We have done the trip at least six times in our
trawler, couple of times with buddies, mostly by ourselves. Last time we went from
Lake Worth to Mangrove Key anchored, next day went to Spanish Key and cleared
customs.
I advise not to do this at night, West End has a fairly narrow jetty entrance and with seas running I like to see those rocks. And as posted on Active
Captain and by others, never, never, cross with a significant north component. North
wind stacks up against the Gulfstream and you have the "elephants marching". Entering the banks north of West end and going to Mangrove needs to be done with care, the banks are shallow, 5-7 ft in many places.