosa Liveaboard, cruising with Paul from around the Bahamas to South America
One week stays available starting in Jan 2018
Thank You
Paul Keever
President, CEO, CFO, Office Manager,
Book keeper, Advertising Manager, Sailing Instructor, Concierge, Psychologists, Ordained Minister,
ECO Tour guide, Maintenance Man, Gardener, House keeper and to my kids, Father,
Mr. Mom, Doctor Dad, Want-a-be Dentist, Seamstress, Maid, Cook, ATM.
Mailing Address
CSK at Sunset
Key Lime Sailing Club (KLSC)
101425 Overseas HWY #922
Key Largo FL 33037
KLSC Reservations # 305 451 3438
Fax 305 453 5455 Office
KLSC Water Front Sunset Tiki Hut
GPS mark N. 25.05.5869 W. 080.26.7145
Hope to sea ya sailing /) this way one day ⛵️
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Key Lime Sailing Club
Key Lime Sailing Club, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, has very special offers for Mothers! Key Lime Sailing Club is on the Inside Route side of Key Largo.
Key Lime Sailing Club : $144 NT Florida Keys Deal
Key Lime Sailing Club
101425 Overseas Hwy. #922
Key Largo , FL 33037
Tel:305-451-3438
Email: Keylargocottages@Keylimesailingclub.com
Our good friends at Key Lime Sailing Club, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, have some very special offers for their SPRING visitors! Key Lime Sailing Club is on the Inside Route side of Key Largo.
Key Lime Sailing Club : $144 NT Florida Keys Deal
Key Lime Sailing Club
101425 Overseas Hwy. #922
Key Largo , FL 33037
Tel:305-451-3438
Email: Keylargocottages@Keylimesailingclub.com
Andree is correct about the history of this once popular anchorage, see http://cruisersnet.net/99799. And see http://cruisersnet.net/158819 for details on a new Florida law dealing with at-risk and derelict vessels. Thank you Andree for your perspective.
I was anchored out in Sunset Cove from 2001 to 2007 we tied our dinghies off the Bayside Resort pier. A chain link fence was put up and no trespassing sign a few years later. Thanks to some people who slept under the tree, drank , litter and trash the shore. It was a disgrace and bad image for the resort and tourists so they [authorities] did what they could to prevent it. That is why there are barely any boats there anymore. The anchorage has moved to Government center a few miles up the road.
Andree J Hardy
Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Sunset Cove
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sunset Cove Anchorage
Skipper Pearsall’s report is the opposite of a 2015 report, see http://cruisersnet.net/146935, but facilities and prices at any location can change, see http://cruisersnet.net/155306. Mangrove Marina is one of only a very few facilities offering transient dockage on the Florida Keys Inside Route between a point south of Jewfish Creek, and Snake Creek. To access Mangrove Marina, depart the Inside Route just northeast of the Tavernier Creek intersection, between markers #64A and #65. Note that Mangrove Marina also features a full service repair yard!
We’ve been cruising to Mangrove Marina for many years; the rates WERE reasonable, dockmates were (and still are) very friendly, and the location is excellent.
NOW, we find rates have gone up after we made reservations, electric is no longer included in the dock rate (they now charge $85/month for 30 amp electric), a swimming pool is only partly completed and is best for mosquito farmers, the “food truck” hasn’t been opened at all since we’ve been here, income seems to be not used at all for maintenance and improvements, parking space has been reduced, and the bathroom/showers haven’t been cleaned in the past few days.
Adelle Pearsall
Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Mangrove Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Mangrove Marina
Our good friends at Key Lime Sailing Club, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, have some very special offers for their September visitors! Key Lime Sailing Club is on the Inside Route side of Key Largo.
$99 per Night Cottage and Low Season Rates!
Why is it still great to come down for a Florida Keys vacation during these months? Because the water is still warm, the air is still warm, and you can enjoy a less crowded Keys experience, plus everything is a better DEAL! Like our Key Lime Sailing Club & Cottages Special below:
Take advantage of our last minute vacation special! Book our Hideout Cottage for a minimum of 5 nights on any dates from August 30, 2015 until September 30, 2015 and get it for only $99 per night! Shorter stays also available for other cottages with our low season rates.
