Need advice crab pots marathon to west coast florida

[DotDun]

Stone crab season is October 15 to May 15......

[Cadence]

Going north from Marathon in Nov. was a nightmare of pots 12 years ago. In and out of the channel.

[JUNKFLYBOY]

have sailed the GULF last few years, I live near Clearwater, would love to dis cuss crewing for the crossing to the panhandle. Pots are something we grew up with and the only way to avoid the most of them is keep some one on watch 24/7. I have an alberg 30 AND have been lucky that I never snagged one, long keel and full rudder helps I am sure.

[scottydaum]

Years back I was delivering a new Beneteu from the west fl coast over to Bahia Mar on East Coast. It had one of those new fangled fancy winged keels. Had a LOT of fog from Ft Meyers down to Marathon. The boat kept going slower and slower over time and eventually could not make headway at all. I did not want to go in the water at night down by the bridge because that would mean going from Skipper to being bait. When dawn came I went under only to discover that winged keel had snagged several cables that held several crab pots all lined up on that cable. Eventually dragging all of that just became. Big anchor. Be respectful and vigilant. The crab pots and lines you ruin may belong to the same hard working Waterman who will end up towing you into port.


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[C_beato]

I recently (last month) sailed my Hans Christian from galveston to key west to Nassau.

Crab traps are everywhere.

Forced me outside into deeper water - much more enjoyable than dodging floats 24/7.

I have fished the keys extensively and know that area very well.

I would just steam the extra 50 miles outside to KW and hang a right. No navigational hazards at all.

Crab pots and the skinny water on the west side of 7 mi bridge are not worth the stress. It's only 2.5 hours in your "ship" to round KW. You will easily make that up in time vs the slower speeds required to navigate safely going under the bridge and west through the shallows.

Sometimes the shortest distance between two points is not a straight line

Good luck on your passage


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[Cadence]

C beato, nailed it. Out past the pots and coral is far better sailing.