Marathon Florida anchorage ?

[hardinvoyager]

Anyone in Marathon Florida that can recommend a good anchorage On the Atlantic side?
Vessel, 45” has a 6-ft draft. I need to do some engine repairs. I will need to be towed to the location. Vessel is currently on a private dock. Unfortunately Seatow and boatUS both require a minimum of 30-60 days to tow from a dock, So advice on that as well would be appreciated.

[Jammer]

The short answer is that there aren't any. You could try renting a ball in Boot Key Harbor.


Rodreguez Key is sometimes mentioned as an anchorage but it's only partially protected. You would not want to be there without the ability to weigh anchor and move. Or you could try to find something on the inside though obviously depth will be a consideration given the condition of the ICW.

[hardinvoyager]

Thank you for your reply,
A ball would definitely work However I've been told it's a year waiting list

[SV Confianza]

what kind of repairs need to be done? We are in Marathon now but on the inside. Our cat only has a 4.5ft draft. I can ask around to see if anyone knows anyone?

[hardinvoyager]

Flush the freshwater side, dismantle heat exchanger, dismantle water pump">raw water pump, Clean strainer, Go through the injection system, Inspect fuel tank/s Install starter relay solenoid, etc.

[hardinvoyager]

Update, 13 people in line to get on the ball at Boot Key, so that's out.

[The Boat Galley]

Sister's Creek, but you'll have to time it with high tide. SeaTow or TowBoatUS can help with that. You'll have to come in through the bridge to nowhere and then there are a couple of skinny places in the channel (which is why you need high tide), but the tow operators should know that.

In Sister's Creek, you have to anchor and then stern tie into the mangroves. Do not anchor straight in line with the four large radio antennas -- as long as you're not right in line, you'll be fine.

You can then get dinghy dock privileges at Marathon City Marina (aka Boot Key Harbor).

[cofc]

Originally Posted by hardinvoyager

Update, 13 people in line to get on the ball at Boot Key, so that's out.

It has been a couple of years, but when we went there was also a waiting list for mooring balls. However the floating dock was completely empty. I don't remember what the rate was, but we found it incredibly affordable. Maybe 2x the boring ball rate or something like that? Was nice to not have to dinghy in every time I needed to run to West Marine or Home Depot.

[hardinvoyager]

Thanks for the tips on sister Creek, I was looking at it on Google Earth but it looks pretty crowded at least when those pictures were taken. unfortunately Seatow will make me wait 60 days before they will tow me from a dock, BoatUS will make me wait 30 days to tow from a dock.

[hardinvoyager]

Their docs require $300,000 worth of insurance

[Cheyne]

That is just a liability policy. Super cheap. Friends of ours paid $130 for a year on their early 70's Alberg 37 with Progressive.

Cheyne

[hardinvoyager]

Anyone familiar with this spot 24°43'55.8"N 81°00'41.9"W
If it has sufficient depth this spot would be great temporarily

[hardinvoyager]

That's reasonable unfortunately it's just too many things to deal with all at one time and if you've ever tried to do anything that involves paperwork in the State of Florida with no 'residential address' you'll know how ridiculous it is. it took me a year just to get a driver's license in the state and the only reason they allowed it is because they reverted the law back too if you ever had a driver's license at any point in time on earth they'll issue you one.

[Jammer]

Use St. Brendan's Isle for that.

[Thomas1985]

Everything within the reef is pretty calm most of the time.

I see a lot of people just anchoring between the channel and shore overnight.