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I'm giving myself 6 days to get from Jax to Npls going through the Keys. I've read tons of great information posted here about the ride from Miami and around. Depending on weather and seas my plan is Hawk Channel to Moser and up or around Key West. Lol, by the time I hit there if the weather is nice it won't matter which route I take.
I'd like to run offshore from Jax down to avoid ICW no wake zones etc. I have charts and a plotter. I'm driving a WA that's 27.5' loa and 25' lwl. Deadrise 19. Single Opti 225 Two stroke. Fuel, me, engine and hull, and all gear weighs around 6000 pounds.
Besides the obvious, ie., other boats, flotsam and jetsom, towers and buoys, please offer your thoughts on the trip from Jax to Miami. Of course Keys stuff is great, too - but there's plenty written on that already.
Btw, I'd like to make the run in two days to Miami. Suggested halfway and Miami marinas would be great.
The ICW from Jax to Stuart is not too terribly bad slow speed zone wise - it's south of Stuart where it gets bad. Manatee Pocket in Stuart might be a nice stop over - several good marinas, some with rooms if you want to get off the boat - I've stayed at both Pirate's Cove and Sailfish. Then you could get up early and decide if it's good enough to run offshore to Miami.
Of course, you could also run across the Okeechobee Waterway from Stuart to Ft. Myers if you want to save a hundred miles on the trip to Naples. But then you'd miss the Keys.
I thought about Okee, but as you said I'd miss the Keys. It seems like many of the logs I've read about that trip ultimately use words like "boring" etc.
Stuart area seems to be the right choice for the first night.
Well TC, I guess you're the only one with a thought about it. I'll go back to reading threads on marinas along the coast. I just got a set of charts with waypoints for the run down and around. Love looking at charts. More fun on the water though.
Give yourself 3 days to get from Jacksonville to Miami. It's a longer ride than most people think.
If you can get to Jupiter via the ocean, then the trip from Jupiter to Ft. Lauderdale is not all that bad via the ICW if you end up having to dump inside. Many 25MPH zones to make that trip more than just a long boat ride (at least during the weekdays).
Jupiter, Lake Worth, Hillsboro and Port Everglades inlets all have fuel stations very near the inlet. The Boca Raton inlet has one that is not that far inside the inlet, but your better of just heading down to Hillsboro inlet (which is not that farther south) or Port Everglades.
Not many places to park your boat and spend the night in Broward County or marinas that cater to overnighters. The Sands Hotel comes to mind (south of the Hillsboro inlet). They have gas dock near them as well.
MC thanks for the help. You know, after reading some guides etc it seemed that the recommendation was to go offshore at Jupiter if I were inside already. Apparently the commercial traffic really picks up south of Jupiter. I need to read more considering what you've said.
Your comment about 3 days to Miami is well-taken. I can plan all I want, but weather, water, and traffic will dictate the pace. That's why I've alotted 6 days if I'm averaging only 100 miles per day. I hope to average 25mph on the run with a minimum of 6 hours at the helm, or 150 miles per day the first two days. That gets me just north of Miami, and gives me more time in the Keys, or an extra day in Naples. I carry 170 gallons and average right at 2 mpg at a 25mph cruise.
I recently went from Ponce Inlet to Stuart by the intracoastal. Between bridges, manatee zones it took us 9 hrs. Running outside we could have made it in 5 hrs.
Bingo! Thank you Skip. I'd be pulling my hair out and second-guessing myself the whole time.
I received my new charts from Waterproof Charts yesterday. I am not affiliated with them in any way, so I feel free to say their product is outstanding. A neat thing they do is provide GPS waypoints on charts and in a table. Very handy. Yes, I know a straight edge and a regular chart will work just fine but this is easier.
Point being, outside is the way unless it's absolutely necessary. And, the trip starts on a Saturday morning. Given your experience Skip, along with the increased weekend traffic....I better stick to the outside.
I'm hoping transient slip space won't be a problem. Because I'm unsure of how far I'll get, I'm going to chance that. Hey, it's a sweet WA, full standup head, galley etc. Night time temps are gonna be low enough to forego the A/C. If I have to steal some z's at anchorage until notified to move....so be it.
Bingo! Thank you Skip. I'd be pulling my hair out and second-guessing myself the whole time.
I received my new charts from Waterproof Charts yesterday. I am not affiliated with them in any way, so I feel free to say their product is outstanding. A neat thing they do is provide GPS waypoints on charts and in a table. Very handy. Yes, I know a straight edge and a regular chart will work just fine but this is easier.
Point being, outside is the way unless it's absolutely necessary. And, the trip starts on a Saturday morning. Given your experience Skip, along with the increased weekend traffic....I better stick to the outside.
I'm hoping transient slip space won't be a problem. Because I'm unsure of how far I'll get, I'm going to chance that. Hey, it's a sweet WA, full standup head, galley etc. Night time temps are gonna be low enough to forego the A/C. If I have to steal some z's at anchorage until notified to move....so be it.
Transient slips should not be a problem. Most marinas are pretty slow right now with the current economy. If you are trying to save money stop north of Ft. Lauderdale for better marina rates. Good luck on your trip. My boat is in Ponce Inlet and if you need anything send me an email.
