gulfcoast john
New member
Key West 2024
Hi Friends,
We trailered down to Key West from PNS starting Jan 19, and plan to load up March 2 or so to trailer to the Hontoon Hoot, launching at Deland Ed Stone County Park as usual. Hope to see you there! Be sure to drop by if you’re in the Key West area, and you certainly should be if you think Pensacola winters are too cold.


There are many magnificent yachts here, in addition to ours.


There were 2 CD25 (including one Looper boat) and a CD22 Jan 31 at Bahia Honda State Park Marina. We had the truck, so assisted with laundry and provision runs from our slip at Perry Resort Marina in Key West.
Bahia Honda is $2.00/ft, 30 ft min, 14 day max, and takes reservations. There is a launch ramp, and free ice. You should try it!
https://bahiahondapark.com/boat-slip-rentals.html
Caladesi Island State Park marina also has $2/ft rates (without the usual Florida 40 foot minimum), shore power, great Gulf walking beach, but only cold outside ‘beach’ showers, 14 day max, takes reservations.
Every day we have to make important decisions… the beach (choose three), or the pool? (choose from two, both heated). Walk along the seawall (choose from two) or the gym? (choose among three).
Even the most luxe south FL/keys 5 star resorts have 30 day transient rates that are not unreasonable for what you get. Pink Shell resort marina, Ft Myers Beach, transient rate drops from $3.75/ft per night (no 40 ft min) to $1.75 per night for > 30 days. Cheaper than any city or state park marina in FL, esp with metered power rather than the usual $7.50/day.
Do the math. You can likely do it, and afford it if you plan ahead (many S FL marinas are reserved 6-12 months in advance, though many can find space for a C-Dory). If you leverage Caladesi + Bahia Honda for 30 days + 30d at a resort marina, you can have two months on your boat in S FL in winter if you want to.
Safe Travels!
John
Hi Friends,
We trailered down to Key West from PNS starting Jan 19, and plan to load up March 2 or so to trailer to the Hontoon Hoot, launching at Deland Ed Stone County Park as usual. Hope to see you there! Be sure to drop by if you’re in the Key West area, and you certainly should be if you think Pensacola winters are too cold.



There are many magnificent yachts here, in addition to ours.


There were 2 CD25 (including one Looper boat) and a CD22 Jan 31 at Bahia Honda State Park Marina. We had the truck, so assisted with laundry and provision runs from our slip at Perry Resort Marina in Key West.
Bahia Honda is $2.00/ft, 30 ft min, 14 day max, and takes reservations. There is a launch ramp, and free ice. You should try it!
https://bahiahondapark.com/boat-slip-rentals.html
Caladesi Island State Park marina also has $2/ft rates (without the usual Florida 40 foot minimum), shore power, great Gulf walking beach, but only cold outside ‘beach’ showers, 14 day max, takes reservations.
Every day we have to make important decisions… the beach (choose three), or the pool? (choose from two, both heated). Walk along the seawall (choose from two) or the gym? (choose among three).
Even the most luxe south FL/keys 5 star resorts have 30 day transient rates that are not unreasonable for what you get. Pink Shell resort marina, Ft Myers Beach, transient rate drops from $3.75/ft per night (no 40 ft min) to $1.75 per night for > 30 days. Cheaper than any city or state park marina in FL, esp with metered power rather than the usual $7.50/day.
Do the math. You can likely do it, and afford it if you plan ahead (many S FL marinas are reserved 6-12 months in advance, though many can find space for a C-Dory). If you leverage Caladesi + Bahia Honda for 30 days + 30d at a resort marina, you can have two months on your boat in S FL in winter if you want to.
Safe Travels!
John