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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Sailing from mainland to Key West

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gunner74
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/04/2012 : 14:01:27

I would like to sail my C25 from the tip of Florida to Key West. Is this a safe proposition? Is my boat big enough? Can it be done in day sails? What is the best route? What's the best time of year? I would really like to hear from anyone thats done this.

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2012 : 16:41:15

I have not done it on a C25, but you really just need to mind the weather and you will be fine. A couple good anchors and a bunch of chain is a good idea. I'd also suggest a really good chart plotter and a Tow Boat US towing membership. Spring is ok, fall is better, and winter is devine.

Sten

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Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2012 : 18:03:55

Where are you leaving from? If you are leaving from the east coast Miami area then you shouldn't have any problem finding overnight anchorages and the occasional marina sailing down the Keys. If you're leaving from the west coast, Marco Island or Naples, then it would be an offshore overnight cruise and the weather should be monitored closely.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2012 : 18:51:49

You can go coastal with plenty of anchorages to the southern tip of FL, then it is only 40 miles or so to Vaca or Bahia Honda (state park & marina) and then down to KW
edit: from the west coast

Edited by - Dave5041 on 09/04/2012 18:53:26

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2012 : 05:24:26

I have not sailed to Key West, But, I have sailed the west coast of Florida from Tampa Bay down to Marco Island and back. I haven't had the time available to make it down to the Keys. You just have to be flexible as to the weather. If the Gulf of Mexico is rough you can stay put in many anchorages along the coast. Or you can transit the Intra-coastal waterway. We try to take trips along the coast in the spring or fall, the temperature and winds are usually favorable then. Here is a great reference for Florida. I buy a new copy every couple of years.

http://www.floridacruising.com/

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gunner74
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2012 : 07:35:32

Thanks for the information. I went to the Florida Cruising site and ordered the Florida guide and the guide to the Florida Keys.

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Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2012 : 20:54:53

Be sure to post your post trip data for all

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DGuinn
Deckhand

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15 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2012 : 07:25:47

Gunner,
I made a trip from Flamingo,FL to Key West, on out to Dry Tortugas, and back to Flamingo in late April/early May 2005 on my C25. Out a total of 2 weeks. We had a fleet of 3 boats, 2 C25's & a Hunter 23 that put in @ different times & places, but stayed in touch for most of the trip. Weather watching is the most important part of the cruise planning from start to finish. Provisioning & ice management should also be high on the list. I have cruised in the Keys & West Coast of FL quite a bit in C22 & C25.Let me know if you ever need more details.

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DGuinn
Deckhand

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15 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2012 : 17:40:28

Barb & I cruised from Flamigo FL to Key West, out to the Dry Tortougas & back to Flamingo in the spring of 2005. We were out for 2 weeks. We sailed w/ another C25 & a Hunter 23 from Key West to Fort Jefferson. Weather watching is the most important aspect in this type of cruising in a small, but very seaworthy, boat like a C25. Provisioning, gas & ice management are also important when you are doing extended cruising in remote areas in a small boat. I have sailed a good bit in the Key's & west coast of FL in C22 & C25.
Cruising in the Keys & west coast of FL in the winter & spring is very nice, you just have to watch the weather. Enjoy !!

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5429 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2012 : 20:28:15

I'm not a local but have spent a good deal of time in the Keys. I was impressed by the skinny water in the bays and a good distance out in the Florida straits. John Pennecamp state park is a coral reef about five miles south of Key Largo and from the looks of the charts, the shoals extend regularly several miles offshore. Many areas are seagrass flats. According to Fla fish and game, mariners are responsible for damage (due to dragging keels) to the seabed. And you're financially liable for the cost of restoration of the flats.
Moral of the story: check your charts, keep track of your position on the GPS and plot your course for deeper water.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 09/08/2012 : 08:48:16

Locals can correct me, but if I remember right, damage repair is $1000/sq. ft. for coral $100/sq. yd. for sea grass. Just be responsible and careful about where you go and where you anchor and it isn't a problem.

DGuinn, did you stop over in the Marquesas or make the Tortugas in a single, long sail from KW? I've been thinking about a similar trip for a couple of years.

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DGuinn
Deckhand

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15 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2012 : 05:52:33

Dave
We stopped over, coming & going, @ the Marquesas on both trips that I have made to Dry T's. We even hung out there for a day waiting on another boat to join us. It makes for a nice half day trip from K West. Also, it is an easy, no boat traffic, early early morning start to give you lots of daylight, if you need it, to get into Garden Key.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5429 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2012 : 18:27:13

As I recall the Dry Tortugas are about 30 miles out of Key West. That's a good half day if you start at 5:30 AM. I can definitely see spending time walking around the Islands and spending a night over on the boat. Sounds like a great time especially in say February, when we're waist-deep in the white stuff up north!

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2012 : 08:46:54

The Tortugas are closer to 60 miles, but the Marquesas can break the trip into approximately 20 and 40 mile legs. Daylight lengthens from 11 hours in Feb. and 12 in March to 13+ in May, making it a very doable trip well before thunderstorm and hurricane season gets rolling.

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