Marco to Duck Key

[skippy]

sitting here in Marco (8/19/13) headed to Duck Key. Have a dog on board and thinking about doing 1/2 way. Any ideas of where to stay. Hate to drug the dog for 8 hours but don't know what the weather will bring but it may not be pretty with all the storms.
Any suggestions are welcome!!!

[Hudson Force]

There's a nice anchorage at Little Shark River, but very little in the way of dry land among the mangrove for walking a dog if he doesn't leave his product on the deck. There's a great beach along Cape Sable to the south of Little Shark a good for a day anchor, but only if the weather doesn't put you on a lee shore. We cruise by Schooner Bank and through Yacht Channel to the north end of Long Key.

[skippy]

thanks CaptForce! will look at that! Maybe I'll take one of the dog's pills(just kidding) LOL

[DotDun]

Assuming you are a trawler cat, you can go the back side of Marco and hit Panther Key north side (nice beach), the maybe Russell Pass (no beach), prior to heading for Little Shark.

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by skippy

--- Hate to drug the dog for 8 hours ---

Why would you want to drug the dog at all? Or is this some kind of joke?

[capngeo]

Yeah, if you can clear the bridge on the Marco River and come out behind Coon Key. That will leave you in protected waters with beaches for the dog (bring the bug spray)... Little Shark is a great spot.... If you have the time you can run quite a ways back; all the way to Flamingo if you want.

That area is one of my favorite cruising areas

[scajax]

NO dogs allowed in everglades national park.......sounds like an overnighter

[Dulcesuenos]

CapnGeo is correct bring lots of bug spray, they will eat you alive!!! We had our screens up sealed and we still had 100's of moths and mosquitos get in. Had to seal her up and run the ac, then run the vac to suck all the critters. Shouldnt be a bnad ride at all in a 44 EC

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by scajax

NO dogs allowed in everglades national park.......sounds like an overnighter

Not quite...from the park website.

Currently pets are permitted in the following areas:

• On roadways open to public vehicular traffic
• In roadside campgrounds and picnic areas
• On the maintained grounds surrounding public facilities and residential areas
• Aboard boats.

[skippy]

Thanks everyone. we will be keeping close to shore in the Fla Bay. Seems to be conflicting info on the seas(typical) so we just want a "nice" trip and not too rough this time.

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by skippy

Thanks everyone. we will be keeping close to shore in the Fla Bay. Seems to be conflicting info on the seas(typical) so we just want a "nice" trip and not too rough this time.

Once past Cape Sable, you'll be in the 'open' Florida Bay. This time of year it should be benign in the morning hours, watch for afternoon thunder cells. After clearing Cape Sable, head for the west side of Bamboo Bank (nnw of Duck Key) then slightly east to Duck Key, you'll have plenty of water. Although crab traps don't come out until October 15th, you'll probably see some strays.

[Honu]

Have anchored just north of cape sable. It's great except the bugs.