Here are our available cottages and dates for September:
Cottage rental includes unlimited use of a 22’ sailboat (for qualified sailors), kayaks, paddle boards, water toys, bicycles, snorkel and fishing gear, and a sunset cruise once or twice a week on our 47’ Catamaran at no extra cost . Visit our website www.keylimesailingclub.com and send us a Request to Book! You can also call our reservation specialist at 305-451-3438.
CLICK HERE For more offers and news from Key Lime Sailing Club.
Key Lime Sailing Club
101425 Overseas Hwy. #922
Key Largo , FL 33037
Tel:305-451-3438
Email: Keylargocottages@Keylimesailingclub.com
Our good friends at SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR Key Lime Sailing Club want to wish you and your Mom a very special Happy Mother’s Day! Key Lime Sailing Club is on the Inside Route side of Key Largo.
Mother’s Day Gift!
Treat your mom to an early Mother’s Day here in the Florida Keys! At Key Lime Sailing Club and Cottages, you’ll be able to enjoy the best of the Keys like sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, eco tours, manatee visits, amazing sunsets, and nearby local attractions without spending a lot of money. This is a vacation that you will remember for many years to come as our dear guests have experienced. Book now as we still have cottages available this April and May.
Cottage rental starts at $225 per night (plus cleaning fees and taxes) and includes the free use of a 22’ sailboat (for qualified sailors), kayaks, paddle boards, snorkel gear, fishing gear, and other water toys. We also take out all of our guests once or twice a week aboard our 40’ catamaran for a sunset cruise around Florida Bay for free! You won’t get this deal anywhere else.
Call 305-451-3438 or just reply to this email to inquire or to reserve. Check out our website www.keylimesailingclub.com for more info.
If you have no sailing experience yet but would like to learn, we have a sailing school onsite where you can get ASA certified from some of the best sailing instructors in the industry! For sailing school information you can talk to Capt Gary at 305-587-3205.
Click Here for a listing of upcoming events.
Key Lime Sailing Club
101425 Overseas Hwy. #922
Key Largo , FL 33037
Tel:305-451-3438
Email: Keylargocottages@Keylimesailingclub.com
Our good friends at SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR Key Lime Sailing Club want to wish you and your family a very Happy Easter! Key Lime Sailing Club is on the Inside Route side of Key Largo.
Photo by Joe Sweat of Better Off Wet Magazine
Happy Easter from the Florida Keys!
If you haven’t booked your Florida Keys vacation yet, we still have availability.
Listed below is our available cottages and dates until May:
Call Teresa at 305-451-3438 or reply to this email for reservations! You can also check out our website www.keylimesailingclub.com for more information.
Cottage rental includes free use of 22′ sailboat (for qualified sailors), kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, water toys, bicycles, snorkel & fishing gear, and free Sunset Cruise around Florida Bay!
If you do not know how to sail yet but would like to start now, we offer sailing certification courses where you’ll learn from some of the best sailing instructors in the industry! Come check out our Learn to Sail packages.
Good news for those who are planning to go to the Keys for the next few months as we have some great local activities lined up that you’ll surely love!
Florida Keys Events through May:
Islamorada / April 5
Underwater Easter Egg Hunt
The Easter bunny hosts this annual underwater egg hunt to benefit Kids in Special Situations, a local charity for needy children. Famous for his up-close creature feature dives with his undersea friends, Captain Spencer Slate, clad in a giant bunny suit and dive gear, hides brightly coloured Easter eggs for ardent bounty hunters on the sand, adjacent to a shallow coral reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Real eggs and nontoxic colourings are used to avoid any negative environmental impact. Open to divers and snorkelers, check-in at 8 a.m. Dive is scheduled to depart the dock at 8:30 a.m., must register prior to event. Check in at Captain Slate’s Scuba Adventures, located at mile marker (MM) 90.7 oceanside in Tavernier at the Casa Mar Village shopping enclave.
Contact: 305-451-3020
Key Largo / April 16
Free Fish I.D. Classes with Keys Underwater Photographers: Filefishes
Learn how to identify fish found in the Florida Keys! Join Allison & Carlos Estape at REEF Headquarters (MM 98.3 in the median) for interactive fish behavior & ID classes. Become a citizen-scientist by participating in REEF’s Volunteer Fish Survey Project where divers & snorkelers add their Fish ID Surveys to REEF’s database which is used by scientists around the world. Begins 7 p.m.
Contact: Allison Estape 305 794 5081
Key West / April 17– 26
33rd Annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration
With activities ranging from wacky bed race to a lighthearted sea battle featuring tall ships, the Conch Republic’s 10-day birthday party showcases the independent and eccentric spirit that characterizes the Florida Keys.
