Keys bound for Christmas vacation

[spareparts]

Originally we were planning on going back to Kitty Hawk for Christmas vacation. the place we've stayed at is owned by an elderly couple who we know thru my in laws. They used to baby sit my sister in law when my wife's family lived in Newport News(before my wife was born). My in laws have always kept in touch with them over the years and they've always offered to let them use their house at Kitty hawk, we asked and they said yes . We've stayed there twice and loved it. We asked last spring when we visited them in Va Beach if we could use it over the holidays this year and they said yes. Well, my mother in law told my wife yesterday that they called and said their niece wanted to use it over the holidays and since she was family, they told her OK, so now we were out of vacation plans two months away. Its their house and they can do what they want, but its still pretty crappy to do that to us(we won't ask again). So my wife and I have been trying to come up with a better vacation plan. We talked about a cruise, talked about the mountains, but we kept coming back to the idea of the Keys. we got conformation of a house rental on Marathon for the week after Christmas today. Looks like we are headed to Fla for the vacation. (Sorry Lee) So here's my dilemma. I've got the 16 McKee ready for the water, just haven't taken it out. Its a 13 hour drive from here to Marathon. The rental house is on a canal, has kayaks available at the house for use. Do I trailer the McKee with me all the way, knowing it could complicate the trip(trailer issues, gas mileage, etc...) or do i just wing it and go with whats there when we get there. I've never been there before and don't know anything about the area as far as boating goes. Am i going to get my self in trouble boating around there? Should I be satisfied with an easy way out and just use the kayaks? Its supposed to be relaxing after all. I don't want to have to deal with a bunch of issues with having a boat there, but i don't want to walk around *****ing that I wish I had my boat with me. Any input?

[ssiredfish]

Originally we were planning on going back to Kitty Hawk for Christmas vacation. the place we've stayed at is owned by an elderly couple who we know thru my in laws. They used to baby sit my sister in law when my wife's family lived in Newport News(before my wife was born). My in laws have always kept in touch with them over the years and they've always offered to let them use their house at Kitty hawk, we asked and they said yes . We've stayed there twice and loved it. We asked last spring when we visited them in Va Beach if we could use it over the holidays this year and they said yes. Well, my mother in law told my wife yesterday that they called and said their niece wanted to use it over the holidays and since she was family, they told her OK, so now we were out of vacation plans two months away. Its their house and they can do what they want, but its still pretty crappy to do that to us(we won't ask again). So my wife and I have been trying to come up with a better vacation plan. We talked about a cruise, talked about the mountains, but we kept coming back to the idea of the Keys. we got conformation of a house rental on Marathon for the week after Christmas today. Looks like we are headed to Fla for the vacation. (Sorry Lee) So here's my dilemma. I've got the 16 McKee ready for the water, just haven't taken it out. Its a 13 hour drive from here to Marathon. The rental house is on a canal, has kayaks available at the house for use. Do I trailer the McKee with me all the way, knowing it could complicate the trip(trailer issues, gas mileage, etc...) or do i just wing it and go with whats there when we get there. I've never been there before and don't know anything about the area as far as boating goes. Am i going to get my self in trouble boating around there? Should I be satisfied with an easy way out and just use the kayaks? Its supposed to be relaxing after all. I don't want to have to deal with a bunch of issues with having a boat there, but i don't want to walk around *****ing that I wish I had my boat with me. Any input?

Ill shoot you a pm in the am and help solve your woes.

[jasoncooperpcola]

I say get a couple cheap spare tire and wheels off CL. Repack the trailer bearings, and bring an extra set. A 16 McKee cant be too detrimental to fuel mileage?

[ssiredfish]

PM sent.....

[spareparts]

got it, I'll call you later, I've got to go work on the McKee

[phatdaddy]

are you going to be staying in key colony(atlantic side) or on the gulf side?

[spareparts]

Atlantic side, 99 street in Marathon

[macojoe]

when Io went a few years back we got a charter and there are ton's of them!! I would go that way as they know the area and ill get you on the fish, with no fuss on your side, just fish and relax!

