My gf and I are thinking of taking a 2 week trip to the keys in early December and I was looking for some info. I hit google but all I get is a bunch of charter ads (maybe I'm just not using the right keywords?).
Also, I have a san juan 23 that is in great shape that I just bought early this summer. I feel confident in my abilities as we have (or I have) sailed pretty much every single day this summer.... from having no wind right up to 35 mph winds in thunderstorms on the lake. I am NOT sure however what the conditions are like around the keys or how fast they change so..... just looking for advice. We would trailer the boat down there (miami?? or somewhere else I don't know yet?) and launch where ever is most convenient.
I have made some mods to the companion way to keep water out cause I like sailing in rough weather....... it's fun
but other than that the boat is stock
so in summary......
I'm looking for info on cruising the keys (websites, guidebooks, weather, personal exp.)
and
Would an SJ23 be halfway appropriate? I say halfway cause I don't mind a rough ride (I come from kayaking running 50 ft waterfalls and multi-day class 5 runs.... I like challenge) but I'd rather not sink my boat or drown my gf (she wouldn't like that much and besides, I kind of like her
). Laid back is good too though and we hope to be doing a lot of snorkelling and just hanging out. Seems to me that the boat would be great for the keys from what I've read so far but just trying to make sure. The centerboard and shallow draft would be nice. I just kind of worry about only having a 9 hp outboard and if it would be capable of motoring us in heavy sea's (well, heavy for a 23 ft boat..... I wouldn't be out in a hurricane or anything).
Thanks,
Dallas from Georgia (not texas and yup, that's my real name
)