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Ft. Myers to Key West

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WesAllen
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USA
222 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/28/2011 : 18:54:18

My nephew and I are planning a trip to Key West end of March or first part of April. I am having the swinger checked in the next week or so. I have GPS and Charts and working on a back up GPS besides required safety equip. Lots of day sails but first overnight. I would really appreciate any tips and/or feed back on what might be needed or done. Trailering from Michigan to Ft. Myers.

Wesley Allen
"Breaking Wind"
1982 C-25 SR/TR/SK #2773
Hemlock, MI

Edited by - on

jhinton
Navigator

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USA
123 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2011 : 21:15:49

That's quite the drive! Sounds like a fun trip. How long will you be in Florida? Hopefully for quite a while after that long haul!

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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Response Posted - 01/28/2011 : 21:22:01

No tips, but I have thought that would be an enjoyable trip. It can be coastal and GICW with a short hop to the keys. I have thought about a conservative route from Ft. Meyers to the 10,000 Island area ad then either a 75 - 90 mi, open water shot to the lower keys or 50ish miles to the SW corner of FL and a 30 mi jump to Bahia Honda and coastal down the chain.

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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1511 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2011 : 05:40:40

I would pray to the Weather Gods for an easterly component to the wind.

I consider November and March to be the two windiest months of the year here in Florida.
We are planning a trip down the coast the last two weeks of April which will, hopefully, end at Goodland. Which will be our jumping off point for a future sail to the Keys. Also, Bonine, if you have not experienced Gulf of Mexico swell. Good Luck, and fair "easterly" winds.

Edited by - Davy J on 01/29/2011 05:50:39

Davy J
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Response Posted - 01/29/2011 : 06:18:43

One other thing for safety sake; If you do not own an EPIRB, you can rent one from BoatUS.

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2011 : 09:35:29

I can help. We've done that run a couple of times. Good foul weather bailouts all the way. Will pull my charts and consult the Admiral.

Sten

Edited by - on

WesAllen
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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2011 : 09:45:41

I am hoping for a week to make the trip. Will be in Florida for about 5 weeks. A week or two before the trip and several after. I had the boat down there last year and sailed out into the Gulf between Ft. Myers and Naples. A lot different than the Saginaw Bay for sure.
I am also a US Boat member so I will check out the EPIRB.
A stop off on the way down sounds interesting.

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9075 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2011 : 09:53:26

What do you figure--150 miles each way? (I'm thinking of a coastal route.) First, I wouldn't plan on more than 8 hours under way each day. You might decide to stretch it while you're out there, but I wouldn't plan it when this is new to you. Next, factor in some weather days, and for times you might get "chased in". And you want good weather windows for your jumps between the coast and the keys (both ways)...

In other words, I don't think it's a week--at least I wouldn't plan it that way.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 01/29/2011 10:23:32

redviking
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Response Posted - 01/29/2011 : 11:40:30

Doing this on my Droid phone, but you should pick up a ball - cheap - at Fort Meyers Beach and wait for a good window. Marco Pass or Panther Key is a day run from there. Then Little Shark River. nice spot. Then Marathon - Boot Key Harbor. then Key West. Any questions? Glad someone is going somewhere.

Sten

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 01/29/2011 : 11:46:46

And get a SPOT... Just had a conversation which I will describe in a separate topic on how serious the Coasties take SPOT signals.

And ummmm... relax, you will be fine. DO NOT let anyone frighten you with their once upon a time experience. Even the crab pots here are benign. Anchor offshore and ride it out. You should have cell service and I'll weather route you if you wish. Ping me.

Sten

Edited by - redviking on 01/29/2011 11:57:27

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2011 : 16:00:49

Wes, just a brief ahoy from a fellow C-25 Michigander. The best advice I can offer on this topic is to follow Sten's instructions and take him up on any help he offers. His information is based on experience and localknolledge. Another Michigander who might be able to offer some info on anchorages and anchoring in and around Key West is Glen he haulled his C-25 down there a couple of years ago and had some interesting experiences.
Wishing you Fair winds and deep water.
Have a great time.

