Fla Keys in January

M

Munchkin

New member
Erma and I are planning to head for the Fla Keys in early January for a week. We are new to criuising (all previous boats were fishing boats) and niether of us have ever been to the Keys. If we could possibly tap in to some of that perverbial C-Brat wisdom prior to the trip (do's and don'ts), it would be greatly apreciated. Right now we are thinking of making Marathon our initial destination and cruising out from there????

Thanks
Ernie
 
Hi,
We are thinking about the same trip maybe starting a little further north like Key Largo. We are planning for late March as it can be chilly down there. We plan on coming down the intercoastal waterway until Marathon and then coming thru to the Atlantic side but staying inside the reef running Hawk Channel down to Key West eventually. We are going to try staying at Geiger Key Marina see the link www.geigerkeymarina.com which is only about 10 miles north of Key West. Then get a rental car to go back up and get the truck and trailer. I would sign up for active captain and check out all the marinas and their ratings, ramps, gas anchorages, and it's free. Here is the link www.activecaptain.com. Click on the inter active cruising guide and zoom in on the area you want to to look at click on the red markers which are marinas and check out the reviews. Boat ramps are blue, anchorages are green etc. Cool stuff. Dockage in Marathon seems to run about 2.50 per foot. There are plenty of places to anchor out. A Florida Keys Guide or a complete Florida Guide that includes the keys. Take warm clothes, make sure you get a marina that allows you to have full view of the sunsets. This is all I know. Have a great time.
D.D.
 
D.D. that's a lot of good advice. Thanks! I plan on cruising around the Keys in late January early Feb. I'm concerned that it will be cold but I hope to be able to say, "Its a lot colder in Virginia."

I'm wondering if there are any fish to be caught down there in the middle of winter? I've heard amberjack may be biting.
 
I'm a fan of the "Managing the Waterway" cruising guides. They have a Florida Keys guide that we used to find good anchorages and services on shore.

If you want to take a view of the "Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and Crew" in the Grand Adventures forum, the first page there starts with some of our time in the Keys. We enjoyed the area a bunch; have been there several times.

January can be cold... or it can be lovely. More likely, it will be some of both. When a norther blows in, you want to be in a protected anchorage or at a dock. Fortunately, there are plenty of decent anchorages... you just watch the weather to see which way the wind will be blowing and then decide which side of the Keys will provide the best protection. While I haven't started there, I think Marathon is a good starting point, especially if you just have a week. You can spend a little time there and learn a lot about the cruising lifestyle... plenty of live-aboard folks there, especially in the winter.

Stay flexible, go do some of the touristy stuff, and mostly have fun. Oh, and keep us posted.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
We have done Bahia Honda State park it was $2 a ft that includes,water ,elec., parking your rig and it's about 40 min drive to Key west from there Its right on the other side of the 7 mile bridge south of Marathon Here are the numbers
800-326-3521
305-872-3210
305-872-2353
305-289-8877
Some are for the Marina and some for the state park call the 800 number first they will point you in the right direction
Hope this helps let me know when your coming Jim
 
Another good spot to put in at is Mangrove Marina at Tavernier. They have a ramp & parking for vehicles & trailers. We have been coming here for several years & it is a great location with access to groceries, post office, shopping, etc. Transient dockage never seems to be a problem. It's Bayside with easy access to the ICW & all the cruising you would like. Yes, we are here now and it is cold but as we tell our friends back home, at least we aren't shoveling any fluffy, cold, white stuff. If anyone is coming this way, please either stop by or give us a call (605.695.9359)or post us a note, we're looking for some new cruising friends.
 
Andy how long will you stay in the keys I would like to get down there some time in Jan. We are in Naples Fl. about 4-5 hr drive to Bahia Honda
 
That's what I love about "Brats", always willing to help. We greatly appreciate the input! The trip planning is still in progress and the replies have been very helpfull.

Our plan so far is to depart NC on Saturday 1/8 and hopefully trailer to somewhere in Florida, boat-camp overnight, then continue on to somewhere in the Keys on Sunday. Putz around there for 4 or 5 days and then eeeeze on back north. How's that for a well defined plan???

