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Lagniappe350 · 01-01-2016, 21:51

Making our first sail from Marathon to Key West at the end of January via Hawks Channel in a 35' sailboat that draws 5'8". Assuming two day sail. What do you recommend for anchorage along route?

motion30 · 02-01-2016, 01:22

If you start very early your Anchorage can be Key West

bobnlesley · 02-01-2016, 02:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by motion30

If you start very early your Anchorage can be Key West

This is true. Alternatively, exactly one year ago today we had a lovely (albeit slow) light-wind sail down from Marathon and anchored overnight just east of the channel (south of buoy No. 6) into Newfound Quay - it was shallow but still accessible for us at 35'/6' draft.

motion30 · 02-01-2016, 03:11

I made the trip from Key West to marathon a week ago. There are crab pots in Hawks channel from the time you leave marathon almost in the Key West. at some points they are so thick it is hard to navigate around them No way you could use your autopilot

sv Winterlude · 02-01-2016, 04:36

We just made that sail a month ago in a 37' sailboat drawing 5.5'. We usually stop at Newfound Harbor, but sailed the entire distance in one shot. We left Boot Key Harbor at sunrise (6:30-ish) and were in Stock Island (a few miles short of KW) by 1:30. Had good wind, obviously, but trades this time of year are perfect for the sail. Enjoy!

douglong · 02-01-2016, 08:46

Newfound Harbor doable. If you've got money to burn, dinghy into Little Palm Island (where parts of the film PT-109 was shot years ago) and have dinner.

sailingfarmer · 02-01-2016, 11:31

By all means.... sail her nonstop to Key West or there-abouts,,,, it's less than 50 miles.... c'mon.

Sailingveterinarian · 02-01-2016, 12:19

Set my autopilot to anticrabpot mode....it is a nuisance sailing there. That said...not a bad sail to Key West

sailingfarmer · 02-01-2016, 13:15

Lobster pots and crab pots are generally zero problem if you are sailing... it's when you are motoring that they can become a problem. So keep the sails up!

Effortless31 · 02-01-2016, 13:24

Newfound Harbor - several options depending on tide and wind - alongside channel in 7 ft. between Red "4" and Red "6" or pool of 7 ft water west of green marker "5" - although I don't recall controlling depth just west of marker "5", or go NW toward Summerland Key - over NE of Pye Key in 7 ft water
enjoy!

BobLoucks · 02-01-2016, 14:37

Suggest you leave before sundown sail overnight and arrive after sun up then drop anchor on arrival.

If you don't want to make the big hike, duck into Marco Island.
We dropped the hook at the south end of the Calhoun Channel on the east side pf the ICW. We draw 5'9" and had enough room to stay outside of the channel in about 7-9 feet.
Just pick your times with respect to weather.
We did the trip from Manatee to the Dry Tortugas this way, it works great if you have crew to take watches overnight.

Snore · 02-01-2016, 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobLoucks

Suggest you leave before sundown sail overnight and arrive after sun up then drop anchor on arrival.

If you don't want to make the big hike, duck into Marco Island.

We dropped the hook at the south end of the Calhoun Channel on the east side pf the ICW. We draw 5'9" and had enough room to stay outside of the channel in about 7-9 feet.

Just pick your times with respect to weather.

We did the trip from Manatee to the Dry Tortugas this way, it works great if you have crew to take watches overnight.

Marathon to Key Largo via Marco?!?!????

Sent from my iPhone- please forgive autocorrect errors.

motion30 · 02-01-2016, 15:07

Actually I think the OP says marathon to Key West. at any rate I think the existence of so many crab traps and lobster pots preclude a nighttime voyage