Flamingo to Islamorada and outboard question

jalex

Rank: Mate

Registered: May 08, 2013

Last visit: Oct 02, 2023

Posts: 508
Posted: Feb 15, 2019 - 07:32 AM

Launching from Flamingo in mid March and headed to Islamorada and then further south. How complicated is Florida Bay going to be to navigate? Should I just stay to the far west of all the islands? I am not an outboard man but would consider one for this trip I guess. How much does a thirty pound outboard hanging off the cheetah mount hurt my sailing performance? I guess I could store it mid tramp till I need it but don’t really want to and I heard you should not store outboards on there side
bacho

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 17, 2011

Last visit: Sep 24, 2023

Posts: 783
Posted: Feb 15, 2019 - 07:36 AM

I have a little 2hp honda that is designed to be stored on one of its sides. No problems there.

--
Greenville SC

Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
--
martin_langhoff

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 26, 2016

Last visit: Nov 04, 2024

Posts: 233
Posted: Feb 19, 2019 - 10:23 AM

If your boat can handle shallows (ie, no daggerboards or daggerboards & case that you don't mind light groundings and the boat can sail reasonably well with them up, kick up rudders, etc), it'll be easy.

Looking at the map (didn't know Flamingo!) , ICW won't be of help :-/ and you'll be going against the prevailing winds (ESE). If logistics allow, I'd do the reverse route, kick back in a broad reach.

I sail biscayne bay mostly so might be off.
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: May 22, 2024

Posts: 7089
Posted: Feb 19, 2019 - 11:41 AM

Quote I heard you should not store outboards on there side

http://www.fishing.net.nz…its-side_topic49713.html
ziper1221

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Dec 25, 2015

Last visit: Jul 26, 2022

Posts: 42
Posted: Feb 21, 2019 - 01:09 AM

There are three or four banks you need to be careful how you navigate around, but between them there is room to maneuver, and to beat upwind if need be. You might be able to catch a northerner, but martin is right that the prevailing wind is from the south east. is this on a stiletto?
jalex

Rank: Mate

Registered: May 08, 2013

Last visit: Oct 02, 2023

Posts: 508
Posted: Feb 21, 2019 - 04:59 AM

Quoteis this on a stiletto?

No, Gcat 5.7. Planning on making it a round trip so hopefully the return trip will be a breeze. If it turns out to be a one way, I’d rather be stuck in the Keys than Flamingo.
samc99us

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 15, 2005

Last visit: Feb 21, 2024

Posts: 574
Posted: Feb 21, 2019 - 02:38 PM

Talk to the Everglades Challenge folks. Flamingo is their last checkpoint before the run into the Keys. This is manageable but there are A LOT of shallow spots that are constantly changing. Also be aware that breeze from the North/North East sucks water out of the bay and you along with it, so having a motor or a backup plan (i.e Key West) are not bad things to consider.
gulfstream40

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 08, 2017

Last visit: Aug 05, 2024

Posts: 23
Posted: Feb 23, 2019 - 01:31 PM

Basin chart

http://coastmariner.com/bin/chart2.php?chartId=11451_7&lat=25.0761&lon=-80.7602&locId=210
gulfstream40

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 08, 2017

Last visit: Aug 05, 2024

Posts: 23
Posted: Feb 23, 2019 - 01:47 PM

Additional Basin Chart

http://coastmariner.com/bin/chart2.php?chartId=11433_1&lat=25.0909&lon=-80.7677&locId=3520
gulfstream40

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 08, 2017

Last visit: Aug 05, 2024

Posts: 23
Posted: Feb 23, 2019 - 09:13 PM

Florida Bay Chart

https://charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/11449.shtml