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    • SLOW DOWN in the Flooded Areas of the Waterway!!


      As in an earlier posting from Beaufort, SC, where onshore properties are being damaged by passing wakes (/?p=153100), residents in the area of the Socastee Bridge are asking for No Wake! SLOW DOWN and help these folks recover!!

      Winston,
      FYI. The Coast Guard, SCDNR and local agencies are safe guarding the lower ICW near Socastee Bridge. Homes have flooded and wakes are getting into them from boaters. I couldn’t find anything online, but thought you might have heard something. I did find this in the Sun News of Myrtle Beach.

      http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/article38854806.html

      Chris Carroll, Operations Manager
      Harborwalk Marina
      Evening Post Industries
      P.O. Box 274
      525 Front Street
      Georgetown SC 29440
      843-546-4250
      www.harborwalkmarina.com
      ccarroll@harborwalkmarina.com

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s South Carolina Directory Listing For Socastee Bridge

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Socastee Bridge

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. Ron Widman -  October 13, 2015 - 5:24 pm

        We have friends who own a home directly on the ICW a quarter of a mile north of the Socastee Swing Bridge. Not only are people in boats creating large wakes that damage the homes and properties, some people are using boats to loot the properties.

        I’ll leave out what I personally think of anyone who would take advantage of someone’s misfortune by stealing from them, but those who must be on the water for a legitimate reason really should travel at no-wake speed whenever they come near homes and businesses.

        Reply to Ron
    • SPOTLIGHT ON: onSpot WiFi

      In marinas from Mile Zero to the Keys, onSpot WiFi is installing what every internet seeking transient and resident wishes all marinas would install: fast, reliable Hotspot internet connections. If your marina doesn’t have an onSpot WiFi system, pass this information along. You will be glad you did!
      onSpot Wifi is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

       

      onSpot WiFi has just added Bahia Mar Marina in Ft Lauderdale, Fl to it’s growing lists of marinas that offer onSpot WiFi‘s high speed internet marina Hotspots.

      `We’re very proud of the wireless network that Bahia Mar Marina has allowed us to install. Making use of an all fiber optic backbone, the Bahia Mar Hotspot is delivering blistering throughput speed and all vessels from Mega Yachts to smaller trawlers and Sailboats are reporting amazing download speeds with always on connections.’

      onSpot WiFi offers both 2.4 and 5G access for all their marinas and their users.

      Contact onSpot Wifi at info@onspotwifi.com or 954-990-0192

      onSpot WiFi’s list of marinas are:
      – Atlantic Yacht Basin – Chesapeake, VA
      – Hinckley Yacht Services – Savannah, GA
      – Palm Coast Marina – Palm Coast, FL
      – Fort Pierce City Marina – Fort Pierce, FL
      – Longboat Key Moorings – Longboat Key. FL
      – Marina Jack – Sarasota, FL
      – Legacy Harbour – Ft Myers. FL
      – The Bluffs Marina – Jupiter, FL
      – Soverel Harbour Marina – Palm Beach Gardens, FL
      – Old Port Cove Marina – North Palm Beach, FL
      – North Palm Beach Marina – North Palm Beach, FL
      – New Port Cove Marine Center – Riviera Beach, FL
      – Loggerhead Marina Aventura – Aventura, FL
      – Miami Beach Marina – Miami Beach, FL
      – Mangrove Marina – Tavernier, FL
      – Marathon Marina – Marathon, FL
      – Conch Harbor Marina – Key West, FL
      – Staniel Cay – Exumas, Bahamas
      – Compass Cay – Exumas, Bahamas
      – Bahia Mar Marina – Ft Lauderdale, FL
      – Admiral’s Cove – Jupiter, Fl
      – Boat Tree Marina – Sanford, FL
      – Sailfish Marina – Stuart, FL

      Be the first to comment!

    • FOCUS ON Isle of Hope Marina, Savannah, GA, AICW Statute Mile 590


      Located directly on the Intracoastal Waterway, Skidaway River at Mile 590, Marker 46-A, Latitude: N 31o 58.78' , Longitude: W 081o 03.35' 2-354-8187

      Isle of Hope Marina – A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR! – lies along the northwestern shores of the Waterway in the body of a hairpin turn northwest of Waterway marker #46A.

      image001 (2) (1)

      Follow the gentle curves of the Intracoastal Waterway to the Isle of Hope Marina, nestled in the middle of the scenic historic neighborhood of Isle of Hope and located just minutes away from Downtown Savannah, Ga. Founded in 1926, the marina is ideally positioned for relaxation and Southern hospitality. 

