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Islamorada Fla. Question's
This year instead of making our annual Pull to Key West, We have decided to stay at Islamorada and make a go of it. We found a Beautiful 3 story Rental on the Ocean Side, Water front with Dockage!!!!!
Nobody in our Group has Boated in the Area, except for passing through on the Key West Poker Run, so my 1st Question is, have any of you Boated in that area very much? Are there any "Bad" area's that aren't marked to watch out for? The House we are staying at has several Pontoons that are avil. and we are wondering if we need to go that route instead of dragging Three Boats down there. Thanks,, Mitchell |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
Mama, first time there I'd suggest renting something with a shallow draft untill ya get familiar ( the bottoms all Coral and rock, VERY unforgiving) Remember the best boating ( and watering holes :drink: ) are on the bay side and are in VERY shallow water at low tide. Some of the best boating, eating and drinking in the world is within 15 miles of Islamorada and most days you don't need much of a boat to enjoy the bay side.
Hey Mike how ya been ? The Concept has been even better and more fun than I expected, I love the freak'n thing, I've been running the crap out of it and doing nothing to it and THAT RULES !!!! JD |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
We spent New Years there a few years back. Have to go hit the Tiki Bar by boat..great place! :D I would go to the BoatUS store near by and get a current chart like mentioned above and bring a spare impeller or two just to be safe. I ran aground on some soft sand while idleing out of a channel....luck for me i was able to back off it but it was unnerving none the less!!! Just ask some of the local aroudn there if theres anything you should be aware of. :) Have fun
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Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
As wicked mentioned........
Its Tricky, if its your first time, I wouldnt use a boat that you liked. Also, Yes, Hit the Tiki Bar!!!! |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
I've boated there and the Atlantic side is easy, Hawk's Channel is a piece of cake. The gulf side however is quite opposite. Even charts are tough. You can be 3 miles out with and it will all of a sudden be 2 feet deep. I would get a current set of charts and stick with em. Ask the locals too. At Holiday Isle on Islamorada there are a bunch of charter boats, I'm sure they could help you out. There is a sand bar off of Holiday Isle on the Atlantic side that rages on the weekends. Have fun and good luck.
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Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
Make sure you do sunset at Lorelies, that's a good spot :drink:
Sorry I don't know about the boating just the :drink: :D have fun |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
Mitchell,
When you get a chart, call me; 770-720-3241 H,770-363-2185 C, I can set you up with where to go and what to watch out for. Like WW said, it's some of the best boating in the Keys. Snooks, Snappers, Papa Joes, Islamarada Fish Co., some bar at Key Colony, Hawks Cay, Smugglers in Snake Creek, etc., etc., etc. You can also get in touch with my buddy, Carl Hansen at Plantation Boat Mart, he lives in Key Largo and knows the area REAL good. Plus they got a couple of APACHES down there and the owners LOVE to go out and run around. I would also check to see if the place you are renting KNOWS if they have enough water to get your boat in and out at LOW tide. Remember, SIX feet of water in the Keys is considered DEEP :eek: Robert |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
I'd hire Robert to go with you. Hell of an entertainment director and guide.
I'd never go without him or Michael leading the way. Mark |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
Mark,
Thanks for the compliment :drink: , I'd just hate for someone to go to the Keys and rip the bottom off their boat needlessly. Some of us don't mind banging the bottom to get where we want to go, but others might object. I can assure you that I will think LONG and HARD before I put my boat back in salt water :eek: don't want the salt rot on the new engines/drives. See ya'll in a few weeks, GET READY TO PARTY...................Oh yeah, I'm getting married also, but it will be one HELLUVA party :drink: :drink: :drink: Robert |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
Make sure you go the Whale Harbour for the seafood buffet - killer meal!
