OK Com-Pac'rs...Who wants to go to the Keys?!?!

[kchunk]

Down on the CP-19 board, Ron (Potcake boy) mentioned something about heading to the Keys this January. Anytime anyone mentions the Keys, my imagination starts running. We've emailed each other off the board and seem to think there might be an opportunity here for a Com-Pac convergence of the Keys variety.

Anyone up for some Keys sailing this January?

I've worked up a real rough itinerary departing South Dade Marina (just north of Key Largo), heading down to Marathon, and either out to Looe Key reef or north to Cape Sable and returning to South Dade Marina, retracing our route.

The itinerary is very flexible at this stage, after all, it's about 48 hours old. The plan is to depart on the 2nd, 3rd or 4th Monday of January, and as planned, it looks like an 8-day trip including at least one whole day diving Looe Key Reef or exploring the Cape Sable area.

I suppose with the trip following the ICW down to Marathon and back, if anyone wanted to make a shorter trip they could just join up anywhere along the way and then on the return leg, bail out where they joined, easily making a 3 or 5 day trip if 8 days is too hard to swing.

At this point, in addition to roughing out itineraries, we're looking for any other interest and input.

--Greg

[kchunk]

Heres some of the itinerary I emailed Ron. It's just in the "idea" stage, the product of a good cigar and a nip rhum   and necessarily subject to change:

Hey there Ron...

I've been thinking a lot about a possible trip to the Keys for January. Are you set on trailering all the way down to Key West and making a Tortugas run? I was thinking more about an Upper Keys trip to Middle Keys (including a day at Looe Key Reef). Here is a very quick and very rough itinerary I came up with last night.

The trip would originate from South Dade Marina. They are located on the 2-lane road south of Florida City on your way to the Keys, before you get to Key Largo, a couple miles before you cross Jewfish Creek bridge. I've never been to that marina but I've heard a lot about them. They cater only to trailer sailors and kayakers...no power boats! Parking is $5/day with a 1 week minimum. From there, out to the ICW and down to Marathon. That leg is 66 miles and will probably take three days, including part of a day to rig and launch. Along the way, we can stop at marinas or anchor out, there will be plenty of spots for either. Our destination in Marathon can be Keys Fisheries and Marina, home of the Lobster Reuben (the best $14 sandwich you'll ever have).

Day-4 from Marathon, we'll have to decide the rest based on weather. If the weather is good, out under the 7-mile bridge and SSW to Looe Key Reef. It's about 26 miles and will take most of a day. Pick up a mooring ball on the reef, spend the night moored and enjoy the next day (day-5) diving and such. After day-5, possibly a little night sail to Sombrero Key Reef, about 20 miles ENE. A morning diving on Sombrero Reef and then head NE and back under the Overseas Highway near Long Key and back to the ICW. This will be a 35 mile leg. Overnight on the ICW and back to South Dade Marina on day-7, another 38 mile leg. Probably anchor out just before the marina and retrieve the boats on day-8 and pack up for the road.

Our other option, if the weather forecast is not good, is from Marathon, head due north to Cape Sable. Again, I've never been there but I've heard it's wonderful. It's the southernmost point of the American mainland, only accessible by boat. I've read the beaches there are pristine and untouched, almost as if you were on another planet. From Marathon to Cape Sable would be one day there and one day back and we could spend a day maybe camping on the beach. From Cape Sable, back to Marathon and the ICW back north to South Dade Marina over a couple days.

Either way, we'll be looking at a pretty aggressive itinerary, with about 180+ miles total. By making the trip 8 days from launch to retrieval, we'll have a couple extra days for any contingencies. Also, keeping the trip within  the Middle Keys, we'll never be more than a few hour sail from civilization.

[Craig Weis]

Love to...but. I have boats to build, and can't afford it. Sorry skip.

[don l]

Would love to go, just not this year.

don

[kchunk]

Technically, January IS next year 

[mrb]

Sounds like a good idea. I would say keep working on it and between now and then some other boats should show intrest.  I'm interested, however have a big trip in Nov. and will have to see how finances are after that.  Lot depends on how bad a hit the dollar takes against the euro.  so now I'm just a tentative yes.

mrb

[Potcake boy]

OK guys - I see you have read this post - so what's your problem that you haven't gotten on board already?

Yo - Northerners - go to the garage and look at your snow shovel - need I say more.

The price of gas has dropped a bunch so you can now afford the road trip.

The plans are beginning to be roughed out and it looks like the trip will be in the upper Keys. We will have someone along that is very acquainted with that area and there will be plenty of sailing experience on board.

If you are thinking this might be nice - you are right it will be - if you'd like to join the trip and have some input as to a favorite spot you'd like to sail to speak up now so we can try to work it in.

It will be a great laid back sail in the beautiful winter weather of the Florida Keys with a bunch of Com Pac sailors.

[kchunk]

Here is an interesting option if you want to sail the Keys this January but can't or don't want to tow your Com-Pac all the way down to the end of the world...

Caribean Soul Charters - http://www.flakeyscottage.com/

Rent a cottage on Conch Key and your rental includes a Com-Pac 23 for the week!
I'm not recommending nor endorsing these folks, just something I came across on the net and passing along...

[Potcake boy]

Greg,
Brilliant idea, and nice bit of research. Perfect solution for a family that would love a Florida vacation, but not on a boat. Looks like for the sailor(s) of the family it would be a one day sail to a meeting place with the rest of the group.

So step up to the plate guys here is one more reason that you can do it.  Didn't someone once say that what they feared was not reflecting on what they had done in their life, but what they hadn't done.

Put your name on this trip and we can sail while Rome (the economy) burns.

Thank you Greg,
Ron

[Lost Lake]

I said that in a thread here not long ago, but I'm sure it has been said years before my time...

Nice vacation rental idea, but NO kids under 15, and I happen to have three of those, so this is not an option. Too bad... I just sold my boat, a 23 would be a nice day sailer, and the price is cheap for a week.  I also LOVE the keys..... Rats!

[mrb]

Just wondering if this event happend or did site going down do it in.

If it did happen would like to hear about it.

Melvin

[kchunk]

Yeah, we met at South Dade Marina January 12. We had 4 boats in all, a CP-19, CP-23,SunCat, and a Hunter 23 and 7 sailors. Although we set out for a 10-day trip we cut it a little short due to weather being less than favorable. Although it was a bit short, it was a great time! Personally, I met a lot of great people, learned a lot about cruising and am looking forward to another Rendezvous. Any ideas?