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Coachdoc60 · 03-01-2019, 17:04

My son and I will be sailing in the keys in mid-March. We have a Macgregor 26x with a 50 HP outboard. My question is this- we’re not sure which Key to use as home base. Our boat will be trailered and we’ll launch in the keys. We’ve heard that Marathon is good but someone also said Islamorada. We would like to utilize a marina as often as possible. Information will be greatly appreciated.

tomfl · 03-01-2019, 17:36

Need more details. How long will you be staying and what is your definition of sailing, e.g. sailing out to the reef to dive or a trip to the Mule Keys or the back country for a week. Do you want to be on a seawall/dock or on a ball with a dinghy.

Dave852 · 03-01-2019, 17:40

I am partial to Islamorada as I live here. You can check this marina out http://www.islamorada.fl.us/departme...rina/index.php

Coachdoc60 · 03-01-2019, 17:44

We won’t be scuba diving. Just really relaxing and enjoying the scenery and weather. Would rather tie up to a dock/seawall. Don’t mean to be brief in my response but have never sailed the Keys before. We’ll be there about 8 days or so, not counting trailering.

Coachdoc60 · 03-01-2019, 17:52

Thank you Dave852. Good information.

Coachdoc60 · 03-01-2019, 18:09

Any comments on Marathon Key?

**Jammer** · 03-01-2019, 18:41

I've been there twice and don't claim to know it like the back of my hand.

Islamorada is closer to the best fishing and diving and is 45 minutes less driving each with the with trailer. Also a better selection of restaurants within reasonable driving distance if you include Key Largo, than is the case in Marathon. If you can find a slip at a good rate that would be my first choice.

When we stayed in Islamorada we were at the Drop Anchor Inn which has a boat ramp and sea wall. Older family-run motel, reasonable rates for what you get, kitchens, pool, sandy artificial beach like area but not actually on a swimmable part of the coast by most people's standards. There were jellyfish as I recall. If you want a hotel you might consider talking to them.

I don't know what transient slip availability is like.

**Jammer** · 03-01-2019, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coachdoc60

Any comments on Marathon Key?

The time we stayed we were in a resort hotel on the gulf side. Being more in the center of the keys it's more workable to make a day trip to Key West if that's in your plans. I didn't think that Marathon Key itself was necessarily anything special. Pennekamp, the dive shops, the restaurants, were all further up. We had planned to walk to Pigeon key but that fell through, I always thought that would be my kind of thing.

Coachdoc60 · 03-01-2019, 18:51

Thank you, Jammer.

Dave22q · 04-01-2019, 08:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coachdoc60

Any comments on Marathon Key?

Marathon is a good location, not real touristy but many marinas and restraunts. Excelent fishing and easy to explore both the Gulf and Atlantic sides.