We went to the Dry Tortugas on a friend's boat out of Key West 6-years ago. I too fell in love with the place, though back then there was no comms at all - no VHF, no cell reception. I wonder if Starlink has changed the remote feeling of the place? But yes, it's high on our list for Weebles when she eventually gets here.
Thanks for the local knowledge on approaches to Key West. I think we're committed to crossing the stream conventionally - south of Marquesas Keys. I'm eager to see how the weather shakes-out. Chris Parker forecasts fairly lively winds (upper teens) against the Gulf Stream and advises a 90-degree crossing. NOAA/OPC shows a large-ish hi-pressure over the area and reduced winds. Our current thinking is to cross quickly to the north side of the Gulf Stream. If the winds are acceptable, ride the current towards KW. If winds are high, we'll dump out of the GS. Looks like it will be late tomorrow night when we at KW so will anchor nearby.
Shelter Bay Marina (Caribbean side of Panama Canal) is indeed a graveyard of cruising dreams. Many boats for sale.
I've been noodling over getting Weebles up the Caribbean for almost 2-years. To my thinking, a very challenging run on a boat not made for long runs. I think Dos Peces would be workable but would take a lot of planning (as does Weebles). For both boats, goal is to convert the long 1200nm passage into short hops of less than 500nms. My current thinking is to head east towards eastern Colombia, then squirt up to Jamaica (440 nms) and then around east end of Cuba through Bahamas. I think your Bayliner 4788 would be workable but would require the patience of Job.
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