Florida Keys trip Dec.29th

[Obelix]

Yap, we both are not too slender

Obelix

[Obelix]

Dimirti,
Thank you for the link, another great trip report.
About time, I get my ready and my planned mods finnished

Obelix

[KayakDan]

Hello Dave,

Please give us an after action debrief so I can live vicariously through you. The wife and I want to sail from NC to the Keys, but MAC-A-TAC requires a few more modes to bring her up to snuff in the admirals eyes things like hot water, AC you know the drill.
Anyway, have a safe and fun journey Dave.

God, Family, Country.

MAC Out.

We bought a Zodi Extreme shower. You can use the propane heater,but just leaving the tank in the sun for an hour gives you really hot water. Pressurize the tank with the built in pump,and you have a nice hot shower.

The shower set up in our boat is a plastic tote bin on the cabin sole,and a shower curtain suspended from the boom. Zodi sits up on the sliding hatch. You can have a nice hot shower in privacy,and a nice sky view at the same time.

We also have a Zodi stove top,which,with pressure water,and a propane stove,is a nice setup. Unfortunately,the stovetop doesn't work well with our new stainless stove but it was great with Coleman stove.
[urlhttp://www.campingshowerworld.com/zodi-extreme ... hower.html][/url]

[KayakDan]

On the subject of marina rates,we chose Indiantown Marina because our friends keep a boat there,and the long term parking rate is $50.00 per month for truck and trailer.
I got quote in So Florida of $200-300/month for long term parking. 300/mo x4 mos =Ouch!

[DaveB]

Sum,
I guess my memory had served me wrong, I have been to Indian Town a few times but misjudged it in location on the waterway.
I guess I should look up my travels before posting.
I was at the Franklin lock today on our motorcycles, Great run with 80 degree temps. We also did the walking trail 2.5 miles at the Lee County Park along the River.
The South Dade Marine site you posted is new to me. I am waiting for Ted, a member of our WCTTS to get info back to us for launching as he knows the owner (Bob) well. Will let you know whats going on.
Dave

Launching at Indian Town will require you to go thru 3 locks to reach E. coast.
I have done the The cross over a few times and tho you will motor all the way to east coast (exception to the lake) .
Why are you leaving in the middle of State?
It is a nice motor passage with nice views, just be careful crossing the lake in high winds and ck. depth of lake leaving.
Dave ..

Dave Indian Town in on the east side of the lake and I think he only has one lock to go thru at St. Lucie. When we took the Mac down we had thought about going up the east side and back across that way to Port Charlotte, but ran out of time and didn't like the idea of all of the traffic on the ICW from Miami north.

I see where you posted that South Dade now has higher rates. Are they $10 a day regardless of the length of stay or do they still have a monthly rate. I think we paid about $75 or $100 for a month, but I might be wrong on that. If they had a monthly rate I'd put in there vs. Indian Town myself. I see on the site the rates are listed at $200 a month for less than 4 months and $80 a month for more than 4 months. I think if we were going out for a couple months I would just pay $320 for 4 months and come back early I think I would prefer to put in and take out back there vs. further north even if I ended up somewhat further north on the return.

The rates are a little confusing....

http://southdademarina.com/?page_id=11

...as to what is long term for vehicle and trailer? I liked the place and the owner,

Sum

[Sumner]

Just an update on South Dade Marina. I called and talked to Bob today and asked if you could pay for 4 months at $80 ($320) total and come back a month or so early and not ask for any refund. He said that he had never considered that but at the moment had no problem with someone doing that. It would be cheaper than the $200 per month for up to 4 months. Something for one to consider if they are only going out for 2-3 months. The location can't be beat for cruising the upper Keys.

Here is also an update on putting in over on the west coast at Charlotte Harbor, say you want to go to Cayo Costa for instance. There is a marina just north of Boca Grande called Eldred's Marina...

http://www.floridabywater.com/south-wes ... eds-marina

... You can put in there and leave a vehicle for $5.35 per day for as many days as you want and there are no additional put-in/take-out charges. It is about 7 miles down the ICW to either turning out into the Gulf at Boca Grande Pass or east into Charlotte Harbor on just another mile or so to Pelican Bay/Cayo Costa. That is a good option. If you were going to put in for more than 3 weeks All American is probably the better deal as they were $75 a month (not sure if that has changed),

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[DaveB]

Sum,
Member of our club has the key to get into South Dade Marina. We have 4 boats going on Dec. 27th thru Jan.1st with 2-4 other boats maybe joining up. Bob will arrange parking for 6 boats. They are closed Jan. 1st and gates locked. We can get out/in if you are interested in the WCTSS cruise.
Eldreds Marina is a Place most people comeing from North that Launch For our WCTSS trip to Cayo Costa 2 times a year.
There are many Ramps to do a Cayo Costa trip. Pine Island has 3 boat ramps at north side, there is also a few small boat ramps that are not charted.
All previous trips are well documented at the WCTSS site.

http://members.ij.net/wctss/wctss/reports.htm
Dave

Just an update on South Dade Marina. I called and talked to Bob today and asked if you could pay for 4 months at $80 ($320) total and come back a month or so early and not ask for any refund. He said that he had never considered that but at the moment had no problem with someone doing that. It would be cheaper than the $200 per month for up to 4 months. Something for one to consider if they are only going out for 2-3 months. The location can't be beat for cruising the upper Keys.