Skip
Always trying to save money Skip. That's great advice that I will heed definitely.
Your generous offer is graciously received and appreciated. Looking at your inlet on the chart I could probably run a few miles out and catch dinner before you get to my boat if I were to overnight there. There's so much structure out there! We could party with some fresh catch and whatever to drink. The name of my new-to-me boat is Ketel Three. How cool is that. Naming a boat after a vodka.
Always trying to save money Skip. That's great advice that I will heed definitely.
Your generous offer is graciously received and appreciated. Looking at your inlet on the chart I could probably run a few miles out and catch dinner before you get to my boat if I were to overnight there. There's so much structure out there! We could party with some fresh catch and whatever to drink. The name of my new-to-me boat is Ketel Three. How cool is that. Naming a boat after a vodka.
Would love to drink some of that Ketel and eat some good fish. Let me know if you can make that work on your schedule.
Pro - I've made the trip from west palm to the keys and up the west coast a number of times, both inside and out. The best route I've found based on time and scenery is on the outside from Jupiter to Miami, then in at Miami, through Biscayne Bay and then on the ICW through the Keys. You can run just about the whole way on the ICW with no wake near Miami and at the Jewfish Creek bridge. I generally kept the boat on private docks near Marathon or Conch Key. Jupiter Inlet to Fiesta Key (my fuel spot) is typically 5 1/2 hours. At Miami DON"T enter the main ship channel if there are any cruise ships in port. The reception committee is not very friendly and pack lotsa steel. Go around to the south through Fisherman's Channel to get to the ICW. The west coast run is pretty straight forward.
Give me a heads up and I'll tip a beer with you when you get near Vero.
Hi Pro,
Why come all the way to Naples? I live here in Naples, and while it is a beautiful place, it doesn't measure up BOATING/FISHING wise to "The Keys". So, if you are considering your trip a Boat getaway I think I'd realize the extra time boating and fishing in the Keys rather than spending extra days behind the helm traveling from the Keys to Naples, IMHO.
Now, if you intend to vacay here in Naples because of the wonderful sights, arts, music, food... then C'MON down cause we'd love to have you!
Ken that's very nice of you to wish me the warm welcome. I live in Ohio. My parents winter in Naples and have a slip that needs a boat. I cannot stand to inshore fish up here, mainly because I stink at it. In Florida, it's not fishing, it's catching. So I bought this sweet WA that gives me all kinds of possibilites. The worst part is I probably won't get down there but about every 6 weeks. My kids are still young. Naples is so nice. We've been going there for 20 years. The changes are amazing.
First, many thanks to Bryan Rose from the thread about rounding the tip of Florida. We spoke last night on the phone and he gave me the scoop on coming up through Moser Channel.
So here's the plan as I have it so far. All of you will see your contributions.
I'm taking MC's advice and making the run to Miami 3 days.
First stop is Ponce Inlet. Skip, I'll be in touch. I'm thinking Harbor Inlet for the night, but will listen to your advice.
TopCat's advice on Stuart the second day is right on. The marina choices are perfect.
Day 3 is going to end somewhere between Miami and Key Largo.
Day 4 is to Marathon and Key West via Hawk Channel. With an early start I'll have all day to take it in.
Day 5 is the run to Naples. That puts me there with a day to spare. If weather or water is bad then I'm okay. Otherwise, I'll have a full Day 6 to clean and prep the boat until I'm back down over Christmas.
So....undecided about where to stay Miami south, and Marathon area. Transient dockage is preferable, but who knows, I might be ready for a room.
TopCat I'll be staying at Sailfish Marina in Stuart on Day 2. Thanks for the recommendation. I'm told I got the last slip available as they are hosting a sailfish tournament. There will certainly be all kinds of guys there that can advise me on where to stay in Key Largo.
Still open to suggestions for Ponce Inlet, Key Largo, and Marathon.
Pro,
Certainly Inlet Harbor is fine option. Not much there but boat slips and a restaurant, of course thats probably all you need. Inlet Harbor is on the north side of Ponce Inlet. New Smyrna Beach is on the south side of the inlet approximately 2 miles south on the intracoastal. There you have New Smyrna Beach Marina and The Fishing Store which has several slips available. If you want to remain close to the inlet your best shot is Inlet Harbor.
Skip
I was in Jax this weekend and ran the boat for two days. Went to Jacksonville Landing for lunch. Went out Mayport in some pretty gentle 3-5's. Went down to St. Augustine via the ICW. Some tricky parts through there. That's how I'll go next Friday and then out the St Aug inlet. Otherwise I go north 10 miles to get out Mayport only to turn south again offshore. So in an hour or so I can be in St. Aug via the ICW vs right where I started from going offshore.
I'm staying at the City Marina in New Smyrna Beach. Apparently it's been renovated and is pretty nice. Thanks for the tip, Skip.
im jealous, sounds like its gonna be a fun run. take some pics for us. if the 1st stop is new smyrna you might think about going the ICW. might be more to see. not sure how much time that will add to your day though.
Jacksonville to Naples end of November
