Sailing Northern Keys

[Dave B]

July 12th, 2008
Sailing Trip begins on July 16th, headed for South Dade Marina to Launch my Mac.26X traveling from Cape Coral, FL. accross FL. to South Dade.
I will travel with Ed Combs (who is comeing down from Tampa ) on a Trailer Sail down to South Dade. Ed is a long time member of the West Coast Trailer Sailer Squadren (WCTSS) and traveled many miles in his Potter 19 (Minnow) and recently traded to a Sea Pearl Tri. Called (Blue Bayou) and has already compleated many days and weekend cruises.
Ed's web site , (Pottering around Florida ) http://www.flwwp.com/
This will be a 4-5 day trip heading to barrier reefs and Islands. off Homestead and South Dade and will include members of the WCTSS and other non members.
More details. http://members.ij.net/wctss/wctss/dates.htm
Dave

Update after the Cruise
Ed and I ended up renting a slip at Pennikamp for 4 nights and this turned out to be a blessing as it was buggy and Hot. I had my 5000 btu air in the companionway and cooled the boat down very well, actually to well as Ted and Ed was sleeping in VBerth and I under aft cockpit and I was up 4-5 times turning AC up while Ted was up 4-5 times turning it down, finally we figuared why the dial turned on it's own.
Ed and I snorkeled on the outward reefs and had a great time in calm waters and perfect clear waters first day. Second day we decided to Dive on Mollases reef but current was 1.2-1.5 knots and seas 4-5 ft. so we drank beer on the Mooring and watched others trying to swim to their boats and climb aboard. Next day we decided to just sail as winds were up and we just went 6 miles up and down on a beam reach in winds of 15-18 knots.
Most of our dinners were at the Local Moose lodge were we drank $6 pitchers and ate $10 steak and shrimp meals. Pennicamp costs $32 a day (total cost)for trailer launch,storage and slip with 30 amp service.
We did this trip last year and love it.
Dave

[Dave B]

Keep a lookout on our WCTSS sailing adventures.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wctss/messages

[CommodoreSwab]

looks like I will be gone during that time, off in Thailand

[Dave B]

Maybe next time (Dec. 29 thru Jan 1-2 ) at launch in Homestead, we do this trip every year and go to Alabama Jacks and cruise Elliot Key to Boca key.
We will post the event on the WCTSS shortly.
Dave

[CommodoreSwab]

Wish I had seen this earlier, you were about 2 miles from our house. I could of given you some of the "local" spots and advice, oh well next time I guess

[Dave B]

Hello Pat, spent 5 days at Pennikamp marina as South Dade Marina was closed.
This turned out as a blessing as I brought my AC window unit and the Mac. was free from Bugs and humidity. $32 a night covered slip,parking and AC hookup and local taxes.
Did 442 miles round trip in a F150 Quard cab with standard trans and 6 cylinder 4.2 litter engine. Cruised 62-65 mph and tho the 6 pulled it I got 12 mpg pulling 4500 lbs. Small V8 automatic would have been great.
I would highly recomend Pennikamp for launching your boat and staying at the marina for snorkleing best reefs on east coast.
My Mac.X proved to be ideal camping both on land and at sea.
I have had many Sailboats and Power boats. Loged well over 100,000 miles between them and did a 3 yr carribean cruise on my 35 Alberg.
Dave

[Pat Daly]

We have always enjoyed Lower Matacumbe Key in the upper keys. Enjoy. We'll be very interested in how your trailer sailor works on the cruise. Always liked the idea of cruising at 55mph to new horizons. My tancook whaler is built from trees so it doesn't travel very well, except in h2O.