Tampa To Key West, Dry Tortugas Februray

[DulceSuerna]

We have been refitting our boat and We are planning a trip to Key West then Dry Tortugas in February, Would like to do the toal trip in 11 days but have allotted up to 15 days for the trip.
Flexible right now to dates if anyone else is interested in doing this trip. We would like to spend one maybe 2 full days in KW then head to DT for a Full day or 2 then head back. We like to enjoy ourselfs and are not looking to make this a race. We do have friends in the Keys so if an emergency happens we will have options. So far there may be one or two other boats already interested.
Anyone intersted in bringing their boat along let me know.

[svHyLyte]

Ryan--

FWIW that seems like an awfully long trip for 2 daze in Key West and 2 daze at Garden Key. I'm guestimating that your boat (Bombay Clipper 31) would average 4-5 knots meaning a run from the Sea Bouy at Tampa Bay's southwest Channel to Key West would be a 40 hour run assuming the winds are favorable. From Key West to Ft. Jefferson would be another 14-15 hours. Note too that Ft. Jefferson planned to close down between last November and next May for restoration work (see Dry Tortugas National Park - Plan Your Visit (U.S. National Park Service) . February is somewhat of an iffy proposition weather-wise so transit times are entirely speculative.

Your thoughts?

[DulceSuerna]

I thought I had reposted but it did not come through. it went to your own email (sorry)
Anyways I apopreciate feedback from anyone regarding this, our enjoyment is the journey just as much as the destination. We planned to sail 12 or so hours a day and spend the night on the hook. So 3 days to kw maybe 2 if we chose to sail through one of the nights. Bummer about dry tortugas. I wonder if the trip over would still be worth it. If not we may spend 3-4 days in Kw. I had always been told either late fall or early spring is good. Is there a historicaly better time to do this?