Contact: 305-296-0213
Islamorada / April 19
21st Annual Bay Jam
This music and art festival features local and guest artists performing on the shores of Florida Bay at the ICE Amphitheater at Founders Park, mile marker 87 on U.S. 1. Attendees can savor the sounds from midday through sunset and into the night from the hammock-like performance center set against the aqua waters of Florida Bay.
Contact: 305-394-2765
Email: davjazdog@aol.com
Key West / April 30 – May 3
Key West Paddleboard Classic
During this ocean paddleboard race, participants enjoy a challenging 12-mile course over crystal blue waters, circling Key West through scenic mangroves, passing by the Historic Seaport district and more. The race around Key West is open to paddlers on standup paddleboards, prone boards, outrigger canoes, dory boats, surf skis and kayaks. Other weekend beach and paddling activities are planned.
Contact: Sue Cooper 305-304-4259
Email: sue@lazydog.com
Key Largo / May 14– 17
Key Largo’s Original Music Festival
Enjoy the food, entertainment and ambiance of Key Largo during this singers and songwriters event. Multiple “on the water” venues feature Nashville’s hit songwriters and musicians as well as unique local entertainers. Presented by the Upper Keys Business Group.
Contact: 305-394-3736
For more Florida Keys Events, please visit www.fla-keys.com.
Win Free Stays at Key Lime Sailing Club
To our guests and friends, get a chance to go back and vacation at KLSC for free by sending us pictures of your stay here! Win our 4th KLSC Photo Contest and get a 3 free night stay. Check here for details.
Got a talent for video making? Join our KLSC Video Contest and get a chance to win a free 5 night stay! Check here for details.
We at Key Largo Cottages at Key Lime Sailing Club love our guests and we will be happy to have you guys here again for another fun filled and relaxing Florida Keys vacation!
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Theresa in Reservations is standing by @
keylargocottages@keylimesailingclub.com or call 1-305-451-3438
Thank you and Sea Yah all in the Florida Keys!
Top 12 Things to Do in The Upper Keys
1.Take a free tour of Key Largo Fisheries,see where most of the fish and lobster in the Keys come from. 1-800-432-4358 www.keylargofisheries.com
2. Complete Senor Frijoles’ Free On-line Key Largo Treasure Hunt. Fill it out and take to Senor Frijoles to win your free gift. 305-451-1592 www.senorfrijolesrestaurant.com
3. Take a dip at the Beach at Marker 88, and while you are there, enjoy a refreshing beverage. 305-852-9315 www.marker88.info
4. Feed the Tarpon from the dock at Sundowners 305-451-4502 www.sundownerskeylargo.com
5. See the Pontune’s Pirate Ship sail at sunset 305-393-5593 www.pontunes.com
6. Learn Sailing at Key Lime Sailing Club 305-451-3438 www.keylimesailingclub.com
7. Get a bird’s eye view of the Keys with Key Largo Parasail 305-747-0032 www.keylargoparasail.com
8. Visit the Christof the Abyss Statue and name at least 5 fish on the reef. 305-451-3595
www.amoray.com
9. Kayak around Key Largo 305-451-3018 kayakfloridakeys.com
10. Visit the Wild Bird Center at feeding time. 305-852-4486 www.fkwbc.org
11. Swim with the Dolphins at Dolphin’s Cove or Dolphin’s Plus. 305-451-4060 www.dolphinscove.com
12. Visit the Everglades Alligator Farm in Florida City and take an airboat ride 305-247-2628
www.everglades.com
Key Lime Sailing Club
101425 Overseas Hwy. #922
Key Largo , FL 33037
Tel:305-451-3438
Email: Keylargocottages@Keylimesailingclub.com
Mangrove Marina is one of only a very few facilities offering transient dockage on the Florida Keys Inside Route between a point south of Jewfish Creek, and Snake Creek. To access Mangrove Marina, depart the Inside Route just northeast of the Tavernier Creek intersection, between markers #64A and #65. Note that Mangrove Marina also features a full service repair yard! Skipper Foster’s review comes from the AGLCA Forum.
While the boat has been here over a two months, we’ve just been here a month. if you are looking for a marina on the bay side of the keys I’d highly recommend Mangrove Marina in Tavernier. Docks are combo of fixed concrete and wood. There isn’t a tidal swing, but the wind does push water in and out of the cove, total swing is about 18″.