Here is also an update on putting in over on the west coast at Charlotte Harbor, say you want to go to Cayo Costa for instance. There is a marina just north of Boca Grande called Eldred's Marina...

http://www.floridabywater.com/south-wes ... eds-marina

... You can put in there and leave a vehicle for $5.35 per day for as many days as you want and there are no additional put-in/take-out charges. It is about 7 miles down the ICW to either turning out into the Gulf at Boca Grande Pass or east into Charlotte Harbor on just another mile or so to Pelican Bay/Cayo Costa. That is a good option. If you were going to put in for more than 3 weeks All American is probably the better deal as they were $75 a month (not sure if that has changed),

Sum

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Interesting price quote you got from Eldreds Sum seeing as I was just there 3 weeks ago. They always charge me 5/night PLUS another 5 for launch and that is about as good as it gets these days price wise. Facilities aren't the greatest, but they always have had parking available (6 or 7 times I've been there) and its a nice 10-11 mile ride down to Cayo Costa. Usually go down the inside which means you have to open the swing bridge, but in March, I went around the outside which was quite nice with Easterly winds.

Dave, unfortunately, its looking less and less like the family is buying into the Key's trip this year, which is a big shame because it was such a blast last year. I think we had at least 5 Macs on the cruise last year iirc including a blue 26M, 3 26X's and a 26S. If I don't make it, I'm definitely planning to go on the Indian River cruise (Honest John's Fish Camp) in February though, haven't done that one yet.

[Sumner]

Interesting price quote you got from Eldreds Sum seeing as I was just there 3 weeks ago. They always charge me 5/night PLUS another 5 for launch and that is about as good as it gets these days price wise...

I was surprised at the rates and felt they were real reasonable considering other places down there. I did ask specifically about additional charges to put in take out. He did say there were none but is was $5 a day so if you put in today and took out tomorrow that would be $10. Also who knows who I was talking to on the phone. One nice thing is the unlimited stay. I think some of the public ramps are only daily or have a 3 day max on them and might also be $10 a day.

All American is cheaper, but only if you do the monthly rate and it takes about a day to get out the fresh water canal system and back in since it is a little over 8 miles just from the yard out through the lock to the upper end of Charlotte Harbor. For a long trip I'd use them though.

Too bad you can't make the Keys trip, it sounds like fun. Dave we won't be down there then and I'm not sure if we will ever have the Mac back down there, but who knows,

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[Calin]

I've heard about good feedback about South Dade Marina so I will likly use it if I will travel in the area. I envy you guys that can go in the Dec trip. Have a great time!

Another trip I am considering in the next 2 years is to Dry Tortugas. Does someone has a suggestion for a good marina to launch from?

[DaveB]

Dimitri,
I would love to do the Indian River cruise (I never had my boat in fresh water).It's just to far for me and I would stay at least a week. Maybe when I retire.
Take lots of pictures and do a Wrte up on the WCTSS site (your very good writeing about your trips).
Dave

Dave, unfortunately, its looking less and less like the family is buying into the Key's trip this year, which is a big shame because it was such a blast last year. I think we had at least 5 Macs on the cruise last year iirc including a blue 26M, 3 26X's and a 26S. If I don't make it, I'm definitely planning to go on the Indian River cruise (Honest John's Fish Camp) in February though, haven't done that one yet.

[Sumner]

..Another trip I am considering in the next 2 years is to Dry Tortugas. Does someone has a suggestion for a good marina to launch from?

Looks like some of the Conch Cruisers might of used Oceanside Marina...

http://www.oceansidekeywest.com/

.... and maybe parked their vehicles in some other lot?

Here are a couple links....

http://thecyberbuddy.com/sailing/Dry%20 ... 202004.htm

http://mycyberbuddy.com/ConchCruisers/logs/

I hope we make it out there at some point. It can be tricky going out or back if a storm comes in so be careful,

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[DaveB]

I have made the trip many times leaving Ft.Myers beach on my fathers commercial fishing boat for Grouper and Snappers (Bandit riged, 12inch reels both side of boat with wire line) back in th middle 60"s and as early as 1989.
I always wanted to sail there from Cape Coral, over night trip 138 Natical mile trip from Cape Coral Yacht ramp.
Go on a light Noreaster/Norwestern and return on a SE/SW wind.
It's in the future.
Dave

I've heard about good feedback about South Dade Marina so I will likly use it if I will travel in the area. I envy you guys that can go in the Dec trip. Have a great time!

Another trip I am considering in the next 2 years is to Dry Tortugas. Does someone has a suggestion for a good marina to launch from?

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Sumner, Eldreds only charges the ramp fee once...ie, you get to pull out for the same money as you put in..its 5 bucks one time for that plus the overnight parking. Sounds like you have quite a drive to get down to Florida so I'm sure you would have to make the most out of such a long trip. I sometimes fantasize about taking my boat up North in the summer but never have. Of course, the NW is very scenic, but I have always gone on a jet, never driven, let alone driven a big trailer that guzzles gas.

Dave, I don't think the cruise goes up the river, this is the name given to the estuary around Melborne. It is only a couple hours from Tampa so can't be more than 4.5 from Cape Coral. Maybe you could add a day on either or both ends to make it worth the drive. I guess your drive to the Keys is probably 2-2.5 hrs less than mine cause it took me close to 6 hours last year, probably could make it in just over 5 without the trailer though.

[Sumner]

...... Sounds like you have quite a drive to get down to Florida so I'm sure you would have to make the most out of such a long trip. ...

Yep, 2200 miles each way, hope to be doing it next month. Our Endeavour is just a couple miles north of Eldred's,

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links