Alright captains, trip planning again. This time the Florida Keys. The boat is in Jupiter

[Son of a son]

where we will go aboard Christmas Day. We want to go to the Keys and need some tips on planning, at least for the first few days.

My first question is where should I plan on getting on the first day? Just south of miami and anchor at Elliott? Or can I get farther than that and still have some daylight when we get there?

Inside or Outside into the Keys? Where should I plan to go for our second day? I figure once we get into the Keys proper, we can slow down and play it a little bit more by ear.

I don't mind spending a few nights on the hook, but we will want to have some marina stays as well.

Thanks for your tips and guidance.

 

[FootballFan]

We kept our previous boat in Aventura and Keys were a frequent destination.

Guess this time of year, your problem winds on the outside will be from the North or from the east. If it is relatively calm, I would find the first inlet I am comfortable with, go outside, turn to the south and hammer down. May be more fun going down than coming back.

Hard to answer your question, are you on the ICW all the way or outside (what speed).

We would typically go Aventura to Marathon in a day.

 

[Ididntdoit]

if conditions allow you to go outside, do so at lake worth inlet....otherwise its a full day jupiter to ft lauderdale on the icw - lots of bridges - the run from ft lauderdale to miami on the icw stinks too - lake sylvia is a great anchorage in ft lauderdale - near haulover, you can day anchor at the sand bar, then move to university cove for the night - in miami, check the area just north of miami beach marina or anchor in the miami marine stadium (where the boat show is held) on your way up or back, treat the crew to a night at miami beach marina....if hawks channel is too rough, head down the inside - hit gilberts, or the resort across the channel - from there you could hit faro blanco....if hawks is ok, look at marina del mar in key largo or postcard in islmorada - if you really adveturous, run to hawks cay.......have a great trip! if you run into any trouble and need help as you go through ft lauderdale/miami hit me up as ill be around all week.

 

[FootballFan]

North of baker haul over there is a good anchorage at maule lake.

When you turn west at icw marker red 54 you will proceed down a channel next to the condo complex, straight into lake.

Do not drift north of 54, gets very shallow quickly. You line up to stay inside the wall. Imagine the wall extended out, stay south of that imaginary line.

Last time I was in there ( 18 months ago ) depth was fine at all tide levels. There are 100+ft boats in and out of that channel on a regular basis.

Sheltered from icw.

 

[ocgrant]

Hate to bust your bubble but Marinas are beyond full right now through the new year. Nothing is out there. Since the Bahamas is a mystery this year most people that usually come to Florida and leave to spend the winter over there are not because of the daily changing Covid guidelines and lack of medical. They all decided to stay in the Keys I swear. I wanted to head down there for Xmas to New years and nothing available. Miami marina is $10 a foot min 4 nights....crazy. No one else has space. If you are good on the hook then you will be fine but busy I am sure. Me I can only do a day or two on the hook and need some marina time.

 

[45Gunner]

The last time we took our 460DA to the Keys (from Boynton Beach) we ran oceanside all the way to the Biscayne Channel and came in thru Stiltsville. We hit 8 to 10' seas on the way down and was still able to maintain a decent speed. Spent two nights on the hook at Elliott Key. When it was time to head south, we elected to stay in Biscayne Bay and took the first available channel thru the Keys back into the Ocean for a run down to Islamarodor. We made our reservation in advance. From there we ran oceanside to Marathon. On the return trip we ran oceanside to Key Largo for a night and then started north but ran into very heavy seas and decided to come in thru Port Everglades. Long, long ride home via the ICW but all part of the adventure. Good Luck. Enjoy your outing.