Florida Keys, Winter 2013

Bob,
The boat mag writer who did the story of El and Bill came over to us while we we preparing to launch. He's crazy about C-Dory's I did not ask him about Marinaults. Anyhoo I invited him to dinner to join us. He said he asks a lot of questions. He wants C-Dory for his next boat. Has to sell a big boat first. He seemed nice enough. Look forward to meeting you tonight.
D.D.
 
Hi Brats!

Just an update and a good tip for those heading to the Keys this winter.

About twelve C-Dory owners had dinner at Castaways in Marathon Saturday night with lots of good discussion, advice, stories, great seafood and adult beverages!

We also finally met Dave and Ginny of Will-C and had coffee with them on board this morning at Black Finn Marina in Marathon, a great little resort with reasonably priced dockage, a pool and a beach on the Gulf.

Marcia and I spent the day in Key West, getting a fix that should last us another ten years. It is not one of our favorite places - too much traffic, t-shirt shops, etc. Enough said!

Acting on a tip, we stopped at the only RV resort on Fiesta Key, Gulf side. It has changed hands and dockage, at least until May when a new corporate owner takes over, is only $12@foot on a monthly basis! The docks are useable, but could use some attention and the ramp is excellent! Trailer storage is covered in that price and the resort has a LARGE pool overlooking the Gulf, washing machines, bath houses and a restaurant on premises. Depths entering the basin are in the three foot range.

Prices will probably change by next year, but right now it is a steal!

Hope this helps any Brats heading this way in the next few months.

Regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
wow that is a steal.... I called several places and they would not let me live aboard...the dockage was only for folks that owned a trailer and had a boat..

Joel
SEA3PO
 
The Blackfin Resort Marina in Marathon bay side is where we are staying and we could not be happier here. They have a decent ramp, with fresh water wash down for your boat and trailer right at the ramp,trailer storage, decent pool,The Hurricane Grill (alcohol)which we have not been to, a beach area. Nice laundry ,good showers decent pressure clean. Picnic tables and barbecue grills tucked away in a few different spots. There is a bus that goes by out front that if you are 60 years old or over it will take you to Key West for a $1.50. It's hour and half ride which is reported to be very interesting with many different type citizens and maybe even some non citizens aboard. Anyway we highly recommend this place. Active Captain already shows it and it has good reviews. We are staying here for a week 23' boat with shore power water,our truck 25 yards away for 218 dollars for the week. Many liveaboards. Everyone is so nice,they ask if we needed anything from the store,offered to dog sit our dog. We will return for maybe even a longer stay next year. Anything you want is pretty close. Many exceptional restaurants everything here is cheaper than Key West. And yes there is good fishing here both in the bay,back country and the Atlantic ocean. My wife really likes the whole place. Very quiet, they have rooms and apartments available also. Very laid back place. Not super fancy but we give 5 C-Brat stars
D.D.
 
We just finished spending a week on the west coast of Florida at Cape Haze / Placida. The Palm Island marina very nice except for the fixed docks and the snippy female dock hand who said I could more help by getting off the dock. I was helping get our own Denny-O tied up when Lt. Bitcho ran me off.
I have to say while this marina is nice with a hot tub pool and great showers. The pool deck has a refrigerator a gas grill and a microwave. It was cool to bring food and drink up there and we would prepare a potluck supper with the Ranger Tug mafia and our own Denny-O was there with his wife Char. We did this on a number of occassions. All this for about $280 and change for the week truck and trailer storage included. A fairly cheap beautiful launch ramp was only a few miles away. It was said that the others would have to join A.A. and weight watchers after we left. We visited Useppa Island which you have to be a member of a recipricating yacht club to get permission to go there. You can bet that was not me. But we rode along with the chosen people and we pretended to be rich. I just wish I had brought along some gray slacks and blue blazer so I could have passed myself of as Thurmond Howle. The island used to be a fishing village and later a exclusive tarpon fishing lodge. Now about forty well to do people have houses there. There is an Inn where is there where we had lunch lots of history. On another day we drove over to Boca Grande a cutsie little town full of shops,which the girls loved, the fellows just hung around like dumb asses waiting for this portion of the trip to end. We took a cruise up near Venice. The redfish and seatrout fishing is popular here. We stayed almost a week. We were going to go over to Aster on the St. John's but we decided to head back over to Key Largo and to one of our favorite places the Pilot House marina.for our last week in Florida. Maybe cooler up on the St. Johns. We like the keys better than the west coast. Things are a little cheaper on the west coast but the people are not as laid back as the folks in the keys. The Palm Island was a little too La te Da for a po boy like me. Mo Later
D.D.
 
