I once spent a week on a charter in the Keys but have otherwise been to
the Keys on land several times. I am familiar with Western FL but not
the Bahamas or East Florida. My boat draws just under 4'. It would
take me a few days to get to the Keys from NW FL but I really do want
to get to Dry Tortugas this time. After that, it will be back up the
Keys to Miami and then across to Bimini. My schedule is very flexible.
I do intend to cruise for two weeks at a time and then go back to work
for two weeks to get my fix of work while leaving the boat in place.

David OHara

I hope you can find the windows to get places. You'll have to be
careful not to get stuck places with no access. It's not uncommon to
catch a month or so of gales without a break. In Nassau 2 winters ago I
spent 3 or so weeks getting to know the place while it blew from 25 to
35 knots every day. I finally just left and made my way down to Staniel
Cay when it dropped a little but then it came up again for a month
(remember that 25-35 is quite a bit of wind when the water is at best,
15 feet deep). By then I was trying to make my way back to Miami so I
left on a day when it was only blowing about 20 and the seas were down
to about 7-9 feet. I made my way back to Chub and the next day started
really calm so I started toward Gun Cay. Half way across we got slammed
with 35 knots only I was in about 10-12 feet of water and the swells
were so big our keel hit bottom often.

The point being, schedules and sailing don't mix well and you might
want to stay in the states if you need to be back at work at any given
time. You can catch flights out of S. Bimini, Freeport, Nassau, Staniel
and a few other places but you need to actually be able to get there.
In the keys, life is simple because you can go inside just about
everywhere if you need to, especially with a 4 foot draft. Not only
that, it is still a really nice place to go and stay for long periods
of time. The loser-cruiser isn't welcomed much but a normal, nice
looking boat with someone that can afford to do laundry won't get a
second look.

If you are in NW FL, you'll probably cut across on a passage to Ft
myers or something. You can anchor there still but you need to make
your way all the way back behind the mooring balls (its about 7 miles
back). The local police take pride in breaking federal laws there so
keep it in mind when you're there.

From the keys to Miami life is easy to live/cruise aboard. If you plan
on staying in marinas you should be sure to get a Boat US membership
because some of the best places except it for a discount.

I'll make a point to try and cross paths with you somewhere. If you
want the local run down on anchorages there, I lived there for many
years and know most of them.

Danny Taddei

Do the world a favor and dont cruise with kids. WE dont need vermin
like you destroying a otherwise wonderful cruising enviroment for the
rest of us.
I bet of you. stay home or go to chuckie cheese.
bob , friend to capt. neal and other like
minded sailors.

For Bob:

I do my best to annoy intolerant people so maybe we'll anchor next to
you.. Kids are part of life and I enjoy having little ones around.
Even teens can be ok when they are impressed by something. Who is Capt
Neal? Never heard of him.

For Danny:

I realize that once in the Bahamas, longer times spent cruising are a
must. My schedule is very flexible (I already said that).

Now that I am very familiar with all the ports on the part of Fl
between Tarpon Spg and St. Marks and have crossed a few times from
Clearwater to St. Marks, its really just a matter of finding a window
to go. A day or so longer to Ft. Myers.

I didn't mean to say you didn't have experience, I just wanted to make
sure didn't get stuck.

I know lots of guys that jump off way up north and sail off shore to
the keys but I have learned the pleasure of a good nights sleep so I go
the easiest routes :-) What I did last time, from Port Charlotte, was
to go to fort myers, then shark creek, then across to the keys. I slept
every night!

My real email is danny(at)taddei(dot)org transpose the at and dot of
course. If you send me a direct email, I will send you my cell number
so you can call when you get close. I am leaving the Left coast
(Oceanside CA) on about the 24th of september and we should be back at
indiantown FL by Oct. 9 or so. I need about a week or so to put her
back together after a summer mold out but then I am heading to miami
and the upper keys for a month or so. before heading across. I don't
know exactly when I am leaving because I am meeting up with several
other friends that going with us this year. (btw, we are all surfers
and head out to the out islands more then anywhere else) Just drop me a
line - and ignore the "bob" who obviously isn't part of normal society.

Danny

What type of scum of the earth are you that you could say something
like that?

I have been cruising with kids since I have had kids and before that I
made a point to be around kids.

Maybe you should do the world a favor and stay away from people. (WE)
must be a very small few. Everyone I know loves seeing my kids. So,
bob and friend to capt neal - Captain Danny Taddei 100 Ton Master USCG
will be out sailing with my kids and giving lessons to them for free
like I always do (ASA sailing instructor - basic through advanced
courses) and WE will be loving life while you exist in some strange,
unbalanced, prosaic world.

Get treated!

Danny:

Lets find out where they are and anchor next to em blasting Raffi tapes
at full volume.

People like that don't sail anywhere, they anchor near someplace that
they can get public assistance and exist on a boat because they can't
afford rent. They are the type that make land owners come up with rules
about anchoring out because when they are in the anchorage, crime goes
up in the city.
Ignore him!

before that I
made a point to be around kids.

the word pedophile just flashed thru my head

u just had to post all those "credentials" didnt you. i just love it
when inadequate people like you get their panties all bunched up and
start qualifying themselves. your a brainless moron.