Boca Raton To Key Largo trip questions

B

bh0526

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Hi all,

We live in Boca Raton, FL and were kicking around the idea of taking a trip to Key Largo via our 20' Sea Hunt boat in March.

We just purchased a Garmin GPS as well as a fixed-mount VHF radio. Our vessel is already coast guard approved. We also have Sea Tow insurance.

A few questions to those have done a similar trip:

1. Can anyone recommend a boater-friendly hotel with an onsite marina in Key Largo?

2. We were hoping to leave early in the morning and try to sail along the coast if the weather permits. But we could always use the intercoastal if the weather gets bad. Does this like the correct plan?

3. Looking at some charts, it looks like you have to sail in open ocean for about 15-20 miles between Miami and Key Largo. Is this correct.

4. I am sure I missed a million things to prepare for. Can anyone give us some helpful tips and pointers for such a trip?

Thanks,

Bob
 
not sure about hotels/motels... there are quite a few although none of them are cheap considering... Gilberts and Anchorage (by Jewfish creek) have docks, there are many others ranging from $120 a night crappy motel with the window AC ratling away to $200 a night chains. google Florida Keys hotel, you'll find plenty of guides and sites.

you can save some time by running outside from Boca to Miami, weather permitting, but after that you may as well come in and run on the bay side. it's all well marked, deep and easy with better scenery and sheltered water.

not sure what charts you're looking at but it's more like 40 miles from Miami to KL... and Hawk Channel, why open waters is not really open ocean.

what is a "coast guard approved vessel"? if you're referring to the USCG auxiliary safety check, i hope you have the rest of the stuff they don't care about like anchor, lines, charts, etc...
 
"1. Can anyone recommend a boater-friendly hotel with an onsite marina in Key Largo?"

I vote Gilbert's. But only if you like to party or watch other people party. If not, than the Anchorage is quieter.

"2. We were hoping to leave early in the morning and try to sail along the coast if the weather permits. But we could always use the intercoastal if the weather gets bad. Does this like the correct plan?"

Sounds good. Just keep a sharp eye on the weather. But like Pascal said, there is more to see on the inside.

"3. Looking at some charts, it looks like you have to sail in open ocean for about 15-20 miles between Miami and Key Largo. Is this correct."

Not really open ocean. But it is wide open water. So again, keep an eye on the weather. If you are talking from the last bridge in Miami to Card Sound, then it's about 25 miles of open water. And then into Card Sound, which while not as open as Biscayne Bay, is still a bit open. As is Barnes Sound till you get to Jewfish Creek. About 40 miles from Miami as Pascal noted.

"4. I am sure I missed a million things to prepare for. Can anyone give us some helpful tips and pointers for such a trip?"

Bring sun screen, DC cell charger, water, paper charts, can/bottle coozies, the Southern Waterway cruising guide, binocs, a good anchor and chain with at least 100' of line, perhaps a small second anchor as a stern anchor, your normal safety stuff, light rain gear, perhaps make sure your boat has two batteries, working credit card, a positive attitude and a blue blazer.
 
Ran from Boca inlet to Key Largo a couple of years ago. Stayed at a complex that had a Ramada & Holiday Inn. They both had boatel & or docking available at a price. They offer breakfast and showers etc. You can call and check it out. We ran a snorkeling day trip from there to Dry Rocks during the day and had dinner down the block and across the street south at Bayside Inn. Great view at sunset and great food at a fair price. Took about 5 hrs from inlet to entrance to Key Largo. Ran outside till Miami then down Hawks Channel. There also is a gas dock at entrance to the complex. Just watch the WX. We had to dodge inland Tstorms rounding Miami.
Was a great trip
 
"Took about 5 hrs from inlet to entrance to Key Largo" in a 20 foot boat? really? I guess it is certainly possible in the right conditions. Also depends on the disposition of the other part of "we".

Otherwise, my 2 cents (maybe cent and a half) was posted over on the Florida East Coast cruising guide forum.. I don't read all the forums all of the time.

George
 
another view; there are nice places to tour and visit along the way. Try an overnight on the New River for great things to see and many restaurants and hotels near by. A successful cruise is not defined by how far you go but how much fun you have and IMO hours of running while bypassing interesting places is missed opportunity.
 
Check out Rock Reef Resort in Key Largo, they have 3 boat docks. Not very fancy but they have bungalo's at bayside with small kitchens. Not bad if your into the keys style. They have a nice grilling area and are right accros the street from a resturant, can't think of the name. Very reasonable rates. Great bayside location.
 
I would not recomend Gilberts. No money been put into it for years. The docks are in bad shape, power doesn't work, bathrooms are fility. It's ok to stop for a drink, a jump into the pool but would not stay there again.
 
Must report about Gilberts, that a years ago tied up across from there, we stopped in with a 15lb spotted grouper that we handed to the Chef and said lets work it out for dinner.. After we had a few drinks each, salad and dinner w/desert for $10.US each, we were real happy!
As far as other services offered, I cannot comment except to say they have an outside bar that rocked all night long as we tried to get some shut eye for our next days adventure. Worth a stop for those looking to get lit!
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gberg

Ran from Boca inlet to Key Largo a couple of years ago. Stayed at a complex that had a Ramada & Holiday Inn. They both had boatel & or docking available at a price. They offer breakfast and showers etc. You can call and check it out. We ran a snorkeling day trip from there to Dry Rocks during the day and had dinner down the block and across the street south at Bayside Inn. Great view at sunset and great food at a fair price. Took about 5 hrs from inlet to entrance to Key Largo. Ran outside till Miami then down Hawks Channel. There also is a gas dock at entrance to the complex. Just watch the WX. We had to dodge inland Tstorms rounding Miami.
Was a great trip

Click to expand...
Ramada and Holiday Inn are in Port Largo,entered from hawk channel just west of south sound creek.Going in Port Largo canal there is a blind left turn. Use the radio to see what's coming. My son and family stayed at the Ramada this winter and said it was clean and quiet. The pubs are on the other side of the canal.
 
Locals on radio refer to the blind 90 degree turn as "Crash Corner" Local knowledge dicates radio call prior to appraoching as heavy traffic in an out of Port Largo should always be anticipated.
 
Flatsflyer
I forgot to mention the term "crash corner". I here it said all day on the radio while fishing at Molasses reef in the winter.
 
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