Max Draft in The Keys

[IrishmistIII]

Trish and I have decided to go to the Keys for race week.
Is there anywhere we cannot go with a draft of 4' 9"?
My second question is how much tide is there?
And finally any suggestions on the best cruising guide?

Bill

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by IrishmistIII

Trish and I have decided to go to the Keys for race week.
Is there anywhere we cannot go with a draft of 4' 9"?

4' 8" or shallower

Originally Posted by IrishmistIII

My second question is how much tide is there?

Looks like today there is a little over 2' total swing.

Tide Predictions - KEY WESTÂ*8724580Â*Tidal Data Daily View - NOAA Tides & Currents

There are several reasons popular anchorages are, well, popular. One of those reasons is the water depth. Hence, you'll be able to visit most, or probably all, of the popular anchorages. You'll need to be more specific with where you want to go. "The Keys" covers a large area.

[Steve W]

Dotdun, you beat me to it

[IrishmistIII]

We intend to go all the way to Key West. I think I would like to be north or west of the Keys.

So the answer to more specific is really anywhere which is protected and safe.

[denverd0n]

4'9" is a pretty reasonable draft for the Keys. There are vast areas that are shallower than that, but all of the channels and (as DotDun said) pretty much all of the usual anchorages will be fine with that draft.

Here are a couple of links with good information...
Jim Faughn's Anchorages and Dinghy Docks in the Florida Keys
All Florida Keys Anchorages | Cruiser's Net

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by IrishmistIII

We intend to go all the way to Key West. I think I would like to be north or west of the Keys.

So the answer to more specific is really anywhere which is protected and safe.

And you are starting from Toronto??

Most cruising boats stay on the south side of the keys as there is deeper more open water allowing for sailing. Traveling the north side you'll be mostly motoring and staying in the narrow ICW with depths as shallow as 5'. There is limited ability to pass back and forth north/south with a mast of significant height. Between Marathon and Key West, you'll travel several more miles on the north side than the south side, easy to see if you look at a chart. But, if gunkholing is your thing, there is a lot of that in that area. If activities like snorkeling are of interest, there are several spots on the south side with moorings for day use.

Look at the above suggested pointers and include Active Captain for crowd-sourced opinions of various anchorages and things to do.

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by DotDun

SNIP

easy to see if you look at a chart.

SNIP

Good charts are a must. There are many cruising guides but none of them will be as up to date as Active Captain. There are lots of apps (including the Active Captain app) that may be of use if you have a smart phone, tablet, or computer that will provide very up to date information about what places are now open. These apps will also be useful for navigation. But you should also try and develop your skills in reading the water as this is very helpful in getting around in the Keys.

It is fairly easy to maintain cell phone coverage in most of the Keys. I went from Marathon to Boca Grande Pass and never lost coverage, but once I crossed the pass I lost the coverage, but I could still pick up CH2, the weather channel on VHF. It can be hard to find a place to land your dinghy unless you pay for mooring or docking. On the upside there are usually stores where you can get food, water, gas, and other supplies at close to mainland prices. It is also possible to spend months in the back country or head West of Key West to the Dry Tortugas and see very few boats if you want to get away from civilization. BoatUS towing service covers most of the Keys but maybe not the Dry Tortugas.

For my money the biggest downside of cruising in the Keys is the number of crab/lobster pots you have to avoid.