[the daydreamer]

spare i have taken a 17 whaler to the keys and have taken the daydreamer twice!! yes its a long haul but there is nothing like having your boat there.we stayed in islamorada and went by water to the world wide sportsman and ate lunch ther,and watched all the boats coming and going. from where we were at we cut thru a mangrove cut to get there. also you can go to whale harbor in taviner. its on your right going back up. if you go at three-o-clock all the sportfishing boats are coming in and it is a tight basin.they have a bar that is up overlooking the marina.if you want to see some fancy boat docking thats the place those guys are good!!!take the boat :nice:

[Destroyer]

Don't worry about the tow my friend. Don't forget I used to tow my V20 from NJ to Naples, Fla twice a year without incident. Just have a spare tire or two, a tire repair kit, a 12v portable compressor, extra bearings, and a new tube of greese and you'll be fine. On an 18' footer you'll hardly know she's back there. Merry Christmas!!

[randlemanboater]

Speaking of Christmas in the Keys...my family will be in Big Pine Key over Christmas vacation.

I am dragging the V behind the RV...you will have to come down and go fishing with us.

[spareparts]

where are you staying in Big pine?

[randlemanboater]

Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge, mile 33.

[reelapeelin]

Sounds like a Merry Christmas in store for The Halls of Goose Creek!!...with or w/out the McKee...I know it's some extra $$ and effort, but w/all the opportunities you'll find yourself in the middle of, you'll be kicking yer own @$$ if ya don't...:sun:

[phatdaddy]

definately take your boat, little trouble now, but worth it when you get there. like destroyer said, grease your hubs , take a spare one, & a couple of spare tires. i always only took one tire until i had a blow out & needed it, then i spent 3 hours on & off the interstate looking for another. you could also trailer down to big pine & meet up with rmb, and go out to looe key or into the back country out by no name key.

[bradford]

Ive drug a few boats back and forth to the keys, take the McKee. Like every one else said, have your bearings and tires in good order, and check your springs, i had one crack while down there and its no fun paying fl keys west marine prices for one much less laying in the gravel changing it out when you could be enjoying yourself.

[spareparts]

well, for no one to blame other than myself( I didn't finish it), I'm leaving the McKee here in SC next week, just had too much going on lately and was laid up all last week with the flu. we still plan to enjoy ourselves while we are there, and I'm still taking tackle. Randleman, give me a shout while you're down there (843) 532-9148

[spareparts]

well we made in late last night(1:00 am), 755 miles from Goose Creek to Marathon. Did a quick walk aorund this morning, we're staying on a canal.Plenty of boats around. The home owners have a nice selection of kayaks in hte back yard, but unfurtunately, they are all locked up. Looks like I'm bank fishing for the week. I'll post up pics later.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Boats are readily available down there to rent, and I'm sure this time of year they would be willing to make a deal on a rental. Marathon area has al lkinds of fishing, and you can always go a little furthur down to Bahia Honda on the other side of the 7 mile bridge and walk out on the bridges and stuff.

[ssiredfish]

Spare, PM sent

[spareparts]

got you pm, I'll let you know. Its been reall windy down herre at times. we wentriding around yesterday, saw a bunch of big boats having problems in hte wind and waves. Makes me rethink the McKee may have not been such a good choice. The neighbors went out on thier 30 Whaler, came back in shortly. Kendall and I did some pin fishing off the dock, we had a blast. Got to be the biggest pin fish I've ever seen. Headed to Key West to see the sites today.

[RidgeRunner]

Hope you have a great time. Misery when weather doesn't cooperate. We have spent weeks at a time on the gulf side when the weather gets up. Still plenty of places for a small boat to beat around in the backwater.
In Key Wesy hit Clinton Square for the kids. It is about as commercial as it gets. Have fun.. :beer: and one of these.

[THEFERMANATOR]

While your down there, go through BIG PINE KEY after dark, and head north through town off of US1. At night time the KEY DEER are all over the north side of the island. There neet to look at to see such a tiny deer(not much bigger than a medium sized dog) with such a big rack on it. you wonder how they can hold there head up. And if you head out that way during teh day, you can hit the blue hole and see the alligators.

[ssiredfish]

Dont forget about the Grassy Key Pouch Rats!!!!!!

