Keewaydin Island, Naples, FL

[DeeRow]

I'm planning a trip around south Florida between Christmas and New Years. I'm thinking I'll be in Naples/Marco area a day or two. I've read folks mention Keewaydin Island and I was wondering where you anchor when visiting the island? Do you anchor on the east side (around marker 44) and walk to the beach or do you anchor on the west (ocean) side? Google Earth shows a path from the east side to the beach.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[CARL GUZMAN]

Dee Row
can't wait to greet you on your visit get with me on times also it's better to anchore on the east side of island thats where evreyone hangs out and it keeps you out of the gulf waves. but you have to go in the back way around about 3 miles , you can cut across the sand bars at south entrance but it's for smaller boats 2ft to 3ft max if you stay in the dark areas very bad unless you know the way...

 

[DeeRow]

My wife and daughter informed me that they would prefer going on a trip BEFORE Christmas instead of after. Current plan is to go circle south Florida: thru the Okeechobee waterway to Ft. Meyers, Naples, Marco, Everglade City, Duck Key, Miami, and home. Between Christmas and New Years, we had only 7 days. Before Christmas, we can take 9 days, getting home Christmas eve. A weather delay will mean Christmas on the boat. I don't think that we can continue to believe in Santa Claus if we don't make it home Christmas Eve. With 9 days we can make more stops or stay in places longer. Two legs of the trip are very dependent on calm winds: Okeechobee crossing and from Everglade City to Duck Key. We aborted a Bahamas trip in 8 - 10 seas about 10 miles out in July. If we have another trip like that, my family will not ever want to play in the ocean again.

Carl, PM me with a phone number and I'll call when our plans firm up.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[jcrlaw]

Carl: Let me know the dates for Keewaydin as well and Alex and I will come out for an overnight. The only day I can't make it is the 21st as we have a large charity function on the boat. Look forward to meeting DeeRow.

 

[CARL GUZMAN]

Hot Dog It looks like we are Haveing a mini Rondezvouse right here in little old Naples Florida any one else want to go come on down I hope we can get some people from the Tampa area too?

PS. the new rules are if you have three or more Hats together you can have a Mini Rondezvouse.. so if FREEBIRD buys one more he can have his own party just kiding guy ..if your lurking out there PM me I hope you can make it...my cell 239-641-0808

 

[hwginc]

Hot Dog It looks like we are Haveing a mini Rondezvouse right here in little old Naples Florida any one else want to go come on down I hope we can get some people from the Tampa area too?

PS. the new rules are if you have three or more Hats together you can have a Mini Rondezvouse.. so if FREEBIRD buys one more he can have his own party just kiding guy ..if your lurking out there PM me I hope you can make it...my cell 239-641-0808

BTW were ts Freebird

 

[thoward]

Retired......

 

[Pascal]

deerow, you need 9 days for the mini loop if you want to enjoy it and not run all day. i did it to years ago, the other way aroudn though, and it's a very interesting cruise as it is very diversified... keys, west coast, rural areas, glitzy, etc...

make sure you stop at cape sable, the beach is nice for long walks... if the weather is nice, you can anchor out there overnight.

we spent 2 nights docked at the Gun and rod club at everglade city, that was a nice stop, although one night is enough.

 

[CARL GUZMAN]

I've always wanted to do a camp out way down by Shark River / Cape Sabel area i've seen it flying over many times and the beaches look great Very private and I bet there's even some fish , you remember fish the things that swim around in the water and taste really good.

 

[hwginc]

Retired......

I miss his off the wall humor hope he rejoins the forum again

 

[Wild Bill]

BTW were ts Freebird

The BIRD is on the injured reserve list. He is out there, lurking, ever watchful. So be afraid, be very afraid.