      IOHhomesWatch the sunrise from your boat or enjoy it while strolling along beautiful Bluff Drive, taking in the eclectic mansions and picturesque Spanish moss. And no trip to Isle of Hope Marina would be complete without walking, driving, or biking down the majestic oak-lined avenue of the Wormsloe Plantation, fantastically located less than a mile from the marina.

       

      The Isle of Hope Marina can be found west of Marker 46A at ICW Mile 590. Enjoy your stay on 4,000 feet of IOHdocksconcrete floating docks, including 600 feet of deep-water face docks capable of accommodating mega-yachts (up to 220 ft.). Our dockage amenities include a fuel dock with gasoline and diesel (volume discounts), metered electric (30, 50, & 100 amp; single phase), an electronic security system, pump-out, and complimentary digital TV and Wi-Fi. The bathrooms, showers, and coin operated laundry room are clean and secured after hours by key card access. Please note that the Isle of Hope Marina is the last southbound fuel stop on the ICW for 90 miles.

      IOH-sign1

       

       

      Take advantage of complimentary morning coffee and the Wall Street Journal, and be sure to browse the Ship Store for afternoon ice cream treats and other fun goodies. Hop in one of our two complimentary loaner cars for provisioning, shopping, and eating just a mile and a half down the road in Historic Sandfly. If you prefer more physical activity, pedal away on a complimentary bicycle or swim some laps at the community pool between Memorial and Labor Day. There’s no shortage of friendly people, pets, and scenic views on this beautiful island and our overwater pavilion is a great spot for a picnic lunch or a place to sit and get some fresh air.Photo Sunset IOH Marina

      Isle of Hope Marina
      50 Bluff Drive
      Savannah, Ga 31406
      912-354-8187
      www.iohmarina.com
      ICW Skidaway River
      Mile 590, Marker 46A

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Georgia Marina Directory Listing For Isle of Hope Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Isle of Hope Marina

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

    • More Anchoring Woes Anticipated in South Florida

      This report is from our good friend, Wally Moran, who is known to not mince words when it comes to Florida politics. Our thanks to Mike Ahart, whose report from the Tallahassee meeting is shared through Wally’s blog.

      karltondinghycloseup

      Illegal dinghies behind Karlton’s house in Miami Beach

      We’re SCREWED – Florida Anchoring Meeting

      Mike Ahart, Waterway Guide’s news editor, watched the entire anchoring hearing in Tallahassee today, and here’s the link to his article – Waterway Guides. For those wanting the real deal, here’s the link to the meeting video itself.
      Let me summarize this for you – we are in serious trouble in Florida, very serious trouble. First off, let me tell you what boaters’ enemy number one, the infamous Frederick Karlton of Sunset Lake, Miami Beach infamy had to say about boats coming south in the winter: CLICK HERE for the rest of the story.

       

       

      And this from another concerned boater:

      Please be aware that a bill is being drafted by the Florida Legislature to attempt to limit anchoring in Dade and Broward counties. Check the October 8th edition of the Sun-Sentinal (by Jim Turner) for more information.

      Comments from Cruisers (2)

      1. Bruce Franz -  October 27, 2015 - 6:07 pm

        For over two centuries the U.S. Coast Guard has safeguarded our Nation’s maritime interests in the heartland, in the ports, at sea, and around the globe. We protect the maritime economy and the environment, we defend our maritime borders, and we save those in peril. Always Ready for all hazards and all threats.

        http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2015/10/shiprider-joint-law-enforcement-in-canadian-u-s-waterways/

        Navigation of Vessels and Aircraft

        Subpart 3(C)

        Article 3.10 Recognition of the Right of Innocent Passage.

        (A) Passage Defined.

        (1) Passage means navigation through the territorial sea for the purpose of:

        (a) traversing that sea without entering internal waters or calling at a roadstead or port facility outside internal waters; or,

        (b) proceeding to or from internal waters or a call at such roadstead or port facility.

