Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

:) On Thanksgiving Day we are going to go from Ft Lauderdale to Key West for a couple nights and then stop some place in the Keys on the way back for Saturday night, then head back to Ft Lauderdale Sunday. We did this run last year on the West Coast from Marco to Key West and loved it. We will be traveling in a 31 Sonic!!

I have some questions? Anyone that has done this trip before or has local knowledge your input would be appreciated.

1. The night before we head out, where is a decent place to stay in Ft Lauderdale with a boat and trailer?

2. What is a good (safe) marina or ramp area in Ft Lauderdale we can use to launch our boat and leave our truck and trailer for a few nights?

3. What is a good marina to stay at Sunday night when we get back to Ft Lauderdale?

4. Which route is the best route to take, inside or outside or both?

5. Where is a good place to stop in the Keys on a Saturday night? I was thinking Islamorada area.

6. Is anything a must do or see while we are in our travels?

Thanks in advance for the advise.

Re: Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

Lauderdale is going to be tough with boat and trailer. Try American Offshore they might be able to help. Maybe someone else will know more. When I kept my boat in Lauderdale the trailer was sent out of the city for storage. You could always put the boat in a slip at Bahia and go to the bars. This trip is alot of fun. I've done it several times. The keys are tough to beat this time of year.


4. Which route is the best route to take, inside or outside or both? Outside is well marked, inside can be a problem if you aren't familiar. Gps will get you 1/2 way down on the inside without too much worry.

5. Where is a good place to stop in the Keys on a Saturday night? I was thinking Islamorada area. Islamorada is a very good place if you want to make it a 2 day run. Kinda midway, marina and bar, what more could you want?

Re: Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

Left my rig and trailer at harbour towne ramp for 11 days no problems. They have watch guys around like American Offshore, same canal, just closer to the port and much nicer facility.

Re: Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

Thanks Fountain38SC & A031 for the info!!

Fountain38SC - I charted the outside route and the inside route and the outside of course looked the best, but I was thinking in case of bad weather, if we had to go inside. Is inside a lot of slow speed no wake? Also in Islamorada I was looking at either Holiday Isle Resort & Marina or Smuggler's Cove Resort & Marina (leaning more towards Holiday Isle).

A031 - Where is the harbour towne ramp located?

Re: Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

You have to go out about 1/2 way down. Inside is shallow, you must know where you are going. Yes the inside is marked but 1 wrong turn will ruin your vacation. GPS and Good maps are required for the inside. If the weather turns on you there are several chances to get back to the inside but don't wait.

I know holiday isle was sold but maybe it's still open. If it is I would stay for at least a day or two (this will be your last change to experience the tiki bar before it's gone). The sand bar off the resort is a really nice place to spend the day.

If you want to discuss this call me 513-233-1068

Kent

Re: Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

Maybe Tonto will chime in , nobody knows that trip better than him.

Re: Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

:cool:
Thanks again Fountain38SC!! We do have a good GPS with the chart map for this area and I have a couple good charts so I think we'll be OK that way.

I called Holiday Isle and they said they are still open. So maybe that is where we will stay. Thanks for the number!!

Thanks Joker I hope Tonto does chime in, that is what I am looking for knowledge from people that have done this run.

Re: Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

Give Stu Jones a call at the Florida Powerboat Club. He usually knows who is doing what & it would be good if you could hook up with someone to follow. The inside route is really cool if you have never done it. I've run with the FL powerboat club several times and have done it alone twice. It's not hard. Just pay close attention

Re: Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

What DJD said. If you do stay at Holiday Isle I would opt for a premium room/suite as the cheaper rooms have seen better days.

Re: Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

Harbour Towne is the first marina in on the south side of Dania Cutoff canal. Three or four ramps and plenty of parking.

Re: Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

Harbor Towne or possibly just at John U Lloyd State Park boat ramp. You should call them because the park is probably the most secure place. Pier 66 would be a good place to spend the night. You could go to the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood (on the ocean) but keep your boat at their docks on the intracoastal. The dock area is called "Nicki Beach". If you stay there, then leave south and go out Haulover inlet.

If you run down to Key West during Thanksgiving you may encounter beautiful weather or a stiff breeze. Usually if something is kicked up, it's from the NE at that time of year. Therefore, you may want to be prepared to go down (or up) via the bayside if weather dictates. I cruise at 40 mph and I made it to Holiday Isle in 2.5 hours from Port Everglades, but I know Hawks Channel pretty well. It's not that difficult, but when you pass Key Biscayne you just need to keep your eye out. Most inshore, shallow, patch reefs are pretty well marked.

Re: Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

Whatever you do... if it's your first time.... either talk to a local (who actually knows what they're talking about) and/or run w/ someone who knows what they're doing.

Whatever you do, remember to BE CAREFUL entering and/or exiting Inlets (especially, from North to South, Hillsborough, Port Everglades, Haulover and Govt. Cut). If you haven't read my Haulover Inlet post, it's, if nothing else, entertaining (and 100% accurate --- no embelishment.

Inlets can kick-up fast and hard, and can get VERY dangerous, if you're not familiar with them and/or your boat!

Lake boaters BEWARE!!!!! :eek: :eek:

Re: Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

Shashed both windshields coming into evergaldes and snapped the alternator mount in half coming out of gov't cut. No I wasn't going too fast, just big water and no this wasn't my first time out. The water approching the inlet can and usually is much different and bigger than the water in the inlet!

Re: Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

.....and then he bought a Cigarette! :D :D :D Only kidding, (But I bet it's true!!! :eek: )

Joe

Re: Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

Thanks DJD I just might do that when it gets closer. That is a good idea.

A031 Thanks again, when we are in different locations we will be staying on the boat and I will definatly look into Harboure Towne.

Special K III thanks for the great info. I'm hoping for the beautiful weather. :D

Joe and Fountain 38SC thanks for the inlet information, sound like it can get like our inlets here in NJ, big and snooty. Sorry to hear you damaged your boats.

Doris

Re: Ft Lauderdale, FL to Key West, FL
 

Any other good tips about this run?

Is there anyone else doing this for Thanksgiving?