Key Sailing..

[Charli3]

Has anyone taken a 23 to the keys?
If so, where did you start ?  What time of the year is best?
over all how was it?
I have seen wabsites where you can stay and rent a 23, But thought it would be more fun to take my own.
Thanks.
Charlie
~~_/)~~

[maynard]

Two years ago spent three weeks there on my Mariner 19 before I bought a 23.  Had a relaxing time.  Jan
and Feb are cold and July and Aug are very hot, went down to the keys a lot of weekends while
living in Miami for 15 years, great place.  THere are many agencies with jurisdiction down there, pay attention
and you'll be ok, by that I mean no fines.  Bring a dingy, theres lots of places to anchor out, that way you won't
have to listen to the late night bar music. Have fun.

[mandolinut]

Sailing in the Keys is  wonderful. Clear water, well marked channels, tropical setting, plenty of places to stop for supplies. I prefer the Gulf side . More scenic and the same good winds as the ocean side without the swells and more anchoring possibilities.  Can toss out the anchor whenever you want to take a break and a swim. You might get checked for a holding tank if you are anchored overnight. You might want to pick up a copy of the cruising guide for the florida keys. Lots of helpful info.

[millsy]

We trailered our 23 down to the Keys in late spring last year.  The winds were still howling from the North so we launched at Dadeland Marina (on the mainland just N. of Key Largo) and sailed south.  After backtracking a little bit, as the weather allowed, we ended up at Bahia Honda, where I took buses (the S Keys bus to Key Largo and N. Express bus to the mainland) back up to retrieve the trailer so we could haul the boat at Bahia Honda.  The only problem I encountered with this is that the express bus driver did not want to stop on the side of the Hwy at Dadeland (he finally agreed- but it could have been a problem).

We stayed primarily on the gulf side although we did duck out into Hawk's channel a couple of times to snorkel the reef.  Be aware that a sailboat is not exactly the most comfortable and stable platform in which to take a mooring at Looe Key, Sombrero, and other exposed reefs, unless it is pretty much flat calm.  In the Keys you must watch your anchoring carefully as the bottom is just a thin layer of sand/shell/mud over hard limestone in many areas and it is easy to drag in strong winds.  We always put out two just in case.

If we had more time I would have loved to head through the Marqueses to the Dry Tortugas, which is only about 70 M south of Key West.  We did this trip a couple of times in our "big boat" in the 90's.  It would be easy to get socked in the Dry Tortugas though by a series of fronts during the cold season months, so probably best to wait for the consistent SE winds.

Chris
CP-23 Dolce

[crazycarl]

did this trip in 2010.  mid january to mid march.  before we had the compac 19, we had a starwind 19.  launched at a marina on the ocean side. sailed under the channel 5 bridge to the bay side and south to cajun key.  back up and under the seven mile bridge to miami and then bayside back to little torch key.  anchored out all but 4 days.  went without seeing another boat for 6 days.  the weather was weird that year. some days hot and you only needed swim wear, others, jeans and a jacket.  2 mornings in a row woke up to frost on the deck.  planning another long solo trip.  can't wait get back.  according to reports, 2010's weather was strange that year.  i did encounter 4 storms along the way. 1 with winds gusting to 40, and another with sustained winds of 45 and gusts to 55.  that was unnerving, but once i knew the boat could handle it, it put me ease. a little.
                                                 
i did see a cp 23 anchoring at fiesta key for the night on 1.28.10,  anyone from here?

      carl

[skip1930]

Has anyone taken a 23 to the keys?
If so, where did you start ?  What time of the year is best?
over all how was it?
I have seen wabsites where you can stay and rent a 23, But thought it would be more fun to take my own.
Thanks.
Charlie
~~_/)~~

Charlie gab a copy of Handbook of Trailer Sailing by Robert Burgess. Extensive key sailing in both a CP-16 and CP-19. No CP-23.

lastly send a message on these two facebook sites to this guy. He trailered his sailboat down to the keys from Sturgeon Bay.

-->Bob Dubuque Worked at Institutional Advisory Services Group (IASG) (Investment Advisor)From Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin,<--
-->Lama Wamah Ice Yacht Squadron <-- also.

skip.