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Key West Charter #261082
07/22/2021 10:47 AM
07/22/2021 10:47 AM
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 45
Tennessee
RebeccaTN Offline OP
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RebeccaTN  Offline OP
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 45
Tennessee
I realize this is a BVI forum, but I'm having trouble finding people with sailing experience in the Keys. We have a BVI charter booked for March 2022, and are considering a short Key West charter this fall just to get some days on the water since it's been so long for us (~2 years). If anyone has experience in Key West and doesn't mind sharing, please send me a message.

TIA,
Rebecca

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Re: Key West Charter [Re: RebeccaTN] #261083
07/22/2021 11:12 AM
07/22/2021 11:12 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 962
Middleburg, VA
cwoody Offline
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cwoody  Offline
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Posts: 962
Middleburg, VA
Have not chartered down there yet but have been looking into it as well.

Moorings has teamed up with a Charter company down there. Florida Yacht Charters

Some good info here. Moorings Key West


Chuck W.

Re: Key West Charter [Re: cwoody] #261091
07/22/2021 12:56 PM
07/22/2021 12:56 PM
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 45
Tennessee
RebeccaTN Offline OP
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RebeccaTN  Offline OP
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Posts: 45
Tennessee
Thank you. I have a request for quote in with Florida Yacht Charters. We were leaning toward Dream Yacht Charters because of the price and availability.

Re: Key West Charter [Re: RebeccaTN] #261095
07/22/2021 01:37 PM
07/22/2021 01:37 PM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,130
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MIDiver Offline
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MIDiver  Offline
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We looked to this at one time. The cruising area, appropriate mooring options and amenities were, in our mind, negatives. Slips would be required in many instances due to poor holding etc. We decided it was not worth it. Stay away from DYC.

Re: Key West Charter [Re: RebeccaTN] #261096
07/22/2021 01:44 PM
07/22/2021 01:44 PM
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 45
Tennessee
RebeccaTN Offline OP
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RebeccaTN  Offline OP
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Tennessee
Yeah, I'm gathering that about DYC. The reviews of their Key West base on TripAdvisor are terrible. We're open to other parts of the Keys or even FL if anyone knows of a good place for beginners. We took ASA 101, 103, 104, and 114 right before Covid hit so our time on the water has been extremely limited.

Re: Key West Charter [Re: RebeccaTN] #261098
07/22/2021 01:57 PM
07/22/2021 01:57 PM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,130
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MIDiver Offline
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MIDiver  Offline
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Where did you do your classes? Honestly I would look at CYOA in STT and see if they have any availability left for November.

Who are you chartering with in March in BVI?

Re: Key West Charter [Re: RebeccaTN] #261104
07/22/2021 02:41 PM
07/22/2021 02:41 PM
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 45
Tennessee
RebeccaTN Offline OP
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RebeccaTN  Offline OP
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Posts: 45
Tennessee
We did classes with Blue Water out of STT.

We are avoiding USVI right now due to the influx of tourists. We've been visiting St John since 1998 so it's very disappointing but based on what I'm hearing and reading it's a nightmare. We were there the first week of February and it was crowded but not horrible at that time. Hoping it will slow down over the next year or so when cruise ships start running again and international travel becomes easier.

We're chartering with Captain Compass in March.

Re: Key West Charter [Re: RebeccaTN] #261107
07/22/2021 02:54 PM
07/22/2021 02:54 PM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,130
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MIDiver Offline
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MIDiver  Offline
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We used BW for our ASA’s as well.

We chartered in USVI last two weeks in February. It was a zoo. November should be better. Way better than Keys unless you are keen on marinas and boat slips. I can supply a list of those. But again - we personally do not feel it is worth it.

Re: Key West Charter [Re: RebeccaTN] #261111
07/22/2021 03:08 PM
07/22/2021 03:08 PM
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 45
Tennessee
RebeccaTN Offline OP
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RebeccaTN  Offline OP
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Tennessee
MIDiver, Did you have Captain Dick as your instructor at BW?

You make good points. I’m going to look into STT. Our dates are in October and are pretty restrictive due to our son’s high school football schedule smile.

