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01-12-2016, 05:29 AM
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#1
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Guru
City: Niceville, FL
Vessel Name: At Last
Vessel Model: 1990 Jefferson 52 Marquessa
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 724
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Southwest Florida coast knowledge
We will be making a trip down the coast this spring (April May timeframe). I am fairly familiar with many of the ports from Destin down to Fort Meyers. But am a not familiar from there down to Key West. Since we draw slightly over 4 feet on or Jefferson 52 I wanted to get some feedback on what ports are easy to get into without being concerned with tides. Really trying to aviod an overnighter to Key West if we can easily avoid it and also want to see some new spots. Some questions, Naples, Marco Island, Everglades city for an overnight anchor, same for Little Sharkey. Others? We like to run 8 to 10 knots most of the time. Thanks for your suggestions.
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01-12-2016, 05:36 AM
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#2
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Valued Technical Contributor
City: Litchfield, Ct
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,786
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A daylight trip from Marco Island to Key West is quite doable, particularly if you cruise at 8-10 kts. It is about 90 NM. Anchor at Factory Bay in Marco and leave at dawn. You will pull into Key West 10-11 hours later.
David
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01-12-2016, 08:40 AM
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#3
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Guru
City: Victoria TX
Vessel Name: Bijou
Vessel Model: 2008 Island Packet PY/SP
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 5,290
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Southwest Florida coast knowledge
Last summer we hopped from Fort Myers to Key West, stopping to anchor at Marco Island and Shark River. I draw about 4'.
We anchored in Smokehouse Bay in Marco, across from the marina there. Kind of a winding channel getting in there but don't remember any depth issues. You can dingy over to a nice Winn Dixie. Surrounded by condos so not too scenic but very protected and quiet. Only one other boat there-- it was nice and quiet.
The Little Shark River anchorage was very interesting and kind of spooky. We had no depth problems-- anchored at the spot shown on Active Captain. We were the only boat there. We cruised around in the dingy to explore a bit before the bugs ran us back inside. Pretty aggressive biting flies, but we were there in June. Was still an interesting spot I thought and worth the stop. Don't think I would swim there! No cell service IIRC.
It was a fun trip!
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01-12-2016, 08:49 AM
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#4
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Guru
City: Victoria TX
Vessel Name: Bijou
Vessel Model: 2008 Island Packet PY/SP
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 5,290
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Southwest Florida coast knowledge
Smokehouse Bay
Little Shark River.
Haha. Just kidding.
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01-12-2016, 09:01 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
City: Marietta
Vessel Model: Cobalt 246
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 165
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Marco is a great spot for anchor or Marina, and with your boat, a straight run from there to KW makes sense.
I would think it easiest to avoid Little Shark River and the rest of Florida Bay in a 52 footer. Leave Marco at 6am and you'll be in KW by 4:30pm no problem.
You're in the best weather of the year at that time.
Sent from my iPhone using Trawler Forum
__________________
David Hughes
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01-12-2016, 10:16 AM
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#6
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Guru
City: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,438
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djmarchand
A daylight trip from Marco Island to Key West is quite doable, particularly if you cruise at 8-10 kts. It is about 90 NM. Anchor at Factory Bay in Marco and leave at dawn. You will pull into Key West 10-11 hours later.
David
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What he said.
But just remember that 90 nm is as the crow flies. So you have to allow time to get out the pass and then in from NW channel to Key West harbor.
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01-12-2016, 01:01 PM
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#7
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Guru
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
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From Fort Myers and heading south.
Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach are both worth a visit. For us, Sanibel is a one day stop only.
We love Naples for multiple day stops.
We heard so many negatives about Marco Island, but we love it. Yes, we like the resort aspect, but we also love taking our RIB and just exploring all around, so much to see.
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01-12-2016, 01:34 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: Niceville, FL
Vessel Name: At Last
Vessel Model: 1990 Jefferson 52 Marquessa
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 724
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Thanks for all your inputs. Keep them coming. Right now I like the idea of leaving Fort Myers Beach and stop in Marco Island. A good run to Key West but doable. At that time of the year (late April) do we need to book slips far out or can we just call the day before?
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01-12-2016, 02:19 PM
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#9
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Guru
City: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,438
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogerh
Thanks for all your inputs. Keep them coming. Right now I like the idea of leaving Fort Myers Beach and stop in Marco Island. A good run to Key West but doable. At that time of the year (late April) do we need to book slips far out or can we just call the day before?
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Key West is pretty busy year round now. I'd book as far out as you can.
