Looking for inexpensive dockage in KW/Stock Island

[MattAndDeany]

Good Morning Fellow Cruisers, we are new to the forum. We are planning to leave the Philly area within a month for the Keys. The original plan was Key Largo where we have connections to the Key Lime Sailing Club (super cool place) and other friends with dockage at their homes, etc.

We have since altered that plan to stopping in Key Largo and Islamorada to visit, and then "moving" to KW short term until this COVID thing opens up the Caribbean again. Does anyone know of any connections to inexpensive, meaning NOT FANCY, marinas in the KW or Stock Island area? We prefer no frills, MINIMAL motorboat, mostly sailing liveaboard type situations. I know, seems picky, but we are looking for that alley-at-the-end-of-the-dark street kind of thing. We know the island pretty well from our stay down there during early pandemic when the islands were closed to tourists, but at the time, we didn't research anchorages or dockage, as we were not even thinking it then.

Any input welcome. We don't mind chasing obscure leads, so what do you all have in mind?

Thanks, Matt and Deany

[Shanachie]

Inexpensive, boats and Florida don't mix. $$$ Your best bet is to get a mooring at Boot Key Harbor in Marathon or, for more money, a slip at one of the Stock Island marinas. It should be under 1K a month, but not by a hell of a lot.The mooring field in KW is rocky in bad weather and a far jaunt to land.

[MicHughV]

ah, the Key Lime cottages...know them well...
dockage rates in Florida increase as you head south....the Keys especially so....
Boot Key in Marathon has a large anchored liveaboard community....might fit your requirements....ie, minimalist...
Dockage rates very as to whether you are liveaboard, how long you intend to stay...etc...but expect to see at least $15/ft to 25/ft.....you can google most marina's online.

[frozenhawaiian]

inexpensive docking at the florida keys aren't really a thing. you best bet would be robbies on stock island which really kind of a dump, but hey at least I hear they've finally gotten the raccoon infestation dealt with.

[Woodland Hills]

Stock island yacht club. We moved there from Stock Island Village Marina one winter because it was cheaper and quieter. There is a small basin filled with liveaboards and a couple of AirB&Bs.....

[Woodland Hills]

BTW Stock Island Village Marina quoted us $64/ft per month + electricity. We reserved in Marathon for $29/ft instead since we have a car and can drive to KW in no time now that there isn’t as much traffic.

[denverd0n]

Sorry to tell you, but the words "inexpensive" and "Key West" really don't belong in the same sentence.