Re: Key West Charter [Re: RebeccaTN] #261113
07/22/2021 03:19 PM
07/22/2021 03:19 PM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,130
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MIDiver Offline
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No, we had Captain Jose.

CYOA looks to have a calendar block in Oct. you could email them and find out. They are really the only outfit I would go with there. I can PM you rationale. Out boat is in BVI - were there twice this year and scheduled for January and March 2022.

Re: Key West Charter [Re: RebeccaTN] #261116
07/22/2021 03:29 PM
07/22/2021 03:29 PM
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 45
Tennessee
RebeccaTN Offline OP
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RebeccaTN  Offline OP
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Tennessee
Sure I’m interested in any info you can provide.

Re: Key West Charter [Re: RebeccaTN] #261123
07/22/2021 03:59 PM
07/22/2021 03:59 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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maytrix  Offline
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In a week, I'll be happy to provide a review of DYC in St Thomas. We arrive Saturday. Booked the boat Tues so really no other options available.


Matt
Re: Key West Charter [Re: maytrix] #261146
07/22/2021 06:35 PM
07/22/2021 06:35 PM
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 45
Tennessee
RebeccaTN Offline OP
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RebeccaTN  Offline OP
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Posts: 45
Tennessee
Would love to hear about your experience, maytrix. Supply is very limited for our October dates.

Last edited by RebeccaTN; 07/22/2021 06:35 PM.
Re: Key West Charter [Re: RebeccaTN] #261163
07/22/2021 09:29 PM
07/22/2021 09:29 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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maytrix  Offline
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Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
I'll be happy to share once we get back. All assuming of course we actually make it lol.. Still waiting on our PCR test results. But we have a rapid antigen scheduled for tomorrow.. What a fun week!


Matt
Re: Key West Charter [Re: RebeccaTN] #261169
07/22/2021 10:52 PM
07/22/2021 10:52 PM
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 65
Charleston, SC
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TRIM Offline
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TRIM  Offline
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Charleston, SC
We chartered out of KW last October. We used Calypso Sailing as the others had not moved into the keys yet. Calypso was great and so was the catamaran. The lack of mooring balls and sail area is a negative as stated above. Lobster pots everywhere….everywhere. You spend your entire time sailing or cruising dodging the pots. We were planning to go to the Dry Tortugas, but the weather didn’t let that happen. We got two nights out and were called back to the dock due to weather. It was the right call. You could have a great time, but it is not like sailing the VI’s. If you decide to do KW, contact Suzanne at Calypso if you want a cat. They have a couple of great dock locations and excellent boats. I am not saying I won’t sail the keys again, but there are a lot of places I would go first. I hope this helps.

Re: Key West Charter [Re: RebeccaTN] #261216
07/23/2021 01:45 PM
07/23/2021 01:45 PM
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 45
Tennessee
RebeccaTN Offline OP
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RebeccaTN  Offline OP
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Tennessee
Thanks for the info, TRIM. I'm not sure either option is going to work out at this point. Can't find any boats available in USVI in early October.

Re: Key West Charter [Re: RebeccaTN] #261222
07/23/2021 02:19 PM
07/23/2021 02:19 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 396
Pacific NW
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snmhanson Offline
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Timely post for me. We are seriously considering a charter in the Keys this February in conjunction with a visit to the Miami boat show. Now I'm wondering if we should reconsider. It seemed like a good alternative to the BVIs and other Caribbean locations which I am staying away from until they get a better handle on COVID and we have more certainty that there won't be any surprises. We are fully vaccinated but until the testing requirements are completely removed I don't think I want to deal with the hassle or extra expense for my family. Florida just seemed to make sense, but I would prefer to easily be able to anchor out with good holding and/or get a slip without having to plan far in advance. Maybe we'll have to adjust and head to Puerto Rico or the USVI after the show...

Re: Key West Charter [Re: RebeccaTN] #261227
07/23/2021 03:02 PM
07/23/2021 03:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 189
Eastern MA
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tothedogs Offline
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Eastern MA
You may wish to consider the Abacos. I'm not sure how well recovered it is from the storm, but we were there several years before and enjoyed it. There are several charter companies there including Moorings and DYC.


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