Florida Keys next summer. Help me prepare.
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 12:05 pm
Well, booked my beach front campsite for July (hot) at Bahia Honda State Park in the keys. I'll take my toon with me. Man, do I have some questions:
1) If I'm boating for 5-6 days, do I need to take any precautions with salt water? Do I have to flush the Suzuki 150DF daily? I "plan" to pull it out daily. Prop should be fine? Do I wash the galvanized trailer daily? What if I float it at the marina; will I need to do anything different for floating in the ocean for 5-6 days?
2) I don't scuba, so I'll be snorkeling. What are the best places to boat to for looking at a reef or sunken ship, if they are visible from above?
3) Are there any great islands to boat to? I.e like movie stuff, sand, small, a few trees to eat lunch (sex)?
4) What equipment is needed for the keys? Flare, VHF (permanent or handheld) is required? I have no second motor. Boat towing insurance? I have it under my boat insurance policy, but guess I need to ask them about the ocean.
5) I have no real or recent ocean experience. How far out should I travel? I.e. 10 miles it too far? 20 miles? I had a 23" open bow that I went from Santa Barbara to the Channel Islands in. Smooth out, rough coming back. I was a little on edge, but not afraid.
6) Navigation! I have a GPS cell phone, but am sure this will not be enough. I have stand alone GPS on my cell phone also, not tower based. Do I need a navigation fish finder type thing? I will take a map and compass.
7) Are there just random shallow spots or rock I can get stuck on or hit while boating fast?
Spare equipment? I have a new motor (2012). Do I need spark plugs, oil, spare prop, etc, basic tools? What about JB weld for a hole in the toon? I'm good with engines, but computer stuff might not make a difference anymore.
9) Do I need spare gas can on board? I have 55 gallon capacity.
10) What do I do about tides? How do they effect me? Will I get stranded somehow? If I get stranded somehow, how long will the tide take to come back in?
11) What to do if I get stuck out at night? Boat back slow, beach for the night and bring a blanket? Do I need to get some MRE and water for an emergency couple days?
12) Who I contact when I go out to make sure someone knows where I'm at if lost at sea? Army mentality...someone always knows where you are. Camp ground, parents, marina? Or is this not really done by anyone?
13) What do I need to know in the mangrove trees and channels? Dangerous or no big deal?
14) I have a small box anchor with a 50' rope, no chain. Is this sufficient?
15) I'd like the hummin bird side imaging fish finder to see what is on the bottom of the ocean as much as fishing. Will I "see" anything cool on the screen, or is the bottom too deep or just flat sand?
I'd appreciate any advice at all. I'm not afraid or paranoid, but want to be prepared. This is going to be fun.
Remember, this is an inexpensive trip, so although I'd like to hit some good stuff (sights, restaurants, entertainment), I have about $700 for entertainment. I plan most of my money for truck gas, camp site, boat fuel, food, with a focus on boating. However, I do want to do things when not floating. I'd like a good dive joint, not fancy dinners. One night for alcoholic drinks with atmosphere, but not fancy, just chilling, etc. I will have my wife and 15yr son with me. We are adventurous, and like to have fun and be social, but we are not party people. Like on our local lake we will tie up and have a beer or two, but not get smashed.
1) If I'm boating for 5-6 days, do I need to take any precautions with salt water? Do I have to flush the Suzuki 150DF daily? I "plan" to pull it out daily. Prop should be fine? Do I wash the galvanized trailer daily? What if I float it at the marina; will I need to do anything different for floating in the ocean for 5-6 days?
2) I don't scuba, so I'll be snorkeling. What are the best places to boat to for looking at a reef or sunken ship, if they are visible from above?
3) Are there any great islands to boat to? I.e like movie stuff, sand, small, a few trees to eat lunch (sex)?
4) What equipment is needed for the keys? Flare, VHF (permanent or handheld) is required? I have no second motor. Boat towing insurance? I have it under my boat insurance policy, but guess I need to ask them about the ocean.
5) I have no real or recent ocean experience. How far out should I travel? I.e. 10 miles it too far? 20 miles? I had a 23" open bow that I went from Santa Barbara to the Channel Islands in. Smooth out, rough coming back. I was a little on edge, but not afraid.
6) Navigation! I have a GPS cell phone, but am sure this will not be enough. I have stand alone GPS on my cell phone also, not tower based. Do I need a navigation fish finder type thing? I will take a map and compass.
7) Are there just random shallow spots or rock I can get stuck on or hit while boating fast?
Spare equipment? I have a new motor (2012). Do I need spark plugs, oil, spare prop, etc, basic tools? What about JB weld for a hole in the toon? I'm good with engines, but computer stuff might not make a difference anymore.
9) Do I need spare gas can on board? I have 55 gallon capacity.
10) What do I do about tides? How do they effect me? Will I get stranded somehow? If I get stranded somehow, how long will the tide take to come back in?
11) What to do if I get stuck out at night? Boat back slow, beach for the night and bring a blanket? Do I need to get some MRE and water for an emergency couple days?
12) Who I contact when I go out to make sure someone knows where I'm at if lost at sea? Army mentality...someone always knows where you are. Camp ground, parents, marina? Or is this not really done by anyone?
13) What do I need to know in the mangrove trees and channels? Dangerous or no big deal?
14) I have a small box anchor with a 50' rope, no chain. Is this sufficient?
15) I'd like the hummin bird side imaging fish finder to see what is on the bottom of the ocean as much as fishing. Will I "see" anything cool on the screen, or is the bottom too deep or just flat sand?
I'd appreciate any advice at all. I'm not afraid or paranoid, but want to be prepared. This is going to be fun.
Remember, this is an inexpensive trip, so although I'd like to hit some good stuff (sights, restaurants, entertainment), I have about $700 for entertainment. I plan most of my money for truck gas, camp site, boat fuel, food, with a focus on boating. However, I do want to do things when not floating. I'd like a good dive joint, not fancy dinners. One night for alcoholic drinks with atmosphere, but not fancy, just chilling, etc. I will have my wife and 15yr son with me. We are adventurous, and like to have fun and be social, but we are not party people. Like on our local lake we will tie up and have a beer or two, but not get smashed.