Keys Trip 2026

[crazycarl]

Peaceful night with a slught breeze. Awoke about 1am and sat in the cockpit listening to dolphins nearby. With a light rain falling thisorning I attempted tobscrub the road filth off the deck but it needs a power washing. Breakfast was oatmeal, a granola bar and coffee. With the boat closed up the tea kettle heated the inside, but I had installed a 12v computer fan on the lower drop board and with the mushroom vent on the forward hatch open, the steam was removed from the cabin. Rain is predicted to stop in an hour or so. I'll do a little more organizing and then sit on the cockpit and enjoy the rain.

[crazycarl]

After a lazy morning of reading and snorkeling waiting for some wind, we sailed to Tavenier. With NE winds I went tobthe east side of the island, while Chris went west. Chris found good anchorage long before I made it around the island. I dropped the hook about a mile south of Chris and because of the shallows, far out from shore.

If you have never visited the Keys, there is no east or west here. By land or water you're alwyas traveling north or south. Ask a local how to get to Key WEST, and they'll tell you to head south.

Day 2 anchorage

[kickingbug1]

wish i was there. too much going on here

[passagesfromtheheart]

Loving this so much, Carl -- I am getting a serious case of 'adventure goosebumps' as I read this thread -- absolutely thrilled for you and Chris -- and the boats look absolutely gorgeous! Please keep the posts coming -- such a wonderful read!!!

[crazycarl]

We anchored close in at Indian Key and waded ashore. I was hoping excavating of the old village since my visit 16 years ago had progressed some, but it all looked the same. We moved the boats to deeper water just before grounding with the low tide. A very windy night made it difficult to remain asleep worrying about anchor drag. We got an early start this morning and sailed south crossing under the channel 5 bridge and stopping at Fiesta Key RV resort for fuel and ice. From there we sailed south on the bayside until I got confused looking at 3 gps's and ran aground. After freeing the boat I dropped anchor to look for a way around the shallows when once again I found myself stuck. The anchor had dragged. Chris had made it through with his Sunday Cat and proceeded to a small bay. I sailed out and around before catching up with him, but I didn't care to anchor in seagrass and kept going. After several hours we located a nice secluded, mud bottom cove to drop the hook. I must add, it is somewhat disconcerting when you are out on large water and all the weather reports are predicting strong overnight winds. Good sandy or mud bottoms are far and few between here and one must plan accordingly.

We did have a dolphin encounter, and they came so close to Chris I thought he would hit them. Then, as I was dropping anchor for the night, a large and small sea turtle swam in front of me.

[kickingbug1]

just dont have a shark "encounter

[crazycarl]

A shark encounter would be better than what we discovered today. We started out on a beautiful sail south and under the channel 5 bridge. Needing to head north into Boot Key Harbor and the town of Marathon,(marathon is not a key) we had to motor in. Pulling dockside at Burdine's we chowed down on lunch before grabbing a slip. The dockmaster, like Chris, is from Ohio and worked out for us to split a slip. Chris was still having problems with his shrouds slackening so he lowered the mast and walked to a West Marine for advice. On our return we discussed possibilities and after an inspection our worse fear was confirmed. The mast base is compressing into the fiberglass infrastructure. This may bring a sudden end to this trip. Without the proper side tension, the mast could break at the hinge and come down.

I'll post more after Chris is finished with a more in depth inspection and we have consumed enough alcohol to make the problem funny.

[crazycarl]

With the winds strengthening and still coming out of the north east, tacking back and forth for 4 days would put too much strain on the mast base. This is where our journey comes to an end. Tomorrow we will scope out nearby ramps. When we find a suitable one, we will take the bus back to Key Largo, retrieve our vehicles, and pull the boats.

I have no interest in continuing on solo. I sailed this area over a 6 week period 16 years ago.