Shallow anchorage in key west for trailer sailer

[dwkfym]

Hi everyone.

I'm thinking about towing my montgomery 17 to Marathon and making a short cruise out to key west soon. I was wondering if anyone knew of a place we can anchor out where we can wade onto shore? My boat draws about 2 feet with board up, and is capable of beaching if necessary. I don't mind if I have to keep just my head above water, as long as I can hold a backpack over my head.

An alternative is to buy an inflatable dinghie i can fold up and stow, but I'd rather not. Are there any ferries to the mooring?

Thanks

[dwkfym]

I guess some of the more important questions will be:
1. which areas are off limits?
2. are known depths constantly changing by natural forces?

I've been able to take advantage of my shallow draft so far within my locality in terms of anchoring, but I know nothing about that area.

[kmacdonald]

You can wade ashore just about anywhere in the keys without getting your head wet. It's shallow there.

[capngeo]

The problem is wading ashore somewhere that is actually worth going ashore for... What I mean is that although there are places one could wade ashore, but those places are either on a military installation (bad idea), or private property, or so far from any good reason to go ashore as to be impractical.... Buy the dinghy!

[dwkfym]

Thank you for the input. Four miles across north and south. Walkable distance..

Which parts are going to be protected and which are not?
I'm going to go down to wal mart right now to see how foldable cheap dinghies are. Gets kind of cramped in my little boat

[motion30]

maybe you can do with a colman blow up boat or kayak not much money

[CharlesFCook]

how about and inflatable kayak?

[dwkfym]

A rigid kayak would be nice; I could probably tow that under sail without that much loss in speed. However I have two crewmembers going with me. I'm going to check out some inflatables tomorrow (local one did not have any). May be able to do it with a small 3 person; even if i have to make several trips. Boy I wish I had a rigid inflatable.. or better yet, a bigger boat that can store a tender.

If anyone knows of a good spot, please let me know.