If you went to the Keys with the family for a week or so, would you trailer your 22’ bay boat? We like to be out on the water - fishing, riding, snorkeling, etc. I know its a really long haul. On one hand I say just hire a guide or charter a boat for a few days while you are there. But on the other hand, what about the cost of that plus the other days when you are landlocked. Maybe with the family there is enough else to do that you can mix it up, some fishing some goof-off on land days. Have not been but working on planning a trip.
http://www.floridasportsman.com/2011/05/16/regions_ke_060248/
Maybe not what you’re looking for but a cool right up and another option!
Bridge fishing is fun but I wouldn’t want to be in the Keys without a boat.
‘87 Pacemaker 31’ SF
‘04 Renegade 29’ 2 225’s
‘97 Maycraft 17’ 40 hp
We have been going to the Keys for several years now and I cannot imagine not taking the boat. Renting is an option but, nothing beats having YOUR boat tie up right outside your house. You can come and go as you please, fish, snorkel, sight-see, etc. Our tow is around 700 miles one way but, if you make sure your trailer tires/bearings are in good shape, have a spare and an extra hub/bearings and take your time, it is worth the trouble of towing. Stay on the turnpike, it way beats going through Miami.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
Yeah I can’t imagine being happy with a rental boat. I am fairly particular about how I keep my boat and being out in new areas with an unfamiliar boat sounds more stressful to me than towing my own.
For those who take your boat, what area do you like to stay in that gives you good access to plenty of fishing, snorkeling, etc?
Cudjoe Key is where we like to stay. Rent a waterfront house in the Venture Out Resort, tie the boat up to the front door. It’s a 15 minute ride to Looe Key, fantastic snorkeling there. 20 minutes to deep water off the reef or 20 minutes the other way out to the Gulf.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Depends on how much you want to spend … We have always stayed at the Gulfview Waterfront Resort (http://www.gulfviewwaterfrontresort.com) …
Small, but priced right AND THEY HAVE A PRIVATE RAMP AND DOCK …
They are located on Grassy Key which is part of the Marathon Key area in between Marathon and Islamorada … Which is for all intents and purposes the epicenter of fishing in the keys …
If you don’t decide to take your boat and want the names a few guides let me know …
The last few times we’ve been down there the fishing has been spectacular
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
For a full week vacation, I say yeah, take your own boat. My dad rented a house on Marathon for a week on a canal that included a little 17’ Triumph. I went down for Sun-Wed. No depthfinder, gps, vhf, on the boat at all. Bilge ran a little too much. Could only use the boat sunrise-sunset, so no taking it to dinner and being gone until dark. If I’m able to go for the full week next year I’ll for sure trailer my own down there.
Might want to get a tag for your boat trailer.
‘87 Pacemaker 31’ SF
‘04 Renegade 29’ 2 225’s
‘97 Maycraft 17’ 40 hp
quote:
Originally posted by mattc14Might want to get a tag for your boat trailer.
‘87 Pacemaker 31’ SF
‘04 Renegade 29’ 2 225’s
‘97 Maycraft 17’ 40 hp
Dear Lord, riding down to Big Pine for mini-season one year County PD pulled us in Marathon around 1am. They held us for over an hour bc we did not have the boat strapped directly to the trailer and bc the trailer was not registered to the vehicle with a separate license plate. They refused to believe in the state of SC that it was not a legal requirement to have a tralier regeistered to a vehicle.
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.
- More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927
31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs
Yeah guess you gotta brush up on the trailering rules for Florida if you tow thru there. more fun!
I’ve rented a boat down there and it was fun… The drawbacks was that it was around $400-$500 per day for the boat that we rented. The other drawback was that we couldn’t pick it up until 8:30 and we had to be back AT THE DOCK before 5:30 or additional late fees would apply. I would definitely trailer a 22’ boat down there. I would probably take your boat by the trailer shop and have it serviced (unless you know how to do all of that yourself). Have them look at the tires, hubs, bearings, etc. I would have extra tire\wheel assembly, etc. Make sure you have all of the tools you need to change the wheel on your trailer. Also, if you haven’t already, make sure you pay the additional $10 or whatever it is to get the trailer towing coverage on your SeaTow\TowboatUS.
