W. Palm Beach to Key West Advice please

I appreciate the offer. My antique Hatteras got winterized today. She is tucked snugly into her covered shed berth until Spring. I will be flying into FLL and then doing some local FL cruising via small German 4-wheeled land yacht. Abandoned since May - I'm sure that the battery is dead by now.

Wasn't Faro Blanco on the West side of Marathon Key? I've never stayed there as it was a little before my time as a Captain.

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned Islamorada. It's the French Rivera of the Keys. Great restaurants. Bud & Mary's Marina on the Ocean side would be a nice place to overnight. And walking distance (200 yards) north of the Marina is Lazy Days...excellent food! There's also a Worldwide Sportsman (the salt water version of Bass Pro shops) with a great replica of Ernest Hemingway's boat inside the store. And behind is the Islamorada Fish company with alfresco dining...it was made much better after the hurricane wiped out the last one. And the very famous Green Turtle Inn, and Uncle's...the closest you'll get to gourmet food! And Guy Harvey has two new resorts one on the Bay side and one on the Ocean side. I'm very safe in saying that a trip to the Keys is incomplete without a stop in Islamorada.

Just a side note to the Worldwide Sportsman...if the Wifey gets a little antsy the entire second floor via elevator is all Art and Women's wear! After putting a small dent in your Credit Card...she just very well may be open to open water legs. Just a personal observation. I didn't mean to make that sound naughty...it just came out that way.

Riverdance - don't be spooked and do know that the Little Palm Island rate is most certainly the exception. And the available 25% discount makes it a bit more palatable if you are looking for that specific experience. As has been mentioned, it is a resort destination, definitely not a "marina" destination and definitely not for everyone - and obviously not the place if kids or pups are on board. While I enjoy the simplest of nice marinas and more typical pricing first and foremost when I cruise, it had been on my list for a while because of the resort itself and when I had the opportunity to stay there on my own boat as I was rounding the Keys I jumped on it. Based on my positive experience I feel it's at least worth a mention for anyone cruising the Keys - only you know if it's right for you.

I'll add my +1 for Islamorada, at least for a night or two.

After all that Florida talk Riverdance, you took the Bahamas. Being a fisherman, I would take the Bahamas over the Keys any day. Knowing that your Wife is not a Blue water cruiser, be careful about your Weather. If a front is pushing through, it will stack up the Gulfstream, and it can get very nasty in a big hurry. I would check with several weather services, prior to shoving off. Are you going to take a bead from WPB, or head to Miami before crossing?

That's going to be very hard to find this time of the year. I would keep the keys as a backup plan, or even Ft. Laud, Miami, Key Largo......as they're all protected. The Gulfstream has been 8' + for the last 2 weeks almost. I would keep the Keys as a backup plan. If you're doing that, I would stop in Harbour Island on the way over and spend a few days there as well. Over in the Abacos, Guana is nice, Hope Town is nice, etc for a day trip.

Capt. J is right on target...snotty is the perfect term for winter boating especially out in the Gulfstream. Of course, I'm an idiot...I'd take my 26' center console out to the hump 15 miles east of Islamorada Tuna fishing in 8-10 foot seas. But good for her...I've found that once people(male or female) find out that you can take some green water over the bow, and not die in the process...tends to put some adventure in their soul, and they are willing to be more comfortable going out into something other than calm seas.

C'mon rcrapps, this is a vacation..an adventure for them. Assuming you were 25 years younger...would you fly over and rent a boat? I don't think so! I'm pushing 60 and I'd still take my boat over...and I think you'd do the same. Especially with that tank you live aboard! That was a great boat. I had a neighbor who lived down the canal from me, and he had one just like yours.