New Year in Key West

Alex F

Well-Known Member
Nov 14, 2006
9,166
Miami / Ft Lauderdale
Boat Info
2005 420DB with AB 11 DLX Tender, Raymarine Electronics (2x12" MFDs) with Vesper AIS
Engines
Cummins 450Cs, 9KW Onan Generator, 40HP Yamaha for tender.
Those who followed our trip past winter season could easily tell that we're in love with FL waters. While planning our last trip to Key Wes for New Years, I was caught by surprise last year that at about mid November marinas in downtown were booked solid. I couldn't find one slip just for my boat, forget about group bookings.

Thus, I'd like to start the thread much in advance and see if anyone would like to join us for the trip and celebrating 2015/2016 New Years in Key West.

We have booked Galleon Resort and marina. After spending 3 nights at Stock Island marina last year, we moved to Galleon marina for extra night and loved it. So, this year we didn't want to miss the chance and booked it early. Steve (COD) didn't waste anytime and booked it even before I did.

The dates we've booked are Dec 28th until Jan 2nd. Please be advised that downtown marinas have minimum stay requirement. Galleon has 5 days minimum. We stayed 4 nights last year (between 2 marinas) and didn't want to leave. Wether our time will allow us to stay 5 nights or we'll choose to spend extra night in another port doesn't matter. The bottom line is that we felt that committing to Galleon Resort was worth it.

I'm just starting to work on our itinerary, but we'll stop at few port before getting to Key West. I'll post more details as I'll have them.

Keep in mind that we have two separate groups, one heading down on the East Coast and another on the West Coast. Those who wish to travel in a group, can join the group coming from your direction.

To bring back memories, here's the link to the last year's trip: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/70120-Trip-to-the-Keys

So, who would like to join us for the trip to Key West to celebrate New Year of 2016?

List of Participants:
[CSR name]: [crew names], [boat info], [Traveling From], [Dates (nights) Staying in Key West]

1. "Alex F": Alex and Jelena, Michelle(18), Daniel(10), "Inspiration" 420DB, Ft Lauderdale, 12/28-01/02 (5 nights)
2. "COD": Steve and Kris, Brandon, Brittany, Adam and Stephan, "Retreat" 500DB, Avantura, 12/28-01/02 (5 nights)
3. "shadow9999": Robert and Diane, "Sea Duced" Viking 50VSC, FL West Coast, 12/29-01/03 (5 nights)
4. "N/A": Kevin and Gina, "Bad Habit" 54' Hatteras Sport Fish, FL West Coast, 12/29-01/03 (5 nights)
5. "Gimme Time": AJ and Amy, "Gimme Time" 420AC, FL West Coast, 12/28-01/02 (5 nights)
6. "fr8dog": Mike and Griselda, "Crew Lounge" 460DA, TBD, 12/29 until TBD.
7. Who else is in?


New Year Eve Feast will take place at
SHOR American Seafood Grill
601 Front Street
Key West, FL 33040
(305) 809-4000
http://www.shorgrill.com/content/hpr/shor/en/key_west.html
DATE: 12/31/15
TIME: 8PM


List of Feast Attendees:
[CSR Name], [Boat Name], [Number of People]
Alex F, Inspiration, Party of 5
COD, Retreat, Party of 6
shadow9999, SeaDuced, Party of 4
N/A, Bad Habit, Party of 5
Gimme Time, Gimme Time, Party of 2
 
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Alex, GT is headed down with reservations for Jan & Feb staying in Conch Harbor. May adjust plans within a week to head down earlier as we are on our Great Loop trip & presently in South Haven, MI. We left Deltaville VA. on the Chesapeake Bay the end of May so we will get back with you.

AJ
 
Alex, GT is headed down with reservations for Jan & Feb staying in Conch Harbor. May adjust plans within a week to head down earlier as we are on our Great Loop trip & presently in South Haven, MI. We left Deltaville VA. on the Chesapeake Bay the end of May so we will get back with you.

AJ

AJ,

That would be great if you could make it. Keep in touch.

I just updated first page with new addition to the list, Robert (shadow9999) has booked Galleon Marina as well. :smt038
 
Put us on the list as we moved our date to arrive to the 28th. We would like to meet up and run down with the West Coast group. Let us know where to be and when on the west coast and we will be there.

AJ & Amy
 
Put us on the list as we moved our date to arrive to the 28th. We would like to meet up and run down with the West Coast group. Let us know where to be and when on the west coast and we will be there.

AJ & Amy

Welcome to the party, AJ. :smt038

I've updated first page with your info.

If anyone else will be in the area, don't be shy and join the CSR party.
 
Alex and AJ,

I will be cruising to Key West from the east coast as I will be keeping the boat on that side. Right now, my preliminary plan is as follows:

12/27 depart Aventura and cruise to Faro Blanco Marina, Marathon
12/29 depart Faro Blanco and cruise to The Galleon, Key West
1/2 depart Key West and cruise to Hawks Key Marina, Duck Key or Little Palm Island
1/5 depart HKM and cruise to Barley Basin or another anchorage.
Continue back to home port making overnight stops along the way on the bay side.. No return date yet to get back to home port. Take it as it comes.....several factors will dictate our plan, mainly weather.....
 