Water depth coming in is ok if you are 4′ or less. Call the marina office and get a route if you draw 5′
Within a 10 minute walk: Win-Dixy, movies, post office, McDonalds, hospital, 6 restaurants, hardware store and liquor store. A bike ride will add three more places to eat, a beach and a marine parts store. There is a lunch truck on site that has Breakfast / Lunch Sat and Sun, and a special dinner (Prime Rib, stuffed pork tenderloin, etc. ) on Wednesday night.
Gas, diesel, ice, pumpouts. If you are staying, there are weekly pumpouts on the docks. Lots of liveaboards here made us feel welcome. There is the only Marching Conch Band in the Keys here! Nightly docktails at sunset.
Lots of good fishing locations a 5-10 min dink ride away.
Location is Keys MI 92. Car rental across the road will match Enterprise rates. By car you are 1 HR from Miami, 45 mins to Marathon, 2 hours to Key West.
Rates include water and electric, no liveaboard fee.
Mangrove Marina
200 Florida Avenue, Tavernier, FL 33070
(305) 852-8380
Quo Vadimus
Nowhere OK
1993 Bayliner 4588
Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Mangrove Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Mangrove Marina
Sunset Cove is one of the most popular anchorages in the northern Florid Keys. This haven is located on the waters of southeastern Buttonwood Sound, in charted Sunset Cove, near statute Mile 1143 off the Florida Keys Inside Route. Opposition to the mooring field in Sunset Cove has been voiced since the mooring field was first proposed in 2012. See http://cruisersnet.net/?p=95529
Mooring field for Buttonwood Sound in Key Largo now looks to be off the table
By KEVIN WADLOW
kwadlow@keynoter.comAugust 6, 2014
Concerns from on-shore residents seem to have scuttled Monroe County’s preferred site for a new Upper Keys mooring field.
“There is no Plan B,” County Mayor Sylvia Murphy said Tuesday.
In March, county commissioners named Key Largo’s Buttonwood Sound, off the bayside at mile marker 99, as the anchorage most suitable to accommodate a new mooring field for liveaboard residents and cruising visitors.
But two nearby businesses that had expressed interest in serving as a land base for the Buttonwood Sound mooring field have now decided against it.
For the full article, go to [ARTICLE NO LONGER AVAILABLE] http://www.flkeysnews.com//2014/08/06/498101/mooring-field-for-buttonwood-sound.html?sp=/99/106/
Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Anchorage Directory Listing For Sunset Cove
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Sunset Cove Anchorage
Tarpon Basin is crossed by the FL Keys Inside Route, just south of Blackwater Sound and Dusenberry Creek. There are at least 3 good spots to drop the hook here, and creative skippers will find more. Our thanks to Skipper Reeves for this report and photos.
On our cruise North to Jekyll Island from Marathon we used several anchorages and found some interesting free city docks. Tarpon Basin is a good stop over anchorage with a free dingy dock. Going North exit the creek and head for marker R48. Turn in to basin before R48A stay near north side of basin. Close to shore we found 5-7 ft. On in towards anchored boats we found 7-9 ft and stayed to the north of city docks.
Sonny Reeves
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Tarpon Basin Anchorages
Our good friends at SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR Key Lime Sailing Club offer these summer specials and job opportunities. Key Lime Sailing Club is on the Inside Route side of Key Largo.
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There are two possible routes for cruising the Florida Keys, the offshore Hawk Channel passage, and the “Inside Route.” Hawk Channel features more, but not all, marinas, while the Inside Route offers the greatest bonanza of wonderful anchorages to be found anywhere in the Southeast. Trouble is that I have personally sounded 5 feet at low tide directly between the markers in places on the FL Keys inside route. Mind you, only in places, but nevertheless, this is a real concern for those piloting vessels that draw more than 4 feet. Skipper Zimmers expressed his concern in the question below and received several answers via the AGLCA Forum.
We are in Marathon and arrived here from Key Biscayne via Hawk Channel. We want to return on the ” inside” via the ICW from Marathon to Biscayne Bay. We have a Nordic Tug with a 4.5 foot draft. Is the ICW deep enough for that draft?? Thanks,
Herb Zimmers aboard GiddyAp
We draft 4 feet and have done it several times. Never had a problem.
