Dry Tortuga trip planning questions

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Have any of y'all run to the Dry Tortugas from Key West? I was examining charts and looking at the depths and distance. As far as I could tell the route runs north of the Gulf Stream? Is this correct? Looking at the distance and it is doable with my 228, and feel a bit better with no stream hazards.

Once you get there, do you stay on the hook, mooring buoys or slip? The web site is vague on this. We want to camp on dry land and will be packing light, but it would be nice to be able unload at a dock versus beaching the boat. Any and all insight is welcome. Our trip is in july. Thanks.

 

[ahill]

Campsites are available. The fast catamarans that run there basically run the flats due west from key west harbor running on the north side of the Marquesas and other Keys. 72 miles or so. It can get rough. Really consider your fuel supply/consumption. There is NOTHING available there.
Beautiful & remote.

 

[ocdansar]

We have done this trip 3 times with a 24 offshore and a 25 trophy pro staying together, a couple times we fished over in deep water to conserve fuel once we went over on the inside because of weather, a few of our crew tent camped on the island and a few stayed on the boats anchored in the harbor. We both carried extra fuel in barrels on the deck we would plumb fuel lines to and burn them first, then strap to the hardtop once empty, the offshore 24 I had carried 140 gals gas with twin 150 carbed mercs, I carried an extra 60 gals of gas, I had a 20 gallon freshwater tank and I carried an extra 20 gallons, plus froze gallon jugs for ice and extra bottled water, we would spend 3 days over there it was a great trip lots of fun snorkleing and fishing but you could only have 1 days limits of fish. We always trailered to keywest marina, and I think my fuel consumption was 170 gals so I always had a good reserve left when I got back. I have had the 33 express for 5 years and haven't done the trip with this boat wife thinks it's about time to do it again. hope this helps

 

[Grady678]

Rent a satellite phone with waterproof case. A must have for this trip.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Thanks guys. We have a 125 gallon tank and depending on coonditions we get 2.4 to 3.1 miles per gallon. This gives us on the low side 275 miles with the trip being 140, we have a buffer of 130 miles. We are tagging this trip onto the end of our Keys trip if the weather and seas are great we make the trip. If anybody here is planning to be in the Keys around July 17 and wants to do the run with a buddy boay, I am open.

Thanks.

 

[Grog]

If it's rough, you might get less than 2 MPG but you should be OK If it's only you (your boat-load) bring plenty of water and food, sat phone, EPIRB, a raft, and a long weather window.

It does sound like a great trip.

 

[richie rich]

SMG, I did that trip before, but on a high speed ferry.....it took a good 3+ hours to get out there in gusty winds and 5 footers....plenty of folks got sick on board....plan accordingly with that 228.....you will have to bring everything as there's nothing to buy there.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

What time of the year did you run on the ferry with 5 foot seas? The admiral already stated if seas are more than 2-3 then she is not interested at all going. I have been down where you could water ski in the stream and have seen it turn on a dime. One trip the place was dead calm for week. I have no desire to run 70 miles in crappy seas...not fun at all. This is a trip we take if the seas and weather windoow are great for 4 day period. If not, we don't go on our boat. I am hoping for that Bermuda high to park itself in place giving south Fla sunny clear days...

For those that have made the run, I read in a travel book last night, mind you not a chart or cruising guide, that Rebecca Shoals is shallow with strong currents. Any issues or concerns there?

 

[richie rich]

I was there on vacation in mid October. The weather was calm inshore but the ferry had posted 4 to 6 foot seas and 15 knot winds on a board for passengers to see before getting on board. Sure enough about an hour into the trip we were in them. Its a beautiful trip and on a nice day would be awesome on a GW. I'm just saying you should be prepared for it if winds and seas pick up.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

richie rich:
I have kayaked the 10.000 islands area of Everglades National Park on mulitday trips and man, you are right, in the fall and winter, best time to avoid bugs, those fronts can come in and take even the backwater bays and put a nasty chop on it. The fishing is not the best in the keys in the middle of July, but the nature of the high pressure weather which brings all the heat tends to help the seas lay down...sans a tropical storm or hurricane of course :wink:

I hope the weather works for us to make the run in our own boat.