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01-12-2016, 03:46 PM
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#10
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Valued Technical Contributor
City: Litchfield, Ct
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,786
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt.Bill11
What he said.
But just remember that 90 nm is as the crow flies. So you have to allow time to get out the pass and then in from NW channel to Key West harbor.
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I plotted it on Active Captain and got 91 miles going out of Marco Island from Factory Bay, outside far enough to clear Romano Shoals, then to the entrance marker to NW channel and down the channel to KW.
David
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01-12-2016, 05:16 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: North Carolina for now
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,348
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The 10,000 Islands have so many cool gunkholing opportunities. They were a destination for us, the complete opposite of a fly-by. Further on, LSR and in most weather Cape Sable are other good and beautiful anchorages. From there you can pass go right to Marathon if you so desire.
__________________
George
"There's the Right Way, the Wrong Way, and what some guy says he's gotten away with"
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01-12-2016, 06:18 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: Marathon, Florida
Vessel Name: Walkabout
Vessel Model: 1989 Sea Ray 380 Aft Cabin
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 521
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If you like to anchor out 10,000 islands is worth the stop. I must say we much prefer Marathon along with the middle Keys and upper Keys to Key Weird, I mean Key West. If all you want to do is party go to Key West. If you want relaxed island time the rest of the Keys are great.
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01-12-2016, 07:48 PM
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#13
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Guru
City: Niceville, FL
Vessel Name: At Last
Vessel Model: 1990 Jefferson 52 Marquessa
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 724
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We probably will come back through Marathon, then up along the coast and hit some of the less inhabitted anchorages both in the keys and along the west coast.
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01-12-2016, 08:33 PM
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#14
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Guru
City: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,438
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djmarchand
I plotted it on Active Captain and got 91 miles going out of Marco Island from Factory Bay, outside far enough to clear Romano Shoals, then to the entrance marker to NW channel and down the channel to KW.
David
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Like I said, 90nm as the crow flies.
But seriously, you're right. I guess I just remembered it, incorrectly, as being longer.
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01-12-2016, 10:39 PM
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#15
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Guru
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,920
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As was mentioned April/May time frame is the best weather window. If your uncomfortable doing 90 miles open water you can go from Marco to one of the Shark Rivers then on to Marathon and Boot Key Harbor and then < 50 miles to Key West. Land in sight the whole way. The distance from Marco to Marathon is about the same as Marco to Key West.
Always book res in Key West in advance, but late May to Oct should be OK.
Smokehouse Bay is the place to anchor in Marco. I've done both non stop to Key West from Marco and thru Marathon. Don't really have a preference, just what you're comfortable with and how much time you have. Non stop is a long day at 8-10 kts and if you loose one you'll be entering Key West after dark.
__________________
Tim
Tampa Bay
Carver 355 ACMY Twin Cummins Diesels Sold
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01-13-2016, 06:19 AM
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#16
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Guru
City: North Carolina for now
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,348
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We anchored off Key West (Fleming Key) once, other than that found it much easier to keep the boat in Marathon and take the bus or a car to KW. Besids, the money saved pays for a lovely lunch for two at Louie's Backyard, and other pleasures.
__________________
George
"There's the Right Way, the Wrong Way, and what some guy says he's gotten away with"
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01-13-2016, 07:03 AM
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#17
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Guru
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
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I think all the information posts should include weather the area is one to anchor or a marina slip is required.
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01-13-2016, 07:13 AM
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#18
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Guru
City: Niceville, FL
Vessel Name: At Last
Vessel Model: 1990 Jefferson 52 Marquessa
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 724
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So much great information. It gives me lots of options which is what I want so I have flexibility with the weather. On our return can we comfortably get into Shark river, and thousand islands without being concerned with tides?
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01-13-2016, 07:30 AM
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#19
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Guru
City: Victoria TX
Vessel Name: Bijou
Vessel Model: 2008 Island Packet PY/SP
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 5,290
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogerh
So much great information. It gives me lots of options which is what I want so I have flexibility with the weather. On our return can we comfortably get into Shark river, and thousand islands without being concerned with tides?
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I had no problems entering the river and I draw about what you do. Just don't get too close to the bank when you anchor as it get shallow quickly. Anchor where the spot is on Active Captain.
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01-14-2016, 11:12 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
City: Marietta
Vessel Model: Cobalt 246
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 165
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Southwest Florida coast knowledge
No problem getting in and out of Little Shark, but other places and something like Everglades City is much more questionable.
Sent from my iPhone using Trawler Forum
__________________
David Hughes
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