Key Lime Sailing Club is on the Inside Route side of Key Largo.
Key Lime Sailing Club and Cottages
Thank you everybody for the prayers and support that you gave to KLSC and all the people affected by the hurricane. The whole team is grateful and overwhelmed by the love you are giving us. The worst is over and it is now time to rebuild. Right now we have Led2Serve coordinating with us to help with the recovery effort. Thanks to Vanessa of Led2Serve for being proactive and being in touch before and after the storm. To our friends and guests that want to come down to help, thank you so much! As of now the Keys has limited access. Paul may contact you when the authorities will allow the people to come in again.
The REEF Fest seminars are open to the general public and will be held at the Murray Nelson Government Centre, 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037. Pre-registration via schedule link below is recommended. This notice comes from DeeperBlue.
Marine conservation is being celebrated in Key Largo, Florida from September 28 to October 1, 2017 at REEF Fest 2017. The annual celebration of the positive impact marine conservation has had on the Florida Keys promises to provide a weekend packed with fun and engaging activities. The celebration hosted by the Reef Environmental Education Foundation has organised a series of events, seminars, diving activities, and a banquet to increase awareness of conservation in the area.
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.
* 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
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:
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
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.
Andree is correct about the history of this once popular anchorage, see /99799. And see /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
Skipper Pearsall’s report is the opposite of a 2015 report, see /146935, but facilities and prices at any location can change, see /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
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
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 /?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.
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
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 `60’³ 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 4’10’³. 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 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
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 KeysNet.com (http://www.keysnet.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 KeysNet.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!!!!
Reprinted by Permission from KeysNet.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.”
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
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
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
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:
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. The excellent report below, written by Florida Keys Keynoter reporter Kevin Wadlow appeared on KeysNet.com and is reprinted here with his permission. KeysNet website is http://www.keysnet.com and is a good source of local perspective on all things in the Keys.
KEY LARGO Boaters Oppose State Pilot for Sunset Cove A managed anchoring area proposed for Key Largo’s Sunset Cove fails to meet requirements for a state pilot program, says a staff report to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Monroe County’s draft ordinance to create several new managed anchoring zones reaches the FWC board at its Sept. 5 meeting in Tampa. FWC Division of Law Enforcement staff who reviewed the county plan endorsed it, “contingent upon the Sunset Cove Managed Anchorage Zone provision being removed.” A pilot program for five Florida coastal areas was enacted in 2009 to “explore potential options for regulating the anchoring or mooring of non-liveaboard vessels outside the marked boundaries of public mooring fields.” Sunset Cove lies about 50 miles from the nearest existing mooring field, FWC staff said. “Staff understands the Sunset Cove provision was originally added to the ordinance due to the amount of public comment received from residents” in a June 2011 meeting,” the report says. “Unfortunately, Sunset Cove is 45 to 50 miles from the Marathon mooring field… These were the mooring fields identified as part of Monroe County’s original application package for the pilot program.” “There is also strong opposition from the boater groups on this provision,” the report says. The FWC board members must approve local ordinances created under the pilot program. The board can amend or overrule its staff recommendation. Monroe County officials only recently received the FWC staff report, said local Marine Resources Administrator Rich Jones. The Keys ordinance also designates managed anchoring zones in the Lower Keys at Boca Chica Basin, Cow Key Channel and Key West Harbor; and in Marathon’s Boot Key Harbor and Sister Creek. “Monroe County did something unique” by requiring proof of monthly sewage pumpouts for boats in the managed zones, FWC staff noted. A photo used in the state report to illustrate septic problems shows a toilet seat positioned over an open hole in a boat’s deck, with ocean water visible below. Monroe County rules also would bar boats from the managed areas if they “exhibit pre-derelict vessel conditions” such as being unable to navigate, or appear to be in imminent danger of sinking. Of 39 comments received by the FWC on the Monroe County anchoring law, 18 were logged as “negative” with 12 being “positive.” Kevin Wadlow
Over the week of August 13-18, several posts appeared on the T&T (Trawlers and Trawlering) Mail List concerning the general cruising characteristics of the Florida Keys Inside route. Those messages are reproduced below. Incidentally, the entire SSECN staff highly recommends the T&T list if you own one of these roomy, fuel efficient vessels. Just to add my 23 cents worth, I have always considered a 5-foot draft to be the cutoff for safe cruising of the Florida Keys inside route. On numerous occasions, I have sounded 5-feet directly between the markers in the Key Largo region, particularly where the main channel passes the marked entrance to Tavernier Creek. If your vessel draws 5-feet or preferably less, don’t let these soundings discourage you. Some of the most wonderful anchorages, not to mention the views, you will ever enjoy lie off the FLK inside route!
Looking for info on the practicability of taking the inside route from Miami to Marathon. I draw 5 feet. What is the opinion of the boaters that have done this route. Is it doable? Thanks Larry
Larry, We’ve done the inside route and we draw 4’9″. Never had a problem, but then we watch the water, not a screen. It is marked adequately. Neither Jill or I can recall anyplace where another 3″ would have made a difference. There is a tide down there, though I doubt it is much more than 2 feet. If those 3″ might make a difference, plan to transient at high tide during a new or full moon, might want to consider spring tides too. Rudy Briney Bug- Panama City, Fl
Larry, I have gone the inside route from Miami to Marathon a number of times, both in Pooh (draft 4’8″) and my previous sailboat with 5′ draft. Should be little problem. Not to say the water isn’t skinny; we often are reading depths of 5.0 to 5.2 feet on parts of this route (shallowest is just north of Islamorada), but haven’t touched bottom. Steamboat Pass, just south of Islamorada used to be a problem, but this has been dredged and is now good for around 6 feet (deep water ;-). Mark Richter
Sorry Larry, but I disagree. I carry 5′ draft and have soft grounded in the center of the channel on two different trips on the inside route several years apart. I won’t try it a third time. Paul
Time of year can make quite a difference. In the winter, northers will blow water out of Florida Bay. But don’t let that discourage you. It’s wonderful cruising! Regards, Randy Pickelmann Morning Star
The trick is to wear polarized sun glasses, use you eyes. The water is usually clear, and it looks scary shallow, it is, but with 5 ft u can make it. The channels are well marked. The tide is about 6 inches in the upper keys,wind can effect water levels more than the tide. Go for it! See you in paradise! Capt. Sterling
I don’t know where Mr. Kennedy traveled in the ICW on the inside, we have found the inner passage from Miami to Spanish Key to be a chalky green only rarely clear. We obey the day markers backed up by GPS. If your draft is 6-plus you are cruising for a bruising. If you need Sea Tow they are not allowed to move you until the environmental police arrive. The fines are prodigious.. We have made the trip back and forth seven times.at different times of the year. Mr. Kennedy obviously has had a different experience. One thing is beyond dispute If you need Sea Tow you are in bad trouble Peter Denton Susie Q 42′ Draft 4′
Now that I know that Captain Sterling runs a tourist boat in the Keys, I must defer to his greater experience. I guess I was there at the wrong time. But it remains true that if you are passing over water that is 4,5or 6 feet it is impossible to tell the difference even if the water is crystal clear. Several of the passes are that shallow. Call me naive but I advise extreme caution. Remember you do not have advantage of some one who has local Knowledge. Peter Denton Susie Q
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