Dry Tortugas Trip Idea

I don't know why it's called that. I don't think it's a yankee thing as most of the fishing guides in the Keys call it that as well.

How rough do the waters get on the inside run? I am assuming that my 220 SD would make the run fine, especially if you take your boat that route.
 
I am taking my 240 SRV to Key West in March and might be interested in making that trip with you. When will you be there?
 
I was on the trip in the Hampton trip and it was awsome! I took my 88 270 DA with 125 gal gas tank and 40 extra it ventless gas cans. We had no problems with fuel but generator use is kept to absolute minimum. My range in that boat is about 170 miles on the 115 gals useable. I would not go to the DT with a boat any smaller or single eng. Even with all the preventive maintenance I did I still had an engine fail(cracked head). I will tell you it was no fun. TowBoatUS was awsome and came from KW to help us back from the fort. They said because I was with them so long with no claims they would cover it. It took around 9 hours to get back. I didn't want to came back without another boat. I'm telling you it's a long way! The bill was $2000 all covered by the tow insurance. I will never be without TwoBoatUS! I will start planning another trip for this summer hopefully soon with the new boat I just got last week(Jan 24). I'll keep you posted as the plan developes.
 
I am taking my 240 SRV to Key West in March and might be interested in making that trip with you. When will you be there?

I am thinking about March as well. Send me a PM if you want to discuss more. Where are you planning on launching your boat in Key West?
 
I was on the trip in the Hampton trip and it was awsome! I took my 88 270 DA with 125 gal gas tank and 40 extra it ventless gas cans. We had no problems with fuel but generator use is kept to absolute minimum. My range in that boat is about 170 miles on the 115 gals useable. I would not go to the DT with a boat any smaller or single eng. Even with all the preventive maintenance I did I still had an engine fail(cracked head). I will tell you it was no fun. TowBoatUS was awsome and came from KW to help us back from the fort. They said because I was with them so long with no claims they would cover it. It took around 9 hours to get back. I didn't want to came back without another boat. I'm telling you it's a long way! The bill was $2000 all covered by the tow insurance. I will never be without TwoBoatUS! I will start planning another trip for this summer hopefully soon with the new boat I just got last week(Jan 24). I'll keep you posted as the plan developes.

Yea, I hear ya! I would not go to DT with my current boat. How about my trip idea to the Marquesas Key? I think my boat is up for the challange if I take the Lakes Passage! I will make sure I renew my Tow Boat US membership.
 
I don't know if I would take an open bow boat that far. It should be ok but it just a mangrove island that's about 25 miles away from KW. I think it's more about the fishing there. I would go check out Sand Key Reef first that is 6 miles south of KW. Not too far out to be that bad if it gets bumpy on the way in. My thought is your boat is not designed for rough open water and I don't want to see anyone get into trouble. Then again if it calm you will be just fine. It's all about timing.
 
I will not be with my boat, but I plan on doing the one day tour in the first week of April to the Dry Tortugas, as I will be in Key West for four-five days from April 1-5, 2011. Maybe this time I will check out the Hog Fish Grill and their fish sandwich? :huh:

I am toying with the idea of doing a charter fishing gig on Monday, April, 4, 2011 again. Two years ago I went out in a group of five and caught about a 12 pound dolphin in eight hours. The only fish which was caught at $200.00 a person. The only thing I want to do is catch a large fish once in my life...I don't care about a record or even keeping the fish, I would just like to catch a large fish once before dirt nap time. I guess you could call it a bucket list thingy. LOL :smt043
 
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I will not be with my boat, but I plan on doing the one day tour in the first week of April to the Dry Tortuga s, as I will be in Key West for four-five days from April 1-5, 2011. Maybe this time I will check out the Hog Fish Grill and there fish sandwich? :huh:

I am toying with the idea of doing a charter fishing gig on Monday, April, 4, 2011 again. Two years ago I went out in a group of five and caught about a 12 pound dolphin in eight hours. The only fish which was caught at $200.00 a person. The only thing I want to do is catch a large fish once in my life...I don't care about a record or even keeping the fish, I would just like to catch a large fish once before dirt nap time. I guess you could call it a bucket list thingy. LOL :smt043

Sounds like fun! Bucket list....LOL
 
I will not be with my boat, but I plan on doing the one day tour in the first week of April to the Dry Tortugas, as I will be in Key West for four-five days from April 1-5, 2011. Maybe this time I will check out the Hog Fish Grill and their fish sandwich? :huh:

I am toying with the idea of doing a charter fishing gig on Monday, April, 4, 2011 again. Two years ago I went out in a group of five and caught about a 12 pound dolphin in eight hours. The only fish which was caught at $200.00 a person. The only thing I want to do is catch a large fish once in my life...I don't care about a record or even keeping the fish, I would just like to catch a large fish once before dirt nap time. I guess you could call it a bucket list thingy. LOL :smt043
Pseudo, Take the one day trip it's a long day but well worth it! As far as the Hog Fish Grill it's a must!! Was there two weeks ago best fish sandwich I've ever had:smt038 When you go try and get a table out on the deck, you can feed the Tarpon as you feed yourself!:grin:
 
If you can wait for about 3 or 4 days of calm seas before you go to DT that would be best. I have been 2 times, the first was 8 ft seas on the ferry and calm with my boat last summer. The water gets churned up so bad that you can't see anything when in the water. When the seas were calm the vis was 50 feet of better(like a swimming pool). I can't wait to get back down to the Keys especially with the new boat.
 
i am new to cruising and would love to try DT, with my 2002 sundancer my fear is will i make it with just 100 gallons of fuel and can you re-fuel their? i launch at dinner key in miami and what month is best to go?
 
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i am new to cruising and would love to try DT, with my 2002 sundancer my fear is will i make it with just 100 gallons of fuel and can you re-fuel their? i launch at dinner key in miami and what month is best to go?

I don't think 100 gallons will make it, and you can not re-fuel there (or get water) hence the 'Dry' part of the name. I would avoid hurricane season for sure.
 
June,July and August are best because the winds are calmest. Later is hotter, but your on the water so who cares. Always check extended weather before any trip.(Yes it is hurricane season).
 
"I don't think 100 gallons will make it, and you can not re-fuel there (or get water) hence the 'Dry' part of the name. I would avoid hurricane season for sure."

No water, no fuel. What else do they not have? What is the attraction here? Sounds too much like camping to me. At the risk of sounding negative, I can think of more desirable destinations with a whole lot less worry. Each to their own, I guess. Nevertheless, have fun and let us know how it turns out. :thumbsup:
 

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