[Rhodes22-list] Biscayne Bay Area Launch ramps

[Robert Quinn]

Bill:  A lot depends on what you plan to do (e.g., do you plan to put in and 
sail off for a few days or just day sail coming back to the same location 
every night?).

I've read ahead so will try to consolidate responses in one email.  Sailing 
on Biscayne Bay when the weather is with you has to be one of the neatest 
experiences going.  The Bay offers lots of fairly open area and lots of 
islands to explore but you also have to have good charts are there are lots 
of shallows to contend with.  The R22 is a good boat for the area.  The sail 
to Key West is great.  As someone mentioned coming back can be a challenge 
as from Key West to Marathon in the Hawk Channel (Atlantic side) you are 
heading almost directly east.  Most days the wind comes from the east... 
need I say more.  Going down is a blast.  (Must add that sometimes the wind 
can be with you coming back.  Mother Nature don'cha know.)  You do have the 
option of coming up on the Florida Bay side though which is interesting for 
a couple of reasons.  The channel is well marked but does get shallow and 
winders quite a bit out of Key West; however, it offers a lot of protection 
when the wind is up on the Atlantic side. Plus lots of protected Bays that 
offer great swimming, fishing, islands to explore, etc.

Frank Papy's guide book "Cruising Guide to the Florida Keys" is a must, in 
my humble opinion, as he gives you some good guidance all along the way 
(Fort Lauderdale to Key West and the Tortugas (now with a West Coast 
supplement) pointing out high points, places to see, and places to avoid, 
good navigation guidance, anchorages, hints to make life in the Keys a great 
experience, etc.

We have been to Homestead's Bayfront Park on many occasions but for some 
reason I have never bothered to inquire about overnighting the car and 
trailer as we never had our R22 there.  I do know that there is a fellow who 
sailed his R22 from there to the Bahamas so would think he left his trailer 
and vehicle there.  I'd give them a call as this would be an ideal jump off 
point.  There are slips, fuel, bathrooms, parking, etc. available so it 
looks like leaving the trailer and car there would be a good bet.  Crandon 
Park Marina on Key Biscayne is also something to check out.  A bit more 
crowded but a good jump off point as well.

We sailed the "NoKaOi" (Tartan 37 Version as opposed to the R22 version) 
around from Punta Gorda via Cayo Costa, Naples, Marco Island, Shark River 
(winded in for four nights), Marathon, Key West (Boca Chica actually for a 
month), then back to Marathon (wind on the nose).  As the weather was quite 
stinky on the Hawk Channel we ducked under the seven mile bridge up to 
Matacumbe Key, Pumpkin Key, breaking out into Biscayne Bay for one of the 
most memorable sails we have ever had.  The weather was perfect: wind, sea 
conditions, bright clear blue sky day, dolphin escort, and gin clear water. 
We ducked into No Name Harbor on Key Biscayne (near Cape Florida Park) for a 
wonderful night.  We continued on up to Fort Lauderdale, Lake Worth (Palm 
Beach) before getting back to Stuart via the St. Lucie Inlet.  With the 
exceptions as noted we only spent one night at the named locations as we 
were interested in spending time in the Key West area, and from there, 
getting home for a family reunion.

Now the questions is:  Bob if you had it to do over, what would you have 
done differently?  Took tons more time!  Learn from our experience.  I've 
read a lot about sailing the Keys area (Biscayne Bay to Key West) and the 
best advice is to spend at least a week in each area:  West Marine puts out 
three chart books:  one for Miami to Key Largo, one for Key Largo to 
Marathon, and one for Marathon to Key West and the Dry Tortugas.  These 
chart books kind of make it easy to break up your visits with plenty to do 
in each area both on the Florida Bay side and on the Atlantic Side.  (Note: 
There are several places whereby you can cross over from the Hawk Channel to 
Florida Bay.  It is important that you know these cross over points as when 
things kick up on the Atlantic side you want to know where you can duck over 
to Florida Bay.  This is especially important during the winter months when 
the 'nor'easters blast through.)

Oh, and in each of these segments, there are places to launch and recover 
from.  For example in Key Largo, you have John Pennekamp Coral Reef State 
Park which is a great jump off point to some fantastic snorkeling just off 
shore on the Hawk Channel.

Our "NoKaOi" got bashed in Frances and Jeanne last year so our sailing 
season was limited (we left the Florida heat and hurricane season on July 
20th in a small motorhome for Maine).  After we got the boat recommissioned 
in April we were only able to get a few day sails in plus a three day trip 
to Lake Worth.  Sure enough, Wilma, our 2005 storm also beat  the "NoKaOi" 
up a bit, fortunately not nearly as bad as Frances and Jeanne.  We hope to 
set sail again in January in preparation for a Bahamas run sometime from mid 
April to June 1st.   If for some reason the weather gods say no to the 
Bahamas, we will be perfectly content sailing from Biscayne Bay to Key West 
in a very leisurely pace.  Tons of great anchorages, swimming, snorkeling, 
restaurants with dinghy docks when we don't want to cook aboard, and did I 
mention, wonderful sailing?

Come on down, you will love it!

Bob and Kathy on the "NoKaOi"

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "William E. Wickman" <wewickman at duke-energy.com>
To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2005 12:57 PM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Biscayne Bay Area Launch ramps



   Speaking of Biscayne Bay, I am thinking about taking my boat down   there 
next summer for about a week.  Can anyone recommend a launch ra   mp that 
will allow you to store your trailer and vehicle safely?



   Bill Wickman

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