Dockage in the Keys

[oldawg]

Southwest Airlines has recently started non-stop flights from New Orleans to Key West at reasonable prices and I am thinking of moving my boat down there for the winter/spring. Having never been to Key West I know virtually nothing about where to stay. It is my understanding, from reading this forum, Key West itself is expensive. What are my other options?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gbharrington]

Marathon, which is about 40 miles from Key West may be a better choice. It's certainly more boater/cruiser friendly and is a $4 bus ride from Key West. Not to mention no cruise ships and much cheaper dockage.

 

[captainwjm]

I'm not a fan of KW or Marathon,(for different reasons) but really like Plantation Harbor in Islamorada.

 

[bobk]

There are a couple of marinas on the ocean side of Key Largo. Don't know how pricing compares any more. There is probably 'a little more to do' in KL than Marathon. You will probably want to have a vehicle at Plantation, but not necessary in KL or Marathon. You also have very friendly Bonefish Yacht Club a few miles north of Marathon. Again, vehicle necessary.

KL is an easy drive to MIA.

Bobk

 

[GJH]

The whole advantage of a flight from NOLA to Key West is pretty much lost if you end up in Islamorada and especially Key Largo... There are a few nice marinas in Marathon, not just in Boot Key Harbor but over on the sound side (Banana Bay especially). We spent a lot of time in Marathon (mostly on a mooring but also at Marathon Marina) and like it a lot. The marinas on the east side of KW away from the craziness should also be looked at. The crusernet web site and the Waterway Guide are a good places to start. A lot depends on what you plan on doing with the boat while it is there.

 

[oldawg]

The whole advantage of a flight from NOLA to Key West is pretty much lost if you end up in Islamorada and especially Key Largo... .

I guess that is my thinking. We really prefer to be on the hook somewhere and will probably not go unless we can spend 5 days or so. I don't need nightlife and restaurants....got that here. I like pretty water and isolation.

 

[GJH]

I guess that is my thinking. We really prefer to be on the hook somewhere and will probably not go unless we can spend 5 days or so. I don't need nightlife and restaurants....got that here. I like pretty water and isolation.

From Marathon, we were particularly fond of anchoring out at Bahia Honda between the old and new bridges. The pic in my avatar was taken from the BH side of the cut out in the old bridge as we entered the anchorage. Great beaches, state park and fun to take the dinghy on explorations including up to Big Pine for some No Name tavern pizza as part of the fun. Newfound Harbor and Niles Channel have a couple of nice places to drop the hook and similarly explore. You can always take the boat up to Islamorada and anchor out in the big bight between Loreleis and World Wide Sportsman, and there are nice places off Lignum Vitae Key and Shell Key state park twixt there and Channel Five. Since we were bringing the boat from the northeast, we'd hit these coming or going) So plenty to do with the boat with it based in Marathon. We also enjoyed taking the dinghy to the beach and exploring the general area without having to move the big boat.

 

[thoward]

Dockage in KW is about $60/foot/month. There are a couple mooring areas there as well but I would be concerned about security of belongings.

The Dry Tortugas is enticing but, IMO, the Keys are overrated.

 

[mississippi river rat]

Southwest Airlines has recently started non-stop flights from New Orleans to Key West at reasonable prices and I am thinking of moving my boat down there for the winter/spring. Having never been to Key West I know virtually nothing about where to stay. It is my understanding, from reading this forum, Key West itself is expensive. What are my other options?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.[/QGREG
\GREG call me about dockage in marathon. I have a 120 ft deep water dock at a private estate.safe and secure. 30 and 50 amp 1.50 a foot GEORGE 305 289 0271 thanks.

 

[bigbill]

hey greg, your friends from mississippi (will you remember us this winter) want to stow away. lol have a great time this winter, the keys are awsome.

 

[Pascal]

Marathon has been going downhill pretty quickly and has really become trashy... The old days of the Faro Blanco Marina are long gone! That said there are some nice anchorages nearby like Bahia Honda and some of the keys on th north side

Personally I find key west overrated from a boater s perspective... Yeah it s nice for a few days once every few years but I would not spend much time there and certainly wound t base my boat there. But again, it s personal opinion, many love it.

I love islamorada and indeed as suggested above, Plantation Yacht Harbor is a great spot. If you can get a slip... Nce park, pool, beach and great folks. Many nice anchorages nearby. 10 years ago, (time flies!!!) I kept my boat there for a year or so and would go every week end. Leaving Friday evening after rush hour, it was a 1:15 hr drive from down town Miami... Pretty painless. Same coming back Monday morning before rush hour. From MIA if you rent a car, it s probably even a bit quicker as you are already close to the Tpike

Key largo doesn't do it for me... It doesn't have the small village appeal of islamorada

But as everything else, it s all very subjective... Whatever float your boat, literally !