It's a fairly long road trip considering we have only been able to spend 3 weekends on the boat since we got it. Hey, C-Dory owners are adventurous....right? Oh well, our motto is "if we ain't got it, we'll do without it". I know we have the essentials, corkscrew, wine glasses, fishing rod, and a great group called CBrats to help us muddle through what we don't know.

Thanks again for the suggestions!
Ernie
 
"Cold" in the keys is relitative. We had temps in the mid to lower 20's the last few nights in Pensacola--and the keys were in the 50's. The average low in the keys in January is 65 and the average high is 75. Last years record low was 47 in January...

We hope to be down there in the last week of January and the first couple of February. Bahia Honda is a great place for the boat--camping is taken a year in advance. There are plenty of places to anchor out in the keys, so you don't have to put up with $2.50 a foot a night.
 
Yes we are here in Jan we usually are in the keys until the end of March.
Although we take a number of cruises so may be gone for a couple of weeks from time to time (if the weather cooperates , anchoring out when its 45 degrees is not for us)
 
I hope to be at and around Bahia Honda for about a week around the 13th of January. Keeping a close eye on the weather it's been pretty chilly here in NE Florida.
 
We launched our boat at Jacksonville, Fla. on the St. Johns river January 20 and have traveled the ICW down the coast and are presently anchored in Tarpon Basin at Key Largo. We have seen many wonderful sights and have really enjoyed the trip. The weather has been outstanding. The adventure continues each and every day.
Any tips from those that have experience would certainly be welcomed.
 
Don't miss Key West, there are a lot of good things to see: Harry Truman's retreat, Hemingway's bar and the Nuestra Señora de Atocha Museum. In the latter you get to touch a gold bar from the Spanish Treasure Fleet.

Also visit the Dry Tortugas, great experience for the history and the snorkeling.

In spite the warmth, there are a lot of norther fronts come through, but they only last a day or two.

Boris
 
Hi,
There are two ways most use to go thru the keys down to Key West . Outside (the Atlantic side) and staying inside of the reef by way of Hawk Channel or run the intercoastal waterway all they way. Not much different in terms of mileage. I have not done either but plan on leaving Pa. to come down March 18th. We have to get our trailer worked on for a day or so on the 21st. We plan to run down the intercoastal starting in the Key Largo/ Tavernier area from the Boatman’s Mangrove Marina 305 852-8380 We plan to go down to Marathon area anchor near Boot Key Harbor the first night. Then to Bahia Honda Key which is beautiful and spend another night and then up thru the Spanish Keys anchor overnight again and then on to Key West. In Key West we plan to stay at the Key West City Marina at Garrison Bight 305 809 3981. Mooring per night 16.90 I think 278 per month or Transient docking is 1.90 per foot for transient’s. Bathrooms showers coin operated laundry. There are lots of places to anchor out. I’ve been in Key West before but never in my boat. If you get a chance have breakfast some morning at a place called Blue Heaven it was always good and it’s unique. For dinner I wouldn’t miss a place called 7 Fish. Loads to see and do. Mallory Pier for a sunset is a must. Have a couple Rum Runner’s over at the Schooner’s Wharf Bar were all the big sailboats are tied up It’s a fun place live music at night. The tarpon are swimming right around the docks. Have Fun! :smiled
D.D.
 
On the way down if you get a chance to stop at No-Name key, hit the N0-Name pub for the best pizza made. No-Name is by Deer Key. Also Blue Heaven is good at any meal and if their key lime is not the best you have put in your mouth I would be about ready to mail you a refund.(ha) Mel Fisher's is a must to see in Key West.
Ron
 
miafun,
The one thing down there I have heard people getting tickets for is if you boat has a holding tank and a diverter valve. The diverter valve handle must be locked in the closed position so you can not discharge head waste overboard. I think they will board you and check for this and ticket you to the tune of about $250 so I have read. Ask around to see if this is true. Just a heads up!
D.D.
 
Miafun1":2uopli01 said:
Will C
Thanks for the tip. Has anyone heard if having the valve closed and the handle removed is in compliance?
Click to expand...

It may be OK but I'd get an official reading from someone and save the reply for boarding officials.

Charlie
 
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