        (2) Passage shall be continuous and expeditious. However, passage includes stopping and anchoring, but only as incidental to ordinary navigation, or rendered necessary by force majeure or distress, or for the purpose of rendering assistance to persons, ships, or aircraft in danger or distress. [LOSC 18]
        http://www.uscg.mil/INTERNATIONAL/affairs/Publications/MMSCode/english/Chap3.htm

        Reply to Bruce
      2. David Burnham -  October 18, 2015 - 9:15 am

        Thanks to Mike Ahart who makes this available to those who are concerned and don’t have the ability to keep their fingers on the pulse of this theft of the public trust.

        Reply to David
    • No Wake Zone at Downtown Marina, Beaufort, SC, AICW Statute Mile 536.5


      The Downtown Marina Of Beaufort, SC, 1006 Bay Street Beaufort, SC 29902 (843) 524-4422 or Marker #239 on ICW

      With the current weather conditions, this is almost adding insult to injury to Waterway cruisers. HOWEVER, high water wake damage can be severe, not only to docks, but to onshore buildings as well. So slow down in those populus docked areas along the Waterway. A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!, Downtown Marina is located north of AICW marker #239, a short distance west of the Lady’s Island swing bridge, in the heart of downtown Beaufort.

      Beaufort, SC Writing No Wake Tickets
      Be careful passing Beaufort, SC downtown docks. The police have a patrol boat tied up hidden in the marina and they are issuing no wake tickets to boaters.
      Dave Bell

      Click Here To View the South Carolina Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Downtown Marina

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Downtown Marina of Beaufort

      Comments from Cruisers (1)

      1. R G Duxbury -  October 21, 2015 - 5:44 pm

        The no wake zone that extends from Beaufort Marina South to the next bridge has been extended by two more no wake signs about a mile further South. The Beaufort no wake zone is already ridiculous but these new markers are at least half a mile from shore with no docks, wharfs or piers visible. What is the legality of these markers?

        Reply to R
    • Final Construction Update on the Gilmerton Highway Bridge, AICW Statute Mile 5.8


      This latest and, hopefully, final update on the Gilmerton Bridge is sent to us by our good friend, Matt the Bridge Tender, who has faithfully kept us updated on the long and frustrating construction of the new Gilmerton bridge. Thank you Matt!!

      Ahoy from the Gilmerton Bridge (Mile Marker 5.8 ICW – Southern Branch Elizabeth River, Chesapeake VA),
      Just wanted to share with all of you that have been coming through the Gilmerton draw since construction started on the new bridge (Nov 2009) that the contractor told me yesterday he just completed working on the new fender system that day. I really do appreciate everyone’s patience (especially the tug Captains) in dealing with all the extra restrictions over the past few years.
      As a reminder (until the Nav charts catch up) the new vertical clearance for the Gilmerton Bridge is 35 feet at MHW in the closed position. Our new clearance gauges were installed last Friday.
      Also very important – all the bridges, locks and commercial traffic in this area are on Marine Channel 13.

      Below are the only restrictions that now apply to the Gilmerton Bridge:

      The draw of the Gilmerton (US13/460) bridge, mile 5.8, in Chesapeake:
      (1) Shall open on signal at any time for commercial vessels carrying liquefied flammable gas or other hazardous materials.

      (2) From 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays:

      (i) Need not open for the passage of recreational or commercial vessels that do not qualify under paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section.

      (ii) Need not open for commercial cargo vessels, including tugs, and tugs with tows, unless 2 hours advance notice has been given to the Gilmerton Bridge at (757) 485-5488.

      (3) Shall open on signal at all other times.

      That’s it for now from beautiful downtown Gilmerton. If we meet – hope to see you on 2 whistles so I can shake your hand,
      Matt the Bridge Tender

      Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s Bridge Directory Listing For Gilmerton Hwy Bridge

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Gilmerton Hwy Bridge

      Be the first to comment!

    • BoatUS News: BoatUS Partners with Dockwa

      Boat U.S.BoatUS remains the premiere advocate for boaters on all waters and SSECN is proud to have BoatUS as a SPONSOR!

      NEWS From BoatUS
      Boat Owners Association of The United States
      880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304

      unnamed (37)

      BoatUS members have a new member benefit with Dockwa, a simple, online transient slip booking service.