 

[Fanfare]

The Keys can be pleasant, but for the same amount of effort you can be in the Bahamas. Sure, you have to fully stock the boat in the US, but you are going to eat the same amount of food wherever you are. Head for West End, Grand Bahama, and from there you are in hull speed country all the way around to Little Harbour. Plenty of little islands and coves for anchoring, all free. Most marinas cheaper than Key West, uncrowded and quiet. Just pull in for fuel and water. You will meet real cruising folk who generally know their boats and boating. Just wait for a flat weather window, plentiful in the summer.

 

[GJH]

The Keys can be pleasant, but for the same amount of effort you can be in the Bahamas. Sure, you have to fully stock the boat in the US, but you are going to eat the same amount of food wherever you are. Head for West End, Grand Bahama, and from there you are in hull speed country all the way around to Little Harbour. Plenty of little islands and coves for anchoring, all free. Most marinas cheaper than Key West, uncrowded and quiet. Just pull in for fuel and water. You will meet real cruising folk who generally know their boats and boating. Just wait for a flat weather window, plentiful in the summer.

I agree that's the best of all worlds, but read the original post!

 

[Nonchalant1]

If you happen to be a US military or veteran, there is a marina at the Key West base near Stock Island. Spectacular security and low cost, but have to be active military, retired military or disabled military. Would be excellent.

 

[Fanfare]

Once you get the boat there it's just as easy to fly into the Bahamas as into Key West.

I really think that everyone should visit Key West and the rest of the Keys. They are close and fuel is cheaper. But I seem to hit all of these places about once a decade, and the places I return to are in the Bahamas. I completely understand that not everyone will agree. I appreciate the silence and the solitude which is getting harder to find in Florida. I resent the intrusions of the marine patrol and the USCG "just check'in your papers, and while we are here, where are your lifejackets and that garbage placard." I mean really..... You know, I can't use my USCG certified LectraSan MSDs in the lower Keys because that is a no-discharge zone, despite the fact these units clean and disinfect better than the municipal sewer plants they require me to pump into?

 

[LUV'N LIFE]

"I resent the intrusions of the marine patrol and the USCG "just check'in your papers, and while we are here, where are your lifejackets and that garbage placard." I mean really..... You know, I can't use my USCG certified LectraSan MSDs in the lower Keys because that is a no-discharge zone, despite the fact these units clean and disinfect better than the municipal sewer plants they require me to pump into?"

Those of us that have spent any amount of time in the Keys are nodding in agreement with that statement.

 

[pizzazsdaddy]

Are the flights cheap enough to cover the overpriced dockage in Key West?

Caloosa Cove Marina on the Atlantic side. Lower Matecumbe, South End of Islamorada (in my opinion) is the best deal in the Keys. $15 a foot per month (plus electric) including cable! Better yet, you can use the resort pool and tennis courts. Mostly 35-45 ft slips. Only 3 53/60ft slips. Directly on the Atlantic. Dry Stack Marina, Restaurant, Grocery, Bar, Diesel Fuel, Ethanol free gas, and Tru-Value hardware store all on premises. Also, if you have additional guests, the attached timeshare resort will rent out unoccupied units for $125 a night to boat owners who dock there. I think it's the best kept secret in the Keys. Way nicer than Plantation Harbor. My 58 Hatteras was a tight squeeze at high tide only, but what a great little spot once you're in there. The ONLY negative about this place, aside from shallow water, was that shopping in Marathon or Key Largo is still a 30 minute drive in either direction. It's a one hour, 30 minute drive from Miami Airport. Or Another hour and 30 minute drive to get to Key West. Stuck in the middle.

Where I am, in Palm Beach County, (30 minutes north of Ft. Lauderdale), (3 major airports), Some good dockage can still be had for $12-$15 a foot per month plus electric. These days, that still a fair price for dockage in South Florida. It's still the only place in America where you can "enjoy" boating in January! I heard of a couple of places up in the Stuart area for $9. The marina I'm at still only charges $1 a ft per night for transients.

I hope that helps.

Pizzaz's Daddy

 

[Angela]

Daddy, just out of curiosity, what does electric run per month for a 58', running all of the air conditioning systems 'round the clock, i.e. summer?

 

[GJH]

Fanfare, Lovinlife, care to tell us which municipal treatment plants in the Keys are pumping treated sewage right into the surrounding waters?

 

[gbharrington]

Daddy, just out of curiosity, what does electric run per month for a 58', running all of the air conditioning systems 'round the clock, i.e. summer?

Hi Angela. Your bill at Dinner key should have the kilowatt hours listed that you have used for the most recent month and possibly past months as well. The cost per kwh may also be listed. I'm sure that Coloosa Cove can provide you with the cost per kwh and any other charges that may apply. If not the local electric utility certainly can.