Steve,

Oops, I completely forgot that you planned on staying on the East Coast this time. I just updated your info to Avantura, on the first page. Your itinerary looks great.

We most likely we'll join you in Faro Blanco, as this is logical stop before Key West. I'd like to stop by Hawks Kay as well, prior Marathon. I'll need to spend some time and form my itinerary.

Preliminary it might look like this:
1. FTL to Miami
2. Miami to HK
3. HK to Marathon (Faro Blanko)
4. FB to Key West (Galleon)
5. KW to TBD
6. TBD to FTL.

AJ,

As far as I know, Rober (shadow9999) keeps his boat on the West coast. I'm sure he won't mind keeping you company.
 
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Is anyone else interested on joining us? If anyone will be in KW by land or sea, don't be shy and let us know.
 
Alex - thanks for the heads up in the other thread - we are 100% in - we need to head for home (by car) on the 2nd - I would like to leave the boat in the keys to return for feb break any ideas for a safe spot? - Alex - your itinerary looks good to me
 
Alex - thanks for the heads up in the other thread - we are 100% in - we need to head for home (by car) on the 2nd - I would like to leave the boat in the keys to return for feb break any ideas for a safe spot? - Alex - your itinerary looks good to me


I ran into a CSR member (can't remember the nick name on CSR) at Faro Blanco. He had left his boat there for a month or so when we were through there a couple of times in July. In general, Faro is expensive - but I really like the dock crew there. I would feel like it is a pretty secure place, next door to the coast guard and Florida Wildlife docks. They have a night watchman that walks the dock. Every night he would come by and check on us around dark if we were outside, monitored the radio and walked the docks all night.

Mark
 
Alex - thanks for the heads up in the other thread - we are 100% in - we need to head for home (by car) on the 2nd - I would like to leave the boat in the keys to return for feb break any ideas for a safe spot? - Alex - your itinerary looks good to me

That's great to hear, Mike!

Where are you starting your trip from and how long are you planning to stay in Galleon? I had updated first page, just missing those two items.

In regards to keeping the boat in the Keys, as you may know Key West is probably most expensive. But, I think that Stock Island Marina would be you cost efficient option. IMO, they can work a deal with you. We stayed there last year. The place was nice enough and secured. Considering that your stay will be not during a holiday, getting transportation via free shuttle should be easy to manage.

If you're looking at other Keys, there are plenty of options, which vary by location. Let me know what Keys you had in mind and I'll share my thoughts on the places I'm familiar with.
 
Excellent suggestion Alex.

That would be a leave behind place I would consider. Out of Key West options - that would probably be my first choice.

I would be careful in the Key's where I leave a boat. Friends of ours had a dinghy stole that was tied off at the back of their slip. They found the dinghy the next day, floating a mile or so away. Pretty bold theft. If you follow news in the Keys, marine theft is very bad there.


Mark
 
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Thanks for the tips guys.....Right now i am planning on leaving from Ft. Lauderdale - but if I can make it down between now and then I may run the boat south to islamorada (if anyone is up for a boat ride, let me know as I'll likely be single handed). We won't be in fla until late on 12/26 so having the boat positioned a little further south will help us maximize our time in KW. I just got off the phone with Galleon - when I mentioned new years her initial reaction was we're full - unless your 30'.......we have one slip left! I said perfect, and took the slip - I'm scheduled to arrive 12/28!
 
.... I just got off the phone with Galleon - when I mentioned new years her initial reaction was we're full - unless your 30'.......we have one slip left! I said perfect, and took the slip...

This is the reason I wanted to get this thread going much in advance. Apparently, there's high demand for KW as a destination for New Years.

For those who are thinking on joining us, there are few marinas around, but don't wait too long, as they'll get filled quick. Stock Island marina is a good plan B, but it won't available for too long either. If you're on the fence, it's time to start making the commitment.

BTW, speaking of reservations, we need to start booking the restaurant. Based on last year's experience, my crew votes for Micheals. Any other suggestions/preferences?
 
FYI, I just booked Hawks Cay Resort arriving 12/27, departing 12/29. This will be our first stop as we will be up in NY for the Xmas....Still undecided on where we will be headed after departing Key West on 1/3.
 
FYI, I just booked Hawks Cay Resort arriving 12/27, departing 12/29. This will be our first stop as we will be up in NY for the Xmas....Still undecided on where we will be headed after departing Key West on 1/3.


I'm all set as well, just book Hawks Cay and Faro Blanko. I'm in HK (12/24-26) and in FB (12/26-28).

I also just heard from Robert. He's travelling with another boat (54' Hatteras Sport Fish), I updated the first page. He'll let me know if Michaels is good for their crew.

6 Boats and counting...
 
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Just saw this thread. We will be arriving at the Galleon on the 29th. We already have reservations at Michael's for the 31st. Evil minds think alike?
 

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