Anyone Cruising the Keys this Winter ?

[owengg]

7 mile bridge is called passing zone if traveling by car.

[capstan]

"Where is Kokomo" in the Keys?

[AquatiCat]

Originally Posted by capstan

"Where is Kokomo" in the Keys?

Dude! Kokomo Key West of course!

[HopCar]

How long is the Seven Mile Bridge? It's about 6.76 miles long. Why would that be a stupid question? Now can anyone tell me who the heck is buried in Grant's Tomb?

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by HopCar

How long is the Seven Mile Bridge? It's about 6.76 miles long. Why would that be a stupid question? Now can anyone tell me who the heck is buried in Grant's Tomb?

Ummm...........no one.

Interned, yes.

Buried, no.

[Knucklehead]

With your experience sailing on the great lakes, may I suggest your learning how to anchor in currents and tides. I would also encourage your using a rode of 7ft out for every 1 down. Additionally, your chartplotter may have the ability to buzz you should you drag the hook.
Those are lessons I learned real quick, especially when I anchored at St Augustine.
My second experience was taking a 49 Beneteau outside to Marathon Key from No Name Harbor. Darn carb pots, but, a terrific night sail.
I am working hard to find the ultimate cat or one with the least numbers of undesirables in the 40-45 range. NO MORE ICW for me
OTHERWISE - enjoy the heck out of your trip and stay.
karl

[Dulcesuenos]

The best thing That I did that helped me with my first time trip, was have a gps-chartplotter that has navionics and shows the depths.Even an inexpensive garmin 441 or 541 can do this, I plotted a course using that then backed it up on my spare handheld, overlayed it onto charts,and in my computer. Give yourself plenty of "wiggle room" for when you think you may arrive at a anchorage or marina so you dont have to navigate at night. Charts are great to have, the biger the chartbook the easier to use.

[Hudson Force]

edbulmer, There are many beautiful choices for your Keys cruising. Although, as said above, the ICW is not passable south of Marathon, the Big Spanish Channel may be available with your draft for running on the Gulf side and into Key West via the NW Channel. Also, keep in mind that those referrences to Hawk's Channel arte not "offshore". The outer reefs keep Hawk's Channel relatively calm. If your draft is less than five feet there are many pleasant and protected anchorages on the bayside. If you use Hawks Channel you can find good anchorages at Rodriquez Key (except NE) , Tavernier, Channel Five (under the fixed bridge), Moser Channel and Newfound Harbor.

[teejayevans]

What's the minimum depths on the ICW in the keys and are they localized or is it everywhere? Looking at the charts it looks like SM 1137-1147 would be the worst section. The magenta line goes through a charted 4' section going from Blackwater sound to Tarpon basin. And there is only 1/2' tide, so no real help there.
Tom

[hogfighter]

We're heading down from Ft. Lauderdale to Key Weird around November 20th, if anyone is heading that way and wants a buddy boat. (Not leaving on a Friday, however!)

[Hudson Force]

[QUOTE=teejayevans;801100]......... The magenta line goes through a charted 4' section going from Blackwater sound to Tarpon basin....QUOTE]
I'm familiar with this chart datum point and I have repeatedly passed over this point with no less than a five foot depth. My draft is 4'3" and I am accustomed to transiting from Pumpkin Key in Card Sound and down on the bayside to the fixed 65' bridge between Lower Matecumbe and Long Key without difficultly. Tides are not consisantly predictable here as they are more varied by winds than astronomical influences. As long as a there has not been a lessening of the tide with a wind event, there is usually an ability to carry five feet along this stretch.