Steve and Gina Smith
M/V Island Time
Herb, You should have no problem. Just pay attention to your charts and stay in the channels through the cuts. Those are the places you can get into trouble if you get distracted.
Chuck Baier
Try to go on a rising tide
Mike and Rosie
I carry a five foot draft and the last time I went the inside route, I ran hard aground right around marker “60″ on a low tide. I could see I was scraping the bottom for a mile for finally stopping. I used my dingy to heel me over and got loose and never touched bottom again.
On a high tide, I wouldn’t have touched anywhere.
R. Holiman
We did the inside from Biscayne Bay to Marathon. We draw 4 ft and at low tide we had some mud in our wake near R80 to Steamboat channel. What was more of a problem was the crab pots and now some are marked with green, brown and blue floats. Our friend had his boat hauled yesterday and the props were wrapped with a bushel basket full of ropes. I may have been out of the channel sometimes but it seems the pots are in the ICW with no regard for boats.
May be the prop shops are paying the crabbers to place the green floats in the ICW:)
Sonny Reeves
We just arrived in Marathon from Key Biscayne. Our Cabo Rico draws 4’10″. Although we encountered some less than 5′ depths, we made it through with no drama. We did time our passages through channels with the tides.
Beth
Upper Keys Sailing Club - Click for Chartview
Upper Keys Sailing Club occupies the sharp point of land, west of the twin charted “Micro Trs,” south of the charted position of Newport, depicted as facility #35 on chart 11451 (off the Florida Keys/Florida Bay Inside Route).
We have visited here many times over the years, and can say with some expertise, this is an informal, but unfailingly friendly, spot to coil your lines for a day to two. Advance arrangements by telephone are strongly recommended, as the docks are by no means manned on a regular basis!
Once you are tied to the piers, be sure to check out the small clubhouse on the grounds. You will probably find a very convivial gathering of fellow cruisers here many evenings, and a good time will be had by all!
These folks could not have been nicer or more accommodating. The facility is small and an eclectic mixture of weekend-use boats from J-boats to a pristine Island Packet to major-project live-aboards. The walk to stores and restaurants is about 1/2 a mile. One caution is that the gates to the marina are locked at 9pm.
Rich and Helen
Click Here To View This Facility’s Full Listing of Services on the Florida Keys Marina Directory
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Upper Keys Sailing Club
Tarpon Basin - Click for Chartview
Tarpon Basin is crossed by the FL Keys Inside Route, just south of Blackwater Sound and Dusenberry Creek. There are at least 3 good spots to drop the hook here, and creative skippers will find more.
One of our readers, Captain Mary Dixon, sent us the link below, which leads to a truly interesting article, which appeared in www.flkeysnews.com/ (http://www.flkeysnews.com/), about boats anchored long term in Tarpon Basin. As you will see, the problems reported in this article center around a small group of (I will NOT call them “crusiers”) people living on anchored vessels in Tarpon Basin. This unfortunate group is making life difficult for everyone, including fellow boat owners whose vessels are anchored in Tarpon Basin. Here is a case where many of those living on the water are asking for change, as well as the shorside powers that be! And, if this situation is not resolved soon, the responsible boat owners in Tarpon Bay may lose their rights to a public dinghy dock, which has been a great resource for all legitimate mariners!
With special permission from www.flkeysnews.com/ publisher, Captain Wayne Markham, we have reprinted a portion of his article below. Follow the link in Captain Dixon’s note, or below the excerpted portions of the story, to read the entire text. Many thanks Captain Markham!!!!
Cruising News:
Interesting development for Key Largo Tarpon Basin. [LINK NO LONGER AVAILABLE] http://www.flkeysnews.com//2013/08/24/489480/key-largo-liveaboards-beg-to-keep.html
Mary Dixon
Reprinted by Permission from www.flkeysnews.com/
Key Largo liveaboards beg to keep access
By KEVIN WADLOW
kwadlow@keynoter.com
Posted – Saturday, August 24, 2013 10:35 AM EDT
Reluctant to evict the solid citizens of the Tarpon Basin liveaboard community because of a few scofflaws, Monroe County commissioners decided Wednesday to seek more law enforcement.
It was a problem that cropped up literally in the commission’s own back yard, the bayfront park behind the Murray E. Nelson Government and Cultural Center at mile marker 102.5.
