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Old 06-29-2020, 05:28 PM   #4
caltexflanc
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City: North Carolina for now
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,348
We liked a combo of routes. The first time we went down there (as far as Marathon) we went inside all the way, with 5' draft. Ended up sanding the keel quite effectively about 6 inches or so. And there were a bunch of pots in the channel. Both issues happened once we were west/south of Islamorada (Shell and Lignumvitae Key). From then on we went out (or came back in) Channel 5. On any given trip, we took the outside virtually the whole route either on the going or coming leg, unless of course we went over to the islands as part of the trip.

We enjoyed the inside route; for a southerly passage, we were always departing from Ft.Lauderdale and environs, typically going out at Port Everglades or Haulover, back in at Cape Florida (Key Biscayne). We liked anchoring off Key Biscayne, including just outside of No Name (always too crowded) and visiting our friends there and eating at Boaters Grill. Thence to anchor off Elliot Key and explore both it and Boca Chita Key. Then maybe anchor off Pumpkin Key and explore Ocean Reef. We once went out Anglefish Creek there just for a change. From Pumpkin me sometimes moseyed down to Tarpon Bay to anchor and mess around some more in the Whaler, you used to be able to dock the dinghy there and walk over to Publix, not sure if that is still the case. Then down to Islamorada, we liked anchoring in the bight there and go to Lorelei's and Worldwide Sportsman's fish market. Maybe then go explore Lignumvitae and/or Shell, then on out Channel 5. Overall a really pretty and enjoyable cruise.

If you have never gone between Stuart and Ft.Lauderdale on the ICW, unless the weather is bad, in our opinion it is worth doing once for the sightseeing trip, but NOT on a weekend! Time your speed to the bridge opening schedules and relax if you can.
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