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
      Press Contacts:
      BoatUS ‘“ D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com
      Dockwa ‘“ Bryan Barbieri, 508-340-1576, Bryan@Dockwa.com

       

       

       

      BoatUS and Dockwa Partner for Transient Slip Booking Benefit

      Tapping Into the `OpenTable’ for the Boating Industry

      ALEXANDRIA, Va., October 7, 2015 — Booking a slip, dock or mooring just got a lot easier for the 500,000+ members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). A new partnership with Dockwa, an award-winning unified booking and marketing platform that greatly simplifies the transient slip booking process, now allows BoatUS members to find and book a slip with just a few taps on the Dockwa app ‘“ a seamless and secure process that streamlines communication and payment via an innovative digital platform that no longer requires reservations via email or phone.

      As an exclusive BoatUS benefit, members using the Dockwa app or choosing to book online at Dockwa.com will have booking fees waived when arranging dockage at any of the BoatUS Participating Marinas. Discounts will be subject to specific marinas within Dockwa’s growing network. This member perk is in addition to the exclusive transient slip discount currently offered to BoatUS members, which typically reflects a 25% savings. BoatUS members can sign up for Dockwa with great ease and convenience by simply entering their membership number during the registration process where all applicable discounts will be automatically applied.

      `This is the most convenient way for our members to book their transient reservations for docks and moorings,’ said BoatUS Vice President of Membership Heather Lougheed. `No waiting for a call back, no voicemail or web forms to fill out. Just tap the Dockwa app, book and dock. You don’t even have to bring your wallet as payment is automated. If weather causes you to change your plans, it can be done with Dockwa’s easy messaging feature.’

      The ease and convenience of the Dockwa platform has been positively received by early adopters within the marina and boating community. “Dockwa is the only mobile reservation service that really listened to our concerns,’ said Tom Cox, General Manager and owner of the Constitution Marina in Boston, Massachusetts. `They have the technical know-how and the business acumen to make this next generation of marina software a success.”

      Launched in May of 2015 in the New England region, the entrepreneurial team of eight rapidly expanded down the Eastern Seaboard with a growing network of over 175 marinas from Maine to the Bahamas. The platform has already begun west coast expansion with plans to expand to further develop to other parts of the country later this year.

      Additional benefits for marina managers through the Dockwa platform include a user-friendly web-based dashboard that lets operators review and confirm reservation requests, customer relationship tools, management capabilities and an easy and secure method for collecting payment. The ability to aggregate and store customer information into an online database also creates opportunity to optimize operations and boost traffic and revenue.

      For more information, go to www.Dockwa.com.

      ###

      About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):

      BoatUS is the nation’s largest organization of recreational boaters with over a half million members. We are the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill and fight for their rights. We help ensure a roadside breakdown doesn’t end a boating or fishing trip before it begins, and on the water, we bring boaters safely back to the launch ramp or dock when their boat won’t, day or night. The BoatUS Insurance Program gives boat owners the specialized coverage and superior service they need, and we help keep boaters safe and our waters clean with assistance from the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. For more information, visit www.BoatUS.com.

      About Dockwa:

      Dockwa is an award-winning unified booking and marketing platform that connects boaters to marinas in real time. This customer-oriented approach provides the marina and the boater an optimal and convenient experience for booking transient reservations. Boaters simply download the app, explore, reserve, and pay at their favorite marina in a matter of minutes. Marinas confirm the reservation, collect payment, and deposit the customer’s information into their intelligent database with a single click. Backed by a world-class group of angel and institutional investors, the company has raised $1.4 million in what has been called the `OpenTable for boaters and marinas.’ Launched in May of 2015 in the New England region, Dockwa has rapidly expanded down the Eastern Seaboard with a growing network of over 175 marinas from Maine to the Bahamas. The platform has already begun west coast expansion with plans to expand to further develop to other parts of the country later this year. The team is based out of Newport, RI with offices in Boston, MA. For more information, please visit www.Dockwa.com.

      Be the first to comment!

    • NOAA Online Map Update

      noaa7
      NOAA online map update offers improved coastal observations and forecasts
      Additional data, animation features added to popular coastal product

      Contact
      Dawn Forsythe, dawn.forsythe@noaa.gov, 240-429-6125

      October 7, 2015
      NOAA has upgraded nowCOAST, a GIS-based online map service providing more frequently updated ocean observations along with coastal and marine weather forecasts. The new version, which went live on September 21, also offers a visual point-and-click access to 60 NOAA data products and services. Users can reach the site at nowcoast.noaa.gov.