[reelapeelin]

got you pm, I'll let you know. Its been reall windy down herre at times. we wentriding around yesterday, saw a bunch of big boats having problems in hte wind and waves. Makes me rethink the McKee may have not been such a good choice. The neighbors went out on thier 30 Whaler, came back in shortly. Kendall and I did some pin fishing off the dock, we had a blast. Got to be the biggest pin fish I've ever seen. Headed to Key West to see the sites today.

Find the state parks down there...some GREAT beaches for the kids(and you & mom)...go do a sunset at Key west if it practical from where yer staying...the kids will love it...lots of street performers...Ya'll have fun down there...hows about some pics when ya can...:clap:

[spareparts]

went to Key West yesterday, I rank it right down there at the bottom with New Orleans, looks like it would be a cool place to go if I was single and about 20 years younger, but with a family in tow, not the place to be. Tried fishing off the dock today, can't even get the pin fish to bite. Weather is beautiful, light wind, low 90's and i can't get my family off the couch and away from the TV, next time I'm coming down here, it will be without them, too many places to see and too much great weather to waste sitting on your *** in front of a TV.

[THEFERMANATOR]

went to Key West yesterday, I rank it right down there at the bottom with New Orleans, looks like it would be a cool place to go if I was single and about 20 years younger, but with a family in tow, not the place to be. Tried fishing off the dock today, can't even get the pin fish to bite. Weather is beautiful, light wind, low 90's and i can't get my family off the couch and away from the TV, next time I'm coming down here, it will be without them, too many places to see and too much great weather to waste sitting on your *** in front of a TV.

Did you go during the day or at night? I know in teh summer by day KEY WEST is very family friendly, but by night it is very UN-family friendly. Not sure about winter time as I've never spent much time there in winter. If you head up to the north of MARATHON or KEY LARGO area, some of the deeper bridge channels are pretty good to fish from. The bridge down by BAHIA HONDA is also a good fishing bridge. In the middle of summer you can catch AJ's right under the bridge(got some pictures somewhere of me as a kid in a jon boat holding up some 35+ inch AJ's under that bridge. The 7 mile bridge is good for tarpon and sharks. And you can head down to Cudjoe and go out the north end to the end and wade fish the flats.

[phatdaddy]

spare, i gotta second what ferm said about the key deer. we would take our kids and play " deer poker". who ever saw the most deer on their side of the road won. just go to big pine late in the afternoon, turn behind the winn dixie and follow the main road to no name key. i believe its a left then a right. go to the no name pub about dark and have a pizza and the conch fritters. it'll take about 2 hours. then go play deer poker on the way home

[spareparts]

took those who would get off their *** to Curry Hammock State park today, very nice place, its got the cheapest kayak rental around, I didn't rent one as I had the kids with me. Got back to the house and went pin fishing off the dock, couldn't get anything to take shrimp off of a hook. My oldest said she wasn't a good fisher-person, i told her its never the person with the rod, it the wrong tide, wrong season, wrong moon phase, wrong bait, wrong current, wrong wind, wrong anything, but its never the person holding the rod.... I got to teach them right.

Tomorrow I thing there may be an electrical issue at the house, taking out the air conditioning and cable tv

[Destroyer]

Tomorrow I think there may be an electrical issue at the house, taking out the air conditioning and cable tv

Gotta watch them electrical issues Spare... next thing you know you'll have to take them somewhere because it's unbearable in the house. :you:

Funny thing about those issues though.... they always seem to clear up after you come back from an outing....:news:

[spareparts]

got everyone out of the house today, we went by the Turtle Hospital and made reservations to come back at 3. we rode down the Islands, stopped at a park facility right at the 7 mile bridge. It had a nice ramp on one side of the highway, on the ocean side, there was a nice beach with picnic tables and clean facilities. Kendall and I went wading in the water, no one else was game. After playing there for a while, we rode further down. Bahia Honda state park must be the place, the line getting in there was so long they had a highway patrolman directing traffic. We didn't stop, it looks real nice from the highway. We rode past Randlemans hide out at the Big Pine Key fishing lodge, looks like a nice place. We made it back to the turtle hospital, Kendall loved it. She kept raising her hand to ask question to the tour guide. The had 27 turtle in pens for rehabilitation, 14 of which were permanent residents due to various issues, the rest were scheduled for release once they were given the all clear. We all had a good time there, I would have loved to drop a line in one of the big turtle holding pens, it was loaded with drum and snapper. Ended up eating at the Island Fish Co., food was decent, prices were about what we expected. Stopped at the grocery store to replenish my Beer inventory, if you think gas is high down here, wait till you price beer. BTW, diesel in the islands was cheaper than it is at home in Charleston, go figure

