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Published: March 17th 2010
March 16, Day 9 Tavernier Key to Duck Key 25 miles
Last night was a little bumpy on the hook. This morning it was blowing about 30 mph in the harbor where we were anchored. We survived and at 9:00AM motored to the fuel dock and tied up. Since the Marina was closed we hauled our 6 gal fuel container to the nearest gas station. Of course that station was also closed and didn’t appear to be opening soon. Since the wind was blowing in the right direction at less velocity we decided to just sail until we found a marina with a fuel pump. We figured we had enough fuel for a few hours of motoring. We had a wonderful sail and crossed under highway US 1 and were now sailing in the Atlantic Ocean. There was only a slight swell running, but you could tell that you were on big water. We ended up at Duck Key at Hawk Cay Marina. It is a luxury resort with hotels, restaurants, bars, jets skis, para sailing, snorkeling, diving tours and fishing charters. It is a little more expensive than we like, but we have anchored out the last 4 nights
US 1 Bridge
That's the Atlantic on the other side.and figured we deserve some plush accommodations for a change.
Hawk Cay We did sleep on the boat and not in one of those plush beds.
Rick writes:
One might think that a rainy morning onboard a sailing vessel would be uncomfortable, but quite honestly it isn’t. I guess it forces us to stay for a bit and rest for we have been making quite the distance each day. A pot of coffee and emails keeps us occupied. Not to mention plotting our days coarse.
Breezes have been pretty consistent with speeds averaging 5- 6 knots on a regular basis. Nice to have such breezes. Yesterday the breeze was a good direction for the use of genniker, but since we already had good boat speed, we didn’t put it up.
We sailed under a bridge yesterday which brought us into the Atlantic. Up to now we have been in the ICW and Florida Bay.
Upon entering this marina, we passed a couple of porpoises that are in a pool. They leaped out of the water so gracefully. Grassy Key, the nest island south, is where Flipper was trained and Radar Detector
Wayne ready to hoist the radar detector. We want to make sure those big ships see us on their radar. filmed.
We have been fortunate the sailing has been so good. It’s clear to me now that this is a favored time of year to sail this area. We have taken notice that many of the boats that are northbound are from Canada or many ports along the east coast. They are homebound after spending their winter here.
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Ken Norton
non-member comment
Hawks Cay
Rick/ Wayne, Hawks Cay huh....been there lots of times. Used to hold Company meetings there, and Joan and I were there several times inbetween. Good sailing to Key West. Be sure to stop in Sloppy Joes, The Schooner wharf Bar, and Hogs Breath Saloon, or if you would rather......the library.