Florida Keys - Inside or outside?

[LarryandSusanMacDonald]

We'll be heading to Marathon in the next few days. Have never done anything more in the Keys than staying at No Name for a night before heading to the Bahamas.

What are the merits of traveling inside vs. outside? We're in a Morgan Out Island so don't draw much (~4 1/2').

Thanks for your input.

[drfreddie]

Hi I just sailed from NW Florida to the Keys and and tell you about inside the middle to upper Keys. From WHERE you going to Marathon?

[CaptainForce]

We are also aboard a Morgan OI 41 and frequent the Keys. Hawk's Channel is a fine route in good weather, but fewer places to anchor (Rodreguiz Key, Tavernier- fair weather anchorages). We usually poke about and enjoy many of the anchorages on the Bay Side,- Buttonwood Sound, Blackwater Sound, Tarpon Basin, Sunset Cove, Lower Matecumbe Bight..... You'll spend a lot of time cruising in 5' depths, but it's a flat pan and just a few spots to slow for a conservative crossing. Snorkeling is nicer on the Ocean side! We use Angelfish Creek and the 65' bridge at long Key to cross from Hawk's Channel to Bay Side 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

[LarryandSusanMacDonald]

Thank you Captain Force and drfreddie,

I was beginning to think that nobody was going to respond to this post that I put up five days ago.

To answer your question drfreddie, we're sitting in the ancorage in West Palm as I write this, need to reprovision a bit, then first weather window we'll head to Ft. Lauderdale and then Miami.

South of Miami we thought about anchoring in the Marine Stadium, where we've anchored before, then down Biscayne Bay. Whether we go inside or out depends on weather, and advice we get from Sailnet and friends who have traveled there before.

We're studying the charts, but there's nothing like local knowledge from those who have seen the real life chart (the one where 1" = 1").

[Melrna]

Hey guys, when you get to Miami and stadium bay, look me up since I am right there at Rickenbacker. Just hope I am not working when you come. I plan on going down to the Keys myself on Jan 4 or 5th. Hope to see you on the water.
For just meandering down the keys, the inside route is the best until Islamorada, than outside is a must for most of us. Pumpkin key on the north side is a great snorkeling spot. A pod of dolphins usually live in Sexton Bay just south of that. Rodriguez Key has horrible holding during any kind of blow, so be careful there if going on the outside route. Speaking of the outside route down Hawk Channel, until the wind blows over 18kts for a few days very doable. Might be a little mod chop but with your boat that tracks like a rail even up to 20 kts you can do it. Just be careful of all the crap/lobster pots.
Keep me posted on where you are and hopefully we can meet up.

[eryka]

Hi guys, Marine Stadium was a nice anchorage and a fun view of Miami. Also, Dinner Key marina has just installed about 200 moorings; handy if you need to do laundry & provision, rather exposed but for $18 it was a deal if the weather was right.

[AlanBrown]

I would have posted earlier, but a virus ate my computer!

I've cruised both sides of the Keys and suggest that you let the weather determine which side to cruise down.

If the weather features strong winds from any quadrant but west, take the Bay route. There are no good anchorages on the ocean side. There are lots of quiet spots along the Bay.

If the weather is forecast to be calm, the Hawk Channel will get you to Marathon more quickly.

Have fun!

[wookie]

Hi all interesting to read your comments, I am coming the other way around on the 5th Jan heading up to Cape Carnavaral, I have a 6' draft so a bit limited, have anyone of you stayed at Cape Marina?
If you see a Black hulled Ketch give me a wave.

regards Paul
Kuan Yin