Ft Lauderdale to Key West

[BeachbumKW]

Would like some feedback on the trip from Ft Lauderdale to our home in Key West Via Hawks Channel. Picking up our new to us sailboat In Delray spending the night at Las Olas city marina in Ft. Lauderdale then off we go. Would like easy day sails don't want to stress out the admiral on our first voyage. I've been playing with active captain, checking out charts and would like recommendations on stops, marinas, anchorages along the way. 40 ft/ 4' 7" draft 52' mast Thanking you all in advance

[dennisjay]

I’ve made two trips from Lauderdale to Key West this year — one on the outside and one inside. With your draft, you can do inside, although there are some shallow spots to watch out for.

Nice to have an option depending on the weather. On the inside, we stopped at Elliott Key, Key Largo and Marathon before popping outside to Key West. We actually did a fair amount of sailing on the inside


Outside stops included Angle Fish creek, which is quite nice, but the current there is very strong. Other stops include Rodriguez Key and Bahia Honda. Most of the upper and middle keys are protected areas where anchoring is prohibited.


Another consideration on the outside is that the stream comes in close to the channel in some areas. We’ve accidentally drifted into the stream a couple of times.


Have a safe passage.

[ausnp84]

Originally Posted by dennisjay

I’ve made two trips from Lauderdale to Key West this year — one on the outside and one inside. With your draft, you can do inside, although there are some shallow spots to watch out for.

Nice to have an option depending on the weather. On the inside, we stopped at Elliott Key, Key Largo and Marathon before popping outside to Key West. We actually did a fair amount of sailing on the inside

Outside stops included Angle Fish creek, which is quite nice, but the current there is very strong. Other stops include Rodriguez Key and Bahia Honda. Most of the upper and middle keys are protected areas where anchoring is prohibited.

Another consideration on the outside is that the stream comes in close to the channel in some areas. We’ve accidentally drifted into the stream a couple of times.

Have a safe passage.

We did the same trip in '08 - Lauderdale down to Coconut Grove, ICW down to Angelfish Creek (Pumpkin Key's a nice overnight anchorage), then Elliot Key, Key Largo, Marathon / Boot Key, Rodriguez Key, Bahia Honda, Sugarloaf Beach, then Key West. That order might be a bit screwy but it was an excellent week of sailing / motorsailing down in time for NYE in KW!

n