We move further north - Day 131 - Islamorada to Key Largo, FL

Our goal is to be in Miami Beach on February 16 to meet lots of friends and attend the Miami Boat Show.  Friends who we will connect with include Pam Rose, Jim, Heidi and Michael Kargman, Ron and Linda Markovits, Dick and Cathy Hoffman and Mike, John and Barbara Walsh.

Our goal is also to get there in small increments rather than one long overwater cruise.  Hence, the 15 mile move north to Key Largo.

The weather today started out with clear skies, 75 degrees and wind out of the southeast at 15 to 20 MPH.  We waited to leave until 12:42 PM when the winds had dropped to 10 to 15 MPH.  As we departed we headed south down the narrow channel passing a sandbar to port (left).

Sandbar to the east as we move south through the Whale Harbor Channel

Less than two hours later we arrived at the entrance to the canal that leads to the Pilot House Marina.

Entrance to the Pilot House Marina Canal

The Pilot House Marina is located at the end of a canal that is approximately a half mile long and rather narrow.  I would not want to pass another boat in this channel.

 

Pilot House Marina is a good stopping point but clearly not a destination.  The facility is currently being renovated and there is a limited number of slips, all of which are fixed.  The only slip available was adjacent to their tiki restaurant and would have resulted in a starboard tie.  A starboard stern-in tie is not optimum for Guided Discovery as we would have to step over cushions to exit the boat.  Also, we cannot launch the dingy from when tied to starboard.  Don, the Operations Manager, accommodated us by allowing us to stay at the fuel dock.

He also gave us a terrific deal on fuel, 30 cents off of an already reasonable $3.44 price.  Fuel prices ranged from $3.54 to $3.84 at Marathon and $3.89 at Holiday Isle.  Also, their slip fee was a reasonable $2.25 per foot reflecting the facility's limitations.

At the end of the day we experienced another magnificent Keys sunset.

Sunset as viewed from Guided Discovery's cockpit

Still another successful day on the water.

Note: Temperatures in Chicago were single digits all day with wind chills in the minus numbers.

Written by Les.