Ft Myers to Key West in January

[HAwkcharter]

Plans are to leave end of January.

What piece of advice should an Atlantic, east coast sailor, be fortunate to know before he left Ft Myers?

It seems we have varying opinions among crew and captain,
option is; sail direct vs stay close in?

Has anyone experienced the cruise around and down?
If I am careful following charts, is it a piece of cake?

Is Hawk Channel as notorious for groundings, wrecks, as some have indicated?
Can it be done in under 5 days, by way of the Hawk channel?

[Wmiii]

We just made the trip earlier this month down to Marathon.

2 Options, Go direct, an overnighter that is just over 108 miles from sea bouy (San Carlos light) to sea bouy (NW light).
Or hop down to Marco Island, then down, 80 something miles.
Remember that it is probably 10 miles or so on in to Key West from the NW light

[Panama Dave]

We did Ft Myers to the Dry Tortuga's then up the keys and on to the Bahamas last year. Don't miss the Dry Tortuga's if you have a few extra days. Also "close in" is not safer. Sea room provides your safety net. Get well clear of the shallow stuff then turn South.
Dave

[HAwkcharter]

Wmiii

Dave

If I read you correctly, both would or did take course fairly direct to KWest.

The owner of the boat wishes to loop around under the Florida peninsula and follow the keys, for some unknown reason.
I am in your camp, take the more direct route and don't put up with the congestion and hazards associated inshore.

Thank you

[Charlie]

I have chartered in Ft Meyers and on the East Coast of FL so my info is limited. Seeems to me that you can day hop from Ft Meyers to Key West w/o much problem. That maybe why the owner wants to hug the coast. Some people are afraid of the open water.

[HAwkcharter]

"Seeems to me that you can day hop from Ft Meyers to Key West w/o much problem. That maybe why the owner wants to hug the coast. Some people are afraid of the open water."

Yes Charlie. I think that is exactly why they want to loop over. You hit the nail on the head.
Having just telephoned them, I think we're over that hurtle, at least for now.

I would rather spend two days on ocean water where I have room to avoid things; than 5 days in narrow channel water, avoiding things.
See ya.

[seaclusion]

While I have done the direct passage from Ft Myers to Tortugas and Key West several times, Last spring we did it by hopping down to Naples, then motoring to Goodland and then nearshore to Shark River and then on to Marathon. If you've never been through these areas, you are missing what little there is left of old Florida. Of course, if you have to get where you are going quickly then the overnight direct passage is the fastest.

Richard

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by HAwkcharter

"Seeems to me that you can day hop from Ft Meyers to Key West w/o much problem. That maybe why the owner wants to hug the coast. Some people are afraid of the open water."

Yes Charlie. I think that is exactly why they want to loop over. You hit the nail on the head.
Having just telephoned them, I think we're over that hurtle, at least for now.

I would rather spend two days on ocean water where I have room to avoid things; than 5 days in narrow channel water, avoiding things.
See ya.

I could go for either one. The area around ft Meyer is beautiful But so is the ocean. My kids called the upper keys "The Real Florida"

[camaraderie]

The passage direct to key west is just a nice overnighter and would be the recommended route. Just be sure you have a good 2 day weather window as the fronts dropping down in January can make things quite rough on the gulf. Witness the New Years Day forecast:
TUE
N OF 26N NW TO N WINDS INCREASING TO 20 TO 25 KT. SEAS
BUILDING TO 8 TO 10 FT. S OF 26N NE TO E WINDS 10 KT BECOMING N
AND INCREASING TO 20 TO 25 KT LATE. SEAS 2 TO 4 FT. BUILDING 6
TO 8 FT LATE. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND TSTMS ALONG FRONT.