Edited by - Renzo on 01/29/2011 16:06:40

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 01/29/2011 : 17:44:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Renzo
 The best advice I can offer on this topic is to follow Sten's instructions and take him up on any help he offers. His information is based on experience and localknolledge. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

HA! Thanks Renzo, but, I had to ask the Admiral, she'll really be the one to route Wes. I'm not quite fearless, but she centers the universe. I run the boat and she tells me where we can go, hence my lack of memory of each of the stops going down or up depending on which way you are going.

Now that I have a proper keyboard, you'll want to consult www.passageweather.com or have someone who can route you. The balls in Ft. Meyers Beach are $13 a night, http://www.matanzasinn.com/fort_myers_beach_dockage.html great way to get your sea legs before departing and work out any kinks.

Little Shark River has gators and wildlife. Lost a bunch of fishing gear to a gator... The Everglades are within your reach given your draft or lack there of....

Marathon is 50 miles from the Keys and has a very good mooring ball system with full services. http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/index.aspx?NID=42

Radio them as you approach to reserve a ball or the anchorage is fine. We are not familiar with too many anchorages in the Keys as our 6.6 draft is a bit rude. Glen is a good bet for that area as we did not linger. Dry Tortugas is a real nice run and worth the trip offshore.

As per usual, you'll need a lot of fuel and water in jerry cans. A bunch of chain on your rode is a must as the bottom in some places can cut rode. Besides, you'll be better respected in tight anchorages and sleep better.

Listen to the "Net" in Marathon, Channel 68 we think if we remember correctly.... The morning (8:30?) is for real, after hours will make you understand why sun spots and liver spots are so prevalent with cruisers or as in Marathon - floaters - they get sloppier as the night goes on - Channel 68 is a fun resource...

The Keys are fun. Bring another liver.

sten

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 01/29/2011 : 18:24:02

It really is just an overnight sail. Do not fear.

Just watch the weather. The forecasters have a difficult time with the cold fronts that may extend south or not. We will be sailing right behind you!

Edited by - on

WesAllen
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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2011 : 18:46:18

Dave- I am not sure yet how much time my nephew can get off from work. I am making arrangements with some friends to pick him up in the Keys if he runs out of time. They have a son that lives down there and would visit at the same time. The I will single hand it from there and take my own sweet time ( Maybe up the east coast?)

Sten - My friend in Cape Coral has a spare slip at his dock that I can use. I planned on leaving from there. I like the idea of the stopping off points along the way. Not really into sailing all night yet. I already have a SPOT. How much chain do you recommend for the anchor? I have 6 feet currently and planned on expanding that anyway.

This is really good info from you guys.

Edited by - on

WesAllen
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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2011 : 18:57:19

Sten - I just checked out the links you provided. Very good, I added them to my favorites so they won't get lost between now and then.

Thanks

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redviking
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Response Posted - 01/30/2011 : 06:12:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Davy J
 It really is just an overnight sail. Do not fear.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Actually, it's a bit more than an overnighter. About 160 NM not including getting in and out, then there is opposing winds or current issues. An average of 4 knots will take 40 hours. That's one overnight and coming in at night late the second night which is possible, but not for the faint of heart.

I have a plotter big enough to eat off of, and we typically hover outside until daylight before heading in the channel. Class A ports - no worries, but lesser ports are often not lit up very well. This adds a bit of time to the overall journey.

100 mile days are tough to do on a C25 - possible, but tough...

sten

Edited by - on

redviking
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Response Posted - 01/30/2011 : 06:20:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by WesAllen
 Sten - How much chain do you recommend for the anchor? I have 6 feet currently and planned on expanding that anyway.

This is really good info from you guys.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have more than 6' of chain on my dinghy anchor!!!