      `NOAA’s nowCOAST gives the public a one-stop-shop look at coastal conditions ‘” real-time and forecast ‘” before they do or plan anything on the water,’ said Rear Admiral Gerd Glang, director of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey. `Are you sailing? Look at the winds and currents. Are you a commercial shipper? Get your high seas marine weather forecast, on the same animated map where you can check the tides before you approach your port.’

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      NOAA’s nowCOAST web portal, shown here with wind gusts and directions, has 60 layers of data the user can click on or turn off.

      The original version of nowCOAST, available since 2003, has provided the public with information on the latest observed and predicted coastal weather, marine weather, and oceanographic and river conditions. The updated map viewer allows users to animate observations for the past four hours and forecasts for the next seven days.

      The new version also adds significant data from NOAA’s National Ocean Service and National Weather Service, including watches, warnings and advisories for hazardous marine weather conditions, even far offshore. It also provides near-real-time lightning strike density data for land and over water, and hydrologic conditions and predictions from ocean forecast models.

      `The new time-enabled map services go beyond traditional navigation uses,’ said Luis Cano, director of the NWS dissemination office. `For instance, during coastal storms, emergency managers are now able to overlay National Weather Service watches, warnings, and forecast products on top of critical infrastructure and evacuation maps, for better response.’

      NowCOAST is an ArcGIS-based web mapping application developed by the Office of Coast Survey’s Coast Survey Development Laboratory, with technical assistance and IT support from National Weather Service’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction.

      NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and our other social media channels.

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    • Ports to Visit on the Southeast Coast

      Skipper Hoff is responding to a reader’s earlier inquiry about ports to visit on the east coasts of Florida, the Keys and the Bahamas. There are great suggestions here.

      Regarding other locations – we have only stayed at Marathon overnight so can’t really say much about it. We have spent more time at Islamorada, Key Largo and Biscayne Bay, almost always at anchor. We tend to like either remote (Biscayne Bay, Dry Tortugas, etc.) or interesting cities (Key West) – but that is our preference. Biscayne Bay is a place we like to hang out at anchor – swimming, kayaking, walking the beach, etc.

      As you head north we time a stop at West Palm Beach for their Farmers’ Market – one of the best, if not the best, on the east coast and my wife has made me stop at all of them from Maine to Key West. They have a large free day dock we spend all day at then move a couple 100 feet off to anchor for the night – all the benefits of a marina with none of the cost. Let me know if you plan to stop there and I can give you further advice since the peak current can be strong.

      Downtown Ft. Lauderdale (New River) is also an interesting spot – a world away from relaxing in the Keys but interesting to see 100+ foot yachts go by one after another. Good restaurants, interesting people watching, reasonable dockage, etc.. Easy spot to have people arrive and depart from since the airport is very close by.

      If at all possible we try to run outside from Ft. Lauderdale to Lake Worth (just north of West Palm). Otherwise along the ICW there are bridges, bridges and more bridges – plus some crazy boaters. Combine these and it doesn’t make for the most enjoyable travel. However the benefit of inside along the ICW is looking at the huge houses with their 100+ ft yachts docked outside.

      You will probably leave from Lake Worth to cross to the Bahamas. This is where the weather is most important – don’t even consider it with any form for NE wind the day you go or during the previous few days. A few years ago I helped a friend bring a brand new 69 ft Nordhavn back after their maiden voyage crossing in 25 kt NE winds. He said it tossed the 250,000 lb boat around like a cork plus stood it on end a few times – he said they were never sicker in their lives (very experienced boaters having taken a 55 ft Nordhavn all the way to Alaska and back around to New England). His wife wouldn’t do the return crossing so I helped him. Last time I crossed with my Fleming we waited five days for good weather and finally went in what we thought would be ok weather – ended up with 15+ footers out the Gulf Stream – not fun. On the other hand my return crossing on the Nordhavn was ~1 footers – all depends on the day.

      We have only spent time at West End in the northern Bahamas so I can’t say anything about the Abacos. We have spent an entire winter in the southern Bahamas and enjoyed it.

      Hope you find this helpful.

      Regards,
      Curtis

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    • Trawler Skipper Requesting Navigation Route, Naples to Key West

      Skipper Crenshaw is seeking advice on the run from Naples to Key West. If you have experience in these waters, let us hear from you.