And, if you go down the turnpike, make sure you have some cash with you. In the Miami area, they will just take a picture of your license plate and bill you (if you don’t have the Sun Pass). However, north of Miami, they still run on cash\Sun Pass in a few of the toll booths.
Permanent trailer tag for SC is only $85 and is REQUIRED if you take an SC trailer out of state …
Check VRBO.com, tons of great waterfront houses and good deals. We have used them for more than 10 years and never been unhappy.
And have never been stopped for not having a tag.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
quote:
Originally posted by LawcrusherPermanent trailer tag for SC is only $85 and is REQUIRED if you take an SC trailer out of state …
Do you have a link to this handy?
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.
- More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927
31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs
Wife and I went in May of 2005. 25 knot winds non-stop. Truck got 9 miles to the gallon so do the math, also use high test to keep your vehicle in overdrive (Chevron is the best). Ended up cancelling early and going to Charleston where the weather was much better! DOH! Also, you need to do a LOT of homework on getting through the reefs, sand, rocks, and reserved fishing areas. Most of the keys is park now.
quote:
The drawbacks was that it was around $400-$500 per day for the boat that we rented. The other drawback was that we couldn't pick it up until 8:30 and we had to be back AT THE DOCK before 5:30 or additional late fees would apply.
We were down there last year in Cudjoe. I towed my boat and another couple we were with rented a boat for the week. The rental company delivered and launched it at the Venture Out ramp, our friends had full use of it for the week, day or night 24/7 and they came and picked it up the next weekend. Don’t remember the name of the rental company but it wasn’t terribly expensive. About $700 for the entire week I think and the boat was well equipped. I can find out the details on that.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
quote:
Originally posted by Touchequote:
Originally posted by LawcrusherPermanent trailer tag for SC is only $85 and is REQUIRED if you take an SC trailer out of state …
Do you have a link to this handy?
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.
- More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927
31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs
For which part? The permanent tag fee or the out of state requirements?
The tag fee is listed on the DMV website (it’s actually $87 now - it was $85 when I bought mine) … When I asked about tagging our trailer when we first moved to SC from Florida, the DMV worker told me that if we didn’t get one it was fine for instate use, but if we went out of state then we were subject to that particular state’s tag laws … Knowing that we would be going out of state (a lot) it made sense to pay the one time fee and get a permanent tag rather than having to deal with getting “taxed” every time we crossed the state line with the trailer …
So while I’m not 1000% positive there is a SC law on the books indicating out of state use “requires” a permanent tag, common sense says that if every state around you requires a trailer tag then if you leave the state a tag is required regardless of the law in SC … 
quote:
Originally posted by Lawcrusherquote:
Originally posted by Touchequote:
Originally posted by LawcrusherPermanent trailer tag for SC is only $85 and is REQUIRED if you take an SC trailer out of state …
Do you have a link to this handy?
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.
- More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927
31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs
For which part? The permanent tag fee or the out of state requirements?
The tag fee is listed on the DMV website (it’s actually $87 now - it was $85 when I bought mine) … When I asked about tagging our trailer when we first moved to SC from Florida, the DMV worker told me that if we didn’t get one it was fine for instate use, but if we went out of state then we were subject to that particular state’s tag laws … Knowing that we would be going out of state (a lot) it made sense to pay the one time fee and get a permanent tag rather than having to deal with getting “taxed” every time we crossed the state line with the trailer …
So while I’m not 1000% positive there is a SC law on the books indicating out of state use “requires” a permanent tag, common sense says that if every state around you requires a trailer tag then if you leave the state a tag is required regardless of the law in SC …
Solid. I appreciate the info.
Do not tell fish stories w
When I trailered my boat to the Keys at Thanksgiving, the law was that a PERSONAL trailer did not need to be registered for in state use but DID need to be registered for any out of state use.
Commercial trailers (if I recall correctly) need to be registered for any use.
EDIT to add:
Try to get a place with a dock or a slip. It will make the trip so much better. I loved being able to walk out to my boat and take it for a short sunset cruise or something. It was just like walking out to your car in the driveway – no hassle at all. The trip was amazing. Hope you guys have fun.
2000 Sportcraft Sport Cat 255
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160