I like sections that you can shackle together when needed. I carried 75' on my C25! Minimum 25-30' I'd say. Although after watching the "SV Pestilence" video the other day, I know it can be done with a whole lot less....

sten

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 01/30/2011 : 06:46:28

Here is a nice video sailing from Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda to Key West, about 21 hours, of course they are on an Island Packet 42

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfODB2b2m2o

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redviking
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Response Posted - 01/30/2011 : 07:34:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Davy J
 Here is a nice video sailing from Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda to Key West, about 21 hours, of course they are on an Island Packet 42

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfODB2b2m2o
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Anything is possible when you are able to sail AND motor at 7 knots... Remember the outboard that cavitates on a C25 when there are swells???? Our C&C 39 routinely does 7, sometimes 8, 9 or more, light air downwinds are tough, but a good northwesterly and we are good to leave St. Pete and hit the Keys in 2 days... Takes forever to even get to the Gulf from our Marina depending on what the wind is doing....

sten

Edited by - on

WesAllen
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222 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2011 : 08:48:38

That is a real nice video, Thanks.

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Davy J
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Response Posted - 01/30/2011 : 09:46:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Takes forever to even get to the Gulf from our Marina depending on what the wind is doing....<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I know the feeling, takes four hours to get to the Skyway from my house.... and then the wind usually hits you on the nose!

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9075 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2011 : 10:41:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 Takes forever to even get to the Gulf from our Marina depending on what the wind is doing...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Something else to figure into your estimates--time to get into and out of your stopover ports.

Also, if you press them a little, most cruisers will admit that they spend at least 2/3 of their time under power (including motor-sailing) when they're trying to get somewhere--either the wind is too light or it's dead-on-the-nose (meaning that tacking will take about 50% longer).

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 01/30/2011 10:47:37

WesAllen
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222 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2011 : 11:10:37

Good point about motoring. I am hanging a new 9.9 Mercury 4 stroke on the back but have no idea as yet how much fuel it will use. My old 7.5 Chrysler used about a gal per hour at 3/4 throttle (6 miles per hour). Hopping the new one will do better, but at least no mixing oil and gas.

Wes

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 01/30/2011 : 11:21:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 Takes forever to even get to the Gulf from our Marina depending on what the wind is doing...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Something else to figure into your estimates--time to get into and out of your stopover ports.

Also, if you press them a little, most cruisers will admit that they spend at least 2/3 of their time under power (including motor-sailing) when they're trying to get somewhere--either the wind is too light or it's dead-on-the-nose (meaning that tacking will take about 50% longer).
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

2/3rds of the time... more like 3/4 of the time sadly. As Dave alluded to, the runs into the stopovers will be a couple of hours each way.

Sten

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9075 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2011 : 12:19:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by WesAllen
 Good point about motoring. I am hanging a new 9.9 Mercury 4 stroke on the back but have no idea as yet how much fuel it will use. My old 7.5 Chrysler used about a gal per hour at 3/4 throttle (6 miles per hour)...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">6 statute MPH is about 5.2 knots... That's a good cruising speed for a C-25, and your 4-stroke should do it at about half throttle burning between 1/2 and 2/3 gallon per hour (maybe .6). If you push her much harder, your mileage will drop rapidly as the speed goes up very little. I generally cruised with a 6-gallon and a 2.5-gallon tank, with the 2.5 as a backup and dinghy gas. (Besides for the dinghy, the only use it got was getting a another boat home one time--in trade for a bottle of wine.)

My mileage is about a third of yours now, but I get there in a quarter of the time. (I know... "In a sailboat, you're already there..." ...except when you're not.)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 01/30/2011 12:28:28

David Scott
1st Mate

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USA
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Response Posted - 02/15/2011 : 16:48:53

We had a great trip from Ft.Meyers Beach to Marathon. Had favorable winds across Bay after Little Shark River. Keep an eye out for fish traps as the bay is full of them.

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