      We hope to do our first trip from Naples , Florida to Key West. We will depart from Naples at end of December. We are not comfortable too far out in gulf and we do not mind making in two day trip with one overnite preferably in marina. We have 42 trawler with 4 foot draft . We cannot seem to select best track.
      Can you help with some suggestion tracks/paths down west coast side?
      Thanks
      Bob Crenshaw
      Sea Path Marina
      Wrightsville Beach, NC

      Comments from Cruisers (9)

      1. Jay Light -  October 10, 2015 - 10:11 am

        We sail our 36-ft sailboat from Fort Myers Beach to Key West regularly, but do it as one twenty-two hour passage at 5.5 kt. It’s 28 miles longer than from Naples – obviously an over-nighter for us.

        We have also gone to Marco and left at 4 am and arrived before dark the same day, sailing straight line. It does take you offshore a bit.

        You can get from Marco to Marathon all in daylight. You can probably do it from Naples, too, if you can go eight kts. I have a good set of waypoints I’ll send you if you like. You need to know where you are going through the Moser Channel 7-mile bridge to Marathon. One big drawback of this passage in December is that this section of Florida Bay from Cape Romano to Marathon is wall-to-wall stone crab traps. It’s like going through a thirty mile-slalom course unless you’re not concerned with snagging a trap.
        It’s a good day’s run from Marathon to Key West, either on the inside if your draft allows it, or on the Hawk Channel between the Keys and the barrier reef.

        Jay Light
        S/V ALBORADA
        Ft. Myers Beach

        Reply to Jay
      2. Maris Eshleman -  October 9, 2015 - 10:54 pm

        Bob,

        The trip from Naples to the Keys is very simple. We did it last year in our 45′ sailboat with a 5′ draft. We did an overnight from Marathon to Naples a distance of less than 100 nm and then from Charlotte Harbor back to Key West which is less than 150 nm. The distance from Naples to Key West isn’t much different than to Marathon. Assuming you run around 10 kts it is an easy day trip. The water once you get out of Gordon Pass in Naples is mostly 10-30′ deep (some deeper) until you get to Key West where there are multiple shoals and islets so you will need to plan which channel you need to take to were you’re going at Key West. My suggestion is to pick a good weather day and do the trip in a day unless you want to do some other sight seeing along the way. At 4′ you shouldn’t have any issues as long as you watch your charts. Also, the waters around south Florida and the Keys are full of crab and lobster pots along with fish traps so you will need to keep a good watch. We did overnights and had no problems.

        Reply to Maris
      3. john kremski -  October 9, 2015 - 4:23 pm

        Avoid the Marinas!! This is the prettiest part of Florida, and should be ANCHORED OUT to enjoy.

        You can go on the inside from Naples to Marco, then outside around Johnson Shoals (east of Marco Island is a bit skinny water, but the shrimpers and crab boats do it – I did it with 3′ draft and got out of the channel in the fog and ran aground). After Johnson Shoals, head back east into the ten thousand islands and spend as many days anchored in this beautiful area as your schedule allows – there are dozens of spots just inside the mangrove islands. You can run south along the park boundary markers in good depth, and never be too far from a safe anchorage. After you get to the Little Shark River, I always head directly to the keys, via the yacht channel, and then run the north side to the keys to Key West.. There is a brief interval just before arrival in Key West Northwest Channel where you have to go in unprotected waters, so wait for calm or some direction other than North wind for that.

        Reply to john
      4. John Scott -  October 9, 2015 - 2:39 pm

        Ben, made that trip last January. We went from Marco Island to Little Shark River, overnight anchorage, then down to 7 mile bridge and turned west for Key West. Shark River to Key West took about 10 hours. We cruised at 7-8 knts. Winds normally are easterly and we left Shark River at first light to take advantage of the light winds. By the time we turned west the winds had picked up considerable but then they were a following sea, 3-5 ft. And 10-11 secs apart so ride was ok. We were prepared to spend several nights at Shark River if winds dictated. Pick a good 2 day weather window.

        Reply to John
      5. Ted Guy -  October 9, 2015 - 2:00 pm

        The last time I cruised Florida Bay was late August 1980, Marathon to Naples, but then the chief hazard other than weather was the lobster or crab traps, some with buoys just under the surface. Thousands of them! You may want to add cutter blades to your shafts.

