Hawke Channel

We're back up and running using the wi-fi in house at the Overseas Bar, Grill, and Package Store in Marathon.

I want to catch up and report on the trip from Key West to Marathon. Off of the Atlantic side of the Keys is the second largest coral reef in the world. It parallels the Keys about 10-12 miles offshore. This forms a wonderfully protected channel--the Hawke channel. It is reliably 25-30 feet deep and waves are rarely over one foot. The problem is crab pots. There are thousands.

On 12-22-07 we motor sailed NE out of Key West. At 1400 we headed into the Niles Channel and proceeded slowly to an anchorage NE of Pye Key. The Garmin chart plotter was crucial en keeping us in the 7 ft. water which was indistinguishable from the 4 foot green water. Down went the new Rocna anchor on the new 5/16th chain on the just installed bow roller with the new rope/chain snubber. Remarkably it all worked perfectly. It came up without a hitch in the morning.

Then off to Marathon. We hit the entrance on nose and went thru bascule bridge (see picture on previous post). After running aground twice we picked up a mooring in the huge mooring field of Boot Key Harbor.

Marathon is a blast. We walk to the Publix grocery store and Home Depot. West Marine is a dingy ride away. Our friends Bill and Pam on Wave Dancer and Lynn and Susan on Susan II came in today 12-26-07.

The weather has been wonderful. We could probably cross the Gulf Stream at any time but there is a southerly flow predicted for Friday 12-28-07. If that prediction holds up we will head out for South Riding Rock, Bahamas, cross onto the Great Banks dawn 12-29-07, anchor on the Banks that night, and clear in at Chub Key 12-30-07.