[reelapeelin]

That is amazing re the diesel prices down there...not so much the beer prices!...lol...Glad y'all found a park you could enjoy for a little while...what's the water temp down there?...

That turtle program sounds like a great stop...kids or not, I'd like to see that...are the snapper etc in the pens for turtle food??...I can see your dilemma!!...:head:

[THEFERMANATOR]

Is the turtle program still down on the island south of MARATHON? If so that is where they used to film the show FLIPPER at back in the day.

[spareparts]

we went to the dolphin place today(dolphins.org), its a little north of us. Thats where they filmed flipper. The turtle place used to be a motel that had a big interactive aquarium, that's where the turtle pens are now, and why those nice fish were in there, I swear, there were the biggest mullet I've ever seen swimming in that pen. The dolphin place was ok, but it was expensive, and they were up selling your "experience" if you wanted to swim with the dolphin, it was $200 per person, the dolphin experience was like $300, and the researcher for the day was like $695. For the place to be a "not for profit" research center, they sure didn't have any issues charging you. We did the basic $20 per person deal, I was a bit disappointing considering the cost. We rode back up to Salt Water Sportsman(bass pro), ate a snack at the Zane Grey restaurant(over rated bar), I did look at some cool boats at the dock(pics for later). The wind kicked up bad today, a cold front came thru and the high was only 70, wind was blowing at least 20 knts. I tried fishing int he canal again, the cold front shut everything down, couldn't get anything to bite cut shrimp

[Destroyer]

Back in 84' my wife and i went to Sea World down near Disney World. They had a huge pool about 3' deep that you could wade in... it had several Bottlenosed Dolphin in it that you could feed and pet. Only thing it cost was the price of the fish if you wanted to feed them. Wonder if it's still there? :head:

[phatdaddy]

come to the gulf during snapper season and you can feed all the dolphin you want to. they will follow the fish from the bottom and take it right off your line at boatside.

[spareparts]

went back to key west today, figure we missed a tourist trap or two, ate at Jimmy Buffets margaritaville (did I mention tourist trap), the freaks were out early today, tucked, taped, and flaunting their stuff. Got out of their in a hurry, rode up to Bud and Mary's Marina, that place was awesome, cool boats every where. I could walk around and look at all the old fishing pics for hours> I've seen a few V's, a couple sportsmans, but I've seen probably 90 % of teh total production of Mako 23's in existence, same goes with Dusky 23's, they are every where.

[spareparts]

I'm home and just got everything unloaded, I'm beat, had a great trip, I'll load pics later

[Destroyer]

Glad you made it back safely. Welcome back...there's no place like home...:clap:

[spareparts]

pics from Marathon
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/spareparts_photos/marathon/PC263018_zps6c067196.jpg

from behind the house
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the turtle hospital

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this guy was just walking around, they are everywhere down there


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[spareparts]

the Dolphin place

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Key West

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This was in the toy factory at Clinton Square(nice people), we walked around and ran into another guy with a couple of parrots on Duval St. Kendall and i walked up to look at them, before i knew what had happened, he had both parrots sitting on Kendall, then he looks at me and says, $10 to take a picture, that's me taking the picture with my camera, I said not thanks and put my camera away, he starts getting smart with me and says $5 to take a pic with one, i said no thanks, then he really gets smart with me, I told him to get his bird off my daughter or i would!, After I he got his bird off of her he starts to say something else and i interrupt him with an F@#% off! And a visual aid in case he didn't get the message. Kinda set the attitude for the streets of Key West.



http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/spareparts_photos/marathon/PC313049_zpsa64bf9d5.jpg

[spareparts]

cool boats

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/spareparts_photos/marathon/PC263016_zps8bb05a6f.jpg


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Bud and Mary's up at Islamarada

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Tarpon in the water

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end of a day
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/spareparts_photos/marathon/PC313063_zps32a50680.jpg

[RidgeRunner]

Yamaha row on those flats boats, and a Zuke or two.. Nary a Merc in sight there.. The tripple engine power with white Yamaha's and of course Kendall looks like she had a good time with the sights..