 

[DeeRow]

deerow, you need 9 days for the mini loop if you want to enjoy it and not run all day. i did it to years ago, the other way aroudn though, and it's a very interesting cruise as it is very diversified... keys, west coast, rural areas, glitzy, etc...

make sure you stop at cape sable, the beach is nice for long walks... if the weather is nice, you can anchor out there overnight.

we spent 2 nights docked at the Gun and rod club at everglade city, that was a nice stop, although one night is enough.

We are just beginning to reach that same conclusion, 7 days is pushing it for the mini loop. I plotted out a route last year and decided it was too much then (was our "shake down cruise"). The route I did this year cut across the yacht channel (didn't go to Key West) to try to shorten the route. I'm now looking at going to the west coast via Lake O and then returning via Lake O. Unfortunately, that will cut out Cape Sable.

Mark

 

[DeeRow]

PS. the new rules are if you have three or more Hats together you can have a Mini Rondezvouse..

Errr... I don't have a Hat. I have a 1988 Cruisers. It doesn't have any classic lines, but the hull was designed by Jim Wynne. Jim Wynne also designed several boats for Hatteras 1982 to 1987. If Ed and Angela's experience are any indication, it looks like my next boat will be a Hat

 

[CARL GUZMAN]

I think it's AARRRR there DeeRow but hey either way post your dates so maybe we can meet around Fort Myers.. I can't promise anything but I'm suposed to meet Crazybird out there some time in the future for a weekend on the hook

PS I think you guys can still PM Crazybird he's still out there as a lurker I think he needs some support

 

[DeeRow]

Current plan is
1) 12/26 Ft. Meyers City, Legacy Harbor Marina,
2) 12/27-28 South Seas Plantation, North Captiva Island,
3) 12/29 Everglade City, Rod and Gun Club
4) 12/30 Naples, Naples Boat Club
5) 12/31 Clewiston, Roland Martin Marina

Hey what is the "holiday rule" in Naples that will get you a $65 fine in the waters around Naples? This news article doesn't say what it is.

Mark

 

[Capt Mike]

Mark
The only "Holiday rule" down here, that I know of, is the Idle speed zone changes on weekends and hoildays, I know that catches alot of people off guard.
Mike

 

[CARL GUZMAN]

Cool Deerow I see your schedual I can make it on the 29-30 to cruies out and around Naples or Marco..
I'll be in a Tennessee Blue Ridge cabin visting FREEBIRD from 12/21 to 12/28 .after that I'll look for you PM your cell mine is 239-641-0808.

ps Mike is right in high trafic areas weekends and Hollidays you have to Idle it will say it on the sign...

also be carful with sand bars in Everglades city they moved from Willma..

 

[DeeRow]

I got a one page report of the no-wake zones including holidays from the Naples police.

The anchorage site posted on another thread shows an anchorage by Keewaydin Island. It is further south than I expected. I figured that the entire island was uninhabited. But looking on Google Earth, there are homes on the southern end!!! We'll have a small dog with us so any anchorage we use, we will need to be able to go ashore. The admiral wants to spend the nights in marinas, but my reservation in Naples was kinda tenative ("uh.. I thing we can fit you in..."). Need to call them again to see if I get a more definitive answer.

Mark
"Fish n' Loaves"

 

[CARL GUZMAN]

I'll check at my marina to see if they have anything??
also in the Marco Pass you can anchor next to coconut Island it's safe and deep there you'll be in Tom Cruises mom's back yard
he just called me and you maybe can slip in behind a house boat and have some dockage and power . no charge how big is your Cruieser again?

 

[DeeRow]

Thanks Carl for the offer to check with you marina. I'll let you know after I talk to the Naples Boat Club again. I also think that I want to be a further north as we have about a 100 mile run to Clewiston from Naples. This time of year anchoring out would be great (in the right anchorage). I have an inverter for the refrigerators so I would not need to run the generator. I do need to get the dog ashore though. Not sure Tom Cruise's mom would like the dog in her yard! We promise to pick up after him and put the bag in HER trash (sure don't want it aboard the boat!).

Mark