 

[Strikezone]

SMoky,
How's the tow down to the Keys? I would love to do that sometime - it's sounds like a lot of fun. I'm not too keen on towing that far but I bet its worth the drive.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Strike:
It is a long haul from western NC to the Keys for sure. However, we break the trip up and stay a day or so in Orlando to visit family/ friends. Then it is a 6 hour trip to Key Largo from there. Drive wise, once we get past Columbia and it flattens out, it gets easier. I 95 can be a pain, but it is what it is.

I hate driving I95 south of Palm Beach and jump on the Turnpike and pay the trolls, lots of trolls.

Before the trip we repack the bearings, change them if needed, make sure the tire pressure is properly inflated and take it easy. I will have an extra hub on this trip.

My kids love the snorkeling, fishing and cruising around the islands. The keys are rather boring without a means to be on the water that is for sure.

 

[magicalbill]

I want to go on this trip!

Timing is off, however, as my band performs regularly.
Can you plan another when I retire?

 

[ahill]

Your chance for calmer seas will be the route north of Marquesas, same as fast ferry. It's pretty shallow and stiff chop is main problem. If you go fall, spring, winter plan around cold fronts

 

[magicalbill]

Oh and the tow..
We pull my 232 from Indy to Marathon every year in the winter..It isn't that bad, although I prefer to go down I-75 to Naples and go across the Glades. it's further than I-95, but, as stated above, I hate it from West Palm on South when you go I-95.
That said, I tow everywhere(I live in Central Indiana,) so I'm used to it. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who doesn't like to drive long distances. (It's 1430-ish one way for me.)
So..should I take extra fuel if I ever retire and go? My Gulfstream carries 150 as most of you Grady guys know.. I consider 140 gallons usable, so I calculate that way. I get 2.0 MPG on flat seas trimmed right, but that's a pipe dream going to the Tortugas. 150-odd miles round trip from Galleons Marina in Key West means I can do it at 1.5 MPG or so. The variable is how much island-hopping can I do while I'm there? I thought about carrying 2 or 3 5 gallon cans strapped to the deck.
Fun stuff to think about. Are there sand beaches there? As you Key's guys are aware of, there is little sand on the whole island chain, and I miss the "beach experience" I used to have when I went to Sarasota.

 

[ahill]

Now that I-95 is nearly complete take it south to 595 in Lauderdale and west to turnpike. Dumps you off in Homestead.
My boat is at Homestead Bayfront Park and I live in Stuart. 140 miles but worth the trip.

 

[ahill]

Also check with others that have made this trip on secure vehicle and trailer storage!

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Magicbill:
There will likely be more trips in my future and maybe we could plan a Grady trip there one day soon. I m open to the idea.

 

[journeyman]

Oh and the tow..
We pull my 232 from Indy to Marathon every year in the winter..It isn't that bad, although I prefer to go down I-75 to Naples and go across the Glades. it's further than I-95, but, as stated above, I hate it from West Palm on South when you go I-95.
That said, I tow everywhere(I live in Central Indiana,) so I'm used to it. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who doesn't like to drive long distances. (It's 1430-ish one way for me.)

I was wondering... Towing that often and those distances, what preparations do you make and what do you take with you for emergencies? Also, do you cover your boat for the ride?

I'm always thinking it would be nice to take a few weeks off and spend it in the Keys or someplace.

 

[magicalbill]

Hi Journeyman..
Twice yearly I have the trailer completely gone thru at my trailer service center. they re-pack and check bearings, inspect and replace brake drums, rotors and pads as needed, clean light connections, etc. and in the process check for rust or deterioration of any kind.
I travel with a complete set of bearings, plus 2 spare tires that include the brake drum and bearings along with the tire and rim. In other words, no matter what fails, be it a flat, a burned-out bearing or a brake problem, I can put on a spare that is all-inclusive and roll on.
I cover the helm and passenger area aft to the livewells with a custom-made cockpit cover. Snaps on like my weather canvas and keeps the forward section under the hardtop dry and relatively bug-free during trips.

I have always felt that trailering is worthwhile. I enjoy not having to boat the same waters all the time. Yes it's kind of a hassle and you do burn extra fuel, but it's all worth it when you splash it in after a long trip. In the case of the Keys, I highly recommend it. Other than an increased awareness of depth, knowing channel locations and dodging lobster pots, it's boating at it's best. There is always a lee shore, either the Gulf or Atlantic, depending on the wind direction.
Take Care,

Bill..