Bareboating in the keys

[Bigwalk]

Hi all,
Had a few questions about bareboating in the keys. I am interested in getting a trip planned for early next summer. I have never done a bareboat charter but do have some sailing experience because my parents used to have a Macgregor 26X. I wanted to know if you guys could recommend any good info or links on reputable charters in the middle or lower keys, iteneraries, tips, etc. It would be a groupp of eight people or so, looking for a catamaran or a large monohull. any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!

[malyea]

Earlier this year I did a 5 day bareboat charter on a Hunter 41 out of Key Largo with www.360yachting.com and the upcoming October issue of www.southwindsmagazine.com will feature the article I authored on that trip.

Another couple options are www.sailfloridakeys.com and www.floridakeysbareboatchartercompany.com There are a few other small Keys companies you can find on a Google search and most companies in Miami and Ft Lauderdale suggest a Keys itinerary.

The Keys are a great charter area with lots to offer, although with quite a bit of shallow water that will challenge your nav skills. Based on your described experience level - I would caution that taking a large group on a large boat for your first bareboat charter might not be wise.

Feel free to PM me for an offline detailed discussion - chartering is such a great way to go as long as the trip matches your capabilities.

Best to you!

[pete33458]

Just to confirm what malyea said, you will be very restricted with a large monohull in the keys unless you can stock sufficient provisions that you don't need to come ashore, and plan to spend most of your time away from land. Drafts of 5' or less are really best suited for the keys, unless you have a lot of time to wait for tides, and even then you'll be limited as to which marinas/inlets can accommodate you. Especially with limited experience and local knowledge, a catamaran is probably the better option. Pete