where to stop, Marathon to Miami

[gettinthere]

In heading up the Hawk channel, there aren't many places to hide overnight with all the strong prevailing east winds. We draw 5'6". Are there any marinas we can stop around Largo from the outside?
thnx

[pete33458]

Marina del Mar (Port Largo) will be able to take you. The controlling depth at MLW is located immediately adjacent to #8, and is reported to be 4.5 feet, although I personally believe it to be closer to 5'. So you'll have to go at something around mid-tide or above, which may or may not be convenient for you. Candy, the dockmaster, is a wealth of information, call her at 305 453 7171. Other than that, there is very little (read: nothing useful to you) until you get to Miami.

If you do go in, there is a blind 90o turn halfway down the channel, and lots of large dive catamarans going in and out, a securite call is customary both there and at the jetty.

pete

[AnchorageGuy]

If the winds are too strong to anchor then you might consider waiting until they lay down. We have traveled Hawks Channel dozens of times and run from Marathon to Rodriguez and Rodriguez to Miami. At 5.6 you are probably too deep for some of the areas on the Bay side. Chuck

[gettinthere]

Right chuck, that is the plan. But the winds have been consistantly strong out of the east all winter, making rodriguez untennable. Looking for options.

Thnx

[pillum]

Hi gettinthere, we draw 6' and we got into Pilothouse Marina in Key Largo at mid-tide. It looks a bit tortuous but read the marina directions and it's pretty easy. Nice Tiki Bar there and great (cheap) breakfast at the VFW lodge only 100 yards from the marina. Good showers, helpful staff.

[AnchorageGuy]

Pilothouse would be my suggestion too. Plenty of depth, watch the wreck going in, and well protected. Chuck

[gettinthere]

Thanks!

[pete33458]

If you check the Pilothouse marina website, you will note that they also specify a 4'6" controlling depth, probably because it is almost the exact same approach as Marina del Mar.

I have no affiliation with Marina del Mar, but I will mention that your dockage includes not only showers, but water, electricity, breakfast for everyone on the boat (cereal, waffles, toast, coffee, juice, etc), and use of the pool and (coin) laundry.

pete

[speedoo]

Originally Posted by pillum

Hi gettinthere, we draw 6' and we got into Pilothouse Marina in Key Largo at mid-tide. It looks a bit tortuous but read the marina directions and it's pretty easy. Nice Tiki Bar there and great (cheap) breakfast at the VFW lodge only 100 yards from the marina. Good showers, helpful staff.

I lived aboard at Pilothouse a while back for about a month. Nice place, fun tiki bar and reasonable back then. But it is a little tricky to get in and out, definitely contact the Marina for guidance.