        Reply to Ted
      6. Kim -  October 8, 2015 - 11:41 am

        We always do it as a straight shot overnight. It is just under 100 nautical miles Naples pier to Key West. I use 5 knots for planning but unless weather is ugly do about 6.5 so 15-20 hours from Naples. Weather matters. Pick a cold front and ride south BEHIND it a day or 2. Typically we leave Ft Myers at noon; off Naples at 5P and NW Channel next morning, arrive Key west noon. So no ‘real’ navigating in dark. Set the gps/autopilot on the NW Channel bell buoy, Current runs west to east there so a little westing early is useful. The shrimp boats, if any, are lit up like downtown and there is nothing else out there (actually there are a couple of air force relay towers but you won’t likely even see them- google air force relay towers to find exact coordinates). Pay attention to the breakwater at the entrance to the NW Channel (don’t do this at night unless you have a good chart plotter). You can jump along the coast but it is longer as the coast moves significantly East south of Cape Romano. Marco isn’t far enough from Naples to help the cause; Goodland is better but you will need to worry about tide levels coming out by Coon Key. (Running the inside from Marco to Goodland is great but watch tides- 4′ draft is the upper end of what I’d be comfortable with especially in December ) If you anchor out there are good spots at Panther and Indian. Everglades City is nice but again 4′ is the upper limit of my comfort zone and you will lose time going up and down the river. Most folks I know push on to Little Shark, anchor out, and then jump to Marathon. Good Luck. Florida Bay can be mirror calm or a mess.

        Reply to Kim
      7. Curtis Hoff -  October 8, 2015 - 5:11 am

        Ben:
        You will definitely have to watch the water depth on the west side of the keys but you should be ok. I have done the “inside” of the keys a couple of times on my Fleming 55 with a 5′ draft. We try to time the shallow areas at high tide but still “touched” bottom a couple of times (I love a big keel!). It was a bit tight for us but you’ll have another foot of comfort so you should be fine. Just go slow and feel your way when it gets shallow – plus make sure your depth sounder is accurately calibrated.
        Definitely wait for a very good weather day – not just one that looks ok or good enough.
        A couple of points to consider:
        The open water distance to either Marathon or Key West is not very different – they are very much open water. Depending on your speed the time difference direct to Key West is only around an hour or so longer.
        Many days the fast ferry runs to Key West so there is some comfort knowing at least one boat will be in the vicinity for part of the travel if you go direct to Key West.
        If you go to Marathon definitely make a reservation/late arrival arrangements ahead of time. Sometimes space can be limited and they could be gone when you arrive – dock space at the city facility is very limited however the mooring field is amazing in size. I believe the mooring field doesn’t take reservations but we have been able to get reservations on their dock. There are other facilities there but we have only stayed on the dock at the city marina.
        Ask around to see if you can find a “buddy” boat to travel along with – may be difficult to find but always nice if you can.
        Key West is a great location and you will definitely enjoy it. We’re spending the month of March there again this year and will travel the same route from Naples area straight to Key West.
        Don’t hesitate to call or email if you have any questions.
        Regards,
        Curtis

        Reply to Curtis
      8. Winston Fowler -  October 8, 2015 - 5:08 am

        Get as far south as possible, maybe the Rod and Gun Club at Everglades City, or Calusa Island Marina at Goodland, but certainly no further north than Marco Island.
        Then head for middle of the keys, say Marathon area . Leave at daybreak although I am not sure of your speed. We’ve done the Marco to Key West, but we can cruise at 15 knots and that makes a big difference.
        Watch your wind forecast. You will get some break from easterly winds if you go down through Florida Bay and close in to Cape Sable. All this being said, it has been a few years since I have made the trip. Lets see what really comes in from some folks who may have made the trip more recently.
        Winston Fowler

        Reply to Winston
        • Chris -  October 9, 2015 - 3:54 pm

          I had a sailboat that made around 5 knots and drew 5.5 feet. I started out in Fort Myers Beach, and day tripped down the west coast to Everglades City. I had no difficulty in finding safe harbors that would accommodate my draft, but beyond Everglades City, there were no other anchorages that were deep enough.

          I and stayed at the Rod and Gun club, and spent a day exploring the town. Watch the overhead power cable. Locals indicated that it was lower than 65 feet, and they took great pleasure in seeing sailboaters come to grief there. Not sure if their info was correct, but just be aware.

          Since there were no deep harbors between Everglades City and Key West, I planned on making an overnight trip to Key West. I staged just outside of the river, and departed at 3:30 PM. Got into Key West at 10 AM. Crab pots weren’t a huge problem.

          Good luck with the trip.

          Reply to Chris

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