Key West this winter

[Sea Horse]

Mrs. Sea Horse wants me to take the boat south again from NC this winter but this time Key West for a few months. We did four months in Palm Beach with three weeks in West End, Bahamas for Christmas several years ago. Anyone have suggestions for live aboard marina with a pool and bar? Looked into The Galion Marina and $75.00 per foot is a little too pricy for me plus electric. Any other suggestions for a nice place to stay that meets the Captains request for a pool and Tiki Bar?

 

[cb48lrc]

Look at http://www.stockislandmarina.com no pool but almost half price.

 

[Boatsb]

Please don't be a stranger when passing by Port Canaveral. Im Glad the boat found a good home and someone to enjoy here. Im Sure Roger is too.

 

[bobk]

Take a look at the marinas in Marathon, Key Largo and Islamorada. Several will meet your needs. Active Captain is your best source for information. BUT, these marinas are going to fill up fast so you need to move quickly. If you will not have a vehicle, Boatmans/Sombrero in Marathon might be best but it really needs maintenance.

Bobk

 

[capttonyf]

Mrs. Sea Horse wants me to take the boat south again from NC this winter but this time Key West for a few months. We did four months in Palm Beach with three weeks in West End, Bahamas for Christmas several years ago. Anyone have suggestions for live aboard marina with a pool and bar? Looked into The Galion Marina and $75.00 per foot is a little too pricy for me plus electric. Any other suggestions for a nice place to stay that meets the Captains request for a pool and Tiki Bar?

The Gallion is a very nice Marina within walking distance to shopping, food and Duval street, and it does have a pool, and I highly recommend it. The Conch Harbor is a nice "Marina" in the same harbor and it has a pool also. That being said, about the pool, "Not Nice", I'm not sure what type of lifestyle you lead but that pool was a little adventurous to say the least. Not bad for the cast of "Jersey Shore" but wild for families. There is a Pool Bar there called, something like the "Inferno" or,,,, I'm not sure, but it was crazy. The pool was Jam Packed with 21 to 25 year old Drunk, Half Naked, young men and women, with a few Nip Slips, Boob Slips, and more, where there was no hurry to cover back up, and that went on all day long. My kids were begging all day long to go swimming but my wife said, NO WAY, were they getting in that water. Then the music, it was like a Night Club, with that Ohhhnce Ohhhnce Ohhhnce all day long, with a half wit DJ screaming, "LETS PARTY". Not a relaxing pool to say the least. Key Wesy Yacht Club which is on the inner harbor might work, and also over at the Hilton around the corner from Mallorie Square by where the cruise ships dock. Beautiful Hotel with Sunset views from your slip every evening.

Tony

 

[GJH]

I second the idea of looking to Marathon (the new Faro Blanco or Banana Bay would meet the specs) or Islamorada (Plantation Yacht Harbor), ditto. Rental cars are easy to get, or if you are on a budget, there is a bus to Key West.
We stayed in Marathon a fair amount (we preferred a mooring) two different winters and regarded Key West as a day trip destination. Took the big boat down there once for a couple of days... wasn't worth it in our opinion.

Depends on what lifestyle you want, that's for sure.

 

[motoryacht lover]

I was in marathon this past spring. We stayed at faro blanco. It is a little exposed but a very nice place. Marathon is kind of run down now. We drove out in the car and I thought islamorada and the islands north were much nicer. If you draw 5' or so you would most likely have to time the tides to get in those marinas.

 

[Sea Horse]

Please don't be a stranger when passing by Port Canaveral. Im Glad the boat found a good home and someone to enjoy here. Im Sure Roger is too.

I have been in contact with Roger on several occasions and his help was invaluable. Actually sent him a picture at his request several months ago. May just take you up on the offer. Always seem to be on a mission heading north and south and run Palm Beach or Stuart to St Agustine in one day passing you bye. Would love to stop and show off the upgrades and refinishing I've done.

 

[GJH]

I was in marathon this past spring. We stayed at faro blanco. It is a little exposed but a very nice place. Marathon is kind of run down now. We drove out in the car and I thought islamorada and the islands north were much nicer. If you draw 5' or so you would most likely have to time the tides to get in those marinas.

Marathon has always been a little "run down" in our opinion, makes it a little more Key-sy and laid back, though there are plenty of very nice neighborhoods if you spend any amount of time there. It has the advantage of more extensive retail choices and services (we had a great dentist there for instance). The other thing that was important to us is that it was a good location and base for cruising the rest of the Keys within a day's time at hull speeds, and getting to far SW FL (Cape Sable, 10,000 Islands) which we also loved exploring and gunk-holing. On land, we had a car both times, and it was a short drive to Key West or Islamorada, and not bad up to Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

 

[dottieshusband]

Did Key West last winter. +1 on Marathon Marina being the pits...had to pay full price, but NO power! Although the Islander Restuarant is still the bomb. Faro Blanco was wonderful, and as part of the Hyatt Resort, you get a "free" breakfast every morning. New docks and sliding cleats. Wasn't bad in the weather at all. We stayed at A&B Marina, made reservations 2 years in advance. They have a 50 foot minimum charge regardless. The Galleon adjoins A&B. The Bite, and Counch Harbor are downtown also, but as mentioned, there is a bar and pool right beside the Counch, so sleep might be an issue. The City Marina near Stock Island is cheaper, but it's a haul, not comfortably walkable to downtown, but if you've got a bike? The Marriott Resort also has some slips, but I'm not sure of the price, but everything near downtown is expensive in the winter.

 

[dottieshusband]

Pics from Faro Blanco

Full disclosure, that's not my Hatt, just a delivery crew taking that one to Nashville.

 

[dottieshusband]

Entrance to Marina basin that includes A&B, Gallion, Couch Harbor, and the Bite. The monthly rate at A&B is $50 bucks a foot, plus electricity. Only Counch and Faro Blanco have a pool and bar. Faro Blanco is nice. Counch is Spring Break type crazy!

 

[dottieshusband]

But wherever you go, your Hatt is the finest accommodation around!

 

[pizzazsdaddy]

Hi Sea Horse

I think Key West is a wonderful stop for a few days, but waaaayyyy to expensive. What size is your boat? There is a place in Lower Matecumbe (Between Marathon and Key Largo) called Caloosa Cove Marina. Shallow draft, a cool little spot with reasonably priced dockage, Pool, Tennis Courts, Grocery Store, Good Restaurant, and a BAR called the Safari Inn. There is also I think it's a great spot directly on the Atlantic Side.

I haven't been to the New Faro Blanco yet. Anchorage Resort is a good place in Key Largo. Pool and resort facilities, but no restaurant currently. Plenty of restaurants nearby. (Gilberts is right across Jewfish Creek).

 

[captainwjm]

I doubt that Caloosa Cove (in Islamorada on Lower Matacumbe) would be a fit as the depth is only doable at high tide, and then it is a squeaker. Also, the docks are very narrow, and when I was last there (by car) in April, mostly occupied by charter boats. That said, Habanos restaurant has good Cuban food at a reasonable price, and the Safari Lounge, know locally as the Dead Animal Bar, is an interesting place, to say the least. Nothing else close by.

We stay in Islamorada at Plantation Yacht Harbor (on Plantation Key bayside) and drive to KW from there. Given KW prices, that makes the most sense for us, plus we prefer the quiet of Islamorada.

If you are looking to stay in KW, I second the recommendation for Stock Island. The have a shuttle to downtown, and it is only a short cab ride back if you chose to close down Duval St.