Crusing from Clearwatr to Key West

[Georgek]

1st time cruising. Any suggesttions where to overnight on the way to key west from Clearwater? Any suggestions for the voyage? Generally cruise at 20kts. Is Key West entrance tricky? Any info is appreciated.

[Dulcesuenos]

At 20 knots you can get to key west in 4 hours. If you do want to stop I recommend, Venice, the marina inside the inlet is cheap and best burgers on the planet, another great stop is Pelican bay in Cayo Costa , anchor or dock, the trails and beaches are awesome. Shark river is another good spot.

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[irwin37]

Closer to 12 hours? 260 miles straight line to key west from Clearwater I think.

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

At 20 knots you can get to key west in 4 hours.

That's a good 260 miles. If you have a sailboat which can do that in 4 hours, you should enter the next AC Cup race.

[Dulcesuenos]

I meant 14 hours following a more coastal route, left out the 1 sorry

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[scottydaum]

There are plenty of spots you'd be missing. Cabbage Key for a good meal and some beverages should not be missed. Slow down, enjoy the less crowded spots along the way before you get to the "marine freeway' down around Key Wasted.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Georgek

1st time cruising. Any suggesttions where to overnight on the way to key west from Clearwater? Any suggestions for the voyage? Generally cruise at 20kts. Is Key West entrance tricky? Any info is appreciated.

To answer one question, the government cut around Key West is well marked. I must be this dummy found it at night.

[belizesailor]

Though you can cruise at 20 knots, I would not blow by this great section of coast line. Loads of options between CW and KW...Egmont Key, Manatee River, Longboat Key...Venice (Crows Nest is awesome!), Naples, Pine Island Sound (Useppa, Cabbage Key, Sanibel...), Marco Isalnd, Everglades/Ten Thousand Islands....and that's just the short list.

Claiborne Young wrote a very good cruising guide for SW Florida. I assume its still available.

N Cut into KW is long and well marked/charted.