Except for the few seemingly rude folks that have become so accustomed to flogging tourist for money that they forgot how to be nice, and the freaky deeky crowd that flock to KW, it would be a beautiful place to take the family for a visit. Not as bad as New Orleans IMO, but running a close second. Commercial as all getout. What is with all the gem and gold shops? Did you see the guy with the bar in between two buildings? This rastafarian entrepenuer literally set up shop in a 3' wide alleyway. Blender and mixers with cups and the extention cord. LOL.
I didn't see the cookie lady this past year or the dog juggling act.

[spareparts]

Surprisingly, I saw a fair amount of I/O's, small inboards, more mercs than i was expecting. Mostly yamaha and Suzuki.

yeah, i saw the small bar, pretty funny. We got out of there before too many freaks showed up, we saw a couple though. The street venders can kiss my ***, it felt way too much like NO, I guess once everyone is drunk down there, they make a killing. I saw a guy with a cardboard sign that said he was conducting a scientific experiment on the effects of alcohol and was taking donations to further his experiments. this was around noon. Oh and btw, I've never seen so many Obama stickers on cars, bicycles, carts, and store fronts

[willy]

I am liking the Willy Boatworks Boat myself

[spareparts]

the Willy Roberts is considered to be the first dedicated flats boat ever made, They had a sign board explaining the boat and its maker.http://willyflatsboats.com/index.php

[Destroyer]

I've got 2 parrots.. (Both better looking with much more colorful plumage).. if you guys are ever in the area I'll pay Kendal to pose with them and she can have an even better picture.

My Yellow Amazon (Tiger)
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/Destroyer511/yellow.png
My Eclectus (Emerald)
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/Destroyer511/ecl.jpg

[randlemanboater]

Well Spare, I just saw that you posted your # for me to call you. Sorry we missed each other down in the sun.

If it makes you feel better, we only caught one keeper grouper all week...along with a few snappers, mackerels, and jacks.

Other than the wind it was a nice week, I got a tan too.

[spareparts]

yeah, I'm peeling a little today, got a little too much sun that one hot day we had. Wind was blowing pretty good all week. Teh people across the canal caught 6 dolphin their one day out, the guy next door went out 4 days, I think he got two fish total

[randlemanboater]

Hey Spare, did you see the couple of boats at the dealer in Islamarada that had FOUR 350's on em?

1400 HP on an outboard boat.

[spareparts]

that was Plantation Boat Mart, they are the Sea hunter/Hydrasport dealer. I didn't know if but apparently Seahunter bought Hydrasport and has completely revamped the production line up, pretty bad *** boats for sure, way too rich for my blood. Interesting that they are listed as sold factory direct, so I assume the dealership is owned by the same people that build own Sea Hunter/Hydrasport

[Kracker Jack]

That Disney cruise ship you have pictured is one bad@$$ ship. They were tied up beside us in Nassau,and freeport. It has Disney characters Like Mickey,goofey hanging of the back painting the ship. It's really cool boat.

[bradford]

Fella near me has one of those Willy boats, a 20' with a 200 Evinrude, Seafoam green.

[Pipe_Dream]

Enjoyed reading and seeing pics from your trip. It's been way too long since I went to the Keys, over 20 years now. Once upon a time I was a regular visitor. Too bad that some made your Key West experience less than good. People can ruin a place -- it's true. If you're familiar with Keys history, it's gone from boom to bust numerous times, typically to bust when a bad hurricane goes through, the kind that they haven't seen in a long time. Recently a group at a party told me that I should go during Fantasy Fest. I said no, in fact that's when I want to be as far away as possible. Looking up now in fact I see a photo of a sailboat that a group of us spent a week on, taken (I believe) from Sawyer Key, a once settled but abandoned island. Now, that's my kind of Keys vacation.

Thanks for posting!