2014 Florida Get Together

[Citroen/Dave]

Don't even try twisting my arm.  My hand is on the tiller right now, and Florida is on my horizon. . .

Preference is in the Keys but lower West Coast is fine with me.

Citroen/Dave in Lynchburg, VA.

Anyone want to caravan down the east coast?

[rf2]

That's a great idea lived in Florida over 30 years and sailed just about most of the state Panama and Pensacola are great sailing areas just about anywhere in Florida is great sailing


RF2 hull#003 Bouncer  Bronson Fl

[dbinvermont]

I would be very interested in making the long haul down from Vermont to join in on this.  I have permission from the Admiral, and would just need to schedule time off from work.
If this happens in the spring, how early are we talking? Will anyone else be traveling down the east coast?
My preference would be the Keys also, but honestly I don't know enough about sailing in Florida to have an opinion. My one and only sail in FL was in Sarasota Bay, and it was beautiful.


What an adventure!

[high tide is up]

Hi Everyone and Happy Memorial Day,

My name is Dawn and as some of you know I LOVE this forum.

I am lucky enough to live here in the Keys.  If any of you have any questions regarding the area please let me know.  I've lived here 13 years but am new to sailing as of last November when I bought my first sail boat.

Dawn

[ssullivan]

Our boats were built for the sailing conditions in the keys!

[crazycarl]

from the responses, this could turn out to be a large group of boats. 

as far as when to have it, i vote for may. 

as far as where, i love the keys, sailed there for 30 days in 2010, but i like the idea of being able to camp on an island and have a fire.

island camping will also allow those who are not comfortable with sleeping aboard a chance to come along.

maybe we need an official poll?

carl

[jimyoung]

If it ends up in the Keys, I'm in, Just need to know where so I have time to get there....  Sometimes takes me days to get there from Ft Lauderdale with so many anchorages and Tiki bars along the way!

Capt'n Jim

[Billy]

I propose either Cayo Costa, Port Charlotte on the west coast or John Pennekamp in Key Largo.
Both have good marinas, campsites, and anchorages.

And late April is a nice time of year.

Let's make it happen!!!

[crazycarl]

john pennekamp is nice,  great snorkeling. 

is there a good place where we can all launch, leave our rigs, and anchor out for the week?

islands are nice for those with 16s that prefer to tent camp on land.  they also make meet and greets easier.

i know from experience spending a night on the hook in hawk channel can be an adventure, if we sailed the bay side, there is a nice marina we can launch from, and plenty of "islands" we can anchor off for shelter.

use the address or coordinates in google earth.

Pelican Cay Harbor Camping & Marina  299 Morris Ave, Key Largo, FL 33037 ?

25°13'58.81" N  80°25'44.87" W

i'm good with april or may. 

perhaps we should take a vote for the time frame, then a vote for the place?

carl

[capt_nemo]

Here is some current information on Cayo Costa State Park to consider when it is time to discuss PLACE.

I called the Florida State Park Office TODAY to verify some "Rules" that a Park Ranger gave some of us anchored (and beached) in Cayo Costa State Park several months ago.

BOATS AND ANCHORS MUST REMAIN IN THE WATER AT ALL TIMES.

NO FIRES ARE ALLOWED ON ANY BEACHES AT ANY TIME.

Otherwise, the Cayo Costa State Park is a great centralized area for a gathering of Com-Pacs.

capt_nemo

[InertBert]

john pennekamp is nice,  great snorkeling. 

is there a good place where we can all launch, leave our rigs, and anchor out for the week?

Pennekamp has a very nice boat ramp with a lot of parking and a campground but their rules are a little restrictive about coming and going at certain hours.  It is also several miles of motoring (or sailing) through channels to get out to the sea.  Pennekamp is gorgeous and one of my favorite places, but I am still sorta leaning to Cayo Costa.  I'll be there either way.

[crazycarl]

looking at google earth, i have to agree with cayo costa.  there seems to be more areas for those who want to sleep ashore.

i think cayo costa would also be closer for most attendees.

any other suggestions?

carl

[Billy]

I'm with Bert. I'll be there either way.

My only objection to Cayo Costa is it is a 1-2 hour or so sail away from the vehicles and other civilization, like groceries, fuel, and such. Have to leave the vehicles at Placida, Bookeia, or Pine Island. No docks either, only anchoring (there is a dock but you can't overnight on it). But every thing else about it is great. There is a great little anchorage on the North East corner of the island in Pelican bay. Totally protected on all 4 sides, secluded beach, and a steep bank making the tides hardly an issue. And two minutes out into the open Gulf of Mexico. It is where the West Coast Trailer Sailing Squadren goes twice a year. Here are some pics from March of this year...
http://ftp.ij.net/wctss/wctss/photos101.html
They have small camp fires each year.....but if the ranger says no

[breeze]

Been looking at the bay side of the keys.
It seams to be a perfect place to take our shallow draft boats.
There's a lot of marinas and paces to anchor.
Dave

[InertBert]

I thought this was a haiku for a brief moment.

Been looking at the bay side of the keys.
It seams to be a perfect place to take our shallow draft boats.
There's a lot of marinas and paces to anchor.
Dave