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Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
Good idea, many fun places. If you need ?????? call
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Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
Thanks a TON, Guy's,, oops and Gal's,, even RonP!! :p
I purchased the Water-Proof Charts from Boat US in May, and have been looking at them almost on a weekly basis and have them out right now. Bye the way, if anyone orders these Charts, the explanation of symbols table, are NOT INCLUDED!!! You have to Buy it Separate!!!!! The Home is located at the 86.5 mile marker, which I think puts it right in front of the Hens & Chickens Dive Sight!! Holiday Isle (tiki hut) is one of our Overnight stops when we trailer to Key West, so we know about that Party!!! and the place next Door going north, with the Crows Nest seating is a HOOT also!!! Robert: Thanks,, I will probably take you up on your offer for advice and Info!!! We will be there the first week of Nov. the week before the "Worlds" in Key West, if you are coming down for that "leave early" and hang with us a day or so! Have you ever used a Lift Off service down there and who would you recommend? The way it looks now, it would be 2-32ft and 1-38ft, and I think we all have painted Trl's so a lift off is paramount!! What kind of Depth variance can I expect between High and Low tide? The House should be fine, Ann( the owner) and her Hubby used to have Powerboats in and out all the Time, then they in her words" Grew up, got married, had Kids" and ended up with pontoon boat's!!!! Some of the Places you mentioned I have heard of, and a few I haven't, so I seriously would like to Hook up with you or your Buddy for info and the chance to play with an Indian Boat is simply awesome!!!!!!!! I can give you References and Resumes if they are required, and a few of the "Sonic Girls" will be with us as well!!!! Mrs. P.Y.,, Please share about Sunset at Lorieals!!! Romantic? Great Cusine? Outdoor Seating? Great wine and Cigars?? accessible by boat? JD,, Best Boating, Eating and Drinking with in 15 Miles? I think you would fit in perfect with our Crew!!! J.D.,, say if we all (men and women) wanted to have some adult entertainment, is there anything close by? FountainCS,, The Sand Bar sound's *****in!! Is it north or south when you exit Holiday Isle, I'm trying to locate it on my Chart , but I don't remember the exact Mile marker of Holiday Isle!!! Thanks again everyone, I'll probably be bugging you for months to come!! Mitchell & Tracey RonP,, Do you have an Open Acct. at Whale Harbor????? :) |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
T.t.t.
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Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
1 Attachment(s)
Sandbar is in the channel @ Holiday Isle..
Lift off: Plantation Key marina or Tavernier Creek Marina Loreli's: Causal hangout. restaurant / bar.. OK food, good company.. Squid row up the street good meals. Papa Joes good when the cook shows up.. robbies fun to go to and fed the Tarpon, just watch out, the belicans get aggressive when your out on the dock and wil snatch the food out of your hand!! Nice time of year to head down there, weather is cooler, seas are nice, tourists arent in full force yet.. Look for a grey Whitewater running round, say hi!! |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
Mama, if I'm in Miami on business and have a free night, I'll drive down there and have diner. Have a few brews at the bar above the fishing fleet and watch the day's catch come in, then settle down to a major munch inside.
Yes, I have an open account, just tell em Ron P sent ya.:) |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
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Originally Posted by Ron P
Yes, I have an open account, just tell em Ron P sent ya.:) Scott; Great info, Thanks. I'll have to check on which place is closer to the House and if there is a weight limit on the lifts. It seems that we need Two Slips as well, hopefully Real Close By, if we end up taking our Boats Down!! Thanks Again,, here's a pic of the House were are staying at, maybe you will recognize it, and give me an idea of where its at from Holiday Isle! www.keysoceanfrontmansion.com |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
I live 100 paces north of the Lorelei. If you want my free advice, I would bring 1 big fast boat down, and use pontoons for local navigation. Pontoons have the prop set between the sponsons, so grounding is not much of a problem. All of the places the other guys mentioned are good. I have some other preferences.My cell phone is 305-332-7611. Fell free to call for advice anytime.
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Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
Originally Posted by BROWNIE
I live 100 paces north of the Lorelei.
T2x |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
Originally Posted by T2x
How many staggering steps is that.......... and how long does it take to crawl home?
T2x Now that's funny right there,,I don't care who you are!!!! Thanks Brownie,, I'm sure I will be asking your advice fromm time to time!!!! Mitchell |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
Saturday night, I was making the turn into my driveway, when some S.O.B. stepped on my fingers.
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Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
Originally Posted by BROWNIE
Saturday night, I was making the turn into my driveway, when some S.O.B. stepped on my fingers.
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Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
5 or 6 drinks later, Brownie is the turn signal down there :eek: :D :confused: :drink: :crazy:
Anonymous Not from anywhere :confused: |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
t.t.t.
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Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
Here are some of my favorites, most of which Robert ( TONTO ) showed me. Without a "guide" I suggest going by land first, so I'll give you A1A mile markers. BS is bay side.
Gilberts mm 108 ( hey, ya gotta go it's the START of the keys :drink: ) Sundowners mm BS 104 ( Marriott's got a good pool bar next door) Snooks mm 100 BS one of my favorites. Coconuts mm 100 OS it's in the Marina near the Holiday Inn happens at night. Snappers mm 95 OS go only on the tide Marker 88 Rest. mm 88 BS Loreli's mm 82 BS Morada Bay mm 81.5 BS another favorite ( no dockage so walk over from the Fish Co. next door ) Islamorada Fish Company mm 81.4 BS only on the tide Papa Joes mm 80 All of the above are on the water, I'm actually thinking about taking our 24' Flats boat ( draws 14" with the jackplate up) instead of the Concept this year cause we spend all our time bar hopping on the back side where less is more ( draft that is :D ) JD BTW can't help ya on the adult entertainment front, never noticed any. |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
Jim,
You get snappers going on the tide??? You got more energy than I tought. |
Re: Islamorada Fla. Question's
J.D. ,, You are the Man!! I don't care what they say about ya!!! :drink:
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