We just finished spending a week on the west coast of Florida at Cape Haze / Placida. The Palm Island marina very nice except for the fixed docks and the snippy female dock hand who said I could more help by getting off the dock. I was helping get our own Denny-O tied up when Lt. Bitcho ran me off.
I have to say while this marina is nice with a hot tub pool and great showers. The pool deck has a refrigerator a gas grill and a microwave. It was cool to bring food and drink up there and we would prepare a potluck supper with the Ranger Tug mafia and our own Denny-O was there with his wife Char. We did this on a number of occassions. All this for about $280 and change for the week truck and trailer storage included. A fairly cheap beautiful launch ramp was only a few miles away. It was said that the others would have to join A.A. and weight watchers after we left. We visited Useppa Island which you have to be a member of a recipricating yacht club to get permission to go there. You can bet that was not me. But we rode along with the chosen people and we pretended to be rich. I just wish I had brought along some gray slacks and blue blazer so I could have passed myself off as Thurmond Howell. The island used to be a fishing village and later a exclusive tarpon fishing lodge. Now about forty well to do people have houses there. There is an Inn where is there where we had lunch lots of history. On another day we drove over to Boca Grande a cutsie little town full of shops,which the girls loved, the fellows just hung around like dumb asses waiting for this portion of the trip to end. We took a cruise up near Venice. The redfish and seatrout fishing is popular here. We stayed almost a week. We were going to go over to Aster on the St. John's but we decided to head back over to Key Largo and to one of our favorite places the Pilot House marina.for our last week in Florida. Maybe cooler up on the St. Johns. We like the keys better than the west coast. Things are a little cheaper on the west coast but the people are not as laid back as the folks in the keys. The Palm Island was a little too La te Da for a po boy like me. Mo Later
D.D.
 
For those who come to visit Knights key and we are there. There is a sign at the gate which states "Visitors charge $5" Today Marie asked about that. We are told that those of us who are "long term residents" -more than a month--the visitor just gives our name, and the admission is "free". I suspect that the sign is to keep folks out who may want to just park and used the beach etc...
 
We got lifted off our trailer Feb 23rd and put in the water at the Pilot House Marina in Key Largo. It's about four miles south of the John Pennekamp Park. For us the weekly rate with a lift in and lift out with a power wash when they pull the boat was $401 dollars. Key Largo is a great location there are mooring balls for snorkeling or fishing on the fish havens. You can use the ramp at Pennekamp State park but getting the truck there and back for both launching and retrieving is a pain. It will cost you about twenty dollars for admission to the park and a launch ramp fee. Snooks Bayside is our favorite place here for sunsets and outdoor dinners. Eveyln's is a small local restaurant which is right on rt. 1 where the locals eat. It is also very good with all the usual keys seafood,but also features some Mexican items. Two of which Trip Advisor reviews mention are the seafood burrito and fish tacos. Good Stuff. We are getting pulled Friday for our three day trek back to Pa. It was a great month down here. Hope you enjoyed the pictures.
D.D.
 
Thanks, D.D., we have enjoyed your photos and following everyone's Key West adventures posted here. Hope you all will continue with updates. Going back to chipping the ice off my walkway.

Day dreaming of turquoise water an palm trees.
Kevin
 
Kev,
I would not recommend for you to come down here. It's a long way and once you do; you will either never leave or have to return repeatedly. It's also where seldom is heard a discouraging word. There also is a condition which occurs after you have been here a few days. You get "keysee" where you forget to comb your hair and you sleep a little later and no longer sweat the small stuff. Perfect strangers engage in thoughtful conversation. Sunsets are particularly celebrated and are beautiful.
I don't like ice unless it's in a glass. Say hi to Laura for us.
Dave and Ginny
 
Looking for a thread about any C-Brats going to the Keys this winter, 2014?

Skimmer is heading down for a couple days at Bahia Honda, about 3/2, then down to Boca Chica until 3/15 (unless we decide to go "conch," and stay).

Any other C-Brats plan to be in the area around then?
 
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