“We’ve had people showering naked next to the dumpster. People bathing in the fountain, naked,” county Building Official Jerry Smith told the commission. “We deal with this on a daily basis.”
Commissioner Sylvia Murphy said the small park once attracted sunset-watchers and children’s parties. Efforts were made to accommodate a number of well-behaved boaters who started using a small dock at the site to tie their dinghies.
“We were very good to the people who live on the hook out there,” Murphy said. “For two and a half years, it was wonderful. Then all of a sudden, a different quality began to take place.”
Now the park has been overrun by a small group of sketchy characters who create anxiety among visitors and county staff, she contended.
…..
Several boaters who rely on the government-center property for shore access appealed for the county to oust the “bad apples” before banning everybody from the dock.
“The undesirables showed up when you closed other areas” used for liveaboard landing spots, said James Chapman. “You pushed them to us.”
He added, “They’re mostly gone now because they were arrested or their boats sunk.”
Murphy agreed the boaters who attended the Wednesday session “are the good ones. You’re not the problem, and you can’t solve it,” she said. “I don’t know what else we can do, except close off the dock to dinghies.”
“If you choose to close this off, you’re saying Key Largo is a town and island that is inaccessible by the water,” said liveaboard Chadwick Acevedo, married and employed. “What kind of island has no water access for the public?”
The boaters describe themselves as working locally for modest wages or retirees living a fixed income. Local marinas are too expensive, they said.
County Mayor George Neugent, a former liveaboard, said the proposed ordinance to curtail use of the park “gives me heartburn.”
Full article can be read at:
[LINK NO LONGER AVAILABLE] http://www.flkeysnews.com//2013/08/24/489480/key-largo-liveaboards-beg-to-keep.html
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Tarpon Basin Anchorages
Bottle Key Anchorage - Click for Chartview
Mariners piloting craft that draw LESS THAN 5 feet have a whole host of what might be described as “wilderness anchorages” available off the ICW/Inside route between Buttonwood Sound and the Waterway’s intersection with northern Tavernier Creek. Be SURE to have a well functioning chart plotter aboard before trying this, and be aware that there is the possibility of keel meeting up with bottom. If you can overcome these limitations, be ready for an evening you won’t soon forget!
We anchored here on 4/2/13. We were at least a 1/4 of a mile or more off Bottle Key. No one else around. We were open to a 10 kt East wind that kicked up around 3AM, but we held firm. Very quiet. Mosquito’s were a bit hungry though.
Russ
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Bottle Key Anchorage
Plantation Key - Click for Chartview
Always good to get reports of “no grounding” since we post so often of shoaling on the AICW.
Cruising News:
Miami to Plantation Key
Happy to report that from Miami to Plantation Key in Islamorada via Biscayne Bay, Card, Little Card, Barnes and Blackwater Sounds was no problem with a sailboat drafting 4’10”. Sticking to the ICW Magenta line and even at low tide, there was no grounding.
Victor
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Plantation Key
Mangrove Marina is one of only a very few facilities offering transient dockage on the Florida Keys Inside Route between a point south of Jewfish Creek, and Snake Creek. To access Mangrove Marina, depart the Inside Route just northeast of the Tavernier Creek intersection, between markers #64A and #65.
Note that Mangrove Marina also features a full service repair yard!
With the weather forecast predicting a change in wind direction to WSW on Wednesday night and Thursday, we knew we would soon need to move, so today we headed north 20 miles to Mangrove Marina, located at Tavernier in a very
protected and lovely harbor. This is a great spot for relatively shallow draft vessels to sit out bad weather. They have lots of live-aboards here, nice restrooms/showers and laundry (6 washers and 6 dryers), shopping nearby (half mile), plus a rental car place just a couple of blocks away.
So, we’re opting to drive to Key West from here while the wind continues to howl for the next several days.
Sharon and Ken Vogel
Gold Loopers
M/V Docker’s Inn
Click Here To View the Florida Keys Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Mangrove Marina
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Mangrove Marina
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
Cottage rental includes free use of 22′ sailboat, kayaks, paddle boards, water toys, bicycles, snorkel, & fishing gear! We also give out a free sunset cruise around the Florida Bay!
Key Largo
To our guests and friends, get a chance to go back and vacation at KLSC for free by sending us pictures of your stay here! Win our 4th KLSC Photo Contest and get a 3 free night stay. Check
1.Take a free tour of Key Largo Fisheries,see where most